What Gothic 3 should have been instead, although it's almost quite similar but Risen has some better mechanics.
Graphics have really stepped up a notch, shadow casting is absolutely eye-candy especially when shadows project from torch lights and candles.
The environment is well done for an RPG style. It's rich with vegetation and creatures that can surprise you from the bushes or behind a tree.
The combat is still hack and slash but the annoying thing I found that when fighting monsters, parrying their attacks doesn't seem to help much but nevertheless the combat is much better than Gothic 3, which seemed to be very frustrating after getting killed tons of times by Boars.
The A.I really blends well into the environment. Towns, cities and camps live and breath with life.
It's a surprisingly good game and if Gothic 4 would be twice of what Risen is, then expect a really solid RPG in the future.