Arcania: Gothic 4

1. TheQuietGamer

   Feb 11, 2012

   9

   It may not be the most polished RPG, but it is addicting and fun, and as many of the critics have said if you want to get into the open worldIt may not be the most polished RPG, but it is addicting and fun, and as many of the critics have said if you want to get into the open world RPG games then this is a good place to help you get acquainted with these kinds of games as it is simple without being overly simple, easy to figure out, also it's the perfect difficulty for those just starting out, and it's just a lot of fun, it does have some polish issues though, the graphics are bad, and the voice acting is horrible for the most part (you'll be able to find one or two decent voice actors) and the story isn't really all that interesting or well written, but the gameplay is (for the most part) smooth, combat flows very well do to excellent controls, menus are very well done, and leveling up is easy and really makes you feel extremely powerful when you can slaughter hoards of enemies without taking any real damage, it took me about a little over 12 hours to complete, and if you do all the side quests it will probably take you about another 2 to beat, so if your a beginner to the open world RPG and are looking for some practice before you tackle the more challenging and deep RPGs out there, or are a hardcore open world RPG player and are just looking for a good one to play I recommend this game, because even with it's issues it's an addicting and fun RPG, and isn't that why we play games? not because they have the best graphics, but because they're fun, and this game is a lot of fun and that is why I recommend it to RPG fans everywhere.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
2. Robbaz

   Oct 12, 2010

   8

   I really enjoyed this game, probably due i like the concept. This is pretty much like Risen slightly less polished but the game really picksI really enjoyed this game, probably due i like the concept. This is pretty much like Risen slightly less polished but the game really picks up after a hour. Big world with decent graphics and decent gameplay. But the atmosphere in dungeons and lightning is pretty amazing.
   
   If you like games with a unamed hero on a island, go ahead. It isn't perfect but you can't stop playing.… Expand

   • 3 of 6 users found this helpful
4. DanoDB

   Oct 21, 2010

   8

   I will start by saying that I am enjoying this game. I think that comparing this (or ANY other RPG) to Oblivion isn't a fair comparison.I will start by saying that I am enjoying this game. I think that comparing this (or ANY other RPG) to Oblivion isn't a fair comparison. Oblivion was a remarkable game that set THE standard for an open-world RPG, but using it as a benchmark for any game even -remotely- in the RPG genre is misleading. There is far more to the RPG experience than stunning graphics and/or control schemes.
   
   I enjoy RPGs that allow me to explore a fantasy world, be part of an engaging story, and watching my character progress. Arcania does that very well. For some, the graphics may seem unpolished, but the game drew me in...and suspended my disbelief. I guess I don't mind my imagination filling in some gaps that the developers may have left.… Expand

   • 4 of 4 users found this helpful
5. czaczi87

   Oct 25, 2010

   5

   I'm very sad to say this, but the game is a dumbed-down Gothic. No, scratch that. This is not a Gothic game though you can find the sameI'm very sad to say this, but the game is a dumbed-down Gothic. No, scratch that. This is not a Gothic game though you can find the same characters and plot reference from the previous installments.
   
   To begin with, Arcania is linear as hell. The game is constructed in such a way that you cannot visit the areas which the authors didn't intend you to visit - there's always a boulder blocking the way, a permit to pass the bridge, a closed door to which you must be given the key. It is a real letdown, especially when you remember the vast landscapes from G2 or G3.
   
   There are a lot more things that you are not allowed to do. You cannot sleep (so you won't be able to wait through the night or heavy rain). You are not able to attack any NPC. Also, you cannot pick-pocket them, though no one reacts when you steal stuff from their houses, chests, etc., whereas in the previous games you had to be very clever to be a burglar. You don't need to find teachers to learn new skills and you actually don't fell any stronger when you reach a new experience level.
   
   The combat system is that of a typical slasher - you mash the attack button, evade blows, but blocking them with your shield makes no sense. There is a glitch with the ranged weapon system. You can kill every monster just by shooting from your bow/crossbow and walking backwards. The enemies go forward with the same speed as you go backward. I had to use this bug a lot, because when I was playing on the hard difficulty I had little chance of survival when fighting a large group of enemies. Btw. Every spell caster in this game is a pain in the ass.
   
   The graphics on the Xbox 360 are average at best, most of the time they just suck. Throughout the game you will notice that the characters use 4-5 face patterns and the enemies from the same group use the same models (wolf, black wolf, lurking wolf etc. they all look the same). The game has huge framerate issues. Most of the time you get 20 fps, but when you fight larger groups of enemies it's much worse than that. The music is fine, I guess, but the voice acting is rather poor and I can't find any memorable performances.
   
   The story is a typical from zero to hero, chosen-one bullcrap. They killed my wife - Revenge!!! Nothing worth mentioning, but then again the story with paladins and dragons from Gothic 2 wasn't better. Oh, and you can forget about interesting quests like the ones from Oblivion. Most of the time it's your standard MMORPG package. Go fetch me 5 mushrooms, kill 6 boars, activate 3 magical stones etc. Boring as hell.
   
   Okay, the good stuff: I guess there is a lot of loot to plunder, the combat isn't that bad, there is a item crafting system and... That's all. Every other aspect of the game is either poor or mediocre. You feel that the game needs some serious polishing and most of the mechanisms should be built from scratch.
   
   I seriously don't know how I made it to the end. Oh, and it took me about 19 hours to finish it. I hope my review will be of some help to those who are not convinced whether or not to buy it. My advice? Wait for Two Worlds 2. I give it a 5/10… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. Nosradna

   Mar 30, 2011

   5

   Arcania Gothic IV is a generic and AVERAGE RPG. First everyone starts as the same male character. The leveling system is very basic with onlyArcania Gothic IV is a generic and AVERAGE RPG. First everyone starts as the same male character. The leveling system is very basic with only a few ways to differentiate characters. The achievements are impossible to attain in one play through. Three are collections based (the collectibles are impossible without a cheat book) and another achievement is based on selling every possible item in the game. Combat is intuitive but switching between weapons is a bit clunky. NPC interaction is generic with no variable conversations and the voice acting is bland. The game is also very LINEAR and short in content (I completed all the quests and finished the game in 20 hours). I have come to expect an open world to explore however this game allows you to unlock small areas once you have completed the prior quest. DON'T BUY!! RENT this game… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
7. LordArticus

   Nov 28, 2010

   5

   This being the first game i have played of the Gothic series, i think i have a non bias opinion on this game... The story is not compelling,This being the first game i have played of the Gothic series, i think i have a non bias opinion on this game... The story is not compelling, the game is way to easy even on the hardest mode, the crafting would be great if the difficulty of the game was harder, but because you can defeat every enemy just by sidestepping most of the items go unused and are only worth the points they add to your gamer-score… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. pirokar1

   Oct 27, 2017

   0

   Cóż wydaje mi się, że twórcy chcieli zrobić wszystko by ArcaniA z wyjątkiem fabuły nie miała nic wspólnego z pozostałymi Gothicami. I niestetyCóż wydaje mi się, że twórcy chcieli zrobić wszystko by ArcaniA z wyjątkiem fabuły nie miała nic wspólnego z pozostałymi Gothicami. I niestety im się to udało... Może kiedyś na siłe przejdę tą grę ale póki co bardzo mnie do tego zniechęca. Zalety produkcji to bardzo ładna grafika oraz całkiem fajna opcja przewrotu w walce. Niestety na tym się kończą.
   Produkcja ta jednak posiada bardzo istotne wady:
   - brak nauczycieli/punktów nauki (jest dostępne jedynie nieco dziwaczne drzewko umiejętności)
   - nie jestem pewien czy w grze można rozwijać takie zdolności jak alchemia, kowalstwo, a nawet siła. zręczność, witalność itd.
   - niby "otwarty świat" przypominający ten z Wiedźmina 1/2 (możemy chodzić jedynie ścieżkami wyznaczonymi przez twórców, jeśli uznamy, że chcemy przejść jakimś lasem lub małym wzniesieniem nasza postać się zbuguje i prawdopodobnie zginie z nieznanego powodu)
   - wiele glitchy graficznych (najmniejszy problem, ale dość denerwujący, przykładowo kałuża zmieniająca barwy na białą lub pomarańczową za każdym poruszeniem myszy)
   Moim zdaniem "Gothic 4" ArcaniA nie jest godna polecenia.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful

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