Risen 2: Dark Waters

The main pros of the game

• Engaging Story and Characters: Many players appreciated the storyline involving the quest against the titan Mara and found the characters interesting and well-voiced.
• Unique Pirate Theme: The shift to a pirate setting was seen as a fresh change, providing a unique atmosphere that stands out in the RPG genre.
• Exploration and World Design: The game features lush, varied islands and environments that encourage exploration. Players enjoyed the immersive world and the different locations to discover.
• Progression System: The game has a rewarding progression system that motivates players to explore and engage with the game world.
• Quirky Mechanics: The inclusion of unique mechanics like using animals (monkeys and parrots) and voodoo adds a fun twist to gameplay.
• Side Quests: The game offers a variety of side quests that enhance the overall experience.

The main cons of the game

• Technical Issues: Many players reported frequent crashes, bugs, and other technical problems, including issues with saving and loading, which detracted from the overall experience.
• Combat System: The combat was often criticized for being clunky, lacking depth, and feeling less satisfying compared to the first game. Some found it frustrating, especially in the early game.
• Navigation Problems: The absence of a mini-map and convoluted navigation made it difficult for players to find their way around, leading to frustration during exploration.
• Repetitive Enemies and Environments: Some players noted that enemy designs were repetitive and that many locations felt similar, reducing the sense of discovery.
• Story Connection to Risen 1: While the game is a sequel, some players felt that the connection to the first game was weak, making it less engaging for those who played Risen 1.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Improved Combat Mechanics: Players expressed a desire for a more refined and engaging combat system, pointing out that it felt like a downgrade from Risen 1.
• Better Navigation Tools: A mini-map or clearer objective markers were suggested to help players navigate the game world more easily.
• Post-Game Free Roam: Many users wished for the ability to continue exploring or completing quests after finishing the main story, as the game ends abruptly.
• More Diverse Quests and Environments: Players wanted a wider variety of quests and more distinct environments to explore, as some felt the game became tedious due to backtracking and fetch quests.
• Enhanced Technical Stability: A general call for better optimization and fewer bugs was prevalent, as many players found the technical issues to be a significant barrier to enjoyment.

Summary

• Overall, while Risen 2: Dark Waters has its share of charm and engaging elements, it is marred by technical issues and a combat system that many players found lacking compared to its predecessor.

Summary generated on: October 28, 2025