Risen 2 Dark Waters Catch-all

By the way, GameBanshee has a very comprehensive review of Risen 2 up. It answered the questions I had and gave me a solid idea of what the game is like. I'd recommend it to anyone on the fence about getting the game.

I'll also mention that the Treasure Island DLC has dropped off Steam for some people, while others see it fine and no one has identified a pattern. Someone contacted Steam support and got a non-answer, so there isn't any information on what is going on. I'm one of those people and have ordered off Amazon since they do still list the DLC as a pre-order bonus (they also list it at 10% off which is not bad). It is a Steamworks game, so no matter where you get it from you should be able to drop the key into your Steam account without issue.

One hour in and here are my first impressions.

-Handles very similar to Risen.
-loads and saves extremely fast
-character models, especially the face, are greatly improved
-face models can sometimes be a little weird
-still can't customize the initial look of your character
-story starts off after the first one with you playing the same character. The game assumes you knew what went on and what the world is about. I suggest quickly looking at a summary of Risen's plot. I know I needed a refresher. Still, even if you don't and just assume some things it flows nicely.
-terrible pop-ins in the first area on the beach. Like driftwood suddenly appearing a few feet in front of you.
-game looks good and seems to be a departure from Risen and Gothic in terms of setting.
-PIRATE RPG!

Leveling system looks very similar to Risen but with some changes. There's no experience but there is Glory. Haven't played enough to say for sure how it all works. Looks like customizing the look of your character is going to be available soon. There's a crew screen but I'm not sure what that means.

Played another hour.

-Not as free form right away as Risen. In Risen you woke up on a beach and could go anywhere. You'd die and could end up on a story path you didn't intend. Risen 2 is a lot more focused.
-I'm impressed with the amount of useful items you can purchase right away.
-already can see some interesting moral choices
-Glory is essentially experience points that you spend to upgrade your character. Gain enough Glory and you can upgrade your attributes. Upgrading your Attributes inreases your Talents (passives that govern everything) and unlock better skills for you to purchase from trainers.
-I killed some monkeys and got Glory. I feel a little dirty.
-animations are a little off
-already have a party member and party combat. Makes early battles much easier. She draws aggro and can use a pistol.
-Extremely pleased with the game so far. Can't wait to play tomorrow.

Thanks for the impressions Vector. I picked this up as well and can't wait to dive in over the weekend.

I killed a Turkey and got raw chicken meat. It 'aint natural I tells ye!

Other than that, enjoying it so far

Vector wrote:

-Glory is essentially experience points that you spend to upgrade your character.

So dungeons are now going to be referred to as 'Glory Holes'?

Also about an hour in, and it does feel very much like Risen, or Gothic. Here are a few screens.

IMAGE(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh150/Wakim_1/risentwo.jpg)

IMAGE(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh150/Wakim_1/Risenone.jpg)

I think I'll be able to do something with this boat later.
IMAGE(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh150/Wakim_1/risenthree.jpg)

IMAGE(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh150/Wakim_1/Risenfour.jpg)

IMAGE(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh150/Wakim_1/risenfive.jpg)

I can't remember of there was fast travel on Risen. There definitely is fast travel in Risen 2.

Vector wrote:

I can't remember of there was fast travel on Risen. There definitely is fast travel in Risen 2.

There was fast travel in Risen. You could find runes that allowed you to jump to specific locations.

TrashiDawa wrote:
Vector wrote:

I can't remember of there was fast travel on Risen. There definitely is fast travel in Risen 2.

There was fast travel in Risen. You could find runes that allowed you to jump to specific locations.

Okay. Risen 2 allows you to fast travel right from the map to specific locations.

Vector wrote:
TrashiDawa wrote:
Vector wrote:

I can't remember of there was fast travel on Risen. There definitely is fast travel in Risen 2.

There was fast travel in Risen. You could find runes that allowed you to jump to specific locations.

Okay. Risen 2 allows you to fast travel right from the map to specific locations.

And it was sorely needed, mostly because while the FIRST half of Risen was excellent, the latter half of that game becomes an enormous slog through waves of annoying-to-fight lizards and running through linear dungeons (ableit ones with quite good puzzles). Hopefully they've improved things a bit this time around.

***

played a good 6 hours or so now - really liking it a lot, although the levelling system is possibly a little on the convoluted side. Definitely feels like a gothic/Risen game in that it tries (and most likely succeeds) to kill you at every available opportunity.

For example, Giant (enemy) Crabs which...

Spoiler:

Seem to be essentially unbeatable until you learn the skill required to leave them vulnerable to damage, which you could quite easily miss if you weren't paying attention

***

oh, and in the jungle (the mightly jungle)...

Spoiler:

...I'd warn you to watch your step for the seemingly undetectable insta-death booby traps but the clue is in the word undetectable 0_o

At first I thought, this game is much easier than Risen. I was wrong. So very wrong. I also need more cash than I have. Much more cash.

Vector wrote:

At first I thought, this game is much easier than Risen. I was wrong. So very wrong. I also need more cash than I have. Much more cash.

Yeah, money does seem very tight. I highly suspect that you're supposed to come back to that first island at a later date, rather than do everything now before moving on. I'd recommend getting lockpicking and pickpocketing ASAP (the latter especially, since it's automatic from within certain conversations so long as your skill is high enough).

Haven't quite worked out how lockpicking is supposed to work yet - for now I seem to be getting away with just moving the mouse left and right and it suddenly popping the lock...I'm sure there's got to be more to it than that.

One relatively easy source of a quick 1000 gold...

Spoiler:

check out the big temple along the narrow jungle valley (where the 'Pete's Treasure' quest takes you). Got to watch your step though

Also I found out you CAN dodge those insta-death spike traps in the jungle. You get a 'blink or you'll miss it' spacebar prompt to dodge it.

As I posted I managed to get a bunch of cash. Still not enough but a good amount. Can't figure out how to kick though. It says to press space but whenever I do my character just does a feeble half jump.

Vector wrote:

As I posted I managed to get a bunch of cash. Still not enough but a good amount. Can't figure out how to kick though. It says to press space but whenever I do my character just does a feeble half jump.

You need to be parrying at the time for it to work. (so hold right mouse button then hit space).

Spoiler:

Giant crabs go from being a deadly threat to laughably easy sources of free clams once you get the timing down

stevenmack wrote:
Vector wrote:

As I posted I managed to get a bunch of cash. Still not enough but a good amount. Can't figure out how to kick though. It says to press space but whenever I do my character just does a feeble half jump.

You need to be parrying at the time for it to work. (so hold right mouse button then hit space).

Spoiler:

Giant crabs go from being a deadly threat to laughably easy sources of free clams once you get the timing down

Thank you! That's what I was missing! I saw Patty do it when she was in my party so I knew the effects but the game was very bad at telling me how to actually do it. Time to get back to hunting!

Vector wrote:
stevenmack wrote:
Vector wrote:

As I posted I managed to get a bunch of cash. Still not enough but a good amount. Can't figure out how to kick though. It says to press space but whenever I do my character just does a feeble half jump.

You need to be parrying at the time for it to work. (so hold right mouse button then hit space).

Spoiler:

Giant crabs go from being a deadly threat to laughably easy sources of free clams once you get the timing down

Thank you! That's what I was missing! I saw Patty do it when she was in my party so I knew the effects but the game was very bad at telling me how to actually do it. Time to get back to hunting!

Helpful for me as well. Really enjoying the game now that I'm further into it, but it does kick you in the nuts every now and then.

How is everyone playing? I see there is support for a controler and have been thinking about giving that a try.

Wakim wrote:
Vector wrote:
stevenmack wrote:
Vector wrote:

As I posted I managed to get a bunch of cash. Still not enough but a good amount. Can't figure out how to kick though. It says to press space but whenever I do my character just does a feeble half jump.

You need to be parrying at the time for it to work. (so hold right mouse button then hit space).

Spoiler:

Giant crabs go from being a deadly threat to laughably easy sources of free clams once you get the timing down

Thank you! That's what I was missing! I saw Patty do it when she was in my party so I knew the effects but the game was very bad at telling me how to actually do it. Time to get back to hunting!

Helpful for me as well. Really enjoying the game now that I'm further into it, but it does kick you in the nuts every now and then.

How is everyone playing? I see there is support for a controler and have been thinking about giving that a try.

I like the PC controls so much I haven't had an itch to try it.

What weapon types are people using? I just realized that I can buy a shotgun and I learned how to throw sand. I'm still using the first sword I had and a cheap scatter pistol. Tempted to try a shotgun/sword/pistol combo but I'm worred about wasting the money. I think a musket might be a better idea in that situation. I don't think muskets are available in Tacarigua.

i'm quite happy with the sword/pistol combo at the moment. Wasn't overly keen on the shotgun but maybe it'll be better once my gun skill is up a bit (although I'm thinking the voodoo route might be interesting, once that becomes an option).

You're right, I don't think you can get muskets earlier than part way through the second area (and I think you only get that as an option if you pick a certain faction to side with). Not sure if that option opens up again later or not though.

Damn you people, I haven't finished the first Risen (hell, haven't gotten that far into it) and you're all making this sound incredible!

Vector wrote:

how to throw sand.

Don't forget about the coconuts. I knocked someone out for a few seconds with one.:)

I don't have a pistol yet, but am about to pick one up. I think that would be handy in my off-hand, but not sure how that works.

Wakim wrote:
Vector wrote:

how to throw sand.

Don't forget about the coconuts. I knocked someone out for a few seconds with one.:)

I don't have a pistol yet, but am about to pick one up. I think that would be handy in my off-hand, but not sure how that works.

same as dirty tricks, just hit E when equipped in the off-hand to fire of a shot at close range. It's on a cooldown. VERY handy in a fight.

15 hours in and It's on the verge of opening all they way up. had some major plot developments and...

Spoiler:

Just about to get control of my own ship, I think

***

Yowza! Something to be aware of: Every time you quicksave (or every time it autosaves) it creates a NEW, separate save file rather than overwriting the same one - after 15 hours I'm up to 880+ files at around 2.7Gb in size already, with only about 30 proper saves.

Great for backtracking - not so good if you've got limit HD space :O

stevenmack wrote:

i'm quite happy with the sword/pistol combo at the moment. Wasn't overly keen on the shotgun but maybe it'll be better once my gun skill is up a bit (although I'm thinking the voodoo route might be interesting, once that becomes an option).

You're right, I don't think you can get muskets earlier than part way through the second area (and I think you only get that as an option if you pick a certain faction to side with). Not sure if that option opens up again later or not though.

I'm a little worried about putting points and spending money when it's a limited resource. I was thinking with the musket/shotgun you can get off a shot before combat starts, switch to blades, kick, fire pistol, then start attacking with melee.

Coldstream wrote:

Damn you people, I haven't finished the first Risen (hell, haven't gotten that far into it) and you're all making this sound incredible!

It's a fantastic sequel. Provides a completely new setting and a more streamlined experience but feels very familiar.

Wakim wrote:
Vector wrote:

how to throw sand.

Don't forget about the coconuts. I knocked someone out for a few seconds with one.:)

I don't have a pistol yet, but am about to pick one up. I think that would be handy in my off-hand, but not sure how that works.

As stevenmack said, it's a Dirty Trick. Works the same but it's power is governed by the pistols stat. I like it a lot. Especially since you can just place the different weapons in the quickslots and switch between them. Kick, sand, switch to pistol, fire. You are limited for bullets though. Luckily they sell for 1 gold each.

stevenmack wrote:

Yowza! Something to be aware of: Every time you quicksave (or every time it autosaves) it creates a NEW, separate save file rather than overwriting the same one - after 15 hours I'm up to 880+ files at around 2.7Gb in size already, with only about 30 proper saves.

Great for backtracking - not so good if you've got limit HD space :O

I noticed that yesterday, I'm going to have to go in and delete a bunch of the autosaves. At least that's easy.

I'm a little disappointed that muskets and voodoo aren't available early on. Especially voodoo. Looks really interesting but with finite resources of gold and Glory I'm not sure how much it is worth putting points in. I like to experiment early rather than adjust later.

Well, this part didn't end well.

IMAGE(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh150/Wakim_1/Risensix.jpg)

IMAGE(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh150/Wakim_1/RisenSeven.jpg)

IMAGE(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh150/Wakim_1/RisenEight.jpg)

well at least he looks happy

At one point I kind of screwed myself over and decided to restart. I haven't left the first island but am quickly catching up to where I was. Glad I started over. Already found something that I missed the first time through. Also, listen to stevenmack's advice: get pickpocketing and lockpicking ASAP.

This game just gets better and better

Spoiler:

Once you get the freedom to jump between islands with your own ship and crew

and I'm glad to see they restock some of the critters once you return to a previously visited island. Not sure if they do that EVERY time you return or if it's triggered by the story like Gothic/Risen 1 but it's a welcome extra source of glory.

Also...

IMAGE(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i183/stevenmack/risen2_1.jpg)
THAT's better - now I look like a REAL Pirate!

I ended up switching off 'vaseline' mode (aka depth of field). the distant scenery improved by leaps and bounds once I did that.
(not really a spoiler - it's the opening area of the game).

IMAGE(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i183/stevenmack/risen2_2.jpg)

stevenmack wrote:

IMAGE(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i183/stevenmack/risen2_1.jpg)

Well, thanks for spoiling the entire game for me. Now that I know you will partner with the Shadow Penguin, what's the point of soldiering on?

Seriously, good to know I'll eventually get to look like a real pirate!

Anyone know where I can find a map of The Sword Coast? I think I'm going in circles half the time.

They call it 'The Sword Coast?' Can you visit Baldur's Gate?

stevenmack wrote:
4xis.black wrote:

They call it 'The Sword Coast?' Can you visit Baldur's Gate?

You

Wakim wrote:

Anyone know where I can find a map of The Sword Coast? I think I'm going in circles half the time.

Unfortunately I can't remember - have you reached the inquisition colony yet (far south of the lookout tower)? Pretty sure I bought it from someone there.

It is given to you or you can take it from Sebastiano's table in the colony.

I'm still waiting for a musket. I have a piece of one but nothing else.

I also have a different problem than earlier. Over 4000 in gold but no trainers around. Early in the sword coast but only two people are trainers in the colony. Thinking I should leave a few sidequests and do the story quests so I can get more options.

Should I be eating the permanent plants or saving them for later? If I remember correctly, in Risen it was best to leave them and then brew super potions. I haven't put any points into voodoo, though. Not sure I will on this playthrough.