Gothic

About

"Gothic" is a single-player historical open-world game set in the penal colony of Khorinis, where players must mine ore and navigate factions to survive. With an interesting plot, exceptional gameplay, and an outstanding atmosphere, the game boasts an amazing soundtrack but also includes lots of grinding and bugs. The game's description promises war, orcish hordes, and a chance to escape the confines of the law.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,551 reviews

story576 positive mentions

graphics106 negative mentions

Gothic 1 offers a unique and immersive world with a compelling story and memorable characters.
The sense of progression from a weak character to a powerful hero is highly rewarding and satisfying.
The game features a rich atmosphere, with well-designed environments and a day/night cycle that enhances immersion.

The controls are clunky and unintuitive, requiring a steep learning curve for new players.
The game is riddled with bugs and crashes, making it frustrating to play without extensive patches and fixes.
The story becomes linear after the first chapter, with a lack of side quests and meaningful choices in the later stages.

story
1,542 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
3%
The story of Gothic is often praised for its immersive world-building and character development, with players experiencing a compelling "from zero to hero" narrative as they navigate a dark fantasy setting filled with choices and consequences. While the initial chapters offer rich, branching quests, the latter parts of the game tend to become more linear, diminishing the impact of faction choices on the overall storyline. Despite its age and some gameplay flaws, the game's narrative remains engaging and memorable, making it a classic in the RPG genre.
- “The game's immersive world, compelling storyline, and memorable characters have cemented its status as a classic.”
- “The story is great, and the game does a good job of sticking to the main quest while offering small side quests, something you don't often see in today's games.”
- “The story kept me wanting to go forward and see what happened next.”
- “After you pick a faction, however, you'll soon discover that your choice doesn't really matter because the game suddenly turns into a straightforward fantasy romp with a linear succession of main quests and no faction-specific content.”
- “Your choice of camp at the beginning doesn't actually seem to affect how the story plays out in any major way and is merely there to trick you into thinking you have choice, and the ending is so lame and low effort cause they were probably running out of time/money.”
- “The main plot kind of sucks, but is supported by an interesting and complex world, and all its lore.”
graphics
536 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
64%
20%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its 2001 release, with many players noting that they have not aged well by modern standards. However, despite their antiquated appearance, some find a certain charm in the retro aesthetic, and the game's atmosphere is often praised. Players frequently recommend using mods to enhance the visuals, which can significantly improve the experience, making it more enjoyable for those willing to overlook the dated graphics.
- “The world itself is dense packed full of details and is, despite the aged visuals, still beautiful.”
- “The graphics might be something that will put off most people but in my opinion these kind of graphics can never fail to amaze me.”
- “While the visuals are of course quite dated, it does look charming and with the new workshop support and the recent modding revolution, the game does run buttery smooth even in resolutions above full HD and in 144Hz without any crashes that I'm aware of.”
- “The graphics are awful, everything on the screen looks like caca, and this is not a metaphor, the game uses your screen to display all the nuances of defecation and solely those chromatic nuances.”
- “The controls are terrible, the graphics are dated and some elements don't seem to be complete.”
- “I mean by today's standards, you will be thoroughly disappointed by the graphics, the bugs, the interface, all that.”
gameplay
422 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The gameplay of Gothic is a mixed bag, with many players praising its immersive world, character progression, and challenging mechanics that require skill and strategy. However, the controls and combat mechanics are often described as clunky and outdated, leading to frustration, especially for modern gamers. Despite its flaws, the game is considered a classic RPG that offers a unique experience, rich storytelling, and high replayability, appealing to those who appreciate depth over graphics.
- “This game is more than 20 years old now and the features, mechanics, gameplay, story, characters, and just overall feel rival that of any modern RPG.”
- “Gothic's unique atmosphere and challenging gameplay continue to captivate players, proving that great design and storytelling are timeless.”
- “For a 21-year-old game, its gameplay and world-building still hold up very well.”
- “But the gameplay is absolutely abysmal and is borderline unplayable when looked at from modern standards.”
- “Gameplay is still quite clunky, so that will be a major turnoff for modern RPG gamers.”
- “The combat and movement mechanics are bizarre and frequently frustrating.”
atmosphere
332 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
36%
1%
The atmosphere of Gothic is widely praised as one of its standout features, characterized by a dark, immersive, and gritty world that evokes a sense of tension and mystery. Players appreciate the game's unique setting, deep lore, and atmospheric music, which together create a captivating experience that many feel remains unmatched by modern titles. Despite its dated graphics and controls, the game's ability to draw players into its richly crafted environment and narrative continues to resonate, making it a beloved classic in the RPG genre.
- “The atmosphere is dark and gritty, like wandering through an eerie old city at night.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is just wonderful, a small but cozy world full of interesting things to find.”
- “Gothic is entirely in its own class above all RPGs, both past and present, in terms of setting and atmosphere.”
- “Few games manage to build the kind of atmosphere that Gothic 1 has throughout the entire playthrough - the soundtracks will give you goosebumps and the harpies and zombies will make your ears bleed.”
- “The atmosphere is dark, danger lurks at every corner and the world is full of secrets and treasures for the curious to discover to help you survive.”
- “This game has a thick sense of atmosphere, and a world that actually feels alive and dangerous.”
music
232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
59%
2%
The music in Gothic is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's gothic setting and emotional depth. Composed by Kai Rosenkranz, the soundtrack is noted for its memorable themes that resonate with players, contributing significantly to the overall experience and nostalgia associated with the game. While some reviews mention minor technical issues with sound playback, the consensus is that the music is a standout feature that elevates the gameplay and storytelling.
- “The ingeniously handcrafted game world is complemented by equally ingenious musical accompaniment, giving the player a genuine sense of melancholic comfort and the presence of a soul in the surrounding world.”
- “The soundtrack, the sound, the feeling of improvement it gives the player through the story, the story itself...everything about Gothic is wonderful.”
- “The music is really great and moody and does its part well to immerse you further into the world.”
- “Story and music are average in this game.”
- “Music is not very memorable.”
- “There's not much to speak of for sounds, ambience, or soundtrack.”
stability
192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly impact gameplay and stability, even after applying various patches. Players report frequent crashes, problematic AI, and frustrating control issues, making it a challenging experience, especially for those unfamiliar with older titles. Despite these flaws, some players find enjoyment in the unique world and story, suggesting that those willing to navigate the technical difficulties may still appreciate the game.
- “I'm updating this review after about 8 years since I discovered the union patch (conveniently located in the Steam Workshop, by the way) and can say that the game now (mostly) runs great.”
- “It is beyond belief how broken and buggy this game is; I have never ever seen anything even close to it.”
- “The biggest issue with this game is just how darn buggy it is.”
- “The game is a buggy mess of a game that's riddled with difficulty spikes, janky progression, problematic combat, and ladders that don't work half the time, sending you plummeting towards your death.”
humor
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by a mix of intentional and unintentional comedic elements, such as funny dialogue, quirky character interactions, and amusing sound effects. Players appreciate the snarky and sarcastic tone of the characters, as well as the absurd situations that arise from the game's mechanics and AI quirks. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the experience, making it both entertaining and memorable, despite its flaws.
- “I enjoyed the dialogue and the setting the most; characters had *character* and the hero is snarky and hilarious at times.”
- “Not to mention the hilarious writing and fun gameplay loop.”
- “The world is convincing, the black humor is pretty funny at times, and the RPG elements are fun to experiment with.”
grinding
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to engage in repetitive tasks and backtracking without sufficient fast travel options. While some players find enjoyment in the story and character progression, many express frustration with the excessive busywork and escort quests that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding can feel overwhelming, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “What ultimately made me decide to not recommend this game to others was the grinding required for me to progress with my desired roleplay.”
- “With very little else to do than the main quest, grinding creatures for the sake of character advancement will occupy half your time (~25-30 hours final game save).”
- “There is a lot of going back and forth and backtracking between the same areas, with no fast travel, for really tedious quests that have you talking to an NPC, running all the way back, talking to another NPC, running back... a lot of your time will be spent just bunny hopping all over the map.”
optimization
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
68%
18%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users reporting persistent bugs, janky controls, and inadequate performance on modern systems despite the availability of patches. While some community-made fixes can improve performance, the overall consensus is that the game has not aged well and requires significant tinkering to run smoothly, particularly on newer operating systems. Players are advised to consider purchasing from platforms like GOG, which may offer better optimization options.
- “But buy it at Good Old Games; they provide you with patches that the game will run smoothly under Windows 10 or newer.”
- “+1 for optimization, 20 year old game and works almost perfectly even with Windows 10 at 1920 resolution!”
- “If you don’t mind such a thing, a little tinkering is recommended as community-made fixes greatly improve the game’s performance on newer hardware.”
- “If you did play it, better to leave it in memory than try to revisit this horribly optimized abomination.”
- “Don't waste your money on this outdated poorly optimized garbage, let it rot in the forgotten stone age of gaming where it belongs.”
- “Having to install several patches to get rid of crashing, texture issues, and crappy performance is one thing, but when some of these issues persist even after the fixes, all I can do is shrug and bear it.”
replayability
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
48%
8%
The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse factions, fighting styles, and organic character interactions, allowing players to experience different storylines and gameplay mechanics with each playthrough. Despite some technical flaws, many players find themselves returning to the game repeatedly over the years, drawn by its immersive world and engaging narrative. However, some critiques note that the impact of player choices on the overall outcome may be limited, affecting the perceived replay value for certain players.
- “There is great replayability in the game; you want to replay the game over and over again for different classes and factions.”
- “It's vast and compact, it has a great story and infinite replayability; definitely will be playing it 20 years after release and probably until the day I die.”
- “Even though it has many bugs, constant crashes, and poor graphics, it still remains one of the very best RPGs ever made due to its unique atmosphere, immersive storyline, and excellent replayability!”
- “Edit: the game has very little replay value as the decisions made by the player do not affect the outcome.”
- “The only good thing in choice/variety is the 3 camps which you can choose to join in the beginning which adds some choice and replay value but after that.....pretty much the same.”
- “There is replayability as you can join different factions.”
character development
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and gradual progression, likened to a cub maturing into an alpha, with impactful moments that resonate strongly. Players appreciate the rich atmosphere and engaging story that enhance character growth, despite the absence of a traditional skill tree. The game offers a unique experience with rewarding quests and a challenging narrative that encourages strategic thinking, making it a standout in the RPG genre.
- “His character development is like watching a cub grow into an alpha—slow, but when it hits, it hits hard.”
- “Its because Gothic offers things most games nowadays don't - great atmosphere, no cut content just to be released later with the label DLC on it, many possibilities in terms of character development, awesome and intriguing story, and gameplay that will require you to really use your brain to progress further.”
- “This creates a fun curve that combines the acquiring of armor and an evolving character design, along with the game's story, which is a beautiful combination for any RPG gamer.”
- “The atmosphere is top-tier, the story grips you like the jaws of a hungry wolf, and the character development?”
- “In terms of character development, Gothic 1 looks very different.”
- “However, the lack of a skill tree doesn't mean that there is no character development.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is described as an emotional rollercoaster, featuring a heartwrenching story that resonates with both young and old audiences. Despite its outdated graphics and controls, it offers a deeply atmospheric and wholesome experience that leaves players feeling fulfilled yet sad when it ends, prompting excitement for future works by the developer.
- “Damn, what an emotional rollercoaster!”
- “A heartwrenching story aimed towards both young and old readers!”
- “It has been a long time since a game has made me feel that way, and I'm so sad it's over, but I'm excited to dive into the rest of this developer's work even though I hear it's not quite as good as this.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, which is a refreshing change for players, although there is an acknowledgment of the presence of downloadable content (DLC).
- “First off, there are no microtransactions!”
- “I appreciate that the game is free of microtransactions.”
- “It's great to see a game that doesn't rely on DLC or microtransactions.”
- “I am aware of DLC or microtransactions, but it feels like they are not implemented well.”
- “There are no microtransactions, which is surprising for a game like this.”