Gothic II

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,148 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Gothic II Game Cover
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In "Gothic II," players explore a medieval world filled with legendary creatures, political intrigue, and moral choices. As the nameless hero, players must navigate the complex relationships between different factions, including the military, mages, and various underground groups. With a range of weapons, spells, and abilities at the player's disposal, they must defeat powerful enemies, complete quests, and ultimately shape the fate of the world.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,148 reviews
story378 positive mentions
stability66 negative mentions
  • story1,078 mentions

    The story of Gothic 2 continues directly from its predecessor, offering a straightforward yet engaging narrative that allows players to explore a richly detailed world filled with diverse quests and characters. While some reviewers noted that the main plot can feel generic, the game's strength lies in its immersive atmosphere, character development, and the impact of player choices on the unfolding story. Overall, Gothic 2 is praised for its compelling storytelling and the depth of its world, making it a memorable RPG experience.

    • “From the very first moments, as I stepped into the shoes of the nameless hero, I was drawn into the fascinating world of Khorinis, where the story, characters, and rich details create an unforgettable atmosphere.”
    • “The story of Gothic 2 picks up right where the first game leaves off, and it is highly interesting in the beginning and through the middle of the game.”
    • “The story is very fluid and enjoyable, with a lot of quests and decisions that you can make, making every little quest feel like an adventure.”
    • “The story is pretty simple and straightforward but it works and gives you a clear goal to work towards.”
    • “The story and world aren't as interesting as Gothic 1.”
    • “The overall story is okay, but nothing to brag about.”
  • graphics380 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its 2002 release, but many players find them acceptable given the game's immersive storytelling and gameplay. While some users appreciate the original visuals, others recommend using mods to enhance the graphics significantly. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they do not detract from the overall experience, especially for those who prioritize gameplay and narrative over visual fidelity.

    • “The enhanced graphics and refined mechanics make the experience even more enjoyable, while maintaining the deep, immersive gameplay that made the original a classic.”
    • “The graphics here are simply impressive with their detail and realism.”
    • “The impressive graphics, intriguing story, memorable characters, challenging combat system, and freedom of exploration created a remarkable gaming experience.”
    • “The graphics of the game are dated; even graphics mods can do only so much to improve that.”
    • “The graphic is outdated now; fighting mechanics are also a little outdated.”
    • “The graphics are obviously old and the controls might seem clunky, but instead you have a world stuffed with content.”
  • gameplay360 mentions

    The gameplay of Gothic 2 is a blend of challenging mechanics and immersive world-building, appealing to RPG enthusiasts who appreciate depth and complexity. While the combat system requires significant player skill and can be unforgiving for newcomers, it rewards mastery with a satisfying experience. Despite its dated graphics and some clunky mechanics, the game offers a rich, engaging environment with numerous quests and character progression options, making it a classic in the RPG genre.

    • “The combat in Gothic 2 is an interesting blend of player skill and character skill mechanics.”
    • “So, as you progress in the game, not only is your character improving over time as you level up, spend LP and get better gear, but also you as the player become more familiar with the combat mechanics and learn how to deal with each enemy type who have their own individual attacks, movement speed, attack range, and so on.”
    • “Gothic 2 doesn't have the best story, but for me it has the perfect gameplay which lets me immerse myself in a world I find myself coming back to, again and again.”
    • “This aspect may discourage newcomers, especially those used to more accessible mechanics in newer games.”
    • “The game is frankly an unplayable nightmare even for those who know game mechanics and tricks in the game; for anyone new to it, this game will bring nothing but pain, suffering, and frustration.”
    • “When the most important part of it, - the gameplay, - is so poorly designed, I cannot recommend it.”
  • atmosphere216 mentions

    The atmosphere in the Gothic series, particularly in Gothic I and II, is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, featuring a rich world filled with believable NPCs, dynamic environments, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail, the day-night cycles, and the unique storytelling that contribute to a sense of realism and tension, making it one of the most iconic and atmospheric RPGs ever created. Despite some criticisms regarding graphics and gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance and depth of the world keep players engaged for hours, often leading to nostalgic revisits.

    • “From the very first moments, as I stepped into the shoes of the nameless hero, I was drawn into the fascinating world of Khorinis, where the story, characters, and rich details create an unforgettable atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere when you wander through the forests at night, or visit the local harbor during the busy hours is indescribably strong and it makes Gothic 2 maybe the most lively and organic game I have ever played to this day.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing and this game bleeds medieval atmosphere while also being very rough, unforgiving and not feeling fairytale-ish at all!”
    • “As much as I love the story and overall atmosphere of this game, I simply cannot recommend it.”
    • “The German voice acting is great, the English one is a step below at least, as is the translation overall; some atmosphere is lost.”
    • “While the game doesn't have the original atmosphere of the penal colony and the barrier, the developers really make the island unique with their places.”
  • music154 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with many considering it one of the standout features. Composed by Kai Rosenkranz, the soundtrack is described as beautiful, iconic, and fitting for various in-game situations, although some players noted that certain tracks can become repetitive during extended play. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's enchanting ambiance and is often remembered fondly long after gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack is perfect, just like the first game, maybe even better.”
    • “I cannot fail to mention the eerie and exceptional soundtrack that amplified the dark atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The music is from Kai Rosenkranz, highly atmospheric, fitting, and a joy to listen to.”
    • “Great disappointment, worse than G1 in every aspect except soundtrack.”
    • “Music is overall generic and you will ignore most of the time except that from Forgotten Valley.”
    • “The music is effective if not a bit repetitive.”
  • stability68 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and clunky controls that can disrupt gameplay and even lead to crashes. While some players have found that installing mods or fixes can improve performance, the overall experience remains marred by technical issues that detract from the enjoyment of the rich world and story. Despite these challenges, a few users noted improvements in stability compared to previous installments, though the game still retains a reputation for being buggy.

    • “Even better than Gothic 1 and not buggy!”
    • “The amount of game/quest breaking bugs and glitches is way too high.”
    • “System freezes.... request for refund was refused, I'd be mad if I paid full price instead of $2... don't buy this game unless you want to spend forever trying to get it to run.”
    • “Many of the issues that plagued the original Gothic still persist - bugs, glitches, being able to brick the game and completely prevent yourself from progressing, and more.”
  • replayability62 mentions

    The Gothic series is praised for its exceptional replayability, offering players the chance to explore different factions, quests, and character builds, which significantly alters the gameplay experience. With a non-linear approach to quests and a richly immersive world, each playthrough feels unique and engaging, making it a classic RPG that remains enjoyable even decades after its release. The availability of mods further enhances its replay value, ensuring that players can continually find new ways to experience the game.

    • “Once again, infinite replayability – 2 decades later, you still want to go back to that world that you fell in love with.”
    • “Gothic is very replayable; every playthrough will be different and will be as fun as the first time.”
    • “Choices you make have some of the most unexpected consequences, making choosing a path truly unique and giving the game some great replayability.”
    • “The game is rather old, but still holds quite formidable in terms of replayability.”
    • “Even in 2015, this game has 100% replayability, and if you speak German, Polish, or Russian, there are thousands of great mods out there.”
    • “With 3 major path choices, there is a lot of replay value.”
  • humor38 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its well-written, funny dialogue and diverse, engaging characters, which add depth to the story. Players appreciate the snarky undertones and hilarious interactions, often finding the clunky elements endearing rather than off-putting. The combination of dark themes with comedic quests and dialogue creates a unique and immersive experience that resonates with many players.

    • “The characters I encountered throughout the game were diverse and full of depth, with their own secrets and motivations, and the rich and humorous dialogues added an additional level of depth to the story.”
    • “It's an immersive game, lovingly crafted and full of adventure, humor, and lore.”
    • “Funny quests and dialogues, and a dark atmosphere make this game one of the best fantasy RPGs.”
  • grinding30 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game features a mix of grinding experiences, with some players finding it a bit grindy at times, particularly in the early stages with tedious fetch quests. However, many also note that the game offers enough engaging content and exploration to prevent burnout from repetition, and some argue that it lacks traditional grinding methods altogether. Overall, while there are frustrations, particularly in the early game, the experience is often described as more rewarding than tedious.

    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but it adds to the overall experience.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding, but it's worth it for the rewards.”
    • “This game is not grinding; it offers a balanced approach to progression.”
    • “The first half of the game is quite a frustrating and tedious experience because of this; I always feel at least 5 levels behind even when I do everything the game offers me.”
    • “The whole journey is frustration and tedious instead of fun and exciting.”
    • “Boss design is tedious, frustrating, and repetitive.”
  • optimization24 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some players report a smooth experience without the need for patches (except for widescreen users), others highlight significant performance issues that require community-created patches and fixes to run effectively. Despite these challenges, many appreciate the improvements over the first game and find the optimization rewarding, particularly with the help of community resources for better performance on newer graphics cards. Overall, while there are notable advancements, optimization remains a concern for some players.

    • “Minmaxing isn't my favorite, but the optimization somehow feels more rewarding in this game than most RPGs.”
    • “Everything runs smoothly and without issues.”
    • “Props to the community for putting so much effort into player kits, graphic upgrades, etc. I got both games running decently well at 1920x1080 (despite some weird performance drops in caves and other interiors).”
    • “Everything is an improvement in this game from the first game except the performance is pretty bad and the story isn't quite as good as the first game.”
    • “And the optimization is a little lacking.”
    • “What I always didn’t like in Gothic was optimization.”
  • character development12 mentions

    Character development in this game is highly praised, with players noting its depth and satisfaction, particularly through branching guilds that offer varied story progression. Many recommend playing the previous installment for enhanced continuity and character growth, asserting that this game excels in character development compared to most RPGs released since. Overall, the narrative and character arcs are considered exceptional, standing out even among contemporaries.

    • “The best part about this game is the character development.”
    • “Satisfying character development, interesting story.”
    • “The story and character development in this game is amazing, and compared to other games that came around at the same time as Gothic 2, it is fair to say that it held its ground with shining excellence.”
    • “I would recommend playing the first one prior to this one for story continuity and character development with NPCs.”
    • “This game alone still does character development far better than 99% of the RPGs that came after it.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    Reviews indicate a strong sentiment that the monetization practices on Steam are perceived as exploitative, with users feeling that the platform prioritizes profit over ensuring the functionality of games on modern systems. This has led to frustrations regarding the lack of accountability for the quality of purchased games.

    • “It is a cash grab by Steam as they don't seem to care (or even check) whether games work on modern systems.”
    • “Cash grabbing by Steam without any responsibility of purchasing a working game!”
    • “That's why I will skip the advertising section and I'll come to the more problematic part.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to Gothic 1, highlighting feelings of progression, nostalgia, and intense reactions such as cheering, crying, and celebrating achievements. The game evokes a deep sense of personal investment and memorable experiences that resonate long after playing.

    • “I cheered, I shouted, I fist pumped the air, I cried...”
    • “Too much nostalgia... always shed a tear or two.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Gothic II

Play time

64hMedian play time
58hAverage play time
46hMain story
68hCompletionist
20-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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