Gothic II

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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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,074 reviews

story189 positive mentions

stability33 negative mentions

story
539 mentions
35 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
4 % negative 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 memorable characters. While some reviewers noted that the main plot can feel generic, the game's strength lies in its immersive atmosphere, character interactions, and the impact of player choices on the unfolding narrative. Overall, Gothic 2 is praised for its compelling storytelling and the depth of its world, making it a must-play for RPG enthusiasts.
- “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, continuing the journey in a captivating way that keeps players engaged.”
- “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.”
- “The story is just about the same regardless of which community you join; it's just the exact motivations for why you're doing things that may vary.”
- “The story this time around is somewhat similar to Gothic 1 (Beliar is still at it), however it seems less linear when compared to its predecessor, as this time you actually see differences in the story based on your faction of choice.”
- “The storyline is mostly just passable, but the game's strength is really more in open world exploration combined with the tension brought on by the fact that for most of the game you are very out-leveled and thus could die at any moment.”
graphics
190 mentions
21 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
14 % negative 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.”
- “Despite the old graphics and game mechanics, the atmosphere and story make more than up for it.”
- “The graphics of the game are dated; even graphics mods can do only so much to improve that.”
- “The graphics are obviously not super, because this game is pretty old, but they are still really good nonetheless.”
- “The graphics are old but there's a patch that improves them, and they end up looking very nice even if aged.”
gameplay
180 mentions
34 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Gothic 2 is characterized by its challenging mechanics and steep learning curve, which may deter newcomers but offers a rewarding experience for those willing to invest time in mastering its systems. While the combat blends player skill with character progression, it can feel rigid and punishing, especially for those unfamiliar with its intricacies. Despite some dated graphics and controls, the game is praised for its immersive world, deep RPG elements, and the freedom it offers players in tackling quests and challenges.
- “The combat in Gothic 2 is an interesting blend of player skill and character skill mechanics.”
- “Gothic 2 maintains a consistent high difficulty through the entire game, thanks to a combination of reworked damage and defense mechanics, more enemy variety, and sometimes just by throwing a bunch of enemies at you at once.”
- “The gameplay is smoother, a real inventory system makes item management a joy, loads of quests to do, more varied NPCs, and visually beautiful compared to the first game.”
- “This aspect may discourage newcomers, especially those used to more accessible mechanics in newer games.”
- “The gameplay might not please some people.”
- “This 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.”
atmosphere
108 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
3 % negative 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, such as day-night cycles and character interactions, which contribute to a living, organic world that feels both unique and engaging. Despite some criticisms regarding graphics and gameplay mechanics, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature that keeps players returning for more.
- “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 is superb, with a great story, good quests, and interesting NPCs.”
- “The day and night cycles, weather events, and daily activities of the inhabitants of the world created a realistic and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere and its music don't scream 'fantasy' or 'RPG', it says 'home'.”
- “While the graphics haven't exactly aged gracefully, the atmosphere and story make up for it.”
- “The German voice acting is great, but the English one is a step below, and some atmosphere is lost in translation.”
music
77 mentions
62 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtrack by Kai Rosenkranz as a standout feature. While the majority of the tracks are considered beautiful and fitting for the game's setting, some players noted that certain tunes can become repetitive during extended play. Overall, the soundtrack is regarded as one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its charm and emotional depth.
- “The soundtrack is perfect, just like the first game, maybe even better.”
- “The music is from Kai Rosenkranz, highly atmospheric, fitting, and a joy to listen to.”
- “The world is beautiful, story is great, the music is truly epic and this game can still hold up 15 years later and even be better than most modern games.”
- “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.”
stability
34 mentions
9 % positive mentions
-6 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and clunky controls that detract from the experience. While some improvements have been noted, such as better AI and fewer crashes after applying mods, significant issues remain, including game-breaking bugs and system freezes. Overall, players find the game enjoyable despite its technical shortcomings, but caution is advised for those sensitive to instability.
- “Even better than Gothic 1 and not buggy!”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to fully immerse myself in the experience.”
- “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.”
- “This game is buggy as hell, the combat system is somewhat buggy and the enemy AI is pretty broken.”
replayability
31 mentions
35 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game offers exceptional replayability, largely due to its distinct guilds, non-linear quest structure, and varied character builds, allowing players to experience the story differently with each faction choice. Many reviewers highlight the game's immersive world and interconnected quests, which contribute to a unique experience in every playthrough. Even years after its release, players continue to find value in revisiting the game, supported by a wealth of mods that enhance its longevity.
- “Distinct guilds, vast replayability, non-linear approach to quests, a living, breathing world, great immersion and progression… this is something a lot of games no longer do these days.”
- “Gothic offers countless replay value with each faction you take.”
- “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.”
humor
19 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by well-written, witty dialogue and diverse characters, often infused with sarcasm and dark undertones. Players appreciate the immersive experience created by the humorous interactions and quests, which add depth to the story despite some criticisms of the overall narrative. The blend of funny moments and a mature atmosphere contributes to the game's charm, making it a standout in the fantasy RPG genre.
- “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.”
grinding
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; some players find it a bit grindy at times, especially in the early stages with tedious fetch quests, while others appreciate the balance of content that prevents burnout from repetition. Overall, many agree that while the game can feel frustrating and tedious, particularly in the first half, it avoids excessive grinding and offers meaningful exploration and engaging story elements.
- “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 progression system.”
- “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.”
optimization
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players report a smooth experience with no need for patches (except for widescreen users), others highlight significant performance issues that require community-created patches and fixes to run properly. Despite these challenges, many appreciate the improvements made over the first game, though optimization remains a notable concern.
- “First two hours felt like heaven; it also required no patches to run smoothly (unless you're a widescreen user), which is a nice little bonus compared to the first game.”
- “Minmaxing isn't my favorite, but the optimization somehow feels more rewarding in this game than in most RPGs.”
- “Everything runs smoothly and without issues.”
- “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.”
- “Gothic, games with quite ugly graphics, dubious optimization, combat that makes you curse out loud but that still can be considered as cult.”
character development
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game excels in character development, featuring branching guilds that offer diverse story progression paths. Players appreciate the depth and continuity of character arcs, particularly when played in conjunction with its predecessor, enhancing the overall narrative experience. Many reviewers consider its character development to be superior to that of most RPGs released since.
- “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.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative 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 quality and functionality of the games sold. Many express frustration over purchasing non-functional games without adequate oversight from Steam.
- “Cash grabbing by Steam without any responsibility for purchasing a working game!”
- “It is a cash grab by Steam as they don't seem to care (or even check) whether games work on modern systems.”
- “That's why I will skip the advertising section and I'll come to the more problematic part.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting feelings of progression, nostalgia, and intense reactions such as cheering and crying. The experience evokes a deep sense of attachment, making it memorable and impactful.
- “I cheered, I shouted, I fist pumped the air, I cried...”
- “Too much nostalgia... always shed a tear or two.”
- “At least Gothic 1 made me feel that I was progressing and getting better.”