Gothic Playable Teaser Game Cover

"Gothic Playable Teaser" is a free demo for fans of the Gothic series, showcasing a potential new direction for the franchise. Set in the Kingdom of Myrtana, players explore a mutinous mining colony run by dangerous prisoners, after a magical barrier goes awry. Your feedback is vital to help shape the future of Gothic as a modern game.

  • PC
  • Windows

Reviews

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,404 reviews
story246 positive mentions
optimization142 negative mentions
  • The graphics are visually appealing and show potential for a modern remake.
  • The combat system, while clunky, introduces an interesting stance mechanic that could be refined.
  • The teaser successfully evokes nostalgia for fans of the original Gothic series.
  • The protagonist talks excessively, often stating the obvious, which detracts from immersion.
  • The combat feels unresponsive and clunky, making encounters frustrating rather than enjoyable.
  • Unskippable cutscenes and dialogues are tedious, leading to a disjointed gameplay experience.
  • story1,599 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many expressing disappointment over significant deviations from the original Gothic narrative. While some appreciate the attempt to modernize and expand the storyline with new quests and character interactions, others feel that the changes dilute the essence of what made the original game compelling. The introduction of a more talkative protagonist and cinematic elements has also been criticized for detracting from the immersive experience that fans cherished in the original Gothic series. Overall, while there are positive notes about quest design and character depth, the consensus leans towards a desire for a more faithful retelling of the original story.

    • “If it stays true to the gothic storyline even with the added side quests, this is going to be a great game.”
    • “The story for Gothic alone is worth getting the game.”
    • “The story is reminiscent of the original Gothic; that's where it ends.”
    • “The plot itself of this short remake doesn't introduce anything new; it even takes away probably plot elements and adds new (weaker) ones, and all in all there's not much to talk about the plot.”
    • “This is meant to be a story about being sent to mine in the mines for petty crimes; meanwhile, we have received a movie with action and explosions.”
    • “The story is not old and is relevant for the present, and the lack of colors doesn't paint the picture any better.”
  • graphics1,525 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the visuals show potential and are a significant upgrade from the original, they often suffer from poor optimization, excessive brightness, and over-saturation. Critics have pointed out that the graphics can feel generic and fail to capture the dark, gritty atmosphere that the Gothic series is known for. Overall, while some appreciate the modern aesthetic and detail, others feel it strays too far from the original's charm and atmosphere, leading to a disconnect for long-time fans.

    • “The new visuals look stunning, the atmosphere seems closer to the original, and the gameplay appears to be much more polished and true to the Gothic experience.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the voice acting is well done, the quests are quite appealing and interesting.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, utilizing the Unreal Engine, and the combat system is a more realistic upgrade from any previous Gothic game.”
    • “For a game released in 2024, the graphical quality is outright unacceptable.”
    • “The opening scene, with its fire effects, immediately sets the tone—low-quality visuals and outdated animations.”
    • “The graphics are too bright, colorful, and clean to be set in medieval times.”
  • gameplay855 mentions

    The gameplay of the Gothic remake has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over clunky combat mechanics and excessive cutscenes that disrupt immersion. While some appreciate the introduction of new mechanics, such as the lift and luring with rotten meat, others feel these changes detract from the original's charm and fluidity. Overall, the gameplay is seen as needing significant refinement to align with the expectations of long-time fans while still appealing to a modern audience.

    • “The new visuals look stunning, the atmosphere seems closer to the original, and the gameplay appears to be much more polished and true to the gothic experience.”
    • “With some adjustments to streamline mechanics and better align with gothic traditions, this has the potential to live up to fans' expectations.”
    • “I very much enjoyed the gameplay.”
    • “The combat is terribly stiff, and all the mechanics we are shown are useless, because every battle we fight in this game can be won by simply spamming one of the attacks.”
    • “The gameplay is really short but I can point out few things that were confusing / I didn't like: the combat mechanics are shit.”
    • “This is a really bizarre choice because that style of gameplay has nothing at all in common with gothic.”
  • music689 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the atmospheric quality and nostalgic elements reminiscent of the original Gothic series. However, there is significant criticism regarding the combat music, which is often described as overly reminiscent of The Witcher 3, detracting from the unique Gothic atmosphere. Players are calling for the inclusion of the original soundtrack by Kai Rosenkranz, emphasizing that the music is a crucial aspect of the game's identity and immersion.

    • “The music is very good, battle music is a bit too similar to the Witcher series though.”
    • “The music is great, and definitely gives those gothic vibes.”
    • “The soundtrack parts we are given - on spot, really good and fitting, especially the exploration music.”
    • “The combat music is too loud and feels like it was taken straight out of The Witcher 3, which doesn't fit the gothic atmosphere at all.”
    • “Music is generic and lacks the distinct character that made the original soundtrack so memorable; it feels more like a modern fantasy game than a gothic one.”
    • “Every time I draw my sword, the battle music starts, even when there are no enemies around. This is annoying and disrupts the immersion.”
  • atmosphere639 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over its departure from the dark, gritty tone of the original Gothic series. Critics highlight that the visuals are often too bright and colorful, undermining the sense of danger and immersion that characterized the earlier games. While some appreciate the modern graphics and certain atmospheric elements, the consensus is that the remake struggles to capture the unique, oppressive atmosphere that made the original Gothic games beloved.

    • “The new visuals look stunning, the atmosphere seems closer to the original, and the gameplay appears to be much more polished and true to the gothic experience.”
    • “The characters are well-animated, the music is atmospheric, and the graphics are impressively detailed.”
    • “I like it how they managed to make a new game from scratch and add new features while keeping the original gothic atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is gone, the world has way too much color, the starting area is way too big, why do you get in the valley at night is beyond me (not even close to the original).”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is all wrong, it's not gothic at all, far too bright and colorful, as if whoever made this missed the point of the game completely.”
    • “The gothic atmosphere is completely lost.”
  • optimization383 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and unresponsive controls, even on high-end hardware. Reviewers noted that the game feels poorly optimized for both graphics and gameplay, often running poorly regardless of the settings used. While some acknowledge that this is just a teaser and improvements are expected, the current state has left many players frustrated and concerned about the final product's performance.

    • “I feel like it's a good start; there are issues with frame-rate drops when entering combat, and some other general optimization stuff which I'm sure will be ironed out before release.”
    • “If they are planning to go to a wider audience, then they are in for a rough time, but if they are going for the old fanbase, then with optimization and listening to the community they will probably make an amazing game.”
    • “The graphics are serviceable for a teaser and using UE4 leaves a lot of room for further improvement and performance optimization in the end product.”
    • “The performance is abysmal to say the least.”
    • “Optimization is terrible!”
    • “The optimization is really poor so far, the faces look horrible for a year 2020, the environment isn't exactly an eye candy either.”
  • stability145 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues, making it feel unfinished and at times unplayable. Players have noted that while some improvements have been made, the combat system remains clunky and frustrating, and graphical glitches are prevalent. Overall, many reviewers acknowledge that these issues are expected in a demo or early version, but they hope for significant fixes in the final release.

    • “The game is a buggy, unoptimized mess... it crashed 3 times in 30 minutes for me.”
    • “Just trying to walk out of the opening scene with fire everywhere, not touching my mouse at all, and it stutters, freezes, and whips the camera around back to look at the fire.”
    • “I want to say yes because I so badly want a modern Gothic remake, but I can't rightfully because this is a pretty buggy mess in its current state.”
  • humor130 mentions

    The humor in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the main character's constant attempts at humor to be cringeworthy and forced, detracting from the experience. While some appreciated the nostalgic elements of the original Gothic's dark and sarcastic humor, others criticized the new character's over-the-top quips and lack of charm. Overall, the humor seems to struggle between trying to be funny and coming off as awkward or annoying, leaving players divided on its effectiveness.

    • “The ragdoll physics of killed enemies, my god, so funny.”
    • “What people loved about the original Gothic was these funny and dumb dialogues where every other character seemed a little off in the head.”
    • “Also, some of Diego's dialogue is actually hilarious; I already love him.”
    • “As others have said, he spews unfunny comments constantly and it is painful.”
    • “It seems like they wanted a Deadpool/Spider-Man vibe but instead got a grating, unfunny monotone mess.”
    • “Stop changing everything, nobody needs a main character who doesn't stop talking nonsense, making unfunny comments.”
  • grinding59 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with repetitive dialogues, slow combat mechanics, and lengthy cutscenes contributing to a frustrating experience. Many reviews highlight the lack of options to skip or speed up these elements, leading to a sense of monotony and disengagement. While some appreciate the game's potential and immersive world, the current execution leaves much to be desired, making the gameplay feel more like a chore than an enjoyable adventure.

    • “Now the game makes it fun and engaging and not tedious at all!”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It feels extremely grinding having to listen to the same dialogues over and over again.”
    • “Uninstalled after half an hour of tediousness!”
    • “The combat is a lot wonkier, dialogue is tedious and the optimization is pretty bad for the graphics.”
  • emotional41 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some expressing nostalgia and a strong connection to the original, while others criticize the overly emotional portrayal of characters and clunky gameplay that detracts from the experience. Many players feel disappointed by the lack of depth in dialogue choices and the game's failure to capture the darker, more immersive atmosphere of its predecessor. Overall, the emotional impact varies widely, with some finding it heartwarming and others feeling frustrated and disconnected.

    • “I want to cry... really...”
    • “The fact you dispatch a human enemy that is armed and armored in the beginning of the game is heartbreaking.”
    • “Overall this was a heartwarming experience and I really hope this will get made.”
    • “I really wanted this game to be good, especially since I'm in love with the gothic theme. Unfortunately, it's just a lame excuse for a game with combat that feels like a 'For Honor' wannabe, a casual play style, and a linear, boring story.”
    • “The emotional depth I was hoping for just isn't there. The characters feel flat and the story fails to engage on any meaningful level.”
    • “I was expecting a rich emotional experience, but instead, I found a lackluster narrative that left me feeling disconnected from the characters.”
  • character development35 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the departure from the original Gothic series' depth and nuance. Critics highlight poor character design choices and a lack of meaningful progression, suggesting that the remake fails to capture the essence of the original's storytelling and character growth. While some appreciate the new designs, the overall sentiment leans towards a desire for a return to the franchise's roots in character development and world-building.

    • “Gothic had this great feeling of character development.”
    • “- character development - in all gothic games (save for g3) the hero started without a weapon and had to slowly move up - goblins could kill you with 3 hits and most enemies were too strong and had to be avoided.”
    • “The character development works like a well-paced clockwork.”
    • “Unnecessary changes, bad character design and development, story aspect is really bad and not even close to the original and so on.”
    • “What made the original gothics great, such as dialogue choices, world building and character design seem to be missing in this teaser, and it becomes a little difficult trying to separate what I saw here from just another generic action-adventure game.”
  • replayability27 mentions

    Overall, players emphasize that replayability is significantly impacted by the ability to skip cutscenes and dialogue, as excessive repetition can detract from the experience. Many express that the inclusion of meaningful choices and consequences in quests enhances replay value, while others highlight the importance of diverse gameplay mechanics. The Gothic series is particularly noted for its high replayability, but concerns about pacing and immersion could hinder this aspect in future iterations.

    • “There is also replay value to be had here with the different choices for quests.”
    • “The fact that the quests have consequences adds replayability to the game, like the choices made in the first game.”
    • “One of the great things about any of the Gothic games is the replayability; if we screw up, we can try something else in another playthrough.”
    • “Which are going to have an impact on replayability, because who will sit through hours of the same dialogue over and over, and the HUD is overloaded and immersion-breaking.”
    • “If you are going to overload every second of the game with horrible cutscenes, at least make them skippable to increase this thing called 'replayability'.”
    • “The fact that the quests have consequences adds replayability to the game, like the choices or a certain camp did in the first game.”
  • monetization14 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with reviewers expressing disappointment that it exploits a beloved franchise without delivering genuine quality or nostalgia. Many feel that the game lacks the essence of its gothic roots, instead presenting as a soulless attempt to profit from the original's cult status. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over passion, leading to a negative reception.

    • “In conclusion, it's a remake; it's a cash grab on an old IP.”
    • “This doesn't feel like a remake made from the heart; it feels like a cash grab trying to profit off nostalgia.”
    • “Nothing looks or feels like a gothic game; instead, it feels like a modern heartless cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Gothic Playable Teaser

Play time

3hMedian play time
17hAverage play time
2-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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