Of Buckles and Swashes: Risen 2's "Unfair" Combat
That is not, of course, to say that Risen 2: Dark Waters snatches away your hard-won victories or pits you against a giant, 20-story-tall physical manifestation of the public's waning interest in pirates. Rather, the patch-eyed, peg-legged sea scoundrels have been known to use any means necessary to win a fight. Kicking below the belt, bringing guns to a swordfight, being Orlando Bloom, etc. But can such a varied arsenal stand up against seemingly unprovoked jaguar attacks? Risen 2's latest dev diary aims to answer that burning question and many more. Also, it strongly hints at attack parrots, which is something I didn't know I wanted until it turned out that I wanted it more than anything in this sad mortal world.
Of course, the bulk of Risen's appeal comes from its world, which Jim seemed to enjoy quite a bit when he took to high fantasy's high seas a couple months ago. As for me, I'm definitely keeping an eye on this one, if only because I can't help but admire Piranha Bytes' quirky brand of ambition. Plenty of companies say, "Sure, let's add pirates; people like those, right?" But that's so cynical. Risen 2 seems to be approaching the subject with actual personality (and a kraken!) - something sadly lacking in most variations on this theme.