Now this may surprise or shock some of our readers, but games publishers aren’t perfect. Now and again they screw up, whether it’s not advertising the greatest FPS ever made (Activision and Singularity) or by putting two of their own titles out on the same day (Ubisoft pretty much every Christmas). Occasionally, like what has happened in the last month, they look at the release schedule and decide the best place for their game is right up against another high-profile similar title.
I don’t know whether it was Namco Bandai or Deep Silver that made the decision to launch their big gritty action fantasy RPG sequel up against another big gritty action fantasy RPG sequel, but either way April has brought us both the 360 version of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and the PC version of Risen 2: Dark Waters (with console versions coming in July). Yes, we have reviews for both (<a href=” http://www.strategyinformer.com/xbox360/witcher2/1861/review.html “>here</a> and <a href=”http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/risen2darkwaters/1867/review.html”>here</a>) with one getting the higher score, but both have their own merits. So say you only have the money for one fantasy RPG this month, which one should you buy?
Great conversationalists.Well, we’re here to help. Without further delay, let’s compare each game’s performance in each major area of RPGness. If that doesn’t sort things fairly, well, I’ll cheat and say my favourite… kidding.
COMBAT
A year ago this would’ve been a much harder decision to make. Witcher 2 out the gate had frustrating combat, with difficult to dodge attacks, enemies boxing you in, and no real explanation of the fighting mechanics. Fortunately CD Projekt have worked hard at patching the game and we’re now at the Enhanced Edition, with still challenging combat but much more fair on players, which is of course more fun. Now we come to Risen 2, which is out the gate with frustrating combat, difficult to dodge attacks, enemies boxing you in, and no real explanation of the fighting mechanics. Oh dear. Hopefully Piranha Bytes are as diligent as CD Projekt. And at least implement a dodge button.
Winner: The Witcher 2
STORY
Oooh, tough one. I’ll be going into more depth to other areas of storytelling, but I may lose friends by saying the full plot isn’t particularly gripping in either game. Yes Witcher 2 wonderfully adapts to your decisions and filters the story appropriately, but the search for the Kingslayer kind of just peters out and Geralt’s returning memories of the Wild Hunt are left until the next game for a resolution. Risen 2 on the other hand, while not having the most exciting plot around, at least has a beginning, middle, and satisfying end (apart from Mara being a bit of dull villainess). And according to page one of ‘How To Write Stories’ this is a good thing.
Winner: Risen 2
DIALOGUE
One of the most important features of a good RPG is the ability to engage the player with entertaining and involving dialogue, and fortunately both games do this well – certainly better than ol’ “arrow in the knee” Skyrim. Gritty, believable dialogue with more than a smattering of sarcasm and humour is the order of the day in both, so it’s hard to pick a winner here. So I didn’t.
Outcome: Draw
Drama! Excitement! Ships being dragged down by sea creatures!CHARACTERS
Aha, now this is a bit less close. As attached as I was to Patty, Chani, ol’ Steelbeard, and that weird guy who thought he was possessed by spirits, they just don’t hold a candle to Dandelion, Zoltan, Triss, and Iorveth. Witcher 2 even managed to make me care about the death of Cedric, whose entire role in the game was to sell me a few ingredients then get killed. Meanwhile I can’t even remember the name of the head Inquisition commander who sets you off on your quest in Risen 2. Another point to CD Projekt.
Winner: The Witcher 2
MATURITY
Tee hee hee. Oh, enough of that, we’re talking about being treated like grown-ups here. Both games do a good job, scattering the swearwords liberally but also bringing in topics such as slavery and racism. Witcher 2 on the other hand has decent sex scenes, something Risen 2 doesn’t like to touch (hee). Witcher 2 also gets deeper into the issue of racism and fighting for your rights through the medium of elves, whereas black people in Risen 2 are all spear-wielding voodoo-practicing savage natives. Eek.
Winner: The Witcher 2
SETTING
The world basically, and what’s going on in it. Witcher 2 has a kingdom torn apart by war, kings and dragons (so George RR Martin), whereas Risen 2 has pirates. Well, and the resurrection of the all-powerful Titans by the sea goddess Mara. Geralt’s world has a lot more depth to it though however, thanks in most part to the series of excellent books that spawned the games. Little bit of an unfair advantage. You start doing a series based on Pern then Piranha Bytes and you’ll win this one.
Winner: The Witcher 2
What does it even MEAN?!MAP
For all its brilliance and CD Projekt’s dedication, Witcher 2’s map still sucks. I actually failed a time-sensitive quest once because I couldn’t find an entrance, and spent 45 minutes trying to find a marked doorway that turned out wasn’t even in the same town I was in. In Risen 2 you can fast travel and generally always know where you are, even if you have to purchase the map first. Much better.
Winner: Risen 2
LOOK AT IT!GRAPHICS
Winner: The Witcher 2… what?
Even this crap thing killed me several times in Risen 2. Fun.LEVELLING
Hmm, interesting one, as both games have wildly different approaches to the art of levelling up. Witcher 2 has sensible, orderly four-pronged upgrade paths for Basics, Swords, Signs and Alchemy, which are all possible to move through smoothly and allow a great deal of choice. Risen 2 has a silly “upgrade a few basic attributes then just pay people to teach you everything” approach. So, one of the best against one of the (speaking politely here) “most ill thought-out”.
Winner: The Witcher 2
This is as bad as you get in Risen 2.CRIMINALITY
You know, I was sure Risen 2 was going to win this category. Hell, I invented it so the game would win in another area! But while your Unnamed Character is technically a pirate he doesn’t do much more in the way of wrongdoing than pick a few pockets or lockpick some chests. Geralt of Rivia by comparison is tried for murdering a King, escapes jail, can side with a terrorist group, then can lead a rebellion against another King. So he’s a regicidal wanted fugitive terrorist rebel, and that’s much more of a criminal than a poxy pirate. Sorry Risen 2, I tried.
Winner: The Witcher 2
FINAL WINNER: THE WITCHER 2: ASSASSINS OF KINGS
C’mon, like there was any doubt. Risen 2’s a fun enough game, but Witcher 2’s had a year to buff itself to perfection – and it was pretty damn good anyway. If you can afford two RPGs this month feel free to buy both as you almost certainly won’t regret it, but if you just buy one The Witcher 2 is an easy choice. There are some problems that can’t even be fixed by throwing pirates at it.
CHAMPION!Written by Chris Capel.
