Hey guys, I just wanted to know what you guys thought of Gothic 3 seeing as I've seen extremely mixed thoughts on the game. I enjoyed Gothic 2, though I didn't finish it, I still enjoyed what I played. I wont be able to grab it for a while sadly, but I just wanted to know what you guys thought! Thanks!

Keep in mind that I did not finish Gothic 3, but I found it quite enjoyable. I like the ability to choose sides in the war and the feeling that I am influencing events. The large open world is a nice draw, while making you feel very small with all the dangerous enemies. Little buggy, but great game. Never played the expansion which was made by some Indian company I think.

Yeah, I've heard it's also very buggy, but can be fixed through a patch of sorts.

Yeah, the community patch is available here.

Yeah, that's the one, thanks for the link, I'll keep it in mind if I ever pick the game up.

I assume the community patch is easy to install and is compatible with the GOG version.

Gothic 1 is stellar.

Gothic 2 is stellar.

Gothic 3 is much less satisfying. Initially, I was disappointed.

I bought it early, and melee combat was a disaster. Over a year or two, and lots of patching, I came back to it a handful of times and I grew more fond of it. Still, combat is unsatisfying.

The map was made with great care, especially the central region. Sadly, exploring the wilderness is somewhat a letdown. I can wander far from the road, and down into a unique cave lined with weird crystals. I'll find an ancient chest, untouched for 100 years. And it will have the same randomly generated crap in it that every other intriguing chest does. A boring potion and some arrows. It's frustrating that someone made the effort to create all these special locations, but took no care in populating those places with curiosities.

I can probably name half the characters from Gothic 2 and where they fit in the story. Even nameless robbers had interesting things to say. I could sit and listen to Vatras preach or the ladies of Khorinis gossip. I can remember turning desperately in the woods during a properly dark night, hoping to face the first lunge of a hidden growling wolf. I've probably spent 80 hours at Gothic 3, and I can't remember anyone or anything. I think I helped some characterless druids kill some orcs. Still, it's playable.

I bought Gothic 4 when it was first released, and I was hopeful. That was years ago. I'm still mad and I don't want to talk about it.

edit: Risen is much better than Gothic 3. It's not up to Gothic 2 standards, but I really enjoyed it.

If you played Gothic 1 and 2 and enjoyed them you will also enjoy Gothic 3.

It's a really big open world, the patch mentioned above fixes all bugs. The visuals/graphics are much better, the music is lovely and it's a fun story.

There is really a lot to do in the game, give it a try am sure you won't be disappointed.
No comment on Forsaken Gods, don't count that as part of the series:)
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Community Patch is included with the GOG version.

Gothic 3 = Awesome!
played it years ago probably pre-patches or only a few out (it was new-ish at the time IIRC).

Gothic 3 Forsaken Gods = not played yet, definitely get it on sale c/o the widespread opinion its not great.

My both thumbs go up.

Gothic 3 is a solid Meh. It isn't a bad game and I actually enjoyed parts of it. But it has several problems, even with all the countless bugs removed. First, it doesn't live up to it's great predecessors. Gothic 3 is only average, which makes it look bad compared to Gothic 2. The second and bigger problem is, that it is unfinished. I think they aimed for more than they could deliver. You have a huge world with huge empty parts (apart from random monsters). Lots of NPCs also feel too generic. The devs just ran out of time. Half a year more in development plus a month or two for testing would have made this game good. But like it is now it is just full of wasted potential.

:(

You must still play it though:)

Wow, I didn't know that.

totally agree with you. I Have the same feelings when talking about gothic 1+2 (masterpieces), gothic 3 (enjoyable, but not memorable), Arcania (not even worthy to have 'Gothic' in its name)

And also agree with Risen, is very nice. Still have to play Risen 2.