Line #82 VideoGame/Risen


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/7e27bc89e348b28619f07b80da591574.jpg]]
2	Developed by German developer Piranha Bytes, ''Risen'' is a third-person WesternRPG released in 2009. It is '''very''' similar to the games of the ''VideoGame/{{Gothic}}'' series made by the developers before they left their former publisher and lost the rights to the franchises name. One of its signature elements is the combat system: You can parry weapons, dodge, and break the enemy's guard. The game is somewhat similar in nature to that of ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'', but instead of using [[DynamicDifficulty level scaling]], every enemy is hand-placed by the developers, and leveling is accomplished by paying trainers to slowly raise your stats. This approach in execution makes leveling up feel more like a real accomplishment rather than flipping a flag that gives you [[PossessionImpliesMastery instant mastery]] over all types of weapons, as is usual in this genre.
3
4	The sequel, titled ''Risen 2: Dark Waters'' continues the story from the first game with the same protagonist. This time he tries to stop Titan Lords from awakening Titans who lay the world to waste. It takes place in a tropical setting and introduces several new elements, like firearms. ''Risen 3: Titan Lords'' was released in 2014, starring a new protagonist.
5	----
6	!!Contains examples of:
7	* AcrophobicBird: The Sea Vultures. Incidentally, there aren't really flying enemies in the game, just giant moths that hover just above the ground.
8	* AdamSmithHatesYourGuts: The only charity you can hope for is [=NPCs=] offering to sell you better gear at outrageous prices.
9	* AllMonksKnowKungFu: Subverted. There's even a clifftop monastery, but the staff-wielding recruits are trained by the Inquisition coming from mainland. The original inhabitants, the Mages, are mostly concerned with studying magic.
10	* AnAdventurerIsYou: There are three classes depending on what faction you join: [[JackOfAllStats Bandit]], [[SquishyWizard Mage]] and [[MagicKnight Warrior of the Order]].
11	* BeefGate: You can generally get a good idea that you're ''not'' supposed to be on certain parts of the island if enemies in these areas can one-shot you.
12	* {{BFS}}: If you invest a lot of points in the Sword skill you will eventually be able to wield double-handed swords in one hand. And wave them around like they're made of Styrofoam.
13	** Most two handed swords count, but the absolute king of this trope in Risen is Titanwing, the best sword in the game, which is hinted to be ForgedByTheGods [[spoiler: before they forcefully left the planet]].
14	* ButThouMust: Pretty much all conversations that are part of the main questline resolve in this manner.
15	** You are also forced into joining a faction at the beginning of the game; no ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}''-style tearing ass through the countryside with level 25 equipment and ignoring the plot for you.
16	*** Technically you can explore 90% of the island before joining any faction and clear out all monsters and loot (including weapons) from there, you don't have access to advanced training (which is crucial) and armor (even more so) though so accomplishing this requires exploiting all the tricks you can think of and even then it is a truly masochistic task.
17	* CaveBehindTheFalls: At least two.
18	* CaptainErsatz: ''The entire game world'' is ''Gothic'' with the serial numbers filed off. This is taken to the point where there is ''nothing'' stopping it from taking place in the same world beyond ([[http://www.gothicz.net/serie-gothic/mike-hoge-talks-about-gothic/ now non-existent]]) legal reasons. [[spoiler: The backstory of the game is also very similar to one of the endings of ''Gothic 3'', strongly implying that this ''is'' the same world set some time in the future.]]
19	* CharacterClassSystem: Notably averted. It's true that each of the three factions sort of fills one of the traditional fantasy class niches. The [[GoodIsNotNice Bandits]] represent warriors (or thieves), the [[TakeAThirdOption Order of the Holy Flame]] represents mages, and [[KnightTemplar the Inquisition]] is a mix of the two. However, most of the abilities you can learn are class-independent. The exception is the "Seal" skill, which allows characters to cast spells directly from Runes and is exclusive to Mages (everyone else needs to copy Runes into scrolls first, so technically everyone can still cast spells). Crystal Magic skills, which allow characters to fire magical bolts, are not taught to Bandits, but you can craft an amulet that lets you use them.
20	* CherryTapping: A very good way to take care of higher-level mooks is to shoot them with an arrow, then lead them back to any spot with invincible or high-level [=NPCs=], and allow said people to beat away 95% of the monster's HP away, leaving you to [[CherryTapping cherry-tap]] it to death at your leisure.
21	* DeadpanSnarker: Unique in that the playable character is one, despite the fact that he is otherwise an AFGNCAAP. You also can't "change" his personality with a KarmaMeter, unlike in most Western [=RPGs=].
22	* DurableDeathtrap: Any deathtrap you spot is a functioning deathtrap. No exceptions.
23	* GiveMeYourInventoryItem: Played straight. If you go the Bandit route, early on you will be asked to hand over a SwordOfPlotAdvancement. You can keep it, but at the cost of seriously pissing off some [=NPCs=].
24	* GogglesDoSomethingUnusual: Comes into play near the end of the game. [[spoiler:Mendoza's Ocular enables its wearer to ''see'' (and thus fight) the Titans]].
25	* GoodIsNotNice: TheHero, [[spoiler:Ursegor]], the Bandits...
26	* GraveRobbing: One of the main quests requires digging up [[spoiler:pirates' graves, most of which contain deathtraps]].
27	* GreyAndGreyMorality: The two main factions are a group of fanatical KnightTemplar and a bandit clan. You ''have'' to side with one of them.
28	** There is the chance to [[TakeAThirdOption join a third faction]], but it requires earning enough favor with both of the previous factions to enter the main city undetected, and then prove your worthiness to the third faction to prevent UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar faction from drafting you.
29	* HealingPotion: But of course.
30	* HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic: [[InvertedTrope Inverted]], the player and [[spoiler:Ursegor]] are the only humans who wear helmets.
31	* HyperactiveMetabolism: Various types of food instantly heals you.
32	* HyperspaceArsenal: The amount of gear you can potentially carry would sink a cargo ship.
33	* InfinityMinusOneSword: Several, actually (i.e. the Titan weapons). There's one or even two for every possible weapon type.
34	* InfinityPlusOneSword: [[spoiler:A hammer, actually.]] You need it to damage the BigBad.
35	* InWorkingOrder: All the levers, buttons, drawbridges and ''especially'' deathtraps function perfectly despite the dilapidated and partially collapsed state of the underground temples in which they're found. No exceptions.
36	* ItemCrafting: You can craft your own weapons and jewelry if you have the Smithing skills. You don't need skill to cook, only recipes.
37	* KnightTemplar: The Inquisition.
38	* LizardFolk: Saurians.
39	* LowFantasy: Like the ''Gothic'' games before, the ''Risen'' series generally fits this trope nicely. Magic exists, but is not available to the public and, in later games, openly hated by the Inquisition and related factions for its ties to the gods and titans, there's generally only one other vaguely humanoid race of importance (Saurians in ''Risen 1'', the Gnomes in the sequels) and even though you may end up saving the world in the process, your main goal is more along the lines of survival and other personal quests. There may be some more HighFantasy elements at place depending on the game, but the general tone is squarely Low Fantasy, with characters being jaded and snarky, and dark humour being the norm.
40	* MixAndMatchCritter: The sand devils in ''Risen 2'' are disgusting creatures that look like a mix between an anglerfish and a cricket. They have a lantern appendage above their heads and they hide in sandy beaches to ambush the curious, quickly overwhelming them with numbers and shredding them with sharp, vicious teeth.
41	* MoneySink: Notably absent. While you can splurge on the better equipment pieces, you can also skip and save the money. By joining the Inquisition or Mage factions, you get your armor for free; the best weapons can be found or crafted. However, in the end, you will end up with tens of thousands of gold coins with nothing to spend on, [[spoiler:unless you exploit a [[GoodBadBugs GoodBadBug]] and use them to buy experience points.]]
42	* MythologyGag: Captain Gregorius Steelbeard shares the name with captain Greg, leader of the pirates in ''Gothic II: Night of the Raven''.
43	* NintendoHard: This game makes you ''earn'' your right to call yourself a badass, and doesn't let you forget it.
44	* OnlyICanKillHim: Crammed in with a crowbar towards the end of the game...
45	* OurGhoulsAreCreepier: They'll stunlock you good.
46	* OurGnomesAreWeirder: Small, funny UglyCute creatures, who love nothing more than taking things, whether it's by scavenging, theft or by force. When they attack you they throw random things, including fish.
47	* OurOgresAreHungrier: Big and strong, speak slowly, have no real interest in gold but one [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration charges the player a fortune for training]] because he needs to buy food.
48	* PunchPunchPunchUhOh: The only way to determine that a given enemy is way beyond your level is to start hacking away and monitor its healthbar. Unless it drops noticeably, you will need to spend a good five minutes to kill it, unless you give up and run away first.
49	* RealIsBrown
50	* SealedEvilInACan: [[spoiler:The Fire Titan locked away in the volcano]].
51	* SealedGoodInACan: [[spoiler:Ursegor.]].
52	* ShipwreckStart: The protagonist begins his adventure after surviving a shipwreck that strands him on the island of Faranga.
53	* SpikesOfDoom: And you can't even tiptoe through them...
54	* SpiritualSequel: ''Risen'' is essentially ''Gothic IV'' with all the names changed thanks to some (now resolved) legal shenanigans between developer Piranha Bytes and publisher [=JoWood=].[[labelnote:some explanation]] After the lackluster reception of Gothic 3, Piranha Bytes and [=JoWood=] decided to split up and go seperate ways. The contract between them specified that [=JoWood=] had the rights to ''Gothic'', but only for two more games (including expansions), after which the rights would revert to Piranha Bytes.[[/labelnote]]
55	* SuperDrowningSkills: Anything beyond waist-deep water, and you either sink and wash over to the nearest shore, or get swallowed by a giant worm-thing [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment and wash over to the nearest shore]]. Really more of a sandboxing mechanism.
56	** This would only be [[AvertedTrope averted]] in the third game, where you can swim to your heart's content, the only limitations being that you will be bounced back if you go a certain distance from the shore, and you can't dive.
57	* UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition: Is it really a coincidence that the Inquisitor's name is Mendoza...?
58	* TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon: Big circular arena directly atop a [[ConvectionSchmonvection live volcano vent]]. Bonus points for having the only entrance collapse immediately after you enter.
59	* TooAwesomeToUse: Most potent magic scrolls, if you don't actually level magic. TheDragon is pathetically weak and the BigBad is immune to magic anyway so you're quite likely to never use those Inferno scrolls you've hoarded...
60	* TwentyBearAsses: Very commonly required for sidequests and you typically get no warning whatsoever that a particular kind of bear ass will be necessary to advance some questline. This leads to compulsive collecting of all sorts of bear asses you come across during your travels.
61	* UnusableEnemyEquipment: Justified. You cannot wield ogre clubs (too big). Saurian swords (also not meant for humans), while usable, require a strength level disproportionate to their effectiveness.
62	** Using console commands to give normal weaponry to Lizards, though, will increase their damage output significantly.
63	* VillainForgotToLevelGrind: [[spoiler:Mendoza can be dispatched in about 4 blows. You are also ''far'' more likely to accidentally fall to your death during the final boss fight than to actually die to said boss' attacks]].
64	* WeBuyAnything: And I do mean ''anything''! The poorest trader can and will take any amount of treasure off your hands. Unlike in early ''Gothic'', no NPC ever runs out of money.
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66	!! Risen 2 contains examples of:
67	* BagOfSpilling: Hero of the first game, who single-handedly defeated a Titan initially finds it difficult to kill warthogs and crabs. Explained in-game by showing that the hero started to hit the bottle after rather traumatic experiences on Faranga. All magic items except voodoo items also lost their power.
68	* CallAHitPointASmeerp: From this game onwards, ExperiencePoints in the ''Risen'' series are referred to as "Glory" instead.
69	* ClusterFBomb: Argument between Doggs and Foster consists basically of one word used in various ways.
70	** Jaffar, who learned human language by listening to pirates. Although his innocents use of curses also qualifies for PrecisionFStrike.
71	* CombatTentacles: Kraken and [[spoiler: Mara]] although the latter uses them for rather cosmetic purposes.
72	* DeadHatShot: After [[spoiler: Steelbeard's]] demise.
73	* DeadPersonImpersonation: [[spoiler: Captain Garcia]] who kills [[spoiler: Officer Corrientes]] and assumes his identity, knowing that the protagonists have never met killed man in person.
74	* EyepatchOfPower: The protagonist sports one. Also Steelbeard.
75	* FantasticRacism: Guards almost always treat native slaves disparagingly.
76	* FatSweatySouthernerInAWhiteSuit: Di Fuego, although more along the lines of 'fat sweaty Spaniard in white waistcoat'.
77	* GenericDoomsdayVillain: Mara. She doesn't really get ''any'' kind of personality or goal other than Conquer the Sea and appears no more than 3 times in total.
78	* GiantSquid: Kraken, first seen in the intro.
79	* HollywoodVoodoo: Played back and forth. It is predominantly a magic system (with voodoo dolls nonetheless) but characters explain that for the natives voodoo is a religious practice based on the worship of Tiwas (Titans) that are presented much like Loa.
80	* HotLibrarian: Cassandra.
81	* LargeHam: Captain Gregorius Emanuel Steelbeard.
82	* MythologyGag: The gate to Garcia's treasure is opened by a password. One of the possible answers given to a player is 'Tetriandoch', a password used to enter Saturas' chamber in the first installment of ''Gothic'' series.
83	** In Caldera Archives there is a book on rune magic. Nameless Hero comments that it is ridiculously outdated.
84	* TalkLikeAPirate: Pretty much averted in original, yet English version has its share of UsefulNotes/TheWestCountry accents. Steelbeard also swears like expected from a stereotypical fantasy pirate.
85	* PirateParrot: You also can train one!
86	* SealedEvilInACan: Mara. [[spoiler: And then she gets released by pirate captains]].
87	* ShoutOut: Cassandra says that archivist's job is boring, but the [[Series/TheXFiles 'X Section']] of the Caldera archive provides a interesting read.
88	** The cutscene after [[spoiler: the Nameless Hero leaves the Isle of Thieves]] is a recreation of the opening scene from Roman Polanski's ''Pirates'' (1986).
89	** Take a stroll along a beach and you'll soon run into some {{Giant Enemy Crab}}s. You can indeed flip them over (by kicking them) to [[AttackItsWeakPoint attack their weak points]] for massive damage.
90	** In the german version, there are many references to Gothic, some dialogues are even completely copied (and often put into a comedic context).
91	* SwordAndGun: It's a pirate game, after all. Many characters, including Nameless Hero uses such combination.
92	* TheUnderworld: Nameless Hero pays it a visit to find some clues.
93	* YouHaveResearchedBreathing: You need experience points and training just to learn how to kick people
94
95	!! Risen 3 contains examples of:
96	* ATasteOfPower: You start the game off with decent gear and mid-game stats (50's in most skills) before the end of the tutorial. After that you lose most of your gear and all your skills are reduced down to 10.
97	* AuraVision: Astral Vision, a special ability the player character gains as a side effect from almost dying. Interestingly, it's an upgradeable skill and your chosen faction determines which kinds of upgrades are available to you.
98	* BeeBeeGun: The main combat spell for Voodoo Pirates is a swarm of wasps you throw at enemies.
99	* ButThouMust: A minor sidequest actually [[InvertedTrope inverts]] this; no matter how much you want to, the player character will ''not'' agree to sweep the entire storehouse. A "But Thou Can't", if you will.
100	* ChargedAttack: Melee attacks (including combat magic) can be charged for a really long time, which makes the fights look like BulletTime sometimes.
101	* CherryTapping: Much easier than in Risen 2 thanks to the return of your evade move.
102	* ElementalPunch: The main spells cost nothing and can be chained in combos like melee attacks. You can't block while using them but gain a ranged attack, can hit multiple targets and your magic attacks are themselves [[UnblockableAttack unblockable]].
103	* ExperienceBooster: Freddie's Shackles. They're DLC items, so this counts as a mild form of BribingYourWayToVictory.
104	* FlashStep: Demon Hunters, including the player character if he joins them, have access to a short-range teleport that replaces their dodge roll.
105	* FlunkyBoss: The Shadow Lords, [[spoiler:Nekroloth, the Titan Lord of Death]].
106	* FourthWallObserver: Titan Lord Ursegor, in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, directly refers to a dimension outside the ''Risen'' universe. When the main character asks questions about it, Ursegor merely replies that a mortal couldn't comprehend it anyway.
107	* HowWeGotHere: In a variation of this trope, the game does not start InMediasRes and then explains itself. Instead, the vision / DreamSequence of the tutorial level later plays out for real, and you get to see how exactly it ends and concludes.
108	* KarmaMeter: The Soul meter, which determines how various [=NPCs=] react to you, how loyal your crew will be, and [[spoiler:what ending you'll get]].
109	* LinearWarriorsQuadraticWizards: Since magic is locked behind joining a faction, regular melee is highly valued in the beginning of the game. The farther you progress though, the more magic abilities become available to the player, including the ElementalPunch spells which are largely superior to even the best swords the game has to offer.
110	* LoadsAndLoadsOfSidequests: There is ''a lot'' of stuff to do in this game, to the point where the optional sidequests might actually be seen as the main appeal of this game.
111	* MagicKnight: In contrast to the other ''Risen'' (and ''Gothic'') games, this is a playstyle viable to every guild now, not just the pure Mages / Paladins. That being said, the Mage Guardians are the only guild with access to multiple unique magical skills and upgrades, emphasizing this trope.
112	* MeaningfulName: Taranis, an island sporting a perpetual dry thunderstorm and a home to several lighting-attracting monoliths shares its name with Celtic god of thunder.
113	* MoneyForNothing: While all the ''Risen'' (and ''Gothic'') games eventually get you to a place where money no longer serves a purpose, ''Risen 3'' is notable for practically starting at that point. The tutorial quest alone showers the player in cash, and while there's {{Money Sink}}s everywhere (training your skills is expensive), even the most minor sidequest usually awards you with hundreds of gold, making the high vendor prices meaningless.
114	* {{Mordor}}: Skull Island, with all its lava and swamps and hellish landscapes.
115	* MythologyGag / ContinuityNod: There're several {{Shout Out}}s to VideoGame/{{Gothic}}, e.g. recurring enemies like Scavengers and Dragonsnappers.
116	* NotAsYouKnowThem: The Nameless Hero, former main character of the series, appears as a somewhat somber cameo that explains how it's "Not his job" to save the world this time. Quite a departure from the {{Determinator}} he was in the previous games.
117	* TheOlderImmortal: [[GiantSpider Margoloth]] is the first (and therefore oldest) living being in the ''Risen'' world, which makes her at least older than the titular Titan Lords, and maybe even older than the titans and gods themselves.
118	* OneStatToRuleThemAll: Magic if you're playing a Guardian. Magic influences the damage your spells do, and also the power of your support spells (for example, [[HealThyself Healing]] and [[MasterOfUnlocking Rust ]]). This means that high magic not only equals high damage, but also provides infinite healing and let's you bypass the lockpick minigame.
119	* PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo: You can meet the Nameless Hero on Calador.
120	* PuzzleBoss: The Ore Titan.
121	* RememberTheNewGuy: The new protagonist comes out of nowhere, but almost everyone treats him as if he's always been a big part of the Risen universe.
122	* SameCharacterButDifferent: Happens to basically all returning characters, with the exception of Patty. Bones, once quiet and melancholy, became an outrageous and boisterous caricature, Inquisitor Mendoza went from WellIntentionedExtremist to CardCarryingVillain...
123	* ShoutOut: In addition to the above-mentioned ''Gothic'' allusions, there also the BuriedTreasure of a certain "Captain Morgan". It's a treasure chest filled with booze, which your main character promptly [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]].
124	* StealthBasedMission: The Isle of Thieves has a few of them.
125	* TakeYourTime: Common in all three ''Risen'' games, but especially JustForFun/{{egregious}} here because your companions will tell you all day how important it is for you to quickly gain back your soul unless you wanna end up as a mindless minion. [[GameplayAndStorySegregation There's never any real urgency to your quest, might as well idle and complete all the optional side content]].
126	* TalkLikeAPirate: Averted for the most part, and even played for laughs by Colby, who does exactly that (with a complimentary 'arrr', no less) and promptly gets called on this by a protagonist.
127	* TimeAbyss: Margoloth, the first living being that ever existed in the entire ''Risen'' universe.
128	* YourSoulIsMine: The game starts with the player character losing most of his soul and humanity to [[spoiler: Nekroloth, the Titan Lord of Death]]. Your main motivation in this game is to gain them back.

Context VideoGame / Risen