International Press

IGN.COM (UK) - 8.6/10

"If you're familiar with the genre and are looking to take the next step into a mature, well-realized fantasy world, then this is it."

"Gorgeous stretches of terrain brought to life with fabulous detail and authenticity that greatly enhances the overall tone of the world." 

"The game's sense of character and powerful atmosphere make for a truly memorable gaming experience, even if on the surface the fantasy elements may seem generic."

"While a little more direction in spots would have been appreciated, the game's exemplary implementation of tone and methods of advancement make its rewards feel all the more powerful, and despite some hiccups with combat, make it one of the best role-playing experiences of 2009 so far."

Neoseeker (US) - 9.5/10
 "All told, a thoroughly impressive package its creators have only to be all too proud of."
 

Hooked Gamers (US) - 8.5/10
 "... Piranha Bytes went on to create what may be their best game yet. Risen might not carry the Gothic name, but it is a Gothic game to the very fiber of its lovingly crafted bones."

"Risen provides the player with hours upon hours of role-playing goodness. A sign that you are playing a great game is when it becomes more difficult to put it aside for a couple of hours and this was certainly the case with Risen."

Game industry News (US) - 4.5/5
"The final test for Risen was that I totally lost track of time while playing it. There is always just one more hill that you want to see the other side of, one more abandoned house to explore, one more quest that needs completed, one more weapon to forge, and so on and so on..."

Cheat Code Central (US) - 4.4/5
"Faranga is a finely crafted setting for what ultimately turns into a tremendously deep and very satisfying fantasy RPG."

Gameobserver (US) - 86
"Overall, Risen is a tremendous step forward for Piranha Bytes and shows that they are capable of making the same old school PC RPGs that made them famous back at the beginning of this decade."
"With that being said, it’s good to have you back PB. Your fans have missed you."

Gamers.at (Austria) - 90

"Risen is a great role-playing experience, it is just fun to investigate every corner of the mysterious island. The story and quests are quite varied and the game world gives you an credible feeling of being a part of it. The developers have focused on the strengths of the first two Gothic parts and didn't make any technical mistakes. Role-players should go and grab it!"

Cynamite (Germany) - 9/10
"Risen is a great RPG with only minor flaws. A worthy sequel to the Gothic series."

GameStar (Germany) - 87
"Motivating successor of Gothic with great game world."

Gamesradar (UK) - 9/10
"Risen is a solid, engrossing and beautifully presented RPG that's well worth your time and money."

gry.gildia.pl (Poland) - 9/10
"Risen is probably the best RPG this year."

gry-online.pl (Poland) - 89%
"If I have to describe Risen by one word, it’ll be “Beautiful”...
Let’s put it short – game’s awesome, Gothic fans will be delighted.
Newest Piranha game has all of features which describes great action RPG game: demanding enemies, great fighting system, multiple way of developing your character, tons of quest, beautiful world in which you just like to explore."

miastogier.pl (Poland) - 8.9/10
"Like its predecessor, Risen is not just a game, but a real, living, virtual world!"
"Risen should be found in the hands of every true fan of RPGs!"

ComputerGames.ro (Romania) - 90/100
"This is why I recommend that you buy and play it. Once, twice or as many times you need until you can proudly say that all the secrets have been uncovered and all achievements have been obtained. It's worth it."

JVN (France) - 16/20
"Piranha Bytes has yet managed to offer us a rare and precious experience: the feeling of moving in a living world in which we want to get lost for tens of hours."

Cyberludus.com (Italy) - 8.5/10
"The expectation of the general public for this game will be rewarded by a title that has a soul: that of Piranha Bytes, synonymous with quality."

GamesNation (Italy) - 82
"First of all Risen is an RPG made for RPGs lovers. [...] A large and fully explorable island and the frequent decisions you’re asked to take make this game almost endless."

Spaziogames.it (Italy) - 8.0/10
"Leaving the brand of Gothic in other hands, the Piranha Bytes have created an interesting game universe that is beyond the clichés of fantasy literature, and have set an engaging storyline, multi-faceted, that deserves to be played and replayed in particular."

MondoXbox.com (Italy) - 8.0/10
"Risen, thanks to gameplay and story, is an involving, beautiful and compelling title that ensures a lot of hours of gaming and entertainment."

Vandal.net (Spain) - 8.5/10
"Piranha Bytes has created a new series. Risen is not only a good heir to Gothic, but also establishes solid bases which could mark the way for this studio in the future."

Meristation.com (Spain) - 8.0/10
"Although the plot, rather than other titles, not surprising at first, the evolution of our character and the many choices and important decisions that we take along our adventure make it a popular alternative to be considered by the fans of the genre."

gamez.nl (Netherlands) - 81
"It also works the other way: you're a lover of classic RPG with a fantasy setting of the Gothic games in particular, then this is definitely a must."

XGN (Netherlands) - 8.0/10
"Risen is a successful RPG that looks really good and offers a lot of fun gameplay, which keeps you busy for hours and hours."

FZ (Sweden) - 4/5