Gothic 1+2: Masterpieces of Immersive Design

Gothic 1 and 2 came out in 2001 and 2003, respectively, but their immersive design elements are timelessly brilliant and contribute to a feeling of atmospheric immersion that is unrivaled even to this day, 20 years later. These open-world action-adventure-RPGs show their age in some ways, but the core design remains fundamentally as satisfying and engaging as it was back when they first came out, leading to a unique gameplay experience that you just can't find in other RPGs.

Read the text version of this review on my blog:

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Mods used in this playthrough/review include the latest SystemPack, PlayerKit, and DX11 enhancements, which you can find by following these links below. I did not use the Riisis texture mod or L'Hiver, which are mentioned in these guides.

[GrandMaster.Smile.]

Good to see that Gothic is still in the people's heart and mind!

[Nr]

The German voice acting for the games is excellent, btw., which is why Gothic I and II are widely considered true masterpieces in Germany.

[Kacprrak]

Alternate Universe where Piranha Bytes is pretty huge and Bethesda isn't.

Now that's a dream...

[Iwmar]

Glad to see Gothic gets even a tiny bit of recognition in Western world. Gothic games have a massive following here in Slavic Europe, probably even bigger than in Germany with some of Polish parodies, remixes etc. getting millions of views on Youtube. I just replayed G1 and G2 few months ago with some graphical mods and yes those games are as good as I remember them from 20 years ago. I also recommend playing first Risen, spiritual successor of first Gothic.

[jarlfenrir]

One important thing in my opinion: you have to find everything by that not accurate map and NPC directions, and the world is not too big to make that task a big issue. What I like about Gothic I and II is that the world is not too big, it is just right size.

[jerzy]

9:08 - lectors in Polish version are outstanding and this is also why it become so popular here

[TheMpamMpam]

The feeling of immersion that I got from playing gothic 1 and 2 was never reproduced since then. These 2 games were made by gamers who made their dreams come true.

[TheRealCHIMShady]

Bromor legit has the best voice, its so memorable.

[xi_the_pooh]

In regards to the voice acting: I feel so sorry for all of you who don't unterstand german. Especially Gothic 1 has amazing voice acting where if feel like you're missing out on a huge part of the game's experience if you don't play in german.

[Woodstockpl]

Gothic series is huge in Poland and it gets much needed love here

[CESSKAR]

I really like this series dedicated to Gothic. Thanks a lot.
Immersion is probably the greatest asset of these games. And hardly matched today.

[RysieX]

It's a shame that they don't make games like that anymore. Since 2008 I keep replaying Gothic 1 and 2 to this day, lost track of how many times I did - and it never gets boring.

[PeTak]

We need a new game as good as this two. They simply dont exist anymore.

[ombieautopilot]

What I really liked about Gothic is how it never barred you from taking your chances with higher level creatures.

[Sitharii]

0:41 : """"the immersive design of Gothic 1 and 2 is timelessly brilliant .
My thoughts exactly !!! even today I look at Gothic 1 and I still see a timeless masterpiece with almost no flaws !!!! incredible !!!!

[BartixShieldsmen]

Gothic, a game that has aged incredibly well and horribly at the same time. Either way still one of the best RPG games ever.

[DerWasserflasche]

The german voice acting is a masterpiece! Bodo Henkel as Xardas or Christian Wewerka as the nameless hero are so greate voice actors. There are legends for the german Gothic Community. But also all other voice actors are very very very good. They all spoke many diffrent Characters but you can give me one line without gameplay and I can name you the Character which they spoke even if it is a generic one. This is maybe the best german voice acting in gaming history. Not maybe it is the best german voice in gaming history! But unfortunately a few of them already died. RIP VATRAS. RIP LESTER.

[vladstravelguide]

Every year on my birthday, before I blow the cake candles I wish for gothic 1 and 2 remakes, EvErY SiNgLe YeAr!

[nejcver]

G1 and 2 truly are mastepieces. Even Witcher devs took notes from them when making witcher games. Newer piranha bytes games are so uninteresting to me. To this day they failed to make a decent combat system since G2.

[real_Furryratchet]

These games where made with love and not for making a ton of money. It was a time that is lost today.
Iam from Germany. Played these when I was young and Iam coming back to these games from time to time.