Dive in Gothic 2 – Night of the Raven in a dark world full of secrets and dangers. Experience fighting sinister creatures and mastering dark challenges. Discover the legacy of darkness in Gothic 2 – The Night of the Raven and become a hero or a legend of the shadows.
Gothic 2 – The Night of the Raven Review
New characters, a new world and an interesting story. Night of the Raven integrates perfectly into the main game Gothic 2 of Piranha Bytes.
Who the Night of the Raven by Gothic 2 installed, you should do this before you start playing the main game. The add-on is integrated into the plot in Gothic 2. On the way to Khorinis you meet Cavalorn, who tells you about a new world. This is an area that has not yet been researched. The earth shakes and people disappear without a trace. Raven, a crook who is already known from Gothic, is said to be responsible for this. The goal is to reach the Valley of the Builders.
A deeper dive into the world of Gothic 2
Gothic 2: Night of the Raven begins with Xardas telling the unnamed hero about Raven, a well-known character from the first part of the Gothic series, who is on a quest to find the Claw of Beliar - the counterpart of the Eye of Innos. But when the island of Khorinis is shaken by earthquakes, stone guardians of an ancient culture suddenly come to life. Also, people are disappearing from the city of Khorinis, and the hero embarks on a journey to solve these mysteries.
Departure into a new world: Jharkendar
In the city, he is absorbed into the Ring of Water and through a portal he finally reaches Jharkendar. There he discovers that people have been kidnapped by pirates and sold for cheap labor at Raven's mine in the Jharkendar swamp. The hero sneaks into the bandits to find Raven, who already has Beliar's claw.
Jharkendar
The new area introduced in The Night of the Raven add-on for Gothic 2 offers a whole new world full of challenges and mysteries.
A new world of adventure
In Jharkendar you will encounter a landscape very different from the city of Khorinis. Wild deserts and dangerous swamps await you, as well as the ruins of a long-forgotten civilization. The buildings and temples are beautifully designed and give the world a very authentic feel. But be careful: the enemies in Jharkendar are stronger and more brutal than in Khorinis, and you will have to improve your skills to be able to face them.
A captivating story
Jharkendar also features many new quests and characters to help you progress the story. Some of the quests are particularly challenging and require you to collect all the clues and improve your skills in order to solve them. But it's worth it, because you'll get plenty of rewards and benefits for those who put in the extra work.
The Search for Raven and the Claw of Beliar
As you progress through the game you will also discover that Raven and the Claw of Beliar are in Jharkendar. You must find and defeat Raven to recover the Claw of Beliar. However, this won't be an easy fight as Raven has already obtained the claw and boosted his powers.
Open End: A journey full of challenges and mysteries
The end of the story remains open and depends on your decisions and actions. Will you solve the puzzles, save the missing people and defeat Raven? Or will you encounter even greater challenges and obstacles on your way through Khorinis and Jharkendar? That remains unclear and must be found out by you as a player yourself.
New challenges
Overall, Jharkendar offers a whole new world full of adventure, challenges and mysteries. It's a great new feature for the game and an enrichment to the gaming experience. So what are you waiting for? Set out and experience the wonders of Jharkendar for yourself.
Quests
If you have solved the necessary quests, you will be able to pass through the magic portal after 4-5 hours and enter the valley of the builders. It is about 1/3 the size of the area in Gothic 2. We encounter unknown monsters and bizarre critters. Stone guards and Aztec-like figures stand in your way. But you also get new armor and weapons to be able to survive against the monsters.
New groupings
The add-on supplements the existing guilds such as militia, mercenaries and fire mages as well as the water mages with pirates and bandits. There are of course countless other quests. These usually consist of doing jobs for certain people or beating your way through hordes of monsters to find artifacts.
In Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven there are different groups that you will meet and interact with during the game. Here are some of the main groups:
- The Water Mages: This group resides in the city of Khorinis and is concerned with the study of magic and defense against the orc threat. You will work closely with the water mages throughout the game and will need their help to solve the puzzles and advance the story.
- The Bandits: The bandits live in the swamp of Jharkendar and are known for their marauding activities. You will have to deal with them to find Raven and the Claw of Beliar.
- The Orcs: The Orcs are a brutal and warlike race that invaded the island of Khorinis. You will have to fight them to defend the city and protect the water mages.
- The Pirates: The Pirates are a group of seafarers who kidnap people from Khorinis and sell them for cheap labor in Raven's mine. You will have to deal with the pirates to find Raven and save the missing people.
- The Mercenaries: The Mercenaries are mercenary troops hired by various factions to defend their interests. You will both work with them and fight against them throughout the game.
- The Fire Mages: The Fire Mages are a group of mages dedicated to the study of fire magic and the quest for the Eye of Innos. They are housed in a castle near Khorinis and you can visit them.
- The Paladins: The Paladins are a group of knights who serve the god Innos. They are based in the city of Khorinis and fight against the Orcs and other enemy forces.
- The Dragon Hunters: The Dragon Hunters are a group of hunters who hunt dragons on the island of Khorinis. You can visit them at their camp in Jharkendar Swamp and face their challenges.
- The Nomads: The Nomads are a group of itinerant merchants who sell various goods and items. You can meet and trade with them during your journey through Khorinis and Jharkendar.
- The Assassins: The Assassins are a group of deadly assassins hired by various factions to take down their enemies. You will come into conflict with them in the game and you will have to defend yourself against their attacks.
These groups are only a small part of the world of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven. There are many other interesting characters and groups that you will meet as you advance the story and explore the mysteries of Khorinis Island and Jharkendar.
Your opponents in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven
In Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven many different enemies are waiting for you, from human enemies to fantastic creatures. Here are some of the enemies you will fight throughout the game:
- Orcs: The Orcs are a brutal and warlike race that invaded the island of Khorinis. They pose a serious threat to the residents of Khorinis and you will have to fight against them to defend the city.
- Undead: There are many different types of undead in Gothic 2: Night of the Raven, from skeletons and zombies to powerful lichs and necromancers. These enemies are particularly difficult to defeat and require special skills and tactics.
- Dragons: There are several dragons that you have to fight in the game, including a fire dragon and an ice dragon. These creatures are very powerful and require strong armor and weapons to defeat.
- Trolls: Trolls are large, powerful creatures that are difficult to defeat. They can be fought with both melee and ranged weapons, but they are highly resistant to damage.
- Bandits: The bandits are human enemies that live in the swamp of Jharkendar and will attack you if you enter their territory. They are well armed and can pose a serious threat when you're out alone.
- Golems: Golems are powerful artificial beings made of clay, stone, or metal. They are highly resistant to damage and can pose a serious threat if you are not well prepared.
- Slaves: Slaves are people kidnapped by pirates or bandits and forced to work in mines or as labourers. They are often weak and poorly armed, but they can appear in large numbers and overwhelm you if you're not careful.
- Lizardmen: Lizardmen are humanoid lizard creatures that live in the ruins of the forgotten civilization in Jharkendar. They are quick and agile and can attack you with their blades or arrows.
- Shadowwalkers: Shadowwalkers are demonic creatures that lurk in the shadows and appear out of nowhere to attack you. They are very fast and can teleport to avoid you.
- Animals: There are many different types of animals in Gothic 2: Night of the Raven, from wolves and bears to giant rats and monitor lizards. These creatures can pose a threat when they appear in large numbers or when they surprise you.
The monsters of Gothic 2: Night of the Raven
Overall, the game world of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is very detailed and offers a variety of locations, characters and groups to explore. The world is very interactive and gives you a lot of freedom to create your own story. The game world is one of the strengths of the game and contributes significantly to the fact that you can lose yourself in the world of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven and spend hours exploring it.
The graphic
Graphically, not much has changed on the night of the raven. The graphics are based on the main game and are neither better nor worse. With the sound, the game is very atmospheric.
Detailed world and characters
Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is a game that was released in 2005, so from today's point of view it cannot be compared to modern games. However, even for its time, the game had remarkable graphics, especially given its detailed world and characters.
Varied landscapes and environments
The landscapes and environments in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven are very varied and detailed. Khorinis island offers many different landscapes such as forests, swamps, mountains and beaches. The ruins and buildings are also well designed and show a variety of architectural styles.
Detailed character design
The characters in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven are also very detailed and individually designed. Each character has a unique look and personality, represented by their clothing, hairstyle, and facial features.
Good implementation of the fights
The fights in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven are also well implemented. The animations of the characters and enemies are smooth and realistic, and the effects of spells and attacks are impressive.
Graphics weaknesses
However, there are also some weaknesses in the graphics of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven. The character models are a bit angular and edgy at times, and the textures can look pixelated at times. Also, there are occasional clipping issues where objects go through walls or characters.
Impressive graphics for its time
Overall, the graphics of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven are very impressive for a 2005 game, conveying a vivid and detailed world. Even if it can no longer keep up with modern games, the graphics of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven still remain an important part of its charm and atmosphere.
Well implemented sound effects
The sound effects in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven are well implemented and contribute significantly to the atmosphere of the game. The sounds of footsteps, weapons, and magic are particularly well executed, helping to make combat and exploration more exciting and engaging.
Atmospheric music
The music in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is also very well done and fits the game world perfectly. The musical accompaniment varies according to location and situation, helping to differentiate the different areas of Khorinis and Jharkendar from each other. The music alternates between atmospheric sounds, epic orchestral pieces and dark, menacing melodies.
Well implemented sound and music
Overall, the sound and the music of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is very successful and contributes significantly to the atmosphere of the game. The sound effects and pieces of music are well implemented and fit seamlessly into the game world. They help to make the game world livelier and more authentic and ensure an unforgettable gaming experience.
diversity of the game world
The game world of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is very diverse and offers a large number of places to discover. You can choose between different landscapes like beaches, forests and caves to explore the world. Each place has its own charm and offers a different experience to keep you entertained.
Alive characters and groups
The world of Khorinis is filled with characters and groups, each with their own personality. Each character has their own story and relationships with other characters. You will meet different factions like water mages, fire mages, bandits, pirates, mercenaries, paladins, dragon hunters and many others. Each group has its own goals and agenda, and it's up to you to ally with them or fight against them.
interactivity of the world
The world of Gothic 2: Night of the Raven is very interactive. You can speak to almost any character for information and quests. You can also make decisions that affect the course of the story and relationships with the various groups. You can even found and manage your own settlements by building houses, gathering resources and recruiting residents.
Player Freedom
Another strength of the game world of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is the way it gives the player freedom. You are free to explore the world and make your own decisions. There is no set order of quests or tasks, and you can choose which path you follow. This gives you a sense of freedom and autonomy rarely found in other games.
An interactive world
Overall, the game world of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is very detailed and offers a variety of locations, characters and groups to explore. The world is very interactive and gives you a lot of freedom to create your own story. The game world is one of the strengths of the game and contributes significantly to the fact that you can lose yourself in the world of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven and spend hours exploring it.
Changes from Gothic and Gothic: Night of the Raven
There are many differences between Gothic and Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven. Here are some of the key differences:
- Game world: The game world of Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is larger and more diverse than that of Gothic. There are more places to explore, more characters to meet, and more quests to complete.
- Graphics: Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven has significantly improved graphics compared to Gothic. The textures are more detailed, the models have more polygons and the environments are more realistic.
- Combat system: The combat system in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven is more sophisticated and strategic than that in Gothic. There are more ways to customize and upgrade the weapons and armor to fight against the different types of creatures in the game world.
- Skills: The skill system in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven has been expanded and improved. There are more skills and talents to learn and upgrade to enhance different aspects of the game.
- Factions: Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven has more factions and groups than Gothic. There are more ways to interact and collaborate with the different groups in the game world.
- Dialogues: The dialogues in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven are longer and more detailed than those in Gothic. There are more ways to interact with the characters and more ways to affect the story and the course of the game.
- Sound and Music: The sound effects and music in Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven are of higher quality than those in Gothic. The sound effects are more realistic and the music is more atmospheric and better composed.
Overall, Gothic 2: The Night of the Raven offers an improved and expanded version of the original Gothic game. There's more content, better graphics, more challenging gameplay, and more ways to interact with the game world.
Conclusion
The expansion to Gothic 2 integrates very well into the game. Unlucky for those who played the main game before installing the add-on. It takes time to complete all quests and some older tasks have new solutions. Playing the expansion is definitely worth it, as is the main game.
Here you go to the article Gothic 3 and the addon Gothic 3 - Götterdämmerung
Another You can find a review of The Night of the Raven at 4Players