Review Fix chats with “Risen 3†developer Björn Pankratz, who discusses the variety of new gameplay additions in the newest addition of Pirahna Bites’ newest adventure, “Risen 3: Titan Lords.†The series’ “rediscovering of its roots,†Pankratz chats about the game’s hand-crafted world and revamped combat system, as well as the company’s hopes for the game.
Review Fix: What kind of research and work goes into creating the games’ “Hand-crafted†worlds?
Björn Pankratz: Every location, creature and even NPC could be the first one you can encounter in Risen 3. Exploring is the key. In every corner of the world you will find cool adventures, challenges and items for the player to gain. The storyline is non linear as possible. You choose your own way through our world full of immersion. Every item, creature or NPC is placed by hand. The pacing is an important factor. Every passage in the game has to be interesting, so we placed all the stuff in a certain order into the world, so that the player always has interesting stuff to do and always has the chance to do many different things at the same time. Find an item, talk to a new NPC, face the threat against a huge opponent, take the easier way to fight against smaller ones, watch a cut-scene, solve a quest, enjoy a vista point and much more. All of this you only can get, when you create this huge world by hand.
Review Fix: How many quests are there in the game? How long should it take the average gamer to complete it?
Pankratz: We played this game by ourselves many times. It nearly took about 50 hours for each of us. So you may get a feeling about the time an average player may need to solve all our quests and adventures.
Review Fix: How will swimming change the series?
Pankratz: Swimming in Risen 3 makes you feel more free. Every location at our coasts, every island and hidden location you can now reach. The world is prepared for exploring every corner of it where you will always find something interesting. Even the big ships at the horizon will be reachable by swimming.
Review Fix: How has the combat system in the game changed?
Pankratz: We completely reworked our combat system. All animations are new, which gives you the opportunity to act more directly and to see better what the opponent is planning to do next against you. Also the opponents are reacting differently to the actions of player now. So you can decide what tactical moves are the best for what enemy. Additionally, there will be much more magic combat spells for ranged and melee combat. Our new combat system is a great fun factor in the game. There will be many different ways and combat styles you can use to strike down your opponents.
Review Fix: What was the logic behind the return to the three factions system?
Pankratz: To join one of the factions is a big choice in Risen 3. This has impact not only to your skills, armor, quests or party members, it also has a big impact on the storyline and other big assets you can get in the game. For example the big ship. With this you can travel over the sea. It is your choice, if you join a faction very early in the game or after 30 hour hours of gameplay.
Review Fix: How do you think this game will stand out from its predecessors?
Pankratz: With Risen 3 we go straight back to our roots. We created a game that has the best of all the games we have made so far. The immersion of the world is amazing. There is core interactivity, intriguing NPCs, many many terrifying monsters and cool items for you to gain. It has all the stuff that made Piranha Bytes games popular in the past and more. It is also the biggest game we have ever made. Be prepared.
Review Fix: What do you want its legacy to be in a few years?
Pankratz: I can’t say what legacy there will be in the end. But I hope it will be something like to be the best, funniest, most complex and biggest one of the Risen series.
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