Sometimes it’s not the big names, but the forgotten gems that stay with us for a lifetime – and for me, that gem is Risen.
When people think of Piranha Bytes, one name usually comes to mind right away: Gothic. Hardly any other German studio has managed to build such a loyal fanbase – which made it all the sadder when the studio shut down last year. But between Gothic and Elex there’s another game that often gets overlooked, yet remains one of Germany’s finest treasures: Risen. It has that unique charm only Piranha Bytes can create: rough, witty, a little clunky – but endlessly atmospheric.
A Shipwreck, Three Factions, Countless Choices
Risen was released in 2009 and takes place entirely on the island of Faranga, threatened by volcanoes, ancient ruins, and strange creatures. The gods have abandoned the world, titans threaten to wipe out humanity, and right in the middle of it all our nameless hero is shipwrecked.
As in any classic Piranha Bytes RPG, you’re faced with a crucial decision early on: Do you side with the strict Inquisition, the rebellious bandits, or the mystical mages? Depending on your choice, not only the dialogues and quests change, but the entire flow of the game. That sense of consequence is what makes Risen special to me even today.
Pure Atmosphere
Faranga may not be the largest open world ever, but it’s self-contained, detailed, and alive. Farmers work the fields, bandits lurk in the swamps, and in the harbor town the Inquisition enforces order with an iron fist. Get caught sneaking and you might end up in a fistfight or hauled off to the guards – little details like these keep you on edge and completely immersed in the world.
Then there are the trademark Piranha Bytes dialogues: cynical and cheeky. And of course the combat – challenging, sometimes unfair, but always rewarding as you grow stronger by learning the system.
Why Risen Is Still Worth Playing Today
Of course, Risen is a product of its time. Visually, the years show, and the Xbox 360 version was never ideal. But especially on PC – and since 2023 also on modern consoles – it has aged surprisingly well. The world, the factions, the soundtrack by Kai Rosenkranz: all of it still holds up.
Risen also got two sequels: Risen 2 and Risen 3, which shifted the setting towards a more pirate-themed direction. That’s a matter of taste, sure – but anyone looking to bridge the wait until the Gothic Remake should definitely give the trilogy a shot.
For me, Risen is the overlooked child of Piranha Bytes. It may not have the cult status of Gothic, but it carries the same rebellious spirit. A compact, dense world that takes your choices seriously, characters you won’t forget, and that unique blend of grit and humor. If you enjoy RPGs and are open to a slightly rough but deeply atmospheric experience, Risen is absolutely worth revisiting. For me, it remains a true classic – and a game that is still part of my yearly gaming tradition, even 16 years after its release.