For every reason I play RPGs (big decisions, interesting characters, fun gameplay, immersive exploration), Risen 3 hits every sweet spot.

Piranha Bytes is going back to its roots – including new cool factions like the Demonhunters and Guardians, both using powerful fantasy-spells. The game also offers a rich and detailed open world, mixing pirate- with medieval-setting where you can explore tons of rpg-content. Unfortunately the cinematic and technical presentation isn’t state of the art, including camera- and clipping-problems. Though the combat-system has improved since Risen 2, it still isn’t well balanced and polished.

The Germans took a step back and reintroduced more of the distinctive atmosphere of the Gothic series and the first Risen, which is a huge advantage for me. The world is so vivid and lively that it really makes you want to be there and see as much of the vast content as possible. It’s a shame that the game’s engine is visibly aging and the story lacks the punch. [10/2014, p.48]

Despite its oddball shortcomings, Risen 3 is a solid open-world RPG packed with entertaining characters and challenging combat scenarios.

The main strength of Risen 3: Titan Lords is the big amount of things to do. Missions of any kind, treasure maps, crafting, factions, exploration of the islands, some naval engagement and more. But for those who have already played Risen 2: Dark Waters the impression of "copy-paste" is really strong and unfortunately its main flaws are still here.

It’s almost a good game. For some of you that will be enough. It’s a neat little diversion and it’s fun in spurts, and maybe that’s all you are looking for. However, there are many other better RPGs to play out there with better stories, and better systems.

Bloated in the mission department, threadbare everywhere else, Risen 3: Titan Lords is cobbled together from rehashed material, and the series' many flaws are enhanced a hundredfold in the process.