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Risen comes out subsequent week, on January 24. It is a rough-around-the-edges and unforgiving, but deeply immersive and attention-grabbing RPG, that additionally occurs to have already come out 14 years in the past.
Re-releases aren’t precisely uncommon nowadays, however one thing intrigued me about this one. It isn’t a remaster, or a remake—it is only a port to PS4, Xbox One and Swap, accompanied by a modest replace on PC. Although it nonetheless has gamers—the Steam model nonetheless will get about 100 concurrents a day—it isn’t precisely a permanent hit in the best way that, say, Age of Empires 2 is. To be frank, I am undecided it was a smash hit even at launch—it definitely obtained a reasonably combined important reception.
So why re-release it just about unchanged in 2023? Clearly, on some stage writer THQ Nordic is hoping to make a bit of cash off some new gross sales—I am not fully naïve—however it hardly looks as if an apparent money seize. Was there a social media marketing campaign by followers? Or a spike in curiosity kicked off by an influencer? Is it laying the groundwork for a sequel? I felt like there needed to be an even bigger motive behind this seemingly innocuous launch.
Not precisely a high-stakes thriller, however I assumed it could not harm to analyze. After formulating a extra diplomatic model of the query “Why are you doing this?”, I despatched an electronic mail off to a THQ Nordic spokesperson. The reply was a nice shock.
“[For] a few years, THQ Nordic [has been] following the so-called “Asset Care” technique. We’re usually porting older video games to new platforms or [e.g.] bringing a patch to the then 17-years previous Desperados in 2018 to make it run correctly with Win10.
“We expect it’s necessary to take care of older IPs, particularly after they nonetheless have an enthusiastic fanbase. The primary Risen was an incredible RPG following the design path taken by the Gothic collection, and deserves one other shot, particularly since its console model again in 2009 was a really dangerous port. This new model will make Risen for the primary time completely playable on all standard console programs.”
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That is… really fairly cool? There’s one thing a bit of heart-warming concerning the writer having an energetic coverage of doing proper by its older catalogue, particularly contemplating it is a collection THQ Nordic purchased in 2019 together with a slew of others, not one thing homegrown. At a time when main publishers like EA and Ubisoft are pleased to easily hoard IP, ignore their previous video games, and even pull the plug on new releases that do not instantly carry out, there’s care right here for recreation historical past that is refreshing to see.
As as to whether a Risen sequel is within the works, there’s at the moment no plans—however they had been eager to remind me concerning the in-development remake of its shut sibling Gothic.
“At this level, now we have nothing else to announce concerning the Risen franchise – however by no means say by no means. We don’t assume many individuals actually anticipated a Gothic remake and now it’s in full manufacturing. So let’s see what future holds for Risen.”
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Let’s examine certainly. And for individuals who are tempted to return to Risen on PC within the close to future, here is what you possibly can count on from subsequent week’s free patch:
“The PC replace will characteristic some gameplay fixes, gamepad controls/UI and achievements… in addition to good compatibility with trendy {hardware} (together with Steam Deck) by utilizing a DirectX 11 and 64bit technical structure.”
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