New to "Gothic" style games, quick questions.

[Akimbo]

Hi, I'm totally new to the whole "Gothic" style series of games, with Risen going to be my first. Just a few quick questions.

1) I seem to be able to die really easily to general, what I thought would be "starter" enemies. Granted I'm still getting use to the combat system, but the game really doesn't have much in the way of a tutorial, it's kind of like "grab stick, equip it, good luck in the world!" Is it normal to do next to no damage, then get whooped when I get hit in return?

2) I see a lot of posts referring to Scrolls being the most common way to cast spells, no mana cost etc. However, if for example I don't want to carry/sort masses of different spells ( Are there even that many? ) is it worth going as a Mage just to be "lazy" so I can just cast an open lock spell ( Or any other spell ) instead of having to remember scrolls for all occasions?

3) Are mages the only "class" that can create scrolls?

4) What's the easiest starter "shop" to reach so I can buy some new gear? I'm assuming running around in my scrap cloth starter outfit isn't doing me any favours.

[DArtagnan]

1)

Yes, it's common to die often in the beginning. The most important thing to remember, I think, is that enemies in Risen each have their own specific attack patterns and behaviors. This was true in Gothic 1+2 as well. You need to observe your enemies carefully, and see their pattern of attack and defense. You'll eventually start getting a feel for it, and though the game is never really easy for a fighter - you do get pretty comfortable if you stick with it. Remember to dodge, especially "backwards" by double tapping the corresponding walk backwards key ("s" by default). This will save you a ton of deaths :)

Lots of inexperienced gamers tend to have a gut reaction that's very negative, but that's only natural considering the game is harder than most on newcomers. The sad thing is that some of those people are actually paid to review games, and as such their ignorance is less excusable because they're giving advice based on not really having a clue what the game is trying to accomplish.

2)

Scrolls are available to all characters, and all "classes" can create scrolls once they learn the skill and have the requisite materials. However, scrolls DO cost mana to use - and there's no doubt that if you're heavy into magic - you don't want to go any other route. If you're somewhat in-between, then I advise you to go the Warrior of the Order route.

3.)

Answered above.

4)

Hmm, I don't really remember if there's a decent shop NPC before you reach either the bandit camp, monestary or the harbor town. You don't actually buy your armor from shops in general, though, but you can get some early cloth armor from harbor town for 200 gold. It's that corrupt merchant you meet near the gate, named Costa or something. Can't quite remember.

[Uriziel]

Akimbo, you are in for a serious wakeup call lol. Piranha Bytes games do not hold your hand and walk you through the game. They do not protect you from going into areas you can't possibly survive in. They don't let you go through the tutorial and then be Uberwarrior 10 minutes later. You can't walk fifty paces and find Uber equipment or someone that sells it. These games are tough, but fair. Where in a dungeon crawler you can simply clickety click your way through the game, in PB games it takes timing to swing and block properly. It takes getting your ass kicked a few times until you learn how to defeat that enemy. It also means you have to turn and RUN!!!!! when you waltz into a bad area. The games take patience and a lot of thought. Learning points are hard to come by, so you think long and hard before spending them. There are a multitude of choices….and consequences. It is much like real life….you can't just clickety click through it.

You will be challenged and LOVE it, or you will hate it. Good luck :)