The people of the Kingdom of Myrtana are waging a bloody war against the orcs. Despite heroic resistance, the orcs continue their advance. And as if that were not enough, the royal fleet sank to the bottom due to the overconfidence of its command.
To hold back a powerful and numerous enemy, King Rhobar II directs all the kingdom’s resources to the war effort and exiles criminals, regardless of the severity of their crimes, to the island of Khorinis. There, in the Valley of Mines, convicts extract magical ore used to forge weapons and armor for the resistance against the orcs. That is also where the events of the first “Gothic” begin.
The events of “The Chronicles of Myrtana” unfold on the island of Archolos. The Merchant Guild oversees the island’s economy, while the City Guard maintains public order. Peasants cultivate wheat, pumpkins, and grapes — the latter used to produce wine. Believers worship Innos and Adanos, offering prayers at their shrines. Statues of Beliar, the god of darkness, hatred, and destruction, have been destroyed on the island of Archolos — which threatens dire consequences in the future!
The island is fraught with danger. Wild beasts and monsters roam the forests, caves, and beaches. Ruthless bandits stake out the roads. And those who dare venture far from civilization are brutally slaughtered by a mysterious Beast. Yet this does not deter those trying to escape the war. Among them are our main protagonists:
- Marvin: an ordinary village lad. Not exceptionally bright, but he more than makes up for it with tenacity and an ability to learn quickly.
- Jorn: Marvin’s brother. Arrived on the island to find their uncle and start a new life. Strong, self-confident, ill-tempered, unmarried. Prone to fatalism.
Welcome to Archolos
Many storylines and quests await players on the island — Marvin can assist peasants, townsfolk, mages, and nobles. The lives and fates of people will hinge on how errands are handled. For instance, the player helps a stranger, but instead of offering a reward, he lures Martin into a dark alley — where the stranger’s accomplices are already lying in wait. Or Martin agrees to shovel sheep dung, but later the protagonist is asked to plant the droppings on a certain scoundrel. Such plot twists make the narrative far more engaging.
The number of tasks and errands in “Archolos” is countless! I spent 10 hours in the starting location alone — even though those quests were optional! Additionally, notice boards display bounties on bandits and dangerous beasts — featuring unique appearances, reinforced attacks, and hefty health pools. And while hunting monsters and helping people, you get the distinct feeling of playing the first “The Witcher”.
The city of Archolos is split into two sections: one is open to everyone, but you can forget about the Old Town — you are not a citizen yet! Inside the city, by the way, quests and assignments become even more plentiful.
Development paths
By slaying adversaries and completing quests, Marvin earns learning points. These are required to progress along three paths:
- Warrior: a heavy-armored powerhouse. Slices through every obstacle in his path with a trusty blade.
- Agility fighter: prefers eliminating enemies using a bow or crossbow. Skilled at sneaking and picking pockets. Wears light armor.
- Mage: wields elemental powers in battle. Capable of shapeshifting into animals.
Becoming a mage demands plenty of time and effort. Initially, the player relies on single-use spell scrolls. Later, Martin will master runes that permit casting spells indefinitely. All that remains is managing the mana pool.
Those opting for the bow and crossbow will need to craft an abundance of arrows and bolts. And it is best to stock up on patience! In the early stages, Marvin frequently misses, even when firing at point-blank range.
Sword-swinging enthusiasts, on the other hand, received the most refined combat mechanics! “Gothic” features an unconventional melee combat system: pressing directional movement keys during battle determines the angle of your attack. It truly feels like Martin is fencing! Skilled players can comfortably overcome a formidable foe by properly timing their strikes and parries.
Animals are trickier to handle. You can interrupt them if you strike right at the moment of their pounce. What is more, each beast demands a distinct strategy — their combat behavior varies! The mod also introduces unique wildlife, such as bears.
Choosing a trade
Players are free to pick a profession tailored to their liking. A hunter slays wildlife, skins pelts, and pulls teeth — trophies can either be sold for gold or used to craft weapons and armor. A blacksmith Martin, provided he has the skills, can craft a sword or bow to his taste! An alchemist character will have to check beneath every pebble looking for flora — the third level of alchemy enables brewing potions that permanently increase the hero’s strength, agility, mana, and health. An exceptionally useful trade!
The hero is also capable of scribing scrolls and cooking. For cooking, you must first purchase a recipe from a merchant, and only then cook up something tasty! On top of that, proper nutrition boosts your attributes. But beware: the message stating that “something has changed” when consuming mushrooms looks unsettling for good reason!
Yet the new trades come with a downside! The inventory system in the mod remains inherited from Gothic 2. Items are not divided into categories; everything is dumped into the knapsack without sorting. As a consequence, one must hunt for the necessary item amid trophies, ingredients, and other clutter.
Over the course of the walkthrough, Marvin will be allowed to join the Merchant Guild or the City Guard. This grants access to fresh quests, equipment, and future allies.
A world you want to live in
The world of “Gothic” is vibrant with life. Animals sleep and hunt other wildlife. If you approach them too closely, they growl before attacking. In cities, every resident follows a schedule. Characters eat, work, and visit the outhouse. People react realistically to player behavior: draw a weapon, and they prepare for combat. And they will not take kindly to Martin entering a house uninvited or attempting to steal something.
The island of Archolos is replete with details, secrets, and fascinating locations. Everything looks scenic and atmospheric. To facilitate travel, the developers introduced fast-travel mechanics. These encompass teleportation, runners, and boatmen. Shortcuts and paths exist across the map, but they are consistently guarded by formidable enemies.
Every human in the mod features programmed routines. When entering a village, town, or woodcutter camp, the player encounters an illusion of daily life. Quest-givers are well-written, making dialogue genuinely entertaining. I opted for the Polish voice track and thoroughly enjoyed it — the voice actors delivered a professional performance for a user-made mod.
Diagnosis
“The Chronicles of Myrtana: Archolos” is an outstanding game featuring picturesque, detail-rich environments. The characters are compelling, and the story draws you in. It serves as yet another example that fans can build complete games, and that gamers warmly welcome atmospheric worlds even when graphics and mechanics are dated — because a great deal of heart was poured into this effort.
The original “Gothic” centered around an epic quest. It was the coming-of-age journey of the Nameless Hero who turned into a legend. “The Chronicles of Myrtana”, by contrast, emphasizes family bonds and mutual support.
Yet one must remember that the foundation of the game remains that very same “Gothic”. And it is prone to stuttering and crashing. Clunky handling and an unusual combat system are not to everyone’s liking. Consequently, the mod will primarily appeal to “Gothic” fans. Otherwise, it remains an acquired taste.
Pro:
- The feel of “that very same” “Gothic”
- A massive island to explore
- A detailed world and characters
- Diverse approaches to progression
- Reworked balance and new mechanics
- Superb Polish voice acting (awaiting Russian?)
Contra:
- “Gothic” mechanics will not appeal to everyone
- Inconvenient inventory
- Occasional stuttering and crashes