Explore a volcanic Mediterranean island filled with tropical vegetation, dungeons, towns, sub-climates, catacombs and of course... deadly creatures! This is not your typical RPG. Yes you will find plenty of loot, alchemy, armor, weapons, skills & exploration but Risen is more like a simulation because of the detail put into developing your character.



Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Risen in Linux with PlayOnLinux.

Note: This guide applies to the GOG.com version of Risen. Other versions may require additional steps.

Tips & Specs:

To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained

Mint 16 64-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.2
Wine: 1.7.16

Installing Wine

Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"


Look for the Wine Version: 1.7.16
Note: Try using stable Wine 1.8 and 1.8-staging

Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right


Click Next

Downloading Wine


Extracting

Downloading Gecko


Installed


Wine 1.7.16 is installed and you can close this window

PlayOnLinux Setup

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install


Click "Install a non-listed program"


Click Next

Select: Install a program in a new virtual drive
Click Next


Name your virtual drive: risen
Click Next


Check all three options:

• Use another version of Wine
• Configure Wine
• Install some libraries

Click Next


Select Wine 1.6.2
Click Next


Note: If you are running a 64-bit system, PlayOnLinux will prompt if you want to use a 64-bit or 32-bit virtual drive. Always select 32-bit virtual drive.

Wine Configuration

Applications Tab
Windows Version: Windows 7
Click Apply


Graphics Tab
Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows
Check "Emulate a virtual desktop
Desktop size: 1024x768
Click OK


Installing Packages (Components, Libraries)

Check all of the following Packages:

• POL_Install_corefonts
• POL_Install_d3dx9
• POL_Install_gdiplus
• POL_Install_physx
• POL_Install_vcrun6

Note: All Packages will automatically download and install

Click Next


Installing Risen

Click "Select another file" or click Browse
Click Next




Navigate to your Risen GOG.com download
Select setup_risen_2.0.0.6.exe
Click Open


Click Next


Click Options


Uncheck "Create desktop icons"
Check "Yes, I have read and accept EULA"
Click Install


Installing


Error "Unable to execute file: sdbinst.exe"
Click OK


Physix Installer
Check "I accept the license agreement"
Click Next


Aborting installation (because we already installed Physx)
Click "Cancel"


Click "Exit Setup"


Interruption
Click OK


Risen was installed successfully
Do not click "Launch Game"
Click Exit


PlayOnLinux Shortcut

Select: Risen.exe
Click Next


Click Next


Select: I don't want to make another shortcut
Click Next


Configure PlayOnLinux

Back to PlayOnLinux
Click Configure


General Tab
Wine version: 1.7.16
Click the + to download other versions of Wine
Click the down-arrow to select other versions of Wine


Display Tab
Direct Draw Renderer: opengl
Video memory size: The amount of memory your video card uses
Offscreen rendering mode: fbo


Close Configure

Launching Risen

Select Risen
Click Run


Fullscreen Setup

Click Settings
Resolution: Match the height and width to your Linux desktop
Click Apply


Performance Settings:
Adjust texture, shadows, effects, range of sight, depth of field and shader quality to get a decent frame rate.


Rule of Thumb:
High settings = more detail, lower frame rates
Low settings = less detail, higher frame rates

Conclusion:
Risen runs really well on my GeForce 550 Ti with only small frame stutters at initial load or when entering a new area. Wine 1.7.16 fixed the "no spaces" problem in the dialog.

There is also a small mouse gliche where every once-in-a-while your character can't turn all the way around. Not sure why because Wine has fixed these types of window bugs 100 years ago, but all you have to do it right-click really fast and your characte will continue turning.

This is the first time I have really given Risen a chance and absolutely love it! So much detail in quests, conversations and learning. Its a pretty hard game, but beautiful visuals and a LOT of character development.

Screenshots: