Gothic is a great game with too much bug. The history of this game is already known in gamers' community. Producers realize this game in a hurry. So in particular during the second part the plot is just linear. But the first part is a real masterpiece. In Gothic I lived the best experience in a single player crpg. The world of Gothic is alive, npcs live during the days, move from a place to another. So the sensation is to be in a dynamic scenario. Controls are not so user friendly, but after a bit of practice there will be no trouble. In my opinion the combat system is too action-oriented for a rpg, but skill grow with experience. Maybe there are too bug, but they can be tolerated.
The idea of an open air prison is fine and create a small world, where the plot can develop through tree guilds. Our avatar can choose one of these guild on order to go to the final goal: escape from the prison.