I'm thoroughly enjoying Risen 2. Yes, it's very cheesy, the graphics aren't AAA, the acting is a bit dodgy, but the game is FUN. It's a shame Yahtzee didn't try Voodoo (Risen 2 doesn't have anything like a traditional magic system). Possessing people, cursing them with a voodoo doll, and turning them against each other is a lot more interesting than shooting lightening from your fingers. Seriously, I am enjoying this game more than I did Skyrim. Skyrim was often a grind - Risen 2 (so far) has never felt like "work".
As others have pointed out, dodge during combat was added in a patch.