So what's it like?

[Claudius]

I'm not saying the game doesn't autosave. And I must have the details wrong. But the issue (flaw) I was raising was that there are numerous cutscenes and no autosave before a hellacious battle. Err I mean the autosave is before the cutscenes.

That wasn't my whole point of course. If you read the whole post what I was trying to say was that yes it didn't make me smile to have to watch the same cutscene but no it doesn't mean the game is ruined.

[Ulfang]

I'm not saying the game doesn't autosave. And I must have the details wrong. But the issue (flaw) I was raising was that there are numerous cutscenes and no autosave before a hellacious battle. Err I mean the autosave is before the cutscenes.

That wasn't my whole point of course. If you read the whole post what I was trying to say was that yes it didn't make me smile to have to watch the same cutscene but no it doesn't mean the game is ruined.

I did read your whole post and wasn't suggesting that was your whole point I was merely commenting on one part of your post

When you said there was no autosave before the chapter boss I was assuming you mean't no autosave at all. But you can still pause the game as you move into combat and save it there if you want to make sure you don't have to go through the whole cinematic again.

[Kenrenk]

I haven't yet played a lot of the game, but my feeling is currently that I'm highly impressed. Some weakness like some keyboard keys with a fixed setup which is highly boring but the game worth to go over it. No key to skip cinematic but you can survive this. A fight system ok but the hit chaining timing is a bit repetitive. Apart that it is impressive after the prologue. Amazing mood from story, graphics and area design. Nice RPG with many cool RPG stuff like the character improvement, the alchemy, tons of stuff to find. Great world setup with a very good density and realism, I see only Gothic 2 merged with NOTR do better. Adult mood without to take it too seriously but immerse you quite well in a grey world. Overall it bring a refreshing original feeling and a mastery to manage and merge in the game story, mini-story, world information and discovering that all feel much more realistic than usual. The grey and adult mood and the amazing graphics and area mood that aren't just fancy really help to setup the realism.

About cinematic : People should take care that the beginning of the game doesn't reflect what follow. The prologue is setup to be the tutorial of the game. So things are simplified and you are more taken by the hand. Also it let you less freedom so this even increase the cinematic rate and setup a strong adventure feeling. But as the prologue/tutorial progress you get more freedom and stuff to do and the game feel more and more like an RPG game with a strong story. In chapter 1 you don't have anymore a ton of cinematic but few and some linked to dialogs and some fights story setup.

About quest hints and quests location of maps : Oblivion cruel failure is quest design is for children bellow 4. Probably targeting mental age of console players. The result is the game constantly take you by the hand and point you do that, go there, and you have no thinking and search to do, in few click you follow the quests orders. But most quests of Oblivion ar"e designed with this system and you can't ignore it or so rarely that you give up anyway to try. It's because quests doesn't give enough information on locations, smart clues, and so on. The compas shwing you even the direction is really a stuff for baby which is boring. Only have the map to open and check to find a target point is different. Even more important in The Witcher most often you have enough information to not use the system but in few cases where you didn't read well some information and skip something. That's all the difference with Oblivion. For sure the task is easier for the Witcher because it hasn't the big world opened approach of Oblivion. It's still a problem in Oblivion and not in The Witcher. Oblivion is an impressive RPG but only good, not bad achievement. But The Witcher is a ton better and has a subtle originality.

[Xandax]

<snip>No key to skip cinematic but you can survive this. <snip>

You can left click through dialogue, and "escape" in non-dialogue scenes.

[Kenrenk]

You can left click through dialogue, and "escape" in non-dialogue scenes.

Thanks for the info, Left click and escape, I can't believe I didn't tried it! Ok I enjoy cinematic of the game but I already get some more than once because of a death and then wanted to skip.

[dragon wench]

I was going to put this in the performance thread, but then realised it was more of an impression.
First thing.. No problem with my SATA Drives... Yay!
So far, everything looks and runs great! I haven't noticed any serious problems with load times at all. Of course, I'm still in the tutorial and only tore myself away because I'm tired and I really need to get to sleep.

But... Wow... just wow! It is a *very* long time since a game has so instantly pulled me in just by its narrative and atmosphere alone.
I'll see how things progress, but so far I have absolutely no regrets about buying The Witcher... I even find the combat enjoyable, it's a nice change from the mindless clicking of other games I've played.
And regarding the initial cinematics, though long, I really enjoyed them... a very nice introduction to the world I was about to enter.
They reminded me a bit of the initial movie/cut scene and opening dungeon in BG2, in a way. I am one of those people who never skip that part.. because it sets the scene so very well... The introduction of The Witcher seems to be similar.

Like I said... initial impressions. And bear in mind, I'm just trying out the new rig for the fist time, so there's a certain level of exhilaration involved as well....

[Ulfang]

Well In my opinion the game just gets better. I love cut scenes if they are done correctly. I don't like them for the sake of having them and/or if the script and voice acting is bad but in The Witcher they are very atmospheric and really add to the feel of the story.

I just read the first couple of (short) stories in Sapkowski's Last Wish novel and the first story is about Geralt's dealings with a Striga and if anyone's read this story they'll realise it is also the opening cinematic (intro) scene from the game. I had to watch it again after reading the story and it felt all the better for having read that story.

[fable]

Well In my opinion the game just gets better. I love cut scenes if they are done correctly. I don't like them for the sake of having them and/or if the script and voice acting is bad but in The Witcher they are very atmospheric and really add to the feel of the story.

We'll just have to differ on that, then, because to me, cutscenes add to the feel that I'm watching a movie--not playing a game.

[Lady Dragonfly]

...I even find the combat enjoyable, it's a nice change from the mindless clicking of other games I've played.
And regarding the initial cinematics, though long, I really enjoyed them... a very nice introduction to the world I was about to enter.
...
Like I said... initial impressions. And bear in mind, I'm just trying out the new rig for the fist time, so there's a certain level of exhilaration involved as well....

Just a few comments.
1) Combat: What is the difference between "the mindless clicking of other games" and the mindless clicking of The Witcher? We probably play different games, because this game's combat-clicking is among the most mindless in my book. It surely looks great (if a tad repetitive), especially by the end of the game, but all you have to do is watch for the pointer and click away.
2) Cutscenes: I personally don't care for in-game movies, however pretty. But that is just me. I don't recall any other RPG that used so many cutscenes to advance plot. Only Dreamfall (TLJ failed sequel), an adventure game, comes close.

[dragon wench]

Just a few comments.
1) Combat: What is the difference between "the mindless clicking of other games" and the mindless clicking of The Witcher? We probably play different games, because this game's combat-clicking is among the most mindless in my book. It surely looks great (if a tad repetitive), especially by the end of the game, but all you have to do is watch for the pointer and click away.
2) Cutscenes: I personally don't care for in-game movies, however pretty. But that is just me. I don't recall any other RPG that used so many cutscenes to advance plot. Only Dreamfall (TLJ failed sequel), an adventure game, comes close.

Thus far, what I like is that you actually have to think about the style of combat you need to use. Now, maybe as you advance further, once you are more familiar with what is required, it becomes repetitive. But, at this point I rather like the concept. *shrugs*

I have no intention of further belabouring the cutscene discussion. I only commented upon it, because I personally found it very effective in the way it set the backdrop and drew me into the story. However, as you also say, "this is just me." Unlike with other debates, where I do think there is often a clear "right" and "wrong," in this case it ultimately all boils down to subjective opinion.

Like others here, I find that The Witcher is the best game I have played in years. I am more likely to call it an RPG/Adventure hybrid, but so what? Regardless of whatever genre it happens to be, I find it is a stellar game. While I've only had my own modern computer for a few days, I have sampled other titles that have been released in the last number of years at a friend's house. I wouldn't pay the full price for any of them, but this one, in my opinion, is worth it.
You may differ, but hey, "different strokes" and all of that.

[Ulfang]

We'll just have to differ on that, then, because to me, cutscenes add to the feel that I'm watching a movie--not playing a game.

I think we've already differed on that more than enough Fable :laugh:

You don't like it. I do. Dragon Wench seems to like them to so love them or hate them they're in there. I feel if they are done correctly they work. In some games they aren't done well and it just becomes annoying but I agree with Dragon Wench on this they do suit this game ... although they're not for everyone...

[fable]

I think we've already differed on that more than enough Fable :laugh:

Fair enough!

[Foss]

Just wanted to post aswell of how I fell the game is. (Came to be a bit longer than I thought)

I have recently started on chapter 4.

I had mixed feelings when I bought the game, and mixed feelings in the tutorial, but after that I have really come to love it. I think I just had to get used to a new game and therefor different control and way of playing.

Storywise, I really like how storydriven it is and how many normal quests can tie into the main story. Reason for that seems to be the "limited" free roaming aspect of the game, as you are limited to 1 or 2 areas normally.
But the areas are still quite large that I feel its a good balance between the free roaming and keeping up with the story.
I remember I stopped playing Gothic 3 because I lost track of what I was supposed to do. I don't feel that happens here, but I don't feel I am getting told what to do either. So a good balance for me.

Combat wise, best combat I have experienced in a game similar to this, which for me would be Morrowind, Oblivion and Gothic 3.
Not only do I not feel it is hack & slash, but requires some timing and some choices. What style do you want to use, what signs and also positioning means something.
Another big plus, is the visual of the combat scenes. The way Geralt swing his sword is something I can never get tired of. It just looks cool.

The writing is fine I think. I think I found a bit in the start where I didn't thought the line I had chosen to say matched what actually happened. But I might have been wrong, plus it ended up with sex, so how can I complain:laugh:.
I think the general voice over is quite good. Geralt and Dandelion's voice over works really good I think.

There are quite many cutscenes I feel, but I don't mind them, because I feel it adds something to the pace of the game. Its like you know something important is happening because of a cutscene. Moves the game forward but can also substitute a situation that might have been hard to do if you had to play it out yourself.

Biggest problems I have with this game is the loading scenes, which occurs everytime you go in and out of a house or areas. And they tend to take some time. Not a whole lot, but its more because they happen so many times.
Also find it irritating to fight in cities as you normally get guards or even civilians to help you, and if they are marked "blue" which means they are sort of neutral and expendable too, you can attack them, which often happens by accident if they try to help you. But when people are meant to help you, they will be marked "green" and then you can't hurt them, so no problem there.

[phelot43]

Here's my feedback:

When I first got this game and played through the prologue and chapter 1, I thought it was some kind of huge joke, perhaps a satire on Polish story telling. I came to start to enjoy chapter 2's story a bit more and by the end of it, I was back into the story... only to make me not take this game seriously again by Chapter 3's party with Princess Adda. Even in Chapter 2, I can't help but miss so much because of the dialog. I don't get the expected responses from NPCs, and it's not a matter of fantasy nor trying to force "the real worlds" conversational etiquette into this game, its about making coherent, easy to follow text in ANY setting. I make a big deal about this only because I bought this game mostly for promises of a good story. Perhaps I'm not far enough into the game, but normally you shouldn't have to get halfway through a game to find the "good parts" of a story.

I love most of the art in this game. It looks so fresh and real, and even though the Aurora engine is all tile based, most areas look fluid and different, with little repeats. I've never seen a more beautiful swamp and, especially, the sewers. Who would have thought you could make sewers look so lovely?! I like the character designs as well, especially the bandits, peasant men, and guards. Very unique and a nice change from American games.

As far as the performance and such: I've gotten a slight slowdown in the Trade Quarter that is likely a game issue or something. Otherwise, everything is great. The only issue I have is the load times. At first, I didn't get what everyone was talking about with it, but around the time I was running in and out of houses in chapter 2, I started to feel a bit of agitation. Ah well, no big problem. BTW, does anyone know how to turn of autosave? I can't stand it!

I liked seeing the birds and flies and such in the game. It really added a nice touch. Seeing the peasants go about their daily chores in chapter 1 was nice to see as well, even if it did look hollow after awhile. The cities seem to have lost this nice touch of realism, in Chapter 2 and 3, the townsfolk seem to just wander about aimlessly.

I thought the combat is a nice change, even if its not much of a step up from the clicking madness. While playing the Witcher, I kept remembering a not-so-popular game called Blade of Darkness that had all kinds of combo attacks and was based a bit more on fighting games like Street Fighter. I really wish The Witcher would use something more along those lines, make the player do those crazy leaping hack slashes and stuff, make combat a bit more interactive. Regardless, the three combat styles add a little bit more interest, at least.

Congratulations if you actually read all of my rantings Anyways, I like this game. I know I keep complaining, but that's only because I expected a lot from it. The mere fact that I'm biatching is a sure sign that I show interest in it.

[m0rb1d]

The Witcher - My Opinion

Hey guys,

Been a while since I posted on the gamebanshee forums. But, I picked up a copy of The Witcher the other day. I was so hyped up about finally getting my grubby little hands on it that I can barely keep the box in tact as I ripped the plastic off of it.

After a grueling few minutes of installing the game, and starting it up, my disappointment started to grow. I may be old fashioned, but there are certain things about a game that really keep me interested.

By far, the most important thing about a game to be, is the controls, and the camera view. After about ten minutes of playing the game, I began to realize that this game and I would not get along.

I also like a challenge. The fact that you have to use your brain in a game shows me that the developers put alot of thought into it. However, there are limitations.

Lets face it, the world as a whole lacks common sense. It's just the pure and simple truth. I started fighting that big screamer thing or whatever the heck it was and began to get a little frustrated.

I may have been under the influence of something or another, but I SWEAR that old gray fellow told me to hit the bell with my...uh, whatever it was. ( Been a few weeks since I touched the game, so my memory is somewhat diminished. )

So, im running around like an idiot hitting the bell with that power ( which did absolutely nothing for the record! ). Eventually I started clicking on the bell and it started moving. Awesome, now I can hurt the thing.

Hm. Why is this thing still kicking my ass? Furthermore, why am I still doing no damage to it. So, after about 5 minutes of using food and whatnot, I get the idea to hit the big ole cauldren things with the power. Ok, one does nothing. So, I go hit the other. Nothing. What the fuhell?

Ah crap, ones moving, but the other one that I hit earlier has stopped. So I run back over there, which for the record was no small feat as the camera absolutely blows donkey balls, and hit it again. Woo Hoo! I can finally do some damage to the thing.

This experience alone was enough to ruin my faith in this game. But, thinking I was a little slowed by whatever I was on, I decided to keep playing and perhaps begin to enjoy the game.

Nope. Now, dont get me wrong, the game looks like it would be awesome. Other than the fact the controls suck ass, the camera sucks ass, and my AMD 64FX dual core system with 2 gigs of ram, and a ATI HD 2400 could barely run the game, has killed any chances of playing this game in my mind.

For the record, I am stubborn. Very, stubborn. If a game has 1 or 2 minor things I do not like, I can usually deal with them. But something that will effect the entire game, such as controls and camera, that I could not get to my liking....blah. I simply could not bring myself to continue on.

If you can become accustomed to the camera, and the controls though, I imagine this game will rock your panty hose off the shelf.


Just my 2 copper.

/m0rb1d

[FireFox2000]

I have to disagree, after a few minutes I got the camera and controls right away, I love them, I haven't beaten the game yet but I'm in Chapter 4 and I use the over the shoulder method

[bushwhacker2k]

Hmm, I don't actually have the game yet but... I found a demo a while back (a few months at least) and it was AMAZING, it beats the crap out of most rpgs and action rpgs i've played.

[mberry]

Demo

There is a downloadable demo at the Witcher web site. It's a big (almost 2 gib). I am trying it now until my game arrives.