Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 82 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 554 Ratings

  • Summary: The second installment in the RPG saga about the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, features a thoroughly engrossing, mature storyline defining new standards for thought-provoking, non-linear game narration. In addition to an epic story, the game features an original, brutal combat system that uniquely combines tactical elements with dynamic action. A new, modern game engine, responsible for beautiful visuals and sophisticated game mechanics puts players in the most lively and believable world ever created in an RPG game. A captivating story, dynamic combat system, beautiful graphics, and everything else that made the original Witcher such a great game are now executed in a much more advanced and sophisticated way. Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 82
  2. Negative: 1 out of 82
  1. May 16, 2012
    100
    The Witcher 2 is a highly recommended purchase for those seeking a mature and visceral role-playing experience.
  2. Apr 19, 2012
    86
    I think that the game, for the most part, is a blast. The PC transfer was a bit rough and it needs some help (patches/updates), but as-is, it's pretty solid. It's got enough proper action and adventure to keep you occupied for a large amount of hours. It may not be Skyrim or Kingdom of Amalur hours, but it will be enough for you to be satisfied with the purchase.
  3. Apr 26, 2012
    74
    The big question: should you buy Enhanced Edition if you have already purchased The Witcher 2 on PC? That's a tough question to answer. The additional content is appealing, but if you've been faithfully supporting the game by purchasing DLC, it will undoubtedly feel like you are buying a lot of things for a second time.
  4. Apr 26, 2012
    45
    Despite all the additions and enhancements, The Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition is an unsatisfying game that won't appeal to series newcomers and never lives up to its own ambitions.

See all 82 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 19 out of 180
  1. the greatest RPG ever made- maybe the greatest game ever made- if you are a gamer, or have ever had any interest in gaming you simply must experience this work of art- CD project are cemented their legacy with this wonderfull stunning masterpiece Expand
  2. 8
    One of (if not the best) role-playing experiences on any console.

    The storytelling is excellent and the character has meaningful choices an
    d consequences (moreso than any recent RPG in memory). In fact, the entire 2nd half of the game is different based on a decision you make around the half-way point.

    The controls take some getting used to, especially combat. However, I found it more in the vein of easy to learn difficult to master than poorly thought out or alien.

    The M rating is well deserved, and the mature subjects are dropped in just to show TNA, rather are dispersed in all the right places at the right time as you advance the story.

    The world is not open world, but there are many more exploration options, side quests, etc. than one typically finds in a Bioware game that is not open world.

    I really enjoyed this game, and recommended it to a friend who returned it in 3 hours. I suspect this is a game with very little middle ground. According to the user score distribution, that holds up.

    To me, this really felt like a mature Baldurs Gate done in 3D.

    Graphics are very well done (textures, color palette, animations).
    Sound is good, but some of the dialog mixes were under mic'd.
    Controls for the most part become intuitive pretty quickly.

    The arena is a great place to hone your skills as you consider playing through on Dark (hardcore) mode.

    Support companies like CDProjektRed! We need more games like this.

    I know I, for one, will be pre-ordering cyberpunk for xbox 360 as soon as humanly possible.

    Well-done CDPR!
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  3. I was really looking forward to this game. It promised dozens of hours! What I got was.... 15 hours. 1 dozen and a bit! But that's not the worst thing. The combat is extremely hard and Im ashamed to admit that I had to play it on easy (which was easy). The animations of jumping of a cliff or beating up a big monster are very bad. But otherwise, the environment looks amazing, story is deep and unlinear (but could be more) and I can't really say that I didn't enjoy The Witcher 2. Anyway, I was disappointed. Expand
  4. I agree with what many of the negative reviews have said: the game is very linear, you can't walk off a 3-inch ledge and are constantly walled in, the combat is usually awkward and many times consists of rolling around avoiding enemies while your health regenerates (TERRIBLE choice for an RPG IMO), the potion system is annoying, and the lack of loot/equipment/customization is disappointing for a supposedly hardcore RPG.

    But all of that *could* be forgiven, because as far as I'm concerned, whether you like W2 will come down to one thing: how much you're invested/interested in the story. I can appreciate that there's a complex story here, but I absolutely don't care about it or any of the characters. Also, for all the comments about how great and mature this game's writing is, I think in many places it's sloppy and juvenile. It has bizarrely anachronistic language for a game that's supposed to be in some alternate universe Middle Ages-type setting. Also, saying "cocksucker" a bunch isn't mature writing, it's how a college freshmen writes when they're trying to come off as older and edgy. Oh, and the sex scenes are laughably bad. So for me, W2 is a big disappointment, and I really tried to like it. In fact, I almost bought a gaming PC just so I could play this when it came out. Obviously it was a good decision not to do that.
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See all 180 User Reviews