The Witcher

1. MarkO.

   Jan 29, 2010

   10

   One of the most captivating rpgs that I have ever played. Something that I truly appreciate about the game is that it is often difficult to One of the most captivating rpgs that I have ever played. Something that I truly appreciate about the game is that it is often difficult to predict future events. This game is not focused entirely on loot, skills (although there's a wide variety), and other distracting (though important, I know) features. The game is all about the story. The developers intentionally put less loot into the game so that the player would not be distracted by superficial materials. The main character, Gerault, instead, grapples with challenging decisions during the course of the game. In most games today, it is a matter of good vs. evil (take Oblivion, Mass Effect, or Dragon Age for example), in which good usually prevails in a concrete, simple fashion. But, here we have a game where the line between good and evil is difficult to draw and define. You really need to analyze the plot to get a sense of Gerault's purpose in the game and whether his actions are good or bad. You might think that the main character is this nice guy that sets out to destory some evil nemesis (sadly the plotline of most games today), but you're really dealing with a much more complicated plot (which makes it interesting of course). Gerault commits wrongdoings like gambling, drinking, adultery, and etc. which shows how he is flawed despite his heroic deeds (he is indeed a tragic figure). I also found the ending very profound and philosophical. Unlike most video games, you'll actually find some insights into the human character. You'll question whether it is right to interfere with nature, and ask whether it's right to live in an ideal world. The quality of the artistry, dialogue, music, and gameplay is also very good. Overall, good game. At least give it a try. It will stick with you, I promise.… Expand

   • 24 of 26 users found this helpful
2. LecksC.

   Nov 3, 2007

   10

   Best RPG I've ever experienced. Great non-linear mature story, great gameplay, great graphics. A real suprise, I wasn't expecting Best RPG I've ever experienced. Great non-linear mature story, great gameplay, great graphics. A real suprise, I wasn't expecting much from this.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
4. ThomasR.

   Dec 16, 2007

   10

   Love it! Great Story, Visuals and atmosphere - addictive!

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
5. ReiverM.

   Jan 15, 2008

   9

   A very impressive debut that shames the established big boys in its depth, scale and beauty. The first thing that you'll notice about A very impressive debut that shames the established big boys in its depth, scale and beauty. The first thing that you'll notice about the game is that it's aimed firmly at adults. There's swearing and boobies aplenty but that's not what makes it an "adult game". It's the way it treats you like a capable and competent human rather than some ADHD kid who needs his hand held every step of the way and every puzzle signposted. It actually makes you think about decisions and for that alone it would stand out from the current crop of so called RPGs. It also looks beautiful. Maybe not Crysis pretty but its excellent animations and art work had me screenshoting every couple of minutes as I saw something new and breathtaking. Unfortunately the obvious amount of time spent on the enviroments wasn't mirrored in the time spent on character models. Although all NPCs look great from their patched clothing to their bulky armour to their voluptous cleavage and snub nosed cuteness there's not sufficient variety for a game of this size. It's forgiveable to re-use models for the extras like villagers who've nothing to say and go about their excellently scripted routines in the background but not for main dialogue NPCs. The old man, fat merchant and old hag models are especially overused. The story is strong throughout and although it appears to have lost a little of the nuances in translation it is engaging and interesting. Basing it on a series of books gives it a weighty backstory and enough lore to provide a solid base distinct from the usual tolkein cliches. The lack of variety in choosing the PC may be seen as a weakness by some but the way I see it is you're experiencing a story as Geralt and that has its advantages as well. One of which is that the creators didn't have to budget for the 101 choices that similar RPGs give you and always seem to come up short in catering for your particular skillset. You still get to make choices in the game and to implement your personality on the game but you do so as Geralt which, imo, keeps the game tighter and less jarring compared to eg. NWN2. Perhaps not for everyone and it does have a couple of bugs but, for me, this is the game of the year and the most enjoyable RPG i've played since Morrowind.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
6. Parvarteshwar

   Sep 7, 2011

   9

   When Mass Effect and The Witcher were in planning they must have shared cheat-sheets because the central formula and release date for bothWhen Mass Effect and The Witcher were in planning they must have shared cheat-sheets because the central formula and release date for both games are startlingly similar. Gritty, kick-ass main character: Check. Huge, engrossing plot with plenty of opportunities for role-playing: Check. A half decent combat system and a sub-par magical system: Check. Oh yeah, and **** **** **** and more **** CHECK! Bioware, however made the successful marketing strategy of advertising its alien **** while the Witcher was more subtle about it in the promos but when the time came it went all out. This is probably why Mass Effect got better ratings in my opinion because the two are almost equal in every area. But enough about the sex, it doesn't really play that big a part in either game, I just wouldn't give The Witcher to my kids. While Mass Effect is about a 'space marine' trying to save the galaxy, The Witcher is about a guy who no-one likes trying to save/destroy a town that no-one likes and save/kill all the humans/elves or dwarves. As you can see its very non-linear and with quite a lot of options that effect the game, so much so that if you kill someone at the beginning of the game you will feel the effects of it at the end and at several places in-between. I mentioned that the combat was mediocre, however two points really make up for it. One: an excellent potions system which allows you to gain huge advantages based on which enemies you are fighting. And two: it forces you to change your tactics based on the tactics of your enemy. These two factors really make up for the lack of a decent fighting system and keep the combat interesting. The story does take a long time to get moving, and you will spend the first half of the game not really knowing what is going on (and you don't even find out whom the main antagonist is until the very moment you go to fight him) but if you keep at it you will be rewarded. There is really a bit of everything, from the classic hero type questing, to a mystery plot in which you become a detective, to conducting/preventing a bank robbery. If you can get past the initial tedium, you will be rewarded as it has one of the best endings. In conclusion, if you are the kind of person who liked the shooting part of Mass Effect, you probably won't like this game, but if you liked the story aspect you probably will.… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
7. AndreasO.

   Nov 1, 2007

   9

   Great visuals, beautiful and thoughtfully placed music, upstanding voice acting and a story that, while familiar, is still complex and Great visuals, beautiful and thoughtfully placed music, upstanding voice acting and a story that, while familiar, is still complex and engrossing marks this game as the RPG of the Year 2007. The gameplay gets it all right, taking the immersion factor from the Gothic series' timed combo attacks, the necessity of choosing appropriate attack tactics from Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy and the style from Neverwinter Nights. Probably the best RPG combat I've seen in my life. However, and this is a big however, if you want to play this game, bring a book. (Buying the books the game is based on would be very fitting, and I can easily recommend them as they're quite good) The load times are stuff of legend . . . As in, future archeologists will find computers three thousand years from now [i]still[/i] loading the Temple District.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
8. ManricoT.

   Nov 3, 2007

   0

   Boring. Long load times. Out of date graphics. Klutzy interface. The much maligned Two Worlds is much better.

   • 1 of 8 users found this helpful

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