The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - your opinions

Hi,

"The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt GOTY" including all expansions and additional content is currently on sale at GOG (and Steam) for $19.99 only. I haven't played any games in this series before. The game is described story-driven which suits me better than simple exploring in endless environment. Medieval theme isn't my absolute favourite, I like more current day or recent past or future. How do you find the story - how original, interesting and diverse it is? And I'm especially curious to hear how much (Estimated percentage of all activities) there is combat in this game and how hard it is, compared to say "The Evil Within", "Resident Evil", "Metro", "Mafia" and similar series? I usually play on normal/default difficulty.

Thanks in advance,

Timo

I have played the first two Witcher games and have recently just started The Wild Hunt. The games are definitely story driven, but the environments are huge. In my opinion, the best of them so far is the first Witcher game. I think I've played it 3 times. I grew to really like the combat system which uses swords for humans and monsters and several different powers. I loved the sometimes raunchy comments and dialogue!

The combat system changed in the next games, but Geralt still consumes potions to enhance his abilities depending on the situation.

The characters in the game are always interesting from powerful sorceresses to detectives to kings and snarky dwarves. I love this series.

Thanks Drac.

I now have rough idea about the story and characters but still struggling whether it is something for me?

I still wonder how much of the overall action relies on combat and how hard it is. I've read people complaining how hard even the easy option is. I 'always' play action adventures on normal/default and usually manage in a decent manner though sometimes only barely. In "The Evil Within" base game I died honorable 587 times, majority of which likely with the safe-head twins!

Timo

There is definitely a lot of combat in all of them, but I can't say I found it overly difficult. I really liked the combat system in the first Witcher, but a lot of people didn't. Maybe try one of the games before you dive into all three???

I really enjoyed Witcher 3. The infusion of new interesting characters pulled me in pretty quick. There is also a very interesting potential Easter egg in W3 that could allude to an upcoming game cross-over.

The depth of the story line was definitely enjoyable and sure seemed to open up the series to other future games from a couple different directions.

It's an awesome game, right up there in my top 10. I didn't find the combat too hard, but as with many open world games you need to choose your travels carefully, to suit your level. If you go wandering off early in the game, you'll get smashed. Do local quests, build up your levels, and you should be fine.

Had to laugh, Hagatha! I did just that and went someplace I shouldn't have too early! Kept getting killed and put the game aside. Now I'm trying to build up my stats before take on any big battles!

Yep. My current Oblivion character can now kill a wolf at level 13! A single wolf, that is. At one point just travelling down the road minding my own business I had three mercenaries chasing me. Fortunately a bear showed up and took care of two of them.

And in Witcher 3 it took me a long time to admit that Geralt had to meekly follow into the nearest town, never mind all that cool stuff he could see off the road. Go to the nearest town, do local quests, stay out of trouble. Build up some levels. Don't be a hero too soon.

Oh, and learn how to play Gwent as soon as possible.

Yep, the timber wolves at the later level in Oblivion were a big surprise. I recall the first time I hit them, thinking "oh, big deal - It's just a wolf, one swipe of the sword and...I'm dead. Wait, what!"

Um...or the first mud crab I ever saw in my first game of Morrowind. Snickety-snack. Dead hero. Crab food.

So, TJL, any more thoughts on buying Witcher 3? That's a great price.

I got eaten by me first mud crab in Morrowind too... Glad to hear I'm not alone!

Thanks everyone for your opinion and making my purchase decision easier!

There were many things that made me doubt whether I would truly like this game enough to buy and give it a try.

What finally convinced me was watching this 35 minute gameplay video. The only worry left is how well I get used to combat controls with gamepad, that's left to be seen. Fist and medieval weapons (except crossbow) combat are often simply pain for me.

The price of this game (with all additional content included) on GOG is now as good as it 'ever' comes, I believe. Only 19.99€ of which 3.00€ is returned to your wallet for future purchases makes it irresistable.

Did you notice that "Mafia I" is now available on GOG? For licensing reasons the original music that played on car radio is stripped off but there seems to be a way to return it from original discs if you have them. I have seen no evidence yet, but I hope (and trust) they have fixed timing problems in 19 Free Roam Extreme mode missions that made them unplayable on newer PC's unless limiting their CPU/GPU resources with external tools. The game is a classic that I truly recommend.

Happy gaming, everyone!

Timo

TJL,

As with all of these games, it takes time to master the controls.

I've been playing Action/RPG games for 2 decades and still every new game poses challenges and has a learning curve that I have to get over before I can really get going. I almost gave up on the original Baldur's Gate because I was a noob at the genre, having only ever played adventure games like Myst, and if it hadn't been for timely intervention from one of the moderators here (Xanthia) I would not have persevered and would possibly STILL be an adventure gamer.

The point is, it takes time to master an action game, but remember that there are lots of people here who can help, too. And part of the fun is seeing your shiny new character get smacked down by a rat or dog five minutes into the game.

I agree totally. Every new game takes time to learn the controls. Even if I leave a game for a long period of time, I have to relearn everything when I start up again.

Yup, experience is always the best teacher. If the controls for a particular game seem complex or difficult, I usually play on easy mode for a few levels. That usually extends the time I have in battle and/or formulating strategies before I get eaten, beheaded, eviscerated or otherwise disemboweled allowing me to pick up the moves a little earlier in the game. After I feel comfortable, I just kick the difficulty level up and if necessary restart.

And some games kick your hiney all the way through, like me with my mage/assassin, level 19 and still having to come up with strategies to win a fight with most enemies. Lots of running away and casting Scamps at baddies just to buy time.

Hi,

yes, I totally agree that changing from game to next or returning back after a break and getting used to new or remembering old controls always take some time but what I really mean is a general 'flaw' in controls.

I have never played any game where fighting with fists, sword or club feels natural. Simplyfied it's just turning towards your enemy and making always the same swing or dodge move either standing or crouching. When using gamepad it's always hitting game dependent buttons to do those things and it just does not feel natural.

Using bows or firearms feels much more natural. You can often change whether you aim from left or right to stay in cover. You use either open sights, scope, red point or imagined flying track which all similate reality quite well.

I guess there's nothing we can do to make player experience more even when using different kind of weapons until wider support and use of other type of controllers to better simulate the weapon use. Perhaps hand held or wearable are some start.

Until then bows and firearms stay my favourite choice of weapon.

Timo

Archery is my favourite approach to Skyrim and Tomb Raider. Much more controllable and sneaky

Bows are almost always my weapon of choice. Sneak + Bow/rifle = dead enemy. That said, I love watching Geralt level up and become a dynamo with his weapons.

Witcher: The Enhanced Edition is on sale at GOG for $1.49 so I'm going to try out this edition of the first game. I've never played this series.

Have fun, Guybrush

That's a great deal. The first one hooked a lot of people into the series. It's an interesting take on a high-fantasy RPG.

Lucky you, getting to play this game for the first time. Witcher is a great, great game.

I second what Hagatha said! I could watch the opening cutscene a dozen times over.

I think I HAVE !!!! It's like the opening to a good film. Excellent !!

You know, it felt like forever since I played the first one, so loaded it up this evening and started playing again. The graphics look only a bit dated, BUT when you really watch through the intro and beginning narrative, it definitely holds up as a classic.

There was something about the game that drew me into it and now after seeing it after so long, it's the narrative. Totally reminds me of the old Neverwinter Nights or Icewind Dale. Plus Geralt's look and the scenery is so stylized. It sort of looks like something you'd see in an older, illustrated folk tale book.

I did the same thing, Trail! I noticed I had some saves from 2012, so I guess it's been at least 5 years since I played it. My opinions exactly!

Just realized that the reason for the sales is because of The Witcher's 10 year anniversary. Good grief Geralt, where did the time go?!?

It has to be a long while since I played Witcher, but when it was new I got through three games one after another. Great fun.But NO, I'm not starting a game. I have about a hundred new games unplayed and yet somehow find myself playing Oblivion (which is like eating comfort food in times of stress).

TEN years? How did that happen! But then I upgraded my old XP computer with more RAM, a stand alone video card and a new power supply just so I could play this game, so I guess it has been that long. Wow...

Hi everyone. I'm thinking about getting these two games, and was wondering if anyone has played them and what they're like compared to the Witcher 3?

Thanks for your help!
Tracy : )

There is another thread going on a few posts below yours about the Witcher games. I think you'll lots of comments and info there, so check it out!

Hey Tracy, the first Witcher is definitely a favorite of many gamers. Witcher 2 was somewhat of a departure from the Geralt character that many had grown attached to in the first one and generally considered OK. It's difficult to compare either one to Witcher 3, due to the advances in graphics and more extensive quest line. Personally, especially for the price, it's worth it to play the first one. If you check out the earlier comments in this topic, you'll see that seems to be a general theme.

Thanks for combining these, Trail!

Tracy, you really cannot go wrong with the first Witcher. The second was a decent game, but it strayed a bit, I thought. No reason not to buy and play it, though.

And then you get to play the magnificent Witcher 3, which will be on my top ten list for a long, long time.

Thanks so much you guys! I'm going to jump in and get the first one asap.

Btw-do you guys know if Witcher 1 and 2 will play on Windows 10?

Thanks again,
Tracy

You'll have great fun Tracy. Take your time with the game, it's got a good amount of lore that gives the story nice depth. Combat can put some folks off, but if you're used to working through those uncomfortable first few levels of most combat oriented games then you'll have no issues. Enjoy!

And, yes, they both play on Windows 10. Have fun! I'm replaying Witcher 1 right now and I'd forgotten how much I like the combat system. So much better than left click mashing.

Thanks so much Trail and Draclvr! I appreciate your help and I'm excited about the games!

Tracy