Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales from CD ProjektRed -Release 10/23 on GOG

Thronebreaker at CD ProjektRed

Thronebreaker on GOG with mini-game clips

From the Developers,

"Thronebreaker is a single player role-playing game set in the world of The Witcher that combines narrative-driven exploration with unique puzzles and card battle mechanics. The game spins a truly regal tale of Meve, a war-veteran queen of two Northern Realms — Lyria and Rivia. Facing an imminent Nilfgaardian invasion, Meve is forced to once again enter the warpath, and set out on a dark journey of destruction and revenge."


Earlier this year, the game carried the title of Gwent:Thronebreaker, which would have permanently connected it with the popular Witcher card game of the same name. I don't know if CDPR saw the winds changing on their card game, or just decided to take this in a different direction. What I have unofficially heard is that some of the writers from Wild Hunt were working the story. It's gone from purely a card based game, to a full fledged, though smaller scale, narrative-driven RPG combined with other gaming elements including the aforementioned card battle mechanics. Possibly a new take on the old turn based combat systems or a hybrid of both? I think CDPR, wants us to know that they haven't forgotten that Witcher is still an RPG and that it can go in multiple directions. Also unofficially, I've read that they are planning on taking the franchise in a new, but familiar direction. They don't want it to go stale by simply releasing a "Witcher 4" with all of the same story elements from past games. This may be their way of easing those concepts in. Maybe we'll go further back in time, before Geralt was the White Wolf. Maybe they'll take us forward to a future time, leveraging the cross-over potential to their other games? Who knows?

TM

Thanks for all that info, TM. I had noticed it on GOG but didn't know anything about it.

I got an email about it, but hadn't had a chance to read it yet. Haven't figured out how Gwent can be turned into a game like this yet!

So the following is purely conjecture, and I'm pretty sure I'm wrong, but what the heck... From the sound of the description, I think they've built a basic turn-based RPG and just integrated the Gwent algorithms into combat. In the older turn-based games, some attacks have cool-downs or could only be used once. That's kind of similar to the way Gwent runs (you only have so many cards to play), so I'm guessing your attacks will be divided between melee, ranged and maybe those big one-hitter skills that you can only use once. Kind of, sort of the equivalent of Siege on an individual basis? The description sounds like there could also be some strategy elements in the game, in which case the basic Gwent moves could be used when controlling units on a battle field. The success of your attacks/moves would be determined by whatever background logic they use in the card games. Maybe?

Maybe! As good a conjecture as any!

Don't know, but I sure do love me some Gwent, and after a while started playing purely tactical games rather than relying on high-scoring cards. More of a dirty-underhanded sneaking spy/assassin fake-out sort of game than a here's my Geralt card, where's yours?

The GOG page has much more on it now: Thronebreaker

It looks to be fully isometric as opposed to the ground level 3rd person of their other games. The animation is a totally different style as well.

The more I look at the trailer for it and the style of animation it strikes me that this may be configured like a Telltale game. Interesting that it comes on the heals of the closure of that Dev house. It makes sense though since they are pushing it as a "Narrative-Driven RPG." It appears they are also confirming a strategy element. One of the teaser .gifs on GOG is showing a slowly growing base camp on a battlefield. Looks like there maybe resource management involved as well then.

So, another guess is that this is just the first entry of these types of games. Even the name, "The Witcher Tales" is plural, indicating a lore base from which to draw more material. Obviously, these are a lot easier to push out than the full bore games, but $30 for 30 hours of game play seems like a fairly steep price IMHO.

So, I couldn't resist and picked up the game through GOG.

I've only played a short-time, but it's an interesting diversion. It's similar to my earlier conjecture, but plays more as an RTS than RPG. You gather resources along your route (isometric view) to build your attack forces (read as your Gwent deck) and pick-up quests along the way. Battles, small or large changes the view to a graphically enhanced Gwent playing field. As you build your deck, certain cards lend abilities to you and your forces, so there's some character/party development. It is strongly narrative driven, with the usual Witcher fantasy elements, which also lend to somewhat of a Role-Playing feel. That said, unless some major character attribute development takes place, then first impressions will hold up and it would be better classified as a Strategy game. This is supported by the occasional puzzle that appears as well.

Since battle is done through the Gwent deck, it's turn-based and both in and out of battle, most of the game's operations are done with the mouse.

Additionally, saves are through a checkpoint system. The game will save your spot when you exit though.

So, far it's fairly entertaining. Other than the battle card matches, it's fairly low key. It's one of those games that you can pick up and start playing anytime. I'm not sure about it's re-playability. The game might branch out later, but at this point, seems pretty linear.

TM

Hmmm... interesting. But not enough to make me want to play it!

I do like Gwent, though. I'm going to think about this further.

So, if you don't already own Gwent: The Witcher Card game, it comes as a bonus for purchasing Thronebreaker.

It seems that this is called "The Witcher Tales", because it basically expands upon and adds to the stories told by the Grey Rider in Gwent, and Thronebreaker integrates with the Gwent interface. You also get a "Keg" with new cards to add to your Gwent deck if you own Thronebreaker. If you don't already own it, you can also get The Witcher Enhanced version through GOG as an additional perk.

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this. I have been playing Magic the Gathering and would find the sheer number of cards and variations intimidating if it weren't for some friends at work who are regular players and give me pointers. This game is a little easier to understand though. Having had a taste of the game in Witcher 3, I'm getting the hang of it. I didn't have Gwent before this, but am also finding that enjoyable as well. I like the narratives that go with the card game and since Thronebreaker is basically a large expansion to the Gwent game, you can get pretty immersed in it. For now I think I'm going to work on increasing my card skills in Gwent to make the battles run a little smother and then go back to Thronebreaker once I feel a bit more confident. I understand their marketing plan now over at CD ProjectRed and it's pretty brilliant. Thronebreaker also has the ability to be multi-player. Combine that with the online interface that's optionally available with Gwent and you've got games that can be played, single player, multi-player with friends or in a broader online presence in the Arena.

Interesting. But the Gwent game itself is multiplayer, isn't it? That's what held me back.

Yep, pretty much so. They do have a "practice" mode that allows you to play against the AI though; that's what I'm doing. Thronebreaker is basically the single-player Gwent game.

I might have to have a second look at it -- though the last thing I need is another game! I already have my never-ending games of Fallout 4 and Skyrim, I am part way through Original Sin 2, and Geralt has been hanging out at his vineyard for the last three months doing squat while the sorceresses await him; dude's gonna be all fat and lazy when they need him.

I can see Geralt having an issue getting back into his chainmail.


The full Gwent game is somewhat frustrating. It's one of those that almost requires at least an additional investment of a few bucks to increase the potency of your deck. I must be horrible, because I think I've won maybe 2-3 rounds against the AI out of a few hours of playing. In other words I've lost count of how many rounds I've lost.

Still need to figure out the whole crafting thing and how to get supplies without spending cash or going up against some Gwent boffin, who will no doubt wipe the floor with my card deck. I'll probably grind away at it for awhile and then go back to Thronebreaker.

Apologies for the double posting, but I wanted to call out something for those that have only experienced Gwent through Witcher 3.

For both Gwent: The Witcher Card Game and Thronebreaker, the card game has changed significantly from Witcher 3; it is more complex. CDPR has been tweaking the mechanics of the game and cards since inception and continues to do so. Gwent is not a casual game, it take a certain degree of dedication to understand the card powers, combos and strengths. I've moved back into Thronebreaker as it offers new cards that are made available to your Gwent deck. I'm working to get achievements that will translate to advancement points and allow me to get more cards. As of now, the starter decks would be no match for an online game unless the Casual Matches truly pair you with someone of an equal level. Otherwise it could turn out to be like any other level-open multiplayer, where more advanced players trash noobies to gain resources, points or whatever.

Honestly, I knew nothing about this new Gwent other than it's become quite popular and they've held tournaments. Now though, I get that you need to build up a really good base of cards in order to develop decks that have a very specific strategy. It's like any of the other similar card games that require a fairly decent time investment to get what's going on. I've got time this weekend, but we'll see how long I can stick with it before life gets in the way.

Put it this way, with the base decks, I won probably 1 out of 10 games against the AI in practice mode. After a few hours of playing and when I started to build up my own deck, that increased to maybe 3 out of 10 times. There's no quick fix or exponential advancement here unless you want to dump a ton of money into new card packs. Even then, it's left up to chance on the quality of the cards you get purchasing the virtual packs. If you go the crafting route, it's a slow slog uphill without going online regularly to play games and get resources.

Yikes! Sounds like work to this tired old brain.

Well, I've been splitting my time between Thronebreaker and Gwent, although leaning more towards Gwent. Finding myself somewhat addicted to the card game. The casual matches you play earn points towards moves on a board that result in either crafting goods, additional cards kegs (which consist of 4 standard cards and a choice of three possible rares), or picking up a "leader" for your deck with new powers. I like the problem solving/puzzle aspect it has. You really do need to think about what possible combination you will play and how to defend against your opponents. The casual matches are at first intimidating. I have no clue how they select an opponent, but it's not by level, because at level 4 I was matched against individuals with levels 57, 41, 6 and so on. I think it's just whoever happens to be waiting in the "lobby" at the time. There's no communication between opponents, you just play the game. When it ends you have the option to hit the "GG" or good game button. If your opponent does the same thing you get perks like points and crafting goods. Quests are just based on playing a certain number of games with a specific faction, and winning; that's the hard part. Really not that big of a deal, because there's always some little perk or achievement eventually that pops up just from playing a certain number of games, cards, types of cards and so on.
It is time consuming and somewhat of a slog to build a decent deck. That experience though helps you in strategy planning, building decks and the later matches.

Thronebreaker is basically a board game with Gwent battles interspersed along the way. Like I mentioned, some of the battles are set up differently then that the Gwent game itself and require you to solve how you'll defeat an enemy with a specific combination of cards. If you lose, you just get sent back to the checkpoint again to go a different route or to try again. Getting new Gwent cards that you can only come across in Thronebreaker is the motivation to keep moving through it.

All it all, together they are fun. Like I said though, they do take a certain time investment to build up your skills and decks.

TM

So, even if you do end up matched against a high-level player with a skookum deck you can still get something from the game? That's reassuring. I'm still on the fence but I do love Gwent.

Not 100% of the time. If you haven't fulfilled a quest or the opponent doesn't give you a GG, then it's just an instance of getting to know your deck better; as in what needs to be replaced, what works good. Fortunately, about 70% of the opponents I've hit either hit the GG button right after the game or shortly after you hit yours. You get an extra 5 card scraps that are used to build new cards, if the opponent hits GG. Be aware though, the good cards can cost between 800 and 1600 scraps. That's what I meant about this being somewhat of a slog at times.

In Thronebreaker, the matches have just exponentially increased in difficulty. I definitely had to do a few over, but now I've hit a couple where I'm getting trounced every time. It is fun to figure out the combos, but these latest one...Yikes! The thing that's kind of annoying are these specialty battles you come across. The battles are cut to a single round, with custom cards that aren't found in the Gwent game. Rather than trying to win with the most points on the board, they give you tasks like keeping a specific character/card alive. So you work though an almost adventure game style puzzle with those custom Gwent cards. Aside from having to repeat the sequence over if you want to play again, while the exercise helps your logic skills, it doesn't get you any more acquainted with the the way Gwent is truly played.