The Witcher 2 - Hyped or No?

So four years after the first game, the Witcher 2 is set to be released May 17 of this year, just over a month away.

When I played the demo of the first Witcher I was intrigued. It seemed like a decent enough RPG with deep combat mechanics and an okay story. What killed it was the 15 min loading screens every time you went through a door. When the Enhanced Edition came out, i happily bought it... and was treated to some of the most dull, underwhelming voice acting I'd ever heard. I got breasts shoved in my face every five minutes, usually after I said "That's a lovely dress you have." and was incredibly put off by the entire experience.

Add to it that the story.. just didn't go anywhere. You ever have that "What the heck am I doing?" in an RPG? That was The Witcher at about hours 4-12. It sits in my Steam Library to this day unfinished and unwanted.

When Dragon Age 2 turned out to be (imo) a great game but still something of a let down, most of my friends were quick to chime in "No it's okay, Witcher 2 will be way better." ...How? The first one did nothing to endear me to the franchise and I'm planning to steer way clear unless I get confirmation that everything about the first has been changed.

Is anyone interested in this game? Have I missed a ton of media that will put my pessimistic view at ease and get me hyped with just a month left? :help: I will admit, i'm always hungry for a great RPG.

I liked the moral ambiguity of the story. What I did not like was the vague manner in which it was told. As for voice acting, sure it wasn't Bioware level, but then I've heard lot worse.
Combat in the new one seems better of anyhow...the clicking on time is gone as are the different styles. It's just light blow from left and heavy blow from right and attack chaining combos. There are also some quicktime events to finish off bosses (a la Force Unleashed I think) but hopefully they'll be far and few in between.

First game is a personal classic. You bet I'm hyped.

I set the voice acting to German, problem solved. ~D

I'm not sure what to think about the second, I really liked the first but the second introduces console versions and these cutscene thingies where you have to press buttons that are shown on screen etc. I'm a bit afraid it may have lost some of the depth and become more action-oriented. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Husar

these cutscene thingies where you have to press buttons that are shown on screen etc.

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Quick-time events? :juggle2:

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Originally Posted by Husar

the second introduces console versions

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It's still PC exclusive. They were working on a console port of the original Witcher a few years ago but there was some snafu with the funding and it was scrapped.

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Originally Posted by Graphic

It's still PC exclusive. They were working on a console port of the original Witcher a few years ago but there was some snafu with the funding and it was scrapped.

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It is? I remember reading that they were planning to release it on PC and consoles but maybe that info is outdated by now.

And yes, india, there was a video where Geralt was fighting some huge beast with quick-time events, it was very actiony but I didn't find that it looked like a lot of fun. :shrug:

Actually AFAIK they had outsourced the development of the console version of Witcher (not to an Indian company, lest there be a misunderstanding), which in the end did not deliver. Witcher 2 however is being developed for the PC and the console both.
@Husar
No issue there...I dislike quicktime events as much as the next chap. When I'm watching a cutscene I want to watch..when I'm playing a a game I want to play. But as long as they aren't too numerous it's going to be all right.

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Originally Posted by india

Witcher 2 however is being developed for the PC and the console both.

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The developers have simply said it's possible that it could make it to consoles some time in the future. Developers say that all the time when questioned in an interview. It's only confirmed platform is still PC.

I'm somewhat excited. I got the first game, and did end up just not finishing it.

So I likely won't get it when it's released, but I think it could be a very good game. No consolization, after all.

CR

I enjoyed the first one, so I'm looking forward to the second one. I've watched a few of the dev diaries and it looks pretty impressive.

A hands-on preview at Rock Paper Shotgun.

Short version; they are excited for the game.

CR

Videos!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ0-...layer_embedded

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbluGI47VUQ&feature=player_embedded

CR

That looks very nice, thanks CR! :2thumbsup:

Awesome.

Still kind of funny that even the most immersive RPGs always have people sleep on top of their blanket with no pillow.

Two different trailers.
One on Gamespot -
(Can't seem to embed it for some reason, but don't miss it)
http://asia.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/thew...opslot;title;2


And another one -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk5r1mP6om8


So anyone else, really really really exited yet?

Somewhat excited. Worried that I'll have to play the first one in order to understand the nuances of what's happening.

I'll probably wait for it to go on sale.

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Originally Posted by Alexander the Pretty Good

Somewhat excited. Worried that I'll have to play the first one in order to understand the nuances of what's happening.

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Rumour is they'll have a comic book sort of story in the beginning of the game, which will recapitulate the events of the first game and allow the player to choose how the major events took place.
Anyway...even if you do play the first game, I doubt you'll be able to gather much in one play-through. I was totally lost and didn't find the story at all interesting until I played the game thrice and then read the book that's been translated to English.

I am pretty excited, but I'll probably hold off until the end of summer, when I plan to build a new computer.

CR

Pre-ordered from gog.com to support CD Projekt, plus no DRM. Pre-loading as we speak.
Also pre-ordered earlier from amazon.co.uk and will sell that copy to a friend, minus the Swordsman DLC that comes with it (which I actually found about last month).

As for hype, I'd say its hyped up yeah, but not more than other games. If the hype lives up to it I don't know. There will always be someone who is going to be dissatisfied no matter what.

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

I am pretty excited, but I'll probably hold off until the end of summer, when I plan to build a new computer.

CR

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When is it summer, where you stay, it's already the peak of summer season here.....one cannot survive without proper air conditioning....

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Originally Posted by Krusader

Pre-ordered from gog.com to support CD Projekt, plus no DRM. Pre-loading as we speak.

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Pre-loading? You already have the game you mean? And you've installed it and are playing it? I thought it had a date check release control thing....?

I believe pre-loading means downloading it so you can play it the instant the game is officially released. So you don't have to wait to download after the game has been released.

As for air-conditioning, yeah, we have that too. We need to condition the air by heating it year-round.

CR

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Originally Posted by india

Pre-loading? You already have the game you mean? And you've installed it and are playing it? I thought it had a date check release control thing....?

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I have the files, but lack a few megabytes more to download and complete the installer. Meaning when it hits May 17th I can download remaining files, install and then play.
Might be unlocked at 10pm GMT May 16th according to some rumours.

So, anyone bought this yet? I have, but with all the technical difficulties that are reported in addition to some snafu bugs on my rig, I'm going to wait a week or so until playing to make sure all the bugs are ironed out. Atm, some older ATi/AMD cards can't be run in fullscreen, no real Crossfire support and anti-aliasing is recommended to be turned off for any ATi/AMD card. With Brink's problems I think I might buy nVidia (again) next time I upgrade (I seem to rotate between nvidia and ATi cards whenever I upgrade). Though, it seems people are experiencing framerate issues with nvidia cards too.

Otherwise, graphics is pretty good and the game from comments read, seem to be much more difficult than Witcher 1 and most other RPGs, at least on same level as Dragon Age: Origins.
Also, from reading user reviews on metacritic there seem to be trolls giving Witcher 2 a 0 score, but who have given Dragon Age 2 a 10 :D

Hmm. If it isn't as complex and counter-intuitive as Witcher 1, which lets face it was a bit like playing Fantasy Microsoft Access. And a little more fun, maybe I'll give it a go. Maybe.

So anyone know where can one get saved games from the first witcher?

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Originally Posted by Psychonaut

Hmm. If it isn't as complex and counter-intuitive as Witcher 1, which lets face it was a bit like playing Fantasy Microsoft Access. And a little more fun, maybe I'll give it a go. Maybe.

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It was? I played on Normal and hardly bothered with potions, didn't find it very complicated.

Been playing since a few hours.
Combat is fun. After M&B no other swordplay will ever be satisfying enough, but still, it's fun here.
The graphics are, as everyone is saying, gorgeous. I'm playing on low-middle settings, and it still looks pretty, and though my PC is only slightly above the minimum config, there is almost no lag.
The one thing that is really irritating me though, are the quick-time events. I was under the impression that they will be limited to boss fights, but (gameplay spoiler) -

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Fist fights too? Why?! The normal attack and dodge fighting of the first game was great...and now suddenly one needs to have the reflexes of a 15 year old on sugar to win a brawl.....

And it does not help that saving during the quicktime scenarios is not possible, so if one fails, one has to start it all over again.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I had to do the :daisy: dragon sequence 18 times before I managed to get through on the 19th, by simply spamming the RMB....not cool.

That's my only gripe as yet. Otherwise the game's nearly as good as I had dreamed.

Anyone else finding it realy hard to fight more than 2 people at a time?

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Originally Posted by Greyblades

Anyone else finding it realy hard to fight more than 2 people at a time?

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I've been checking the forums and apparently it is only a low level thing. On higher levels the game is very easy. Parrying and dodging supposedly become useless.

I hope so. All I get is every time I swing a sword I can only hit one guy at a time even if the model hits several people, the block button seems delayed and if I end up wedged against 2 people or more I get tossed around unable to strike back until I die. This is especially annoying when

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

you are running across a bridge avoiding a ticked off dragon.

Trying to fight in a cramped area with fire everywhere and a mage girl spacking me in the back with a fireball every few seconds, even though she's on my side, quickly makes a dead witcher.

Signs help *A LOT*. At first it didn't occur to me to use them because in the original Witcher I never put points into it. But since you start with a low level version of each spell in this one, they seem to have designed the combat around you using them.

Traps, mind control, the damage absorbing spell, aard aka force push, etc. It does seem a little weird to have to treat every fight against 3 or more low level guys as a boss fight, but that's what you gotta do.

I can't see how you can survive by 'parrying'? (staying still to be hit by more then one opponent=dead)

Seems like it is such a waste, when you can just dodge for free and smack them with a sign.:shrug:

Other then that, I am enjoying this more then I thought I would.:yes:

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Originally Posted by White_eyes:D

I can't see how you can survive by 'parrying'? (staying still to be hit by more then one opponent=dead)

Seems like it is such a waste, when you can just dodge for free and smack them with a sign.:shrug:

Other then that, I am enjoying this more then I thought I would.:yes:

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You can get an ability that lets you parry attacks from all angles really early.

I don't use it though. I just roll around everywhere like a gymnast and drop the trap sign and hit people with Aard.

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Originally Posted by Graphic

You can get an ability that lets you parry attacks from all angles really early.

I don't use it though. I just roll around everywhere like a gymnast and drop the trap sign and hit people with Aard.

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I have not put any points in signs and yet, I am still stunning people with Aard.

The Instant kills it gives are badly needed in the early going, fighting more then three people without it is quite a headache.:dizzy2:

Parry would be good if it didn't take any fatigue....but I still think I would use dodge.:bounce:

Just a heads up for anyone who might be having problems with the game acknowledging their QTEs.
Reduce your settings.
While it might not appear so, on high settings with insufficient hardware the game is playable, but the lag prevents the game from properly detecting the QTEs like LMB/RMB button mashing sequences.

And a bug in the Troll DLC.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

If you want to get the head from that man in the village, then make sure your dice-poker level is upto the mark where you can play him before selecting that dialogue option, otherwise he'll agree to play and nothing will happen, and then the option will never pop up again later.

Apparently CD Projekt are giving out 50000 Ultimate Magical Suit DLC keys to their followers on Facebook. All you need to do is press Like on their page: http://www.facebook.com/cdprojekt
I'm usually against Facebook & twitter fan stuff because its usually some viral marketing trick they are pulling and while not enthusiastic about this at least its just a mouse-click...or maybe me telling other people to go and Like the Facebook page is a more subtler viral marketing stunt!? Sneaky bastards...anyhow, site is though only in Polish, but meh, I just want free DLC :)

I'm going to wait for patch that is supposed to come this week, and hope they fix that Troll DLC bug!

Well, it looks like the Witcher 2 might be just a tad more complex to win fights then running in and hacking and slashing. The true source of the "consolization" of games has emerged and shown itself in video form. I give you, how to play the Witcher 2 wrong:

(Swearing involved here)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCjzA-C647o

Ok alot of his complaints are kinda dumb, ganging up is what the AI's supposed to do, but I gotta point out that I often find the Q button failing on me as well and my parrying feels delayed where thiers is instant.
Edit: Wait, I found this artical that explains the blocking bit:http://gaming.blogoverflow.com/2011/...the-witcher-2/
Blocking drains vigor aparantly... I would have realy liked to have been told that earlier, oy not having a tutorial realy is putting me off this game.

The thing that bugs me about combat in the Witcher 2, is how you need to target someone to hit them. It makes no sense, I died 36 times fighting 2 enemies, but died 14-16 times fighting 5-6 enemies.(I don't care who I hit, if it's more then two) This was largely due to my targeting going for the guy further from me, and not right in front of me.:furious3:

I know you can lock the targeting on one opponent, but it is not very easy to kill one guy while trying to fend off the other without hitting him back.:shrug:

Still, it means breezing though this game just doesn't happen....Demon Souls(<--Much harder) all over again.:laugh4:

I'm still in the early phases of the game and combat is hard. I die a lot. Normally I conserve potions and oils for big battles, but I've been using them nearly constantly.

http://www.en.thewitcher.com/community/entry/34/

Seems like CD Projekt have made all pre-order DLC plus Collectors Edition DLC available. Just send an email and a bot replies ASAP with download instructions.
Although while the files itself are installed it seems they are not counted as being installed in the DLC part of the launcher and if you try to install through there errors occur.

The Witcher 2 is beautiful, I love just walking around looking at all the visuals. However, the game is relatively deep as well, you really feel like your decisions matter (Even minor ones). The game is hard on everything but easy, but it's loads of fun.

Just reached the second chapter.....then reloaded an earlier save and made some other decisions and reached the second chapter again.

This is how player decisions should affect the game...not nonsense like getting a different kind of shield if you side with good guys, or getting a sword if you side with bad ones.

Yes, I have a feeling the game is going to turn out radically different since I chose to side with Iorveth and the Elves (Scoi'atel)...

Apparently the newest patch removes all DRM, leading to a framerate increase, and has free DLC.

CR

I thought the GOG version was already totally DRM-free? Or all of them for that matter.

or did it have some kind of in game DRM like Tages or Fade?

IIRC The GOG had no DRM, and now all versions have no DRM.

CR

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Apparently the newest patch removes all DRM, leading to a framerate increase, and has free DLC.

CR

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I can report that as soon as the patch hit my framerate JUMPED. Very grateful to the devs for doing that, since I can actually enjoy the game now without it being at a stand-still.

Even though I hated Witcher 1 I will be the first to say, witcher 2 is a ton of fun. Though I am really hating how they just don't tell you how to play, rather they expect you to know absolutely everything the moment you enter the game. I'm no slouch when it comes to these new fangled vidya contraptions, but I died at least twenty times on the first fight. Simply due to having never been told how to play this game or what buttons do what. Things like it takes Vigor to parry an attack, that sign usage is really the only way to gain an upper hand and dodging is a neccesity would all have prevented countless deaths. Its ridiculous that the prologue is the hardest part of the entire game...

All that said: Witcher 2 has some of the most vibrant and alive sceneries in any game I've seen. When I walked into Flotsam, I really felt like this was a living breathing town around me. They're VA, presentation and.. well, pretty much everything is easily way better than the first game. Call me convinced, Witcher 2 is everything I wanted but didn't get from Dragon Age 2, as far as quality RPG experiences go.

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Originally Posted by a completely inoffensive name

Well, it looks like the Witcher 2 might be just a tad more complex to win fights then running in and hacking and slashing. The true source of the "consolization" of games has emerged and shown itself in video form. I give you, how to play the Witcher 2 wrong:

(Swearing involved here)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCjzA-C647o

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LOL. He keeps using the same tactics over and over and over again. When it obviously doesn't work. LOL. He's surprised that if you come up against numerous enemies they will ALL attack you. And that using no skill/tactics doesn't work. What a moron.

Hey guys I found this thread on the gamefaqs forum that might help those having a hard time with the graphical settings, the suggestions worked for me.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/97539...kings/59163248

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

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This is for people who want to optimize their FPS while still getting the best they can out of their graphics cards. I'll post my chosen settings (as well as my specs) after the guide:

Texture Downscaling: This barely affects FPS for modern PCs and should only be enabled (set the value to Low or High) if your PC barely meets the minimum/recommended specifications for the Witcher 2. Even at its highest setting (meaning the lowest resolution for the textures), the textures are easily acceptable and not at all like the ugly low-resolution textures in Dragon Age 2.

Texture Memory Size: Set this in accordance to how much memory your graphics card has. For instance, I set the value to Large as my graphics card has 1 GB of memory (gamers with 2 GB of video memory or more can set the value to Very Large).

Shadow Quality: This setting moderately affects FPS even for good graphics cards, and the actual difference in quality is negligible. I recommend you set the value to Low, and if you find the quality of the shadows to be unacceptable and can afford the FPS drop, go ahead and set the value higher.

Number of Shadowed Lights: If you couldn't tell from the wording, this setting determines the amount of lights in this game that can cast shadows. Like the prior setting, this one moderately affects FPS. If you barely notice shadows anyway, you won't miss anything by setting the value to Low.

LOD Distance: This setting scales the level of detail (read: resolution) for distant textures, and it affects FPS about as much as Texture Downscaling does (though it is nearly useless if you already have Texture Downscaling set to High). If you don't focus on distant visuals that much anyway, setting the value below Normal may save you a few FPS.

Bloom: This setting greatly affects FPS and isn't too noticeable. I recommend you disable this setting.

Light Shafts: This setting enables or disables the existence of "shafts" (read: beams) of light in this game and moderately affects FPS. If you find such realism not necessary, feel free to disable this setting.

Anti-Aliasing: This setting smooths out the jagged edges of meshes (character models, etc) and moderately affects FPS for modern PCs and greatly for PCs that barely meet the minimum/recommended specifications for the Witcher 2. Enable or disable it accordingly.

Blur Effects: This setting greatly affects FPS when it is actually used (which is not often) and isn't really worth the drop in FPS when it is used. Disable it.

Depth of Field: This setting blurs visuals depending on on the view to give the appearance of depth this setting barely affects FPS for modern PCs and should be enabled/disabled based on personal preference. PCs that barely meet the minimum/recommended requirements should disable it just to be safe.
Vignette: This setting does not affect FPS. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignetting

Wet Surfaces Rain Effect: This setting moderately affects FPS. If wet appearances aren't worth the drop in FPS to you, go ahead and disable it.

SSAO: This setting is a lighting effect that greatly affects FPS. I recommend disabling it.

Motion Blur: This setting moderately affects FPS and can also cause motion sickness. I recommend disabling it.

Cinematic Depth of Field: This setting greatly affects FPS and is only used during cutscenes and dialog sequences. I recommend disabling it.

Depth of Field - Cutscenes: This setting is the same as Depth of Field but is applied only during cutscenes whereas the prior setting is applied everywhere but cutscenes. Enable/disable it based upon personal preference. PCs that barely meet the minimum/recommended requirements should disable it just to be safe.

Dangling Objects Limit: This setting limits the animations of "dangling objects" such as Geralt's hair and Triss' breasts (kidding... or am I?) and can affect FPS depending on your processor. If you barely meet the minimum/recommended specifications, disable it. If you have a good dual core processor or a decent quad core processor, feel free to enable it.

Ubersampling: This setting affects FPS more than any other setting. Unless you have three good graphics cards and a good quad core processor, disable it.

Vertical Sync: This setting eliminates screen-tearing and other visual issues and does not affect FPS other than limiting it to your monitor's refresh-rate. Enable it.

Decals: This setting can affect FPS depending on your processor. If you barely meet the minimum/recommended specifications, disable it. If you have a good dual core processor or a decent quad core processor, feel free to enable it.

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Originally Posted by Greyblades

Hey guys I found this thread on the gamefaqs forum that might help those having a hard time with the graphical settings, the suggestions worked for me.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/97539...kings/59163248

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Thanks! I have tweaked my game accordingly.

Console port for TW2 announced at the CDProjekt Livcast a few minutes back.

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Thanks! I have tweaked my game accordingly.

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Indeed, i was able to get another 10 fps average out of those tips. Many thanks.

Patch v1.2 deployed. Do note it resets your graphics settings so remember to tinker with them again.

I don't usually ask about morality of choices from a videogame, but in this case it was too compelling to not discuss.
It's about a choice at the end of Act 2, Roche's path. (needless to say, huge spoiler)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Henselt, to kill or not to kill? I'm on my second play-through. I let Roche gut him the first time, because he raped Ves, and let's face it, he's cruel and seems to be planning to take over all the Northern Kingdoms.
And while it seems that killing him does not make much of a difference in Act 3, but I'm betting that it will have repercussions in the sequel. Killing him leaves the North devoid of any strong kings to face the invasion from the South which might well be the main plot of the next game.

So what did the rest of you do, and what reasoning did you follow?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Kept him alive, people tend to panic without some kind of authority figure in the face of an invasion.:book:

Tempted to let Roche kill him though....But lets face it, being marked a "Kingslayer" is almost as bad as being a "Kinslayer". If Roche kills him, I expect he will never be trusted again, but he needed payback for his men, so whatever...:shrug:

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Originally Posted by india

I don't usually ask about morality of choices from a videogame, but in this case it was too compelling to not discuss.
It's about a choice at the end of Act 2, Roche's path. (needless to say, huge spoiler)
So what did the rest of you do, and what reasoning did you follow?

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Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I let Roche kill him since he was cruel and a rapist besides. I wanted Roche to have his revenge for his men. That said, I can see that it would cause problems down the road. What happens if you let him live?

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Originally Posted by Scienter

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I let Roche kill him since he was cruel and a rapist besides. I wanted Roche to have his revenge for his men. That said, I can see that it would cause problems down the road. What happens if you let him live?

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Haven't tried that as yet, but from reading online, AFAIK

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You don't see much of him. He appears in Act 3, during the council meeting as the king of his newly gained territories, and speaks against Foltest's daughter inheriting the throne of Temeria (that is if you save her). However he also speaks against Temeria being divided into provinces. Atleast that is what I read....going to try out that path soon enough. Though I find it tough to select the, "Let's go Roche" option......

Finally able to play much more into Chapter 1 and enjoying the game, although some things annoy me.
Inventory doesn't show what books and diagrams you already know. Would have been nice. Also an easier way to compare weapons and armour.

But what I detest most are the QTEs and arm-wrestling. Especially arm-wrestling. I couldn't move the bar thingy at all almost. And oh, I find sneaking to be difficult in third-person for some reason.

I found out that my my laptop's touch pad was superior to the mouse for te QTEs and Arm-Wrestling quests.