The Witcher

[frogbeastegg]

I still haven't bought the game, and it seems most in this forum have, and anyway, I'm not a big RPG player and the only one I've played recently was Oblivion which one of my cousins gifted me with. I simply loved the game.
This one sound pretty interesting too, but before I go ahead and order it, I'd sure like to know how'd the people here rate it relative to Oblivion?

The Witcher is still on my shelf waiting for some attention (thought I may as well wait for the new content), but I can tell you that it and Oblivion are two very different animals.

Oblivion is all about freedom. Be what you like, do what you like, go where you like. There's great breadth, and rather little depth, at least when it comes to the quests and characters. Few of the people in Cryodil have much personality, few of the quests go beyond 'go here, kill these things, fetch that, return to me'.

The Witcher is about experiencing a story. It forces you to follow the plot path whether you like it or not. You can't scamper off to spend 6 hours brewing potions, or take up pearl diving on the coast. The people you meet along the way should have more to them than a bunch of canned lines you hear from every other NPC of that type, and the plot itself should be more detailed than Oblivion's scanty affair. There are optional side quests you can take or leave as you wish. You have some freedom in how you build up your character; you can choose skills which fit your playing preferences each time you level up. However you must play as Geralt, large parts of your dialogue will be pre-set, and his overall character class is pre-set.

I do like Oblivion. I'm on the last stages of the main quest now, having completed all of the guild lines first. The limitations of its plot and character building are keenly felt; I don't care about anyone or anything in this world, and I don't care about what I'm doing. I just want to find an elven helmet so I can complete my armour set, and get my skills mastered so my character is a god instead of a mere near-invincible uber hero. My preference has always been for a stronger plot than greater freedom.

Try it. Oblivion's type of RPG is rare. Most are of a similar pattern to The Witcher, so if you like it then there's stacks of great RPGs waiting for you.

[Sarathos]

So does this mean that people who already have the game (i.e. me) have to buy the game again or just download a whole bucket of updates?

[Zenicetus]

So does this mean that people who already have the game (i.e. me) have to buy the game again or just download a whole bucket of updates?

It sounds like the update will be a free download for current owners, unless I'm reading it wrong.

I don't know whether to be interested or not. I took a break from the game about 1/2 way in, but plan to finish at some point. I haven't heard whether or not it will upgrade existing savegames so you can finish with the new features. Does anyone know? Probably not, I'm guessing, but I haven't been over to the Witcher forum lately to check.

[TinCow]

For anyone interested, I was in a book store over the weekend and was surprised to see this sitting in the Sci-Fi section. I picked it up out of curiosity and have gotten through about the first third. So far the only part of the book that parallels the game is the opening cinematic. Everything else is unrelated to the game. It is surprisingly good. The translation is superbly well done. If I hadn't known in advance, I would not have guessed that it was written in a foreign language. Overall, it reads like a D&D book, but with a far more 'mature' style and world, along the lines of George R. R. Martin. It is definitely fantasy in the traditional style, but a nice take on the old standard and interesting enough to have me looking forward to the next time I've got available to read it. I give it two thumbs up for people who like traditional fantasy books. I'll be looking forward to the other books when they are translated as well.

Oh, and for anyone wondering, the sex in the book is about as explicit as in the game, but without the cards. Essentially dialog and innuendo, leading up to a sex scene which is not described in much, if any, detail. If it weren't for the 'controversy' about the sex in the game, it wouldn't even have thought to comment on it.

[frogbeastegg]

I read 'The Last Wish' in January, and will agree that it's an enjoyable read. I liked the way the fairy tales were often flipped on their heads. I'm waiting for the first proper book to be translated into English.

[Sarathos]

The Witcher is still on my shelf waiting for some attention (thought I may as well wait for the new content), but I can tell you that it and Oblivion are two very different animals.

Oblivion is all about freedom. Be what you like, do what you like, go where you like. There's great breadth, and rather little depth, at least when it comes to the quests and characters. Few of the people in Cryodil have much personality, few of the quests go beyond 'go here, kill these things, fetch that, return to me'.

The Witcher is about experiencing a story. It forces you to follow the plot path whether you like it or not. You can't scamper off to spend 6 hours brewing potions, or take up pearl diving on the coast. The people you meet along the way should have more to them than a bunch of canned lines you hear from every other NPC of that type, and the plot itself should be more detailed than Oblivion's scanty affair. There are optional side quests you can take or leave as you wish. You have some freedom in how you build up your character; you can choose skills which fit your playing preferences each time you level up. However you must play as Geralt, large parts of your dialogue will be pre-set, and his overall character class is pre-set.

I do like Oblivion. I'm on the last stages of the main quest now, having completed all of the guild lines first. The limitations of its plot and character building are keenly felt; I don't care about anyone or anything in this world, and I don't care about what I'm doing. I just want to find an elven helmet so I can complete my armour set, and get my skills mastered so my character is a god instead of a mere near-invincible uber hero. My preference has always been for a stronger plot than greater freedom.

Try it. Oblivion's type of RPG is rare. Most are of a similar pattern to The Witcher, so if you like it then there's stacks of great RPGs waiting for you.

If you like a good story than the Witcher is for you. It not so much as forces you to follow the story, it sets a path which must be followed, but how you follow it is up to you. The story is great so why wouldn't you follow it but I do agree in contrast with Oblivion, the freedom aspect really does impact on gameplay and to play one game who is near mastering it to a game with a great story but a little too many locked doors.

Just one question about the enhanced addition, will it just be a downloadable patch or will it be an entirely new game?

[TevashSzat]

The Witcher is still on my shelf waiting for some attention (thought I may as well wait for the new content), but I can tell you that it and Oblivion are two very different animals.

Oblivion is all about freedom. Be what you like, do what you like, go where you like. There's great breadth, and rather little depth, at least when it comes to the quests and characters. Few of the people in Cryodil have much personality, few of the quests go beyond 'go here, kill these things, fetch that, return to me'.

The Witcher is about experiencing a story. It forces you to follow the plot path whether you like it or not. You can't scamper off to spend 6 hours brewing potions, or take up pearl diving on the coast. The people you meet along the way should have more to them than a bunch of canned lines you hear from every other NPC of that type, and the plot itself should be more detailed than Oblivion's scanty affair. There are optional side quests you can take or leave as you wish. You have some freedom in how you build up your character; you can choose skills which fit your playing preferences each time you level up. However you must play as Geralt, large parts of your dialogue will be pre-set, and his overall character class is pre-set.

I do like Oblivion. I'm on the last stages of the main quest now, having completed all of the guild lines first. The limitations of its plot and character building are keenly felt; I don't care about anyone or anything in this world, and I don't care about what I'm doing. I just want to find an elven helmet so I can complete my armour set, and get my skills mastered so my character is a god instead of a mere near-invincible uber hero. My preference has always been for a stronger plot than greater freedom.

Try it. Oblivion's type of RPG is rare. Most are of a similar pattern to The Witcher, so if you like it then there's stacks of great RPGs waiting for you.

That sums up the game perfectly. It, ironically, is more free and expansive than most in the sense of its semi-open gaming experience, but is also restrictive in the manner that you are stuck with one person to play as with no customization at all

[Husar]

Just one question about the enhanced addition, will it just be a downloadable patch or will it be an entirely new game?

It will be a patch for those who already bought the game and a new retail version for those who haven't, I'm going to wait for it and see whether I want the game then.

[TinCow]

Enhanced Edition has been delayed until August or September (was originally going to be released last weekend).

[frogbeastegg]

If you like a good story than the Witcher is for you.

I'm sure it will be; I got the game a couple of days after starting this topic. I'm waiting for the free expansion. Huh, seems like I have been waiting to play it forever; first I was too busy, then the expansion was announced, then the date slipped ...

[Sarathos]

Maybe it will be worth the wait...we shall see.

[Spartan198]

Used to be into RPGs...

But that was back in the old school Phantasy Star days. I used to be soooo in love with Alys Brangwin. Ah, memories...

Anyway, back to slaughtering arrogant Romans in RTW...

[FactionHeir]

I've been reading up on it some and the expansion (or rather the Enhanced Edition) is available for free for those who already have registered their game on their website. You'll be notified when its available and can then download it from there directly.
A list of things that will be included in the EE in addition to bugfixes and longer, more fleshed out dialogue:

Extra music/soundtracks
Improved inventory:
o Filtering of alchemy ingredients by content,
o Auto-sorting of items in satchel,
o Special slot area for sorting alchemy ingredients in satchel
Auto-save option (on/off).
Character differentiation mechanism (effectively generating
approximately 50 new character appearances).
Look-at feature (characters look at Geralt, deepening player
immersion).
Auto-looting of containers (player may collect all contents of a
container without opening the container panel).

Oh, and it'll be released 1st half of September.

Source: EE Fact sheet (slightly outdated, but all relevant)

[rajpoot]

Err......the new features will be implemented in the old game and it's savegames too or it'll be like whole new expantion pack?

[FactionHeir]

Its the same game, just a better version. It does mean that your old savegames won't work as the modules are different, but I think those changes and bugfixes will be worth it (look at my collection of bugs on the witcher wiki site )

[FactionHeir]

So, anyone else looking forward to the imminent release of the Enhanced Edition?

[rajpoot]

I am
It's somewhere around the 19th isn't it?

[FactionHeir]

Yup, and free for existing game owners.

Personally, the main feature I'm looking forward to (outside of all those bugfixes) is that you can mix and match languages. So you can have say English sounds with Spanish subtitles. Kind of like learning a new language that way.

[Thermal]

the witchers good, it is an rpg of sorts i guess, a deep story line but real set, no freedom at all, where as obvilion is the ultimate game in my opinion, not even total war beats it lols

[Warmaster Horus]

Ever tried Morrowind, Aries? Waaay better than Oblivion. Pity about the graphics, though... It's still better

I've already got the Witcher, and played it some 6 months ago. But I've been contemplating replaying it, though. Since the EE is coming soon, I'll do it then.
Well, that is, as soon as I've got free time. High School is a pain...

[Thermal]

Ever tried Morrowind, Aries? Waaay better than Oblivion. Pity about the graphics, though... It's still better

I've already got the Witcher, and played it some 6 months ago. But I've been contemplating replaying it, though. Since the EE is coming soon, I'll do it then.
Well, that is, as soon as I've got free time. High School is a pain...

yep, loved tht to, very blocky visuals but certainly the best game of its time, but my normal xbox brokes ages ago, and not compatable with 360, so cant play it, but yh by the same people to! lookin forward 2 fallout 3 there new project, be out soon

[FactionHeir]

the witchers good, it is an rpg of sorts i guess, a deep story line but real set, no freedom at all, where as obvilion is the ultimate game in my opinion, not even total war beats it lols

Morrowind and Oblivion only give you a limited amount of freedom too in that the game ends when you do the main quest and till then you can busy yourself doing side quests. The Witcher is no different there. In fact, I always do all the sides first before doing the main, and chatting up random townies gets you hidden quests or information, which are quite entertaining.


WH: You can spend you time playing Witcher: Versus That's what I do when I got nothing to do since you can just challenge people, log off, and come back in a day to review.

[Thermal]

Morrowind and Oblivion only give you a limited amount of freedom too in that the game ends when you do the main quest and till then you can busy yourself doing side quests. The Witcher is no different there. In fact, I always do all the sides first before doing the main, and chatting up random townies gets you hidden quests or information, which are quite entertaining.


WH: You can spend you time playing Witcher: Versus That's what I do when I got nothing to do since you can just challenge people, log off, and come back in a day to review.

yeah they do hav some limit, but all single players games do, theres no question tht oblivion and morrowind hav more freedom than other games, and theres all ways looting caves etc. its hours and hours and hours long so tht helps to good value 4 money
another i like is neverwinter nights 1 and 2, shocking graphics but great fun

[FactionHeir]

Sure you can loot caves, but after your nth cave, don't you get bored going in, sneaking up, killing, looting, going to next cave?
When I used to play Morrowing/Oblivion, I just had to use the coc cheat constantly because of the ridiculously long trips through the countryside being attacked by effortless creatures.

In that respect I find the Witcher to be a lot more refreshing, where you can fight a lot, but not to the extent where you get bored of it.

[Thermal]

Sure you can loot caves, but after your nth cave, don't you get bored going in, sneaking up, killing, looting, going to next cave?
When I used to play Morrowing/Oblivion, I just had to use the coc cheat constantly because of the ridiculously long trips through the countryside being attacked by effortless creatures.

In that respect I find the Witcher to be a lot more refreshing, where you can fight a lot, but not to the extent where you get bored of it.

yes, anything can get borin after a while, but its still quite varied i think, every game has a certain theme, dunno i just love the eerie atmosphere in oblivion and morrowind, cleverly made, anyways yes witchers very refreshing, but its very bk and forth, re following tracks, buts so is oblivion etc

i loved tht storyline on witcher where the detective guy turned out to be the evil one after he was killed and made an illusion of, as soon as my badge thing was beeting i became very suspicious...

[FactionHeir]

On my first playthrough I never paid attention to my badge

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

and only in my conversation with Shani did it start making sense. Each time I found the corpse before the autopsy too, so I never actually played the Ramstein/Kalstein guilty paths. Should do that once the EE comes out

I think the fun is that you can play the game quite differently each time. The major choices are Order vs Rebels, but there are many subtle things too which added a nice flair to the game.

[TinCow]

Sure you can loot caves, but after your nth cave, don't you get bored going in, sneaking up, killing, looting, going to next cave?
When I used to play Morrowing/Oblivion, I just had to use the coc cheat constantly because of the ridiculously long trips through the countryside being attacked by effortless creatures.

In that respect I find the Witcher to be a lot more refreshing, where you can fight a lot, but not to the extent where you get bored of it.

I agree, though Morrowind and Oblivion had boring dungeons for different reasons. Except at low levels, the Morrowind dungeons (and almost the entire game) was too easy. Oblivion wasn't too easy, but because the creatures and loot were scaled, they were generic and there were no opportunities to find cool loot. Both of these problems in both games can be fixed with mods, but they are definitely major flaws with the vanilla game.

[FactionHeir]

I just got some new info that might be of some interest:

EE Patch:
TWEE_Upgrade.exe 930 MB

Adventures:
TWEE_adventure_Side_Effect.exe 301 MB
TWEE_adventure_The_Price_of_Neutrality.exe 320 MB

Language packs: (~400-600MB)

TWEE_Czech_language_pack.exe 523 MB
TWEE_English_language_pack.exe 472 MB
TWEE_France_language_pack.exe 461 MB
TWEE_German_language_pack.exe 573 MB
TWEE_Hungarian_language_pack.exe 563 MB
TWEE_Italian_language_pack.exe 542 MB
TWEE_Polish_language_pack.exe 605 MB
TWEE_Russian_language_pack.exe 674 MB
TWEE_Spanish_language_pack.exe 446 MB

No word on exact sizes of the extra content yet, but from what is known, the overall maximum download (i.e. if you download everything) will be 9GB, minimum recommended will be 2 GB (Patch, Main language version, 2 adventures).

Oh, and old saves can be continued in the EE contrary to previous reports.

[rajpoot]

No word on exact sizes of the extra content yet, but from what is known, the overall maximum download (i.e. if you download everything) will be 9GB, minimum recommended will be 2 GB (Patch, Main language version, 2 adventures).

2 GB!!! That'll take days for me!!

[FactionHeir]

The absolute minimum would be 1.5 GB (Patch + Language). However, there'll be special servers set up that will cope with the stress and give a fast downlaod speed I've been told