An Impromptu Witcher Lets Play - now with the Witcher 2!

[Bara_no_Hime]

My advice for you is to stop playing because it's one of the absolute worst games I have ever played. According to Steam, I've played it for 64 hours and I still haven't come close to finishing it nor was it a very enjoyable experience either.
The only thing I remember from all that time I wasted on it is finding out that all the interesting characters, difficult choices and complexity the game promised me was a lie.

So warned. Still, I'm committed to giving it a chance. And, so far, it's been mildly amusing. Better than replaying Temple of Elemental Evil for the third time in as many months.

it's more of a limitation thing, than devs being sexist pricks. I mean, the game is made on the engine that was first used back in flippin' 2001 and the in-engine sex cutscenes would look pretty... clumsy, not mentioning the need to make new models and animations and CDPRed being a small Eastern-European dev. I mean, did you see the pre-Enhanced Edition Witcher? That was some Attack of the Clones stuff. They added some palette-swaps in EE to make up for it. So they resorted to showing a small piece of artwork with the woman Geralt had an intercourse with. They look prettier in the arts than in-game for sure. And if you want to ask whether the whole sex thing was necessary at all - Geralt was quite a ladies' man in the original books and they wanted to preserve that aspect. Idk what is the female perspective on the whole thing for obvious reasons, but my GF played both Witcher games and liked them so... yeah.

Huh. Hadn't considered graphic limitations. And yes, I'm playing the Enhanced Director's Cut, so it looks pretty good to me. At least Mass Effect good (which I also played on this laptop).

Also, I mentioned this before, but do tell about these books. I am getting more and more curious. And I could use some new fantasy novels to read.

It's really really good but if you get it on PC

Ha. Ha ha. NO. ^^;; My PC might be able to handle the Witcher 2. Maybe. It isn't going to handle Bioshock Infinite. Damn, I can just see my poor laptop melting into a puddle of slag. No, I'll be playing that on the PS3. So no worried about the controller. ^^

Also, your avatar changed!! I didn't recognise you! DD:

Yup! Actually, I change avatar fairly often. Usually depending on what game I'm playing at the moment.

Oh! Maybe I should make a Witcher avatar? Hmmm....

Agni is the fire sign, correct? I tried to level it up, but apparently I have to find it first. Any suggestion as to where that would be? It looked like a pretty cool spell (it lets you throw your sword, right?).

It's called Igni actually.

Yes, that one. Where do I find it? It sounds neat and I'd like to have more magic that just "knock people down".

Also, is there healing magic other than potions?

 

[Frankster]

Bought the Witcher a while back for really cheap (albeit not quite a dollar) but was turned off by the combat system and being forced to play as Geralt who I wasn't enjoying. I had a bunch of other games to play at the time so promptly forgot all about it.
This thread makes me want to revisit the game and give it more of an honest chance.

Huh. Never heard of that one. Sounds kinda like Sim City meets Just Cause 2, but with the player on the other side of things.

Not an entirely innacurate description. If you like city builder games, can only say good stuff about Tropico series.

The books? Are these spin-off books written after the game, or was the game based on a book series? Because, if the later, then that is VERY interesting and I might like to know where I can get English versions of these books.

The books were written long before the game and are considered cult classics in poland (it was my polish friends who first talked to me of the witcher series). Theres also graphic novels and even a television series, i remember the graphic novels in particular as was shocked by the wanton violence and nudity in them (i was only like 13 at the time xD and quite an innocent lad too!).
From what i remember my polish friends telling me, some of the books were officially translated so you might be able to find those in bookshops, but otherwise most of the series have been fan translated somewhere online.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Also, I mentioned this before, but do tell about these books. I am getting more and more curious. And I could use some new fantasy novels to read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witcher

Can't vouch for their quality.

The author had a fairly interesting (and controversial, if I remember correctly) take on the video game adaptations of his work:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-06-ever-wondered-what-the-author-of-the-witcher-books-thinks-about-the-games

In short, he doesn't like the idea that the games be recognized as anything other than a kind of elaborate fan fiction. He finds the idea that they be considered an extension of the universe he created repugnant.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

The books were written long before the game and are considered cult classics in poland (it was my polish friends who first talked to me of the witcher series). Theres also graphic novels and even a television series, i remember the graphic novels in particular as was shocked by the wanton violence and nudity in them (i was only like 13 at the time xD and quite an innocent lad too!).
From what i remember my polish friends telling me, some of the books were officially translated so you might be able to find those in bookshops, but otherwise most of the series have been fan translated somewhere online.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witcher
Can't vouch for their quality.

Huh. **adds the first book to Amazon wishlist** Okay, sure, I'll give it a try. The reviews are mostly positive (and those that aren't mostly amount to "it's not like the game!") and the paper back is cheap. Actually, I should see if the used book store has a copy....

 

[Rack]

The game gets better as you progress through it, though not by much so if you aren't getting bored at this stage you'll probably be fine.

Witcher 2 is in a whole different league, though it doesn't sound like you'll be able to run it on your computer. Just don't forget about it.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

The original Witcher short story was published back in the eighties. I think GOG version has it as an extra.

**checks GOG account** Holy crap, you're right! I'll have to read that when I get home.

The Last Wish, first proper Witcher book was a collection of short stories all centered about Geralt. The Witcherverse is bleak, dark, ugly, full of oppression, poverty, everybody has lots of sex and there are more -isms than you can shake your stick at. English translation was released in 2007. Also contains a starting point for the main saga. Second book, The Sword of Destiny wasn't released in English, but there's a fan translation available. It's once again, a collection of short stories, though this one is more of a preparation for the saga. The main saga consists of five novels: Blood of the Elves (released in English in 2008), Times of Contempt (planned for English release this year; fan translation available for it and all the following books), Baptism of Fire, Swallow's Tower and Lady of the Lake. The saga has several protagonists, including Geralt.

Someone mentioned that one of the stories featured a female protagonist. Since the online fan-translations are free, could you tell me the title of the novel (or short story, or whatever) that features a female protagonist? I'd like to read that as well. Between that and the short story for GOG, I should have a pretty clear idea if I like the series enough to buy books 1 and 2.

Just don't forget about it.

I keep a pretty close eye on GOG sales. I recently picked up Rollercoaster Tycoon (an old favorite of mine when I was younger) for $1.59. I love GOG. ^^

 

[trollnystan]

Damn you Good Old Games! You went and did it. You tempted me and I made the purchase, but I resisted your lure for months until... today.

When I installed the Witcher.

I wasn't going to play that game. I had reasons. And then you sold it to me for a dollar a few months ago and I couldn't say no to a 1 dollar game.

And now, as I looked through my GOG account for something new to play, there it was... sitting there, tempting me.

So, fellow Escapists... it is official. I am playing the Witcher.

Discussion Value: A two-fer!

1) Any advice for a first time Witcher player? Things to do? Avoid? Funny stories about your first time?

2) Discussion (or stories) about times when Good Old Games or Steam has had a sale and you bought a game you didn't want to play just because it was cheap (and then ended up playing it).

Also, if there's interest, I will post updates about my playthrough of the Witcher.

I sincerely hope you enjoy it more than I did; I didn't even get to leave the castle before turning it off in disgust. The mechanics are interesting though, so perhaps I'll be able to muster up some enthusiasm at some point and try again.

 

[MammothBlade]

Civ V + Gods and Kings.

9 hours in one sitting i played that for the other night i uninstalled it never to be installed again

Wow, too addictive for you or something?

 

[The White Hunter]

It's really really good but if you get it on PC

Ha. Ha ha. NO. ^^;; My PC might be able to handle the Witcher 2. Maybe. It isn't going to handle Bioshock Infinite. Damn, I can just see my poor laptop melting into a puddle of slag. No, I'll be playing that on the PS3. So no worried about the controller. ^^

Also, your avatar changed!! I didn't recognise you! DD:

Yup! Actually, I change avatar fairly often. Usually depending on what game I'm playing at the moment.

Oh! Maybe I should make a Witcher avatar? Hmmm....

You'd be surprised, you can get stable 30fps on intel integrated graphics ^_^ I'm running a Pentium Dual Core and HD 4770 and it runs smooth on low and mid. IT's really very good though, probably be in receipt of many a GOTY award given the critical reception it's had.

Ah I see, I generally pick people out by their avatar, I only mentioned because I saw your name quoted and didn't realise you were the OP!

 

[The White Hunter]

Civ V + Gods and Kings.

9 hours in one sitting i played that for the other night i uninstalled it never to be installed again

Wow, too addictive for you or something?

Happened to me too except I still have it installed! Whenever I play it it ends up as 9 hours of "1 more turn"...

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

You'd be surprised, you can get stable 30fps on intel integrated graphics ^_^ I'm running a Pentium Dual Core and HD 4770 and it runs smooth on low and mid.

Really? Huh. Okay, maybe I could run it. But, if possible, I prefer to play games on the PS3. I have a massive HDTV and I prefer the PS3 controller (yes, I could set it up for PC games, but it's a bother).

IT's really very good though, probably be in receipt of many a GOTY award given the critical reception it's had.

That's what I've been hearing. Like I said, that and Tomb Raider are probably going to be summer games for me, if only because I can buy Bioshock Infinite for my spouse and then play subsequently or co-currently. Well, that and it takes about three months after release for Amazon to start having awesome sales on new games. FarCry 3 (another game I'm keeping my eye on) is already only 40 bucks new on Amazon.

Ah I see, I generally pick people out by their avatar, I only mentioned because I saw your name quoted and didn't realise you were the OP!

I do the same thing, but I also check names a lot. I'm not the only person who likes to change avatars often. I try to follow whatever game I'm playing (often tabletop games, but sometimes video games).

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

**snip**

**snip**

I had the same problem with Age of Empires 2 back in the day. A friend loaned me the game. I sat down one Friday to play it and, after many "one more turns" it was Sunday. I literally have a Saturday that I don't remember because I was playing Age of Empires so long I didn't notice it.

I uninstalled the game that Monday (after much sleep) and vowed never to play Age of Empires (or similar) again, because I couldn't trust myself to stop.

 

[Whoatemysupper]

You'd be surprised, you can get stable 30fps on intel integrated graphics ^_^ I'm running a Pentium Dual Core and HD 4770 and it runs smooth on low and mid.

Really? Huh. Okay, maybe I could run it. But, if possible, I prefer to play games on the PS3. I have a massive HDTV and I prefer the PS3 controller (yes, I could set it up for PC games, but it's a bother).

IT's really very good though, probably be in receipt of many a GOTY award given the critical reception it's had.

That's what I've been hearing. Like I said, that and Tomb Raider are probably going to be summer games for me, if only because I can buy Bioshock Infinite for my spouse and then play subsequently or co-currently. Well, that and it takes about three months after release for Amazon to start having awesome sales on new games. FarCry 3 (another game I'm keeping my eye on) is already only 40 bucks new on Amazon.

Ah I see, I generally pick people out by their avatar, I only mentioned because I saw your name quoted and didn't realise you were the OP!

I do the same thing, but I also check names a lot. I'm not the only person who likes to change avatars often. I try to follow whatever game I'm playing (often tabletop games, but sometimes video games).

This I don't get. I love my CiV but, I can always tear myself away from it with ease.

 

[loc978]

I'm a little confused about the sex card thing myself. So far I haven't been terribly far into the Witcher (I really dislike the controls, it seems like they couldn't decide if the game was meant to be controlled as a third-person action game or a top-down RPG... from the looks of things, the second game settled on third-person action, to its benefit)... but I've yet to see Geralt do anything horribly lecherous or objectifying, he seems pretty respectful and only playfully aggressive with any of the women he winds up with.

So yeah, it's like they meant the player to be a peeping Tom living vicariously through Geralt's healthy sex life... which is a little creepy, actually.

 

[Theminimanx]

One irritating thing about the game, though, is that you have the quit in order to change your settings. Or you did when I played it, at least.

All the way out, or to the main menu?

It's a moot point until it goes on sale, but it's nice to know that I might be able to play it on my current system.

You have the change the graphics in the launcher, which is even more annoying. Seriously, all games need to show the new graphics settings as you're changing them. This was a godsend in Bioshock: Infinite, when I was trying to figure out what was keeping my framerate below 60.

 

[Weaver]

I just couldn't make it through the first witcher. The card's and sex didn't bother me at all. I thought the card "collection" thing was hilariously ridiculous in its stupidity, but I feel like I have European sensibilities when it comes to sex.

However, the game I think just has a stupidly long gestation period. It was slow. Everything was slow. I'm a patient person, but most of the game was just me walking to somewhere, then walking back. I put over 10 hours in, and I heard it picks up, but my god, I just stopped caring.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I'm a little confused about the sex card thing myself. ... but I've yet to see Geralt do anything horribly lecherous or objectifying, he seems pretty respectful and only playfully aggressive with any of the women he winds up with.

Yeah, that's the impression I'm getting too.

Although, it sounds like he might have been more "James Bond-esque" before his amnesia. Since then... I mentioned how he reminds me of Swords and Sorcery Mr. Bean, haven't I?

And yeah, the cards just come off as creepy. They clash with the overall tone of the game.

The card's and sex didn't bother me at all. I thought the card "collection" thing was hilariously ridiculous, but I feel like I have European sensibilities when it comes to sex.

Like I said, it wasn't the naked breasts that bother me. It's the attitude that the game seems to have towards it player - that the player is some sort of perv playing with one hand and jacking it with the other.

While searching for good avatar pics (for my threat above to make a Witcher avatar for myself) I came across several interesting pictures (I had Safe Search off) and seems to confirm that the Witcher 2 has no problems with full on graphic sex scenes. Didn't bother me one bit. Actually, I was pleased that Triss seems to have realized that her outfit in the first game looks idiotic and changed into something more practical.

However, the game I think just has a stupidly long gestation period. It was slow. Everything was slow. I'm a patient person, but most of the game was just me walking to somewhere, then walking back. I put over 10 hours in, and I heard it picks up, but my god, I just stopped caring.

See, I love long RPGs. I don't feel like I've gotten my money's worth out of an RPG if I don't spend 100 hours on the first play through at least.

 

[Weaver]

The card's and sex didn't bother me at all. I thought the card "collection" thing was hilariously ridiculous, but I feel like I have European sensibilities when it comes to sex.

Like I said, it wasn't the naked breasts that bother me. It's the attitude that the game seems to have towards it player - that the player is some sort of perv playing with one hand and jacking it with the other.

I agree, I just don't think I worded it very well. It was certainly a facepalm "we're REALLY doing this, guys?" moment for me. But it was just so... absurdly to stereotype, and at the same time an incredibly odd thing to happen, I was surprised and I guess I just couldn't help but laugh at it. It was just one of those "Did that just really happen?" moments. I dunno, I'm bad at explaining myself.

While searching for good avatar pics (for my threat above to make a Witcher avatar for myself) I came across several interesting pictures (I had Safe Search off) and seems to confirm that the Witcher 2 has no problems with full on graphic sex scenes. Didn't bother me one bit. Actually, I was pleased that Triss seems to have realized that her outfit in the first game looks idiotic and changed into something more practical.

I haven't played 2 yet, but I'm glad they seemed to have gained some sense.

See, I love long RPGs. I don't feel like I've gotten my money's worth out of an RPG if I don't spend 100 hours on the first play through at least.

I agree with feelings of getting your money out of a game, but some games go about length the wrong way (by what feels like padding). I felt the witcher was just very slow for my tastes. Mainly because I wasn't getting into the story. I put 120 hours into Dragon Age (the first one) and I loved it, a s comparison.

Thus it's not that I wanted the game to be shorter, I just wanted it to be more interesting. Not saying you can't or shouldn't find it such if you do.

 

[The White Hunter]

**snip**

**snip**

I had the same problem with Age of Empires 2 back in the day. A friend loaned me the game. I sat down one Friday to play it and, after many "one more turns" it was Sunday. I literally have a Saturday that I don't remember because I was playing Age of Empires so long I didn't notice it.

I uninstalled the game that Monday (after much sleep) and vowed never to play Age of Empires (or similar) again, because I couldn't trust myself to stop.

Hahaha I could never install something so fun as Civ 5!

I'm pretty good at stopping actually, considering you can save the game whenever it isn't a big deal to just stop playing and pick it up later. It's definately not something I wanna play in little bites though.

 

[The White Hunter]

You'd be surprised, you can get stable 30fps on intel integrated graphics ^_^ I'm running a Pentium Dual Core and HD 4770 and it runs smooth on low and mid.

Really? Huh. Okay, maybe I could run it. But, if possible, I prefer to play games on the PS3. I have a massive HDTV and I prefer the PS3 controller (yes, I could set it up for PC games, but it's a bother).

IT's really very good though, probably be in receipt of many a GOTY award given the critical reception it's had.

That's what I've been hearing. Like I said, that and Tomb Raider are probably going to be summer games for me, if only because I can buy Bioshock Infinite for my spouse and then play subsequently or co-currently. Well, that and it takes about three months after release for Amazon to start having awesome sales on new games. FarCry 3 (another game I'm keeping my eye on) is already only 40 bucks new on Amazon.

Ah I see, I generally pick people out by their avatar, I only mentioned because I saw your name quoted and didn't realise you were the OP!

I do the same thing, but I also check names a lot. I'm not the only person who likes to change avatars often. I try to follow whatever game I'm playing (often tabletop games, but sometimes video games).

Fair enough, thats a problem for me on PC, I do have a wired 360 controller but I dislike the thing, so mostly play things like FPS and RTS on the PC and then anything I'd prefer a controller for is a PS3 game for me.

Fair enough, try avoid spoilers for it like the plague, it's really annoying to have games with great stories ruined by asshats on the internet that don't understand spoiler tags. I'm gonna be picking up fary cry 3 when I build my new PC after my tax rebate.

Yeaeh I've noticed some people do and there are names I recognise but the avatar is the first thing I look at, I think I've been Jiraiya and Franky's crotch before and otherwise that may be all the avatars I've had. It could be worse, you could be Fappy and get chewed out whenever you change your avatar!