The Witcher 2 Gameplay Video

[AndyFromMonday]

I don't know if this is new or not but I opened up Gametrailers and I noticed two gameplay videos for the Witcher 2. I noticed that the skill selection is no longer made using a sidebar but through a circular... circle. Basically, they took the Dragon Age for consoles route when it comes to selecting abilities. I know it's not news, but combat is now assigned to two button, presumably Light and Heavy attacks. This is how combat is handled on the consoles when it comes to action game/RPG's. So, uhm, WHAT THE FUCK?!?

I know for the time being it's a PC exclusive but the developers have hinted that there's a console version coming and at the same time they've designed this game with consoles in mind as evidenced by the skill selection and combat. Why am I getting the feeling this is going to be yet another Dragon Age 2? If I'm wrong then the developers are fucking clueless when it comes to designing games for the PC. I've got 50 buttons to which I can assign abilities. Why am I being forced to use that stupid circular skill selection thing? Also, why did they change the combat? It was perfectly fine in the first game. The system that was in place there works.

Anyway, what are your opinions on this? Am I just being paranoid or are we PC gamers getting screwed over yet again?


Here are the videos:

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/live-gameplay-the-witcher/712872

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/live-gameplay-the-witcher/712873

 

[MetallicaRulez0]

I don't understand why so many people are against action game combat in RPGs. As long as the rest of the game isn't dumbed down, action game combat is a HUGE improvement over typical RPG combat. Obviously no one has been able to manage great RPG combat without dumbing down the rest of the game yet, but eventually someone will. Be it Mass Effect 3, DA3, Diablo 3... one of them will get it right, and the entire genre will be better because of it.

 

[Racecarlock]

Oh god. Here we go again. Well, I certainly hope they don't simplify the PC version because the game will be multiplatform, otherwise a bunch of PC gamers will walk on into this thread and be all like "SEE? CONSOLE GAMERS ARE DESTROYING THIS INDUSTRY! JAOFRUARHOWOHQAOHJNDJMWSADSAXA!" and I AM REALLY REALLY TIRED OF SEEING THAT POST! So developers, don't dumb it down on the PC, please, for the love of god. I don't want people blaming the industry's destruction on console gamers like me all goddamn over again.

 

[EllEzDee]

If I'm wrong then the developers are fucking clueless when it comes to designing games for the PC.

The developers are fucking clueless when it comes to the PC. They're the daft fucks that ported Saints Row 2 to the PC.
The first Witcher is pretty shitty performance wise aswell.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

If I'm wrong then the developers are fucking clueless when it comes to designing games for the PC.

The developers are fucking clueless when it comes to the PC. They're the daft fucks that ported Saints Row 2 to the PC.
The first Witcher is pretty shitty performance wise aswell.

I didn't have any problem with the Witcher performance wise. Also, are you fucking kidding me? CD Projekt ported Saints Row 2 to the PC? That was THE most horrible port I've ever had the displeasure of playing.

I don't understand why so many people are against action game combat in RPGs.

It's not an improvement. Combat that is more focused on action should stick to action games. Combat that is focused on strategy should stick to RPG's. Still, an action RPG with a circular skill tree? That breaks the flow if you ask me.

 

[Irridium]

And I now point you to this:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-witcher-2-live-q-a

A Q&A pertaining to the Witcher 2, where they also show off gameplay, and show him playing it. Skip to 10:40 for the gameplay.

And besides, Witcher 1's combat boiled down to "pick style, click when reticle turns red". Not exactly the pinnacle of strategic combat. Only real strategy boiled down to which potions to use and when. And thats still in the game, only you have to do them before combat. Meaning you have to think ahead about who your going to be fighting and how, and take the appropriate potion(s).

 

[Woodsey]

If I'm wrong then the developers are fucking clueless when it comes to designing games for the PC.

The developers are fucking clueless when it comes to the PC. They're the daft fucks that ported Saints Row 2 to the PC.
The first Witcher is pretty shitty performance wise aswell.

Different development studio for Saints Row 2 (albeit under the same publisher) - never had any performance issues with The Witcher.

If I'm wrong then the developers are fucking clueless when it comes to designing games for the PC.

The developers are fucking clueless when it comes to the PC. They're the daft fucks that ported Saints Row 2 to the PC.
The first Witcher is pretty shitty performance wise aswell.

I didn't have any problem with the Witcher performance wise. Also, are you fucking kidding me? CD Projekt ported Saints Row 2 to the PC? That was THE most horrible port I've ever had the displeasure of playing.

I don't understand why so many people are against action game combat in RPGs.

It's not an improvement. Combat that is more focused on action should stick to action games. Combat that is focused on strategy should stick to RPG's. Still, an action RPG with a circular skill tree? That breaks the flow if you ask me.

And its because of you genre Nazis that Deus Ex remains (until Human Revolution hopefully) the only Deus Ex.

OT: You're making something out of nothing. Its not turn-based, I imagine that's why they didn't decide to use hotkeys.

And what, because The Witcher's combat was "functional", it shouldn't be touched? I didn't realise we PC gamers preferred dull combat as long as it didn't look like it may work when played on a console.

 

[EllEzDee]

They're the daft fucks that ported Saints Row 2 to the PC.

I can't find any info on that. Direct me?

Sign into the game on PC. They'll force you to sit through a 10-ish second screenshot thing showing all the developers and stuff. It shows that these daft idiots were behind the port.

If I'm wrong then the developers are fucking clueless when it comes to designing games for the PC.

The developers are fucking clueless when it comes to the PC. They're the daft fucks that ported Saints Row 2 to the PC.
The first Witcher is pretty shitty performance wise aswell.

Different development studio for Saints Row 2 (albeit under the same publisher) - never had any performance issues with The Witcher.

If "RED" signifies a development division of CD Projekt, then it was CD Projekt RED behind the port AND behind the new Witcher game.

 

[Nmil-ek]

How could you dumb down the witcher? Did anyone ever actually fucking play it how can you dumb down stance 1-2-3, right click and sigil.

 

[Woodsey]

They're the daft fucks that ported Saints Row 2 to the PC.

I can't find any info on that. Direct me?

Sign into the game on PC. They'll force you to sit through a 10-ish second screenshot thing showing all the developers and stuff. It shows that these daft idiots were behind the port.

If I'm wrong then the developers are fucking clueless when it comes to designing games for the PC.

The developers are fucking clueless when it comes to the PC. They're the daft fucks that ported Saints Row 2 to the PC.
The first Witcher is pretty shitty performance wise aswell.

Different development studio for Saints Row 2 (albeit under the same publisher) - never had any performance issues with The Witcher.

If "RED" signifies a development division of CD Projekt, then it was CD Projekt RED behind the port AND behind the new Witcher game.

Where are you getting that from? Doesn't say on the Steam page, and Saints Row 2's page only lists CD Projekt.

Anyway, they've built their own engine specifically for the PC, and its their own game. I don't think some outsourced port on a console engine is exactly going to be indicative of their abilities.

The Witcher didn't use their engine either.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

You're making something out of nothing. Its not turn-based, I imagine that's why they didn't decide to use hotkeys.

Well technically, since you're basically pausing the game whenever you attempt to switch an ability it is turn based. Then again, The Witcher never was turn based so this argument falls apart. Still, I've got 50 buttons on my keyboard. LET ME USE THEM.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Looks cool. Can't wait for it.

 

[The Madman]

If you've been following the game, it's been known for a long while that the developers are intent on creating a more actiony game-flow. It was one of their driving goals for The Witcher 2 when they announced it. And although it looks different, the skill tree displayed in those videos is if anything bigger and more complex than those of the first game.

Thing is The Witcher has always been more of an action game in terms of combat. They're not changing anything, simply streamlining it. And that's often a good thing! It's not like Dragon Age 2 where the original game was attempting to be a tactical isometric experience and the second changed it to a more action oriented experience.

 

[Zaik]

That looked like it might possibly be somewhat better than the first one.

Pong was better than the first one though, so that isn't saying anything.

 

[Hiphophippo]

Something tells me that anyone who would complain about the combat being dumbed down in The Witcher 2 hasn't played The Witcher 1.

I think it's called logic.

 

[Jeffrey Rodriguez]

Did you ever even play The Witcher? it has never included any real tactical gameplay. So no it isn't being dumed down. Man, gamers are the whiniest and most self-entitled bunch.

 

[Irridium]

You're making something out of nothing. Its not turn-based, I imagine that's why they didn't decide to use hotkeys.

Well technically, since you're basically pausing the game whenever you attempt to switch an ability it is turn based. Then again, The Witcher never was turn based so this argument falls apart. Still, I've got 50 buttons on my keyboard. LET ME USE THEM.

I haven't seen games in any genre(except space sims, or sims in general) that have made use of all the buttons. And not many games even need to use all the buttons, because they just don't need them. Wouldn't make sense for the game or the gameplay, other than to add needless complexity.

 

[lucky_sharm]

You're making something out of nothing. Its not turn-based, I imagine that's why they didn't decide to use hotkeys.

Well technically, since you're basically pausing the game whenever you attempt to switch an ability it is turn based. Then again, The Witcher never was turn based so this argument falls apart. Still, I've got 50 buttons on my keyboard. LET ME USE THEM.

In other words...make the game as user-unfriendly and inaccessible as possible? Great idea! In fact, why don't you become a game designer? Hell, why not make your own studio? Because you obviously know better than the developers do! Who could deny that?

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

You're making something out of nothing. Its not turn-based, I imagine that's why they didn't decide to use hotkeys.

Well technically, since you're basically pausing the game whenever you attempt to switch an ability it is turn based. Then again, The Witcher never was turn based so this argument falls apart. Still, I've got 50 buttons on my keyboard. LET ME USE THEM.

I haven't seen games in any genre(except space sims, or sims in general) that have made use of all the buttons. And not many games even need to use all the buttons, because they just don't need them. Wouldn't make sense for the game or the gameplay, other than to add needless complexity.

maybe polish players like complexity ?

 

[AndyFromMonday]

You're making something out of nothing. Its not turn-based, I imagine that's why they didn't decide to use hotkeys.

Well technically, since you're basically pausing the game whenever you attempt to switch an ability it is turn based. Then again, The Witcher never was turn based so this argument falls apart. Still, I've got 50 buttons on my keyboard. LET ME USE THEM.

I haven't seen games in any genre(except space sims, or sims in general) that have made use of all the buttons. And not many games even need to use all the buttons, because they just don't need them. Wouldn't make sense for the game or the gameplay, other than to add needless complexity.

You're making something out of nothing. Its not turn-based, I imagine that's why they didn't decide to use hotkeys.

Well technically, since you're basically pausing the game whenever you attempt to switch an ability it is turn based. Then again, The Witcher never was turn based so this argument falls apart. Still, I've got 50 buttons on my keyboard. LET ME USE THEM.

In other words...make the game as user-unfriendly and inaccessible as possible? Great idea! In fact, why don't you become a game designer? Hell, why not make your own studio? Because you obviously know better than the developers do! Who could deny that?

If you consider the ability to map spellsto buttons then you're either really stupid or suffer from a severe case of consolitis. How the HELL could this make the game more complex? I mean for fucks sake if in todays day and age letting me map abilities is considered "complex" then how fucking long until skill trees are considered "complex" as well? I mean what the hell? How can you even say that?