Witcher 3 Impressions!!!!!

[BigPapi]

Anybody else psyched for this one? Looking forward to this for a while. Really loved Skyrim and been looking for something similar ever since.

Pre-downloaded on PS4 and it opened up at 7 pm EST. Going to give it a go later tonight after the little ones are in bed!

[NobodyHere]

I got a free copy with the video card I recently bought and I'm excited about the high reviews.

I've never played the other Witcher games though(even though I bought the second one on a steam sale). Are they necessary to play?

[chinaski]

Really want this, but cannot afford it at all, gah!

[frnk55]

I hated the combat in 2 so I'm not so sure.

[Eaglesfan27]

I am still finishing up 2 because I wasn't a huge fan of the combat system, but I am looking forward to playing 3 once I finish 2.

[chinaski]

ah screw it, I caved. :)

[hollmt]

ah screw it, I caved. :)

97 minutes. Well done, sir!

[Vince, Pt. II]

Two was amazing, probably in my top 25 video games of all time. I'd highly recommend at least it before getting into three. It's probably not going to be necessary, but you'll have a lot of backstory to figure out.

[RainMaker]

Are you guys all getting the digital download? Is there some downside to getting the actual disk?

[Peregrine]

I just finished playing through Witcher 2 (got it free on a GOG thing a while back) and I really enjoyed it. The combat system is not my favorite but I really liked the characters and the story, and face it, Geralt is such a badass it's just fun to play. Going to start playing 3 today!

[Peregrine]

Okay first impression - met my first game-stopping bug in the initial combat tutorial - not a good sign.

Managed to get around it after a few tries - man this game does look good on high settings.

[Peregrine]

Like the game but one annoying thing - is there some button I can use to just leave a menu and return to the game? Escape seems to back out of the menus one by one - so you have to hit it three or four times to return to game - this is starting to annoy me more and more. Guess I will have to get used to manually clicking on the close (X) button.

[BigPapi]

Spent about 6-8 hours so far.....Man do I suck. I thought I was pretty familiar with the third person RPG format from playing Shadows of Mordor- but this isn't as much of a button masher as Mordor- you really have to implement dodge and parrying well to succeed -at least early on.

Despite that, really enjoying the game; I'm going to have to get a bigger TV though, I am having the darndest time reading item descriptions....really any written descriptions due to the small fonts....

[Peregrine]

Definitely loving the game so far - they really improved a lot of the systems from W2 in terms of combat, character development, etc. Also I love the more exploration oriented open world.

[RainMaker]

Is anyone playing this on a console?

[Galaril]

So based on an hour of gameplay posted as part of the gamespy review that was a post launch review this looks like the game I have been waiting to come out on the PS4. I will try to hold off for a week or two to see if they are any deals online etc but also might cave on this one quick.

[BigPapi]

So based on an hour of gameplay posted as part of the gamespy review that was a post launch review this looks like the game I have been waiting to come out on the PS4. I will try to hold off for a week or two to see if they are any deals online etc but also might cave on this one quick.

PS4 here too- and, yeah- this is good stuff. Played for about 3 more hours last night- slowly getting the hang of things and finished off The Witch by the Well- or whatever her name was. Had to come back though, as I originally just couldn't stay out of her way at first. I'm doing a lot better at utilizing the Signs.....Anybody else noticing they are doing alot less "fighting" than usual for this sort of game. Not complaining -the stories and side quests are so rich. Heck, I reckon I've spent more time sleuthing so far than battling monsters. This experience seems much more balanced than Skyrim even was.

Couple of tips for PS4 users if you didn't already know:

1. Holding down on the touch pad takes you directly to your inventory.

2. Gently sliding up on the touch pad (not pressing) takes you directly to the map. Still takes two steps to get out as far as I can tell- but this is still much better.

[Galaril]

I just picked it up for the PS4 at Target and it is a great deal game is full price but you get the massive 460 page strategy guide so that is awesome.

[frnk55]

Does the combat require hitting 10 buttons this way and that? I'm a keyboard guy not a game pad dude. I like easy combat like the first one.

[Peregrine]

If you set the difficulty to low the combat is not too bad. Also if you focus your witcher on combat I assume it would make it easier. One major difference between 2 and 3 is they give you a lot of specialized paths in how you focus your witcher. You can be very good at a few things but because you only have a certain number of abilities you can use at any time, you can't really be good at everything.

[Galaril]

So just played through the opening and am working on the first quest and man this is a really great world they have put together. Beautiful environments , sunrise and dusk shadows is amazing. Populated areas feel very organic and alive. Story and quests and dialogues are all real great so far. I would say if you like games like Skyrim and Dragon Age as this looks like it blows them away.

[RainMaker]

Is the strategy guide a must?

[Peregrine]

I'd say not really - the tutorials are pretty extensive (and saved if you forget something) plus you can look it up on the internet.

[Galaril]

Is the strategy guide a must?

No not at all but since everywhere is going to be selling this thing at $55-60 for a while it is. Great bonus to get the $25 strategy guide for free. It is a great guide and is one of the better ones I have seen well worth going to target to buy it. Plus, it was nice not dealing the smug tools at GameStop 😉

[thesloppy]

Plus, it was nice not dealing the smug tools at GameStop 😉

The required ten-minute, end-of-transaction hard sell requires a sociopathic lack of empathy that results in an amazingly consistent national workforce of 90% douchebags, and ~10% conscientious part-timers who struggle, sweat and apologize through the entire thing, making it even worse.

[BYU 14]

Only played a few hours, but this game is amazing in terms of the environment and characters. Some people are not crazy about the combat, but no issues for me at this point. Definitely game of the year IMO.

[Atocep]

The bloody baron questline is as interesting as any quests I've done in a RPG.

I had to roll back to the 347 nvidia drivers to keep from crashing, but 15-20 hours in the game is about as close to perfect for me as a game can get. I love the fact that there aren't obvious good and evil choices for each quest. Sometimes you do good things, sometimes you mean to do good and things don't go as you thought, and sometimes you're just an asshole.

[BYU 14]

Just got out of the first area after 6+ hours and think I found and did everything, with the exception of one area that is too high for level 4, so I will try and go back if I can.

A game I could literally sit and play for hours straight

[Neon_Chaos]

I think I was channeling Geralt while talking to a co-worker this morning.

"Mmmm. Coffee's hot."

"Busy day. Looking forward to the slog."

"All out of donuts. I'll take that loss."

[BYU 14]

It's bad enough the game is so fun, but having it's own version of Magic the Gathering makes it almost impossible to get any quests done once you start playing.

Got to Velen and basically wasted an hour and a half just playing Gwent and trying to find cards to improve my deck. :mad:

[dubb93]

It's bad enough the game is so fun, but having it's own version of Magic the Gathering makes it almost impossible to get any quests done once you start playing.

Got to Velen and basically wasted an hour and a half just playing Gwent and trying to find cards to improve my deck. :mad:

I literally can't get anything accomplished due to the amount of "?" all over the map. I MUST WIPE THEM ALL AWAY FROM MY MAP!

[Peregrine]

I love clearing the question marks but it's annoying sometimes when one will be easy and another close by will be very hard. Guess it could depend on the character build though - with my Axii build the bandit camps get easier and easier.

[Peregrine]

The bloody baron questline is as interesting as any quests I've done in a RPG.


Not even all the way through it and it's amazing - all kinds of twists and turns.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Roommate fired this up last night and he can run it on Ultra settings. The game is absolutely breathtaking. Stunning visuals, lighting, wind effects.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The child picked this up tonight (XB1 version).

I like the voice acting thus far, my biggest gripe might be that the controls feel a bit, as he put it, "floaty". A bit too sensitive / responsive, especially when moving. Almost like the character is skating ... or something like that.

[Peregrine]

My biggest pet peeve is I want to be able to loot stuff from any angle, not just directly facing the target, and also from farther away.

[lighthousekeeper]

Two was amazing, probably in my top 25 video games of all time. I'd highly recommend at least it before getting into three. It's probably not going to be necessary, but you'll have a lot of backstory to figure out.

Witcher 2 is on sale at gog.com right now for $2.99

[JonInMiddleGA]

XBOne version question:

Pockets? How the heck do you use what you put in those slots?
Or is there even an actual purpose for pockets?

[Peregrine]

I'm not sure how to do it for the Xbox - but on PC there's a radial menu where you can select the pocket items and which one you want to actively use.

Per some thread I read it said to press L1 - if that helps. No idea.

[Neon_Chaos]

Holy shit. The Bloody Baron questline is fucking awesome. I dont think I've felt these range of emotions in a game before.

[EagleFan]

Is this worth trying for someone that couldn't get into 2?

[BYU 14]

Is this worth trying for someone that couldn't get into 2?

I didn't play 1 or 2 because neither really appealed to me, but this is one of the best RPG's I have ever played, right up there with any of the fall outs and Baldur's Gate II

[dubb93]

Is this worth trying for someone that couldn't get into 2?

Depends on why you couldn't get into the 2nd one. My first answer would be no, unless you felt the story got in the way of the 2nd one. This one definitely has many more side quests and the like. Combat is similar enough that if the problem was combat then I would say don't waste your coin. If the problem with #2 was too much story and not enough being able to go where you want then yea, this one fixes that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I didn't play 1 or 2 because neither really appealed to me, but this is one of the best RPG's I have ever played, right up there with any of the fall outs and Baldur's Gate II

I wouldn't quite put it with Fallout but it definitely has an enormous Elder Scrolls vibe to me. A slicker, cleaner, better written & better voice acted ES. A considerably smarter ES if you will.

take fwiw from a Witcher first-timer of course

[EagleFan]

Depends on why you couldn't get into the 2nd one. My first answer would be no, unless you felt the story got in the way of the 2nd one. This one definitely has many more side quests and the like. Combat is similar enough that if the problem was combat then I would say don't waste your coin. If the problem with #2 was too much story and not enough being able to go where you want then yea, this one fixes that.

Thank you. Good answer as it was a little bit of 1 and 2. Hated the combat and didn't like that it felt like I was playing on a rail.

[dubb93]

Just throwing this out there since it's an issue I seem to have ran into. Pick your difficulty carefully. After 30 hours on Blood and Broken Bones I found it too easy so I swapped it up to Death March. Which is fine, but once I beat the game I won't get the achievement for Death March since I didn't start out on that difficulty. If you care about achievements at all make sure you choose carefully at the start.

[frnk55]

I caved in. Now waiting for the small install of 23 gb. ;)

[Galaril]

So patch 1.04 did come out and people are reporting
on ps4 at least they think the graphics took a downgrade with NPCs being taken out of larger cities and the draw distance vastly reduced. If that is true that is a bummer. For me the big issue I am having is I am really struggling to play this game on my PS4 from my couch. Can't read lots of the text, can't see what it is that I have looted and can't see map detail clearly enough. All of this needs to be much bigger! The devotees said they would have that patched but that was two patches ago so not sure what is the big deal to do that.
Still a great game.

[Galaril]

I wouldn't quite put it with Fallout but it definitely has an enormous Elder Scrolls vibe to me. A slicker, cleaner, better written & better voice acted ES. A considerably smarter ES if you will.

take fwiw from a Witcher first-timer of course


Funny for me I am enjoying more than Fallouts games since I found them all to be too depressing to play. That probably makes sense with FOs theme but was too much for me.

[dubb93]

So patch 1.04 did come out and people are reporting
on ps4 at least they think the graphics took a downgrade with NPCs being taken out of larger cities and the draw distance vastly reduced. If that is true that is a bummer. For me the big issue I am having is I am really struggling to play this game on my PS4 from my couch. Can't read lots of the text, can't see what it is that I have looted and can't see map detail clearly enough. All of this needs to be much bigger! The devotees said they would have that patched but that was two patches ago so not sure what is the big deal to do that.
Still a great game.

One of the major focuses of the patch was frame-rate on PS4. I know there were complaints that it was hitting sub 20 in certain sections with the city of Novigrad being a common complaint. I think they just did what they should have done from the release with graphics quality there.

If you want to talk about serious issues with this game the way they handled the XP bug (the main quests were bugged with 1.04 on PC where they wouldn't give XP at the end as well as a huge amount of them being marked in the data as being a different level than they really were so you would complete quests in your level range and get 0 XP) was a joke (announcing a hot fix would hit on Monday, then on Monday announcing that with the big patch coming on "Tuesday, Wednesday at the very latest" it would be included with that, failing to hit that deadline then going on holiday on Thursday all the while their mods were handing out bans and editing posts for people calling them on it.)

I don't think fixing the PS4 frame rate really qualifies.

[Peregrine]

One thing I've been noticing more and more is how well designed Novigrad is - just a beautifully put together fantasy town. I love just wandering around and exploring even if I'm not on a quest.

[MizzouRah]

I'll pick this one up when I take a week of vacation. I need to go "all in" on this one. :)

[BigPapi]

So patch 1.04 did come out and people are reporting
on ps4 at least they think the graphics took a downgrade with NPCs being taken out of larger cities and the draw distance vastly reduced. If that is true that is a bummer. For me the big issue I am having is I am really struggling to play this game on my PS4 from my couch. Can't read lots of the text, can't see what it is that I have looted and can't see map detail clearly enough. All of this needs to be much bigger! The devotees said they would have that patched but that was two patches ago so not sure what is the big deal to do that.
Still a great game.

Regarding the text sizes- they are much better in all menus after the patch- I can actually read them from my couch now- but I wish they had made them even bigger.

Regarding graphics quality and NPC's- I haven't noticed any differences- but I just made it into Novigrad for the first time after 60 hours of gaming doing sidequests and the like- so perhaps I'm not a good one to comment.

The game really does just keep getting better and better the more I play. I literally just walked around Novigrad watching people and soaking in the atmosphere for my first 15 minutes in the city.

[BYU 14]

Regarding the text sizes- they are much better in all menus after the patch- I can actually read them from my couch now- but I wish they had made them even bigger.

Regarding graphics quality and NPC's- I haven't noticed any differences- but I just made it into Novigrad for the first time after 60 hours of gaming doing sidequests and the like- so perhaps I'm not a good one to comment.

The game really does just keep getting better and better the more I play. I literally just walked around Novigrad watching people and soaking in the atmosphere for my first 15 minutes in the city.

Really tempted to go their "early" but there is so much to do in Vellen still. Love the how even the smallest side quests like funeral pyres have little twists to them.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

$42 with free shipping.

http://slickdeals.net/f/7904521-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-ps4-xbox-one-41-99-free-shipping-target-now-live

[BigPapi]

Really tempted to go their "early" but there is so much to do in Vellen still. Love the how even the smallest side quests like funeral pyres have little twists to them.

Tell me about it. I have dozens of items left untouched in Velen as well; I finally jumped back into the main quest when almost all of my secondary quests and Witcher contracts had recommended levels of 20+ (Except Jenny 'o the Woods- and that $%#@ kept killing me over and over even though it's supposed to be a Level 10 quest. I tried it at Level 10 and gave up after an hour. Finally went back last night at Level 12 with seriously upgraded Silver Sword, bombs and Armor and finished her off...Whew). I'm on level 13 at the moment....Really only now getting the hang of fighting with a strategy.

For those who have heard it's just a button masher- it certainly feels that way at first- but I was rushing into battle way too hastily. Picking your spots- dodging and falling back, using Signs- are all effective applied strategically; especially against multiple foes.

[Peregrine]

(Except Jenny 'o the Woods- and that $%#@ kept killing me over and over even though it's supposed to be a Level 10 quest. I tried it at Level 10 and gave up after an hour. Finally went back last night at Level 12 with seriously upgraded Silver Sword, bombs and Armor and finished her off...Whew). I'm on level 13 at the moment....Really only now getting the hang of fighting with a strategy.



I had the exact same problems with her - in fact she beat me up really bad around level 13 ( didn't have Moon Dust or a good silver sword though) and finally came back at my current level, 17 and got my revenge. Tons of question marks left in Velen and I'm knocking them out when I can though the levels are often below me.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think one of the things that makes this more compelling is that it's obvious (at least so far) how much went into trying to create above-average diversity in the lines & one-liners given to the player. There's plenty of humor but so far it's avoided being too much, and there seems to be a LOT more dialogue with variety instead of hearing the same few responses over & over.

Makes the character(s) feel more ... human.

[MizzouRah]

I have a couple day off next week plus a GS gift card, so I'm picking this up tonight. Batman Arkham City comes out in two weeks too.

Guess I'll wait for that one to go on sale. :)

[MizzouRah]

I just had to install it and played about two hours. :)

It is a beautiful game.. and although I've died a few times already (need to learn to pass up certain battles) I like the combat. I also need to brush up on my defensive tactics because at first I just tried to button mash.

It's been a good balance of story/action. Hopefully I see this one through.

Like Jon said, dialogue is great. The characters really relay their emotions too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I also need to brush up on my defensive tactics because at first I just tried to button mash.

Stop, drop and roll brother, that's the way of the Witcher ;)

[jeff061]

While I wish the control was a little less clunky and more fluid, I do like it a lot. Definitely not a button masher, different enemies with different weapons call for different tactics. Parrying, rolling, sidestep, quick or fast attack, etc.

Figuring what works on a per enemy basis and adapting makes fights that were impossible relatively easy. Button mashing is not going to get you anywhere.

Combat aside, it really is a great game. Though I still vastly prefer a first person game(Fallout and Elder Scrolls) over third person.

[MizzouRah]

Stop, drop and roll brother, that's the way of the Witcher ;)

Indeed.. :)

[Peregrine]

What kind of abilities is everyone choosing? So far I'm going with kind of a mix - got 3 sign ones, mostly axii, three combat ones (mix of offense and defense, though the difficulty of finding red mutagens is annoying) and three greens - potion/oils. I underestimated the green ones at first but you can really extend your potion durations with them.

[whomario]

In case anyone is wary of the full price (which i am right now for purely budgetary reasons): Witcher 1 and Witcher 2 can both be had for next to nothing on steam right now. I have recently finished the first game and now bought the 2nd. Guess at this rate i´ll join in on the 3rd next summer ;)

[BYU 14]

What kind of abilities is everyone choosing? So far I'm going with kind of a mix - got 3 sign ones, mostly axii, three combat ones (mix of offense and defense, though the difficulty of finding red mutagens is annoying) and three greens - potion/oils. I underestimated the green ones at first but you can really extend your potion durations with them.

I am pumping up my quickness and Quen signs, not really sure on a third focus. Using this combo now to get in quick, get off a couple of shots, then after I take a hit, if the Quen sign staggers the opponent I get in two more quick strikes, then roll out to reset. If not, I get in one and roll out.

[Neon_Chaos]

While I wish the control was a little less clunky and more fluid, I do like it a lot. Definitely not a button masher, different enemies with different weapons call for different tactics. Parrying, rolling, sidestep, quick or fast attack, etc.

Figuring what works on a per enemy basis and adapting makes fights that were impossible relatively easy. Button mashing is not going to get you anywhere.

Combat aside, it really is a great game. Though I still vastly prefer a first person game(Fallout and Elder Scrolls) over third person.

I find that perpetually holding down the block button and dodging every now and then works for me.

Rolling I only perform against huge beasts.

[jeff061]

Some monsters and weapons can blow through or stun you on a block though. So need to pick and choose.

[Peregrine]

I rarely use the dodge - not sure why, guess I am used to rolling a lot in W2. So I use parry and roll.

[Neon_Chaos]

Some monsters and weapons can blow through or stun you on a block though. So need to pick and choose.

That's why you keep dodging. The blocking stance is just in case one attack gets through.

Well, that's just my style.

[JonInMiddleGA]

K, midway (I think) through Baron storyline and, uh, the monster difficulty sure felt like it ramped up. 2-3 deaths per diff monster type to figure them out & I've managed to progress but ... well this is kinda starting to feel like one of those games where I'll eventually just have to say screw it, I'm not a good enough button masher to continue.

The story quality is awfully good, just increasingly getting the bad feeling that I'm going to end up hitting a wall (possibly sooner than later) :/

[Peregrine]

Are you using a lot of signs? To me that's really like half the combat system - I use Quen but try to avoid using it exclusively - I use Igni a lot against monsters and of course Axii can be brutal against humans or humanoid monsters.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Are you using a lot of signs? To me that's really like half the combat system - I use Quen but try to avoid using it exclusively - I use Igni a lot against monsters and of course Axii can be brutal against humans or humanoid monsters.

Fire mostly, I'm getting better with using the others. Quen just feels so underpowered / useless that I have used it far less than any.

I get the whole "different combat styles vs diff opponents" thing, this just feels like the jump up in difficulty was really sharp. Then again, I felt like the jump in combat difficulty (and frequency/opportunity for combat) was almost excessive between the first "zone" and the second.

Hard game is hard.

[dubb93]

Fire mostly, I'm getting better with using the others. Quen just feels so underpowered / useless that I have used it far less than any.

I get the whole "different combat styles vs diff opponents" thing, this just feels like the jump up in difficulty was really sharp. Then again, I felt like the jump in combat difficulty (and frequency/opportunity for combat) was almost excessive between the first "zone" and the second.

Hard game is hard.

I'm playing on death march with a build into red ablities. Concentrating on power attacks and defense.

My single best advice would be to have Quen up AT ALL TIMES. It really is the most important thing you can do. It will completely mitigate an entire attack. When 2 or 3 hits kills you having Quen up is a complete life saver. It's actually possible if you go into the bear school and are in full heavy armor that Quen will absorb 2 or 3 attacks per charge. Think about that. When it gets knocked down concentrate on stalling until it can be put up again and then you can start taking risks.

This also means that if you are sitting on a new charge of Quen you can take risks knowing that when you get hit you can put up a new one immediately. In this instance you can just chain strong attacks until you get hit and put out quite a bit of damage.

Other than that have block up at all times, even while you are dodging. This is more free hits. You will block almost all incoming non power attacks, so even if you move too slow you take no damage and then still have a full charge of Quen up on top of that.

My other advice would be learn how to counter. Only attempt to counter with a full quen on you, but when you counter you can talent into a huge +damage increase. My current build gives me +100% damage done on counters. It can be really stong, especially if the counter is a strong attack (buffed by talents) that crits (i'm into crit too).

The ability where you take zero damage if you are hit while dodging seems strong too. It means you really have to screw up to lose your Quen.

Also remember when you are building yourself that on your character screen you can place mutagens and then make that ability progressively stronger with abilities of that color. For instance I have red mutagens that do +7% attack power and you can multiply that 3 times if you are into three red abilities. You can actually do that up to 4 times as you level up and get a massive attack increase of over 100%. It works the same way for the other talent trees as well.

[dubb93]

Another heads up. Witcher potions are intended to be used OFTEN. You should make sure you are crafting them and meditating to restock them all the time. You will not run out of alcohol. It may feel that way early. Remember that nearly every barrel has alcohol in it. You will hit a point where you have 200+ bottles of alcohol in your inventory and you have to sell them. Check every shop keeper for new potion recipes. Unless you hit 100% toxicity (you won't) you won't get negative effects. Craft potions, go out of you way to find new recipes, and use them every fight.

I know you haven't played Witcher games in the past and this one does a worse job than the other two of explaining their purpose. Use them every fight that you can't just walk in and slaughter something without much effort. Use multiple potions on harder fights. There is no reason why you couldn't / shouldn't pop 5 potions on a boss fight.

These potions make you SIGNIFICANTLY stronger and they also heal you. On death march they are the only way you can heal. The previous games do a good job of explaining that a Witcher would never go into a fight without first preparing. Preparing has two stages. The first would be looking up a monsters strengths and weaknesses in your bestiary, and the second would be making sure you have and then using your potions.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Another heads up. Witcher potions are intended to be used OFTEN.

This is an adjustment that I'm starting to make. Discovered the critical nature of potions when I met my first Golem.

It's also a real adjustment mentally for me to realize that it (apparently) isn't out of bounds to have to stop & meditate at times during something with multiple encounters. I mean like "follow so & so to Point X" kind of situations, where you're meditating literally mid-task (just in between combat sequences)


The first would be looking up a monsters strengths and weaknesses in your bestiary

This is actually part of my issue where I am right now.

I'm on a bit of a run of hitting Monster Type X for the first time repeatedly so my ass is getting kicked like an newly minted apprentice Witcher 'cause I don't know wth I'm up against until AFTER I've been destroyed by it multiple times & finally trial-and-error my way into getting past it. The next time I run into some whatthehellwasthatthing I should be better prepared ... but first impressions are a mutha right now. ( I think 3 of my last 4 fights have been against stuff I've never seen or heard of so no entry in the bestiary until after the battle)

Thanks for the insights, 'preciate 'em.

[Peregrine]

Okay so I've played about 70 hours and I'm not out of Act 1 yet. What a game!

[Shepp]

I'm on a bit of a run of hitting Monster Type X for the first time repeatedly so my ass is getting kicked like an newly minted apprentice Witcher 'cause I don't know wth I'm up against until AFTER I've been destroyed by it multiple times & finally trial-and-error my way into getting past it. The next time I run into some whatthehellwasthatthing I should be better prepared ... but first impressions are a mutha right now. ( I think 3 of my last 4 fights have been against stuff I've never seen or heard of so no entry in the bestiary until after the battle)

There are books that have info on monsters so they will be in your bestiary before you encounter them the first time.

[JonInMiddleGA]

There are books that have info on monsters so they will be in your bestiary before you encounter them the first time.

Yeah, but I seem to have a knack for not finding many of them (and I shop EVERYWHERE).

[jeff061]

It really is a great game, the more I play it the more I'm impressed, it's a real accomplishment. Writing may be the best in any game I've played, combat is engaging and fun(at least on 3rd difficulty). I found the combat very difficult when I started, now that I have a feel for the intricacies I flow through most battles without frustration. Frustrating fights only seem to happen when I choose to do a quest several levels above my character.

One of the few games that feel like a bargain at $60.

[Peregrine]

The new patch 1.10 that came out today has a lot of changes - my favorite is they finally gave us two new potion/consumable slots for a total of 4.

[bhlloy]

I played through the witcher 1 and thought it was fine, really didn't like 2 and didn't finish it but holy crap 3 is a great game. As someone mentioned above not out of act 1 and have put some serious time in. Really glad I gave this one a chance.

[bhlloy]

Just finished this monster of a game off, not sure if it's the best game I've ever played but it's pretty damn close. And again, I didn't really like 2 all that much.

[Ramzavail]

I have Witcher 3 on gog.com for sale or trade on steam. I don't want much for it and I'll practically eat the $30 I spent on it. PM me if interested.

[Edward64]

Decided to take some time off from Fallout (it was getting repetitive) and played some Witcher 3 (bought during Christmas sale).

At level 3 and about to visit the Bloody Baron (looking forward to it from the earlier comments).


I am button mashing in combat and will have to learn to roll/dodge. The action is pretty fast, is there a "replay-in-slow-motion" button somewhere?
Have to start checking out the potions (been eating dog meat in combat)
The interaction with NPC's and cut scenes are really good. There's alot of cut scenes early on, does this continue?
The scenery is pretty good, I think more varied and realistic than Skyrim

The 3rd person frustrating to me, especially in combat. I could not find a way to change default settings (not to first person, but somehow to make 3rd person less disorienting), any suggestions?

Oh, pre-ordered XCom 2 today so want to get some Fallout and Witcher time in before taht.

[Peregrine]

Level 3 and the bloody baron, wow! Think I am usually much later when I talk to him but guess it might work.

As far as slow motion - there are some potions later on that kind of help this but really it's just a matter of getting used to it - which you do with practice.

Potions are key - the healing potion swallow is a mainstay but there are also a lot of other good ones. Remember that you will restore all your potions back to their full amount when you meditate as long as you have some strong liquor, which you usually will.

Tons of cut scenes, tons of excellent interactions with NPCs - really a strong part of the game.

[TroyF]

it's unbelievable when you compare Fallout 4 to Witcher 3.

I've had a ton of fun with Fallout 4 and still have more to go with it, but most of it is related to the Fallout lore and the history of the universe. I'm not saying it's a bad game because I have enjoyed a lot of it.

But when I think of the quests in Witcher 3? Holy hell, the games aren't even close. Witcher was a masterpiece on just about every level. I still haven't finished Witcher 3 and I can think of 10 quests that were more powerful and enjoyable than Fallout.

[Peregrine]

Have to agree Troy - I love FO4 and have played a ton of it but have to agree that Witcher 3 is a better game across the board - just a masterpiece. I think pretty soon I will go back to my second W3 playthrough that was interrupted by some other stuff.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just echoing (and I may have said this previously in one thread or another). W3 is a better game, yet I'm on playthrough #2 of F4 while having left W3 months back because F4 is simply more entertaining to me.

[Ironhead]

Just coming close (I think?) to finishing up my first play through. Top 5 game for me that I have played.

[jeff061]

I'm waiting for a decent sale on the DLC and I'll be jumping back in.

Absolutely can not wait for Cyberpunk 2077. Too many fantasy games, love any game with a new setting.

[jeff061]

Decided to take some time off from Fallout (it was getting repetitive) and played some Witcher 3 (bought during Christmas sale).

At level 3 and about to visit the Bloody Baron (looking forward to it from the earlier comments).
I am button mashing in combat and will have to learn to roll/dodge. The action is pretty fast, is there a "replay-in-slow-motion" button somewhere?
Have to start checking out the potions (been eating dog meat in combat)
The interaction with NPC's and cut scenes are really good. There's alot of cut scenes early on, does this continue?
The scenery is pretty good, I think more varied and realistic than SkyrimThe 3rd person frustrating to me, especially in combat. I could not find a way to change default settings (not to first person, but somehow to make 3rd person less disorienting), any suggestions?

Oh, pre-ordered XCom 2 today so want to get some Fallout and Witcher time in before taht.

Once you get used to the combat it's fantastic, which is usually the point you stop button mashing and treating it like a brawler. The combat system and the strategy/flow of it was one of my favorite parts of the game. I didn't think highly of it at first either.

[EagleFan]

Picked this up during the holiday sale. Started to get around to playing it during the weekend blizzard. Must say, very pleasantly surprised. Loving it so far, even though I keep stumbling into situations that I am not ready for yet (level 3 and stumble upon a camp for of level 7-9 bandits). Took out a few of them one on one and vowed to come back for the rest once I level up a couple more times.

[TroyF]

While waiting for MLB The Show and playing so much FOF and DDS PB that I was starting to think in spreadsheets, I loaded this back up and have been playing through it.

This is easily the best RPG I have ever played. Fallout 4, Skyrim, Red Dead and GTA all hold special places in my heart. . . but this game just gets me every time. So, so, so good. I never did play the DLC's. I need to get them.

[jeff061]

Blood and Wine is amazing, go buy it yesterday. It stands up as an all timer against other stand alone games.

I was not as impressed with the other DLC. Base game and B+W just set the bar far too high.

[Atocep]

Blood and Wine is amazing, go buy it yesterday. It stands up as an all timer against other stand alone games.

I was not as impressed with the other DLC. Base game and B+W just set the bar far too high.

Blood and wine is incredible and reminded me of the depth and content of Baldur's Gate's expansions and other classics.

[Peregrine]

I also think the other DLC Hearts of Stone is really top notch.

[djsatu]

The only thing I didn't like was before the final chapter in the game, I really wanted the game to be done. I was going crazy with the side quests and really wanted to finish them all, but I just couldn't do it. Otherwise its an amazing experience from start to finish. For 30 bucks its an absolute bargain on PS4.

[Neuqua]

As someone who just recently purchased the PS4 and has put 300+ hours into Skyrim at this point, I'll have to keep an eye out for a deal on this game. Looks like it'll be right up my alley.

[RainMaker]

If you liked Skyrim, you'll love this. Little heavy on story but just an incredible game. You can get the complete version (all the DLC) for like $40 I believe which is an incredible deal.

[TroyF]

As someone who just recently purchased the PS4 and has put 300+ hours into Skyrim at this point, I'll have to keep an eye out for a deal on this game. Looks like it'll be right up my alley.


It is an amazing game on just about every level. Be mindful of your decisions. There is rarely a clearly good/bad decision, just a ton of gray. Your decisions will impact how the story plays out in a number of way, sometimes you may see them play out quickly, other times it may be subtle and you may never find the consequence of the decision. (the game world is huge and you may help someone, forget about them and never find out what happened to them)

Save often and replay missions to see the end results of them with different choices. It's just a ridiculously fun game.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I really do need to try to go back & get into this one again.

[BYU 14]

I really do need to try to go back & get into this one again.

Ditto, I had about 80 hours in and one of my sons accidentally deleted my save. I think I am ready now though :)

[Neuqua]

Funny, today there was a promo from Newegg and I got Witcher 3: Complete edition for less than $30. Thanks guy.

Link for those interested:
https://slickdeals.net/f/9907772-witcher-3-wild-hunt-complete-edition-pc-ps4-xb1-27-ac-horizon-zero-dawn-or-nioh-ps4-45-ac-newegg

[Neuqua]

THE WITCHER TV Series is Coming to Netflix | Nerdist (http://nerdist.com/the-witcher-tv-series-is-coming-to-netflix/)