The Witcher 2 is a game that I had been considering playing for a while, after hearing about the good reviews the PC version received, and thanks to the guys over at XCN we’ve been able to get a copy of the game to review, and what a great game it is. It comes from CD Project Red and is a RPG that was originally released on PC. The Xbox 360 version comes with all the DLC that was released for the PC.
You play as Geralt of Rivia. A Witcher (there is a video in the extras to explain what a Witcher is if you aren’t familiar) who is protecting King Foltest of Temeria against the La Vallette forces. Things quickly turn sour and after events in the Prologue you set out to clear your name of a crime you didn’t commit.
This is a game that doesn’t hold your hand. You are expected to jump straight in and learn quickly (there is a tutorial level that I highly recommend going through), and there is a lot to learn. The combat system, while seemingly simple with the sword (of which there are two) can be expanded to be as tactical as you wish. You can use ‘Signs’ (magic), traps, bombs, throwing knives, oil to enhance your sword, mixed in with defensive tactics, can make each fight different to the next, and different tactics are required to tackle different enemies, especially on the harder difficulties. You also need to learn about the abilities tree, meditation, crafting potions, drinking said potions (also useful for fighting) and much more.
I’m new to the Witcher games having not played the original on PC, and for the Prologue I was going through the motions, trying to get to grips with everything the game had to offer. The story didn’t immediately grab me, but soon into Chapter 1 I was hooked. Here, we have a game where your decisions have genuine consequences. I found that even decisions I made in side missions (one I wouldn’t have found had I not had a little wander in a different direction than the one I was heading) had an effect on the main story. I found a character that I had previously helped popped up, remembered who I was, and repaid the favour. This isn’t a Mass Effect style good and evil decision scenario either. It is down to you to make the decision, with no hints as to what the outcome will be. So think careful because once it’s been made, you need to live with the outcome. Some decisions need to be made quickly due to a timer ticking down in the corner of the screen. I even struggled to make some decisions, sitting for a while weighing up what each decision could potentially lead to. This is a breath of fresh air to me, and a break from the norm of aiming to be the good guy or the bad guy. And the interweaving missions and ripple effects of your decisions throughout the game are brilliant. You are also able to control other characters and different points during the game to see another side of a story, where the decision making process is ever present.
The Witcher 2 needs to be applauded for its ability to draw the player into its believable world (despite the mythical creatures). It does this with the well presented world design, and the sounds implemented throughout. Walking through a forest hearing each bird and creature making noises while walking along a trickling stream made feel I was there. The voice acting is and brilliant from start to finish. This made for great chemistry between groups of characters, and the camaraderie and joking made everything feel genuine, and you feel a connecting with the NPC’s. There is also a wide range of different enemies, from normal battles to bigger boss style fights. It is also a nice game to look at with strong graphics, despite some hiccups here and there such as Geralt’s hair seemingly disappearing into his back.
The levelling system and ability tree allows you to specialise in one of three paths (Alchemy – for potions, bombs etc, Magic – your ‘signs’ and Swordmanship) or you can become a Jack of all trades by sharing out your points across the tree. I like the way the Journal lists out the quests. It’s written like a story from someone else’s perspective on Geralt’s life, and is constantly updating with the progress you make in the quest and are even updated when quests aren’t complete.
As with most RPG’s you can collect items of fallen enemies (some not all) and search through the environment for things to pick up. A lot of the items are based around creating potions and oils and crafting items. There are still things like armour and weapons to pick up, but it seems to push you in the direction of making your own things. This allows you to buy and pick up different formulas and diagrams’s for armour, weapons and bombs of your liking and create them yourself. You are able to use your gold (called Orens) to purchase items in the game. You can increase your Orens by selling items or by completing different quests (there are bounty boards to be found in towns for higher rewards).
Some armours and weapons can be upgraded, if they have upgrade slots. And while this is a good feature, there is no explanation on how to use the upgrades, and I had to sit through a lot of messages telling me things couldn’t be upgraded but I didn’t know why. I finally figured out that the item must have upgrade slot (not all items do, some have multiple) and it needs to be empty. This is shown by a very small circle which will either be solid white (already updgraded) or hollow (empty slot). Once a weapon is upgraded it cannot be undone.
Along with the main quests there are some mini games along the way, that turn into their own little quests. You have fist fighting, arm wrestling, a dice poker. Each of which play differently and Orens can be bet on each one to increase your funds. By turning the mini games into their own quests, it gives them more of a purpose to be played.
I have very much enjoyed The Witcher 2, and it is currently up there with one of my games of the year so far. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions, which is brilliant throughout, and while the game has a serious tone I found myself laughing out loud at some of the joking between characters ( a Dwarf shouting “A Troll fuck you up the arse” to the enemy was a particular highlight). It really shows the strength of the story and acting for a game to be able to put its players through this wide range of emotion. And while there are some small issues along the way, these in no way get in the way of the enjoyment.
If you are an RPG fan, who enjoys a story driven experience I have to encourage you to play this game. And because of the nature of the decision making process, there is a huge scope for replayability as each playthrough can result in different outcomes, and with one playthrough taking 20-30 hours there is plenty of bang for your buck. 9/10
P.S. Pay attention to the 18 age rating on the front of the pack. It’s a very adult game, from the language used throughout to the sex scenes which leave nothing to the imagination.