The Witcher 2
Mind-blowing is a simple word to explain this game, right from the beginning to the very end of the storyline. You will simply be amazed.
Story:This is the second installment of the story following the witcher called Geralt of Rivia a sort of demon/monster killer for hire. Following the story from the first game you can continue from your old save file to change the experience through-out the game.
As most RPG’s you start of in a castle dungeon, but you have no idea why you are in there. You will have to explain what happens in the prologue by playing it piece by piece and thus creating your own opening to the game. Right from the start your actions will have an impact on the game; from the words you say to the people you kill with your blade.
As your visit in the dungeon progresses the dungeons you will meet Vernon Roach, the leader of the Temerian Special Forces called “The Blue Stripes”. He will either believe your story, or kill you depending on the answers you will give him. If he believes you, he will help you on your quest to find the Assassin of Kings.
Your first stop on the way is a small hamlet in the Pontar Valleys called Flotsam. Flotsam is a small town with a corrupt leader with higher goals and a monster living in the waters. As a witcher you will choose to cooperate with them or go your own way. And you will have to choose how you want to act in the game by picking on side of the coin, from either bad or bad.
The new part involves a wraith mist, and depending on your choices in the game so far the story can alter quite a bit. I can just say that it’s worth playing more than once.
Gameplay:Geralt is not an overpowered superhero; he is a mutant, a geneticly enhanced monster slayer. This plays a major part in the games structure of how you play the game. If you go in to a battle “guns blazing” you will get your arse kicked even on the easiest game setting.
This game involves something called tactic, you will either use them or die. This is something that you will notice the first time you play the prologue. Fighting is based around planning ahead; you will have to prepare yourself for every fight. From the choice of oil on the sword to the potions you will drink before you enter the battle. You cannot use potions or change anything during battles.
Signs are the equivalent of magic in this game, well not entirely as there are magicians and sorcerers in the game that doesn’t use signs to make magic. In the first witcher game you are taught what the signs are and you to use them. They are more or less like the force in Star Wars, the summoning of energy from the earth and living things. The signs are a key component when it comes to fighting people.
Geralt is also able to use certain items when fighting such as daggers and traps to bombs. Using them wisely is recommended as most stuff you do can kill yourself.
Fighting is a big part of the game but you will do alchemy and other stuff to help you on the way. Talking is a huge thing in this The Witcher 2, this is something that you notice as your words and actions will change the direction the game goes. Intimidation to persuasion, not the Mass Effect kind, but more fast paced, like a real conversation.
Visuals and Sounds:The Witcher is one of the best looking games of all time, maybe even the best looking of all time, in every category. The use of polygons and tessellation to the smooth light gives the game a real life look. With the full day and night cycle you will experience the shadows and light dancing across the screen. This is something that CD Project really achieved something great when they created the new Red Engine. The huge draw distances to the small details.
Comparing the graphics to a console is pretty fun, comparing Witcher 2 to one of the best looking games on console Uncharted 2 is like comparing Halo CE to Halo Reach in graphical fidelity. The Witcher really does look amazing, and with my settings chugging along in around 35-40 FPS @ 1080P even the most hardcore gaming computers will struggle to run the game even on high. Thinking of running this game at Ultra detail will set you back several thousands of euros.
Sounds play a big part of the game, from the swords clashing to the birds singing. You will always hear beautiful environmental sounds that will complement the visuals. But that isn’t the best part when it comes to sounds.
Voice acting to the next level? I would say so, I even thing it excels beyond the things that Team Bondi did with L.A. Noire. Maybe not in the facial expression department, but the voice acting is beyond anything I have ever heard. If I would compare it to anything, it would more be like a movie.
Conclusion:The Witcher 2 is a stunning game, with high points that trumps the last one almost every time. Even the sex scenes are made beautiful comparing it to Mass Effect or Dragon Age. This is a game that more or less doesn’t care for the “kids” that play games. It has an 18+ rating for a reason and it really shows when it comes to the full package. Everything to sex, gore, violence and racism, the game has it all.
The replay value is immense, with 4 alternative endings and 4 minor to each big one. To see them all you will need to play the game at least 16 times. And the game will deliver every time; it’s truly an epic role playing experience. Clocking in at around 20-25 hours when you are in hurry, stretching it out and you will look at least 50 hours.
This game is worth its weight in gold and the nation of Poland knows it, giving away a copy to Barack Obama when he was over. At least now he can enjoy one of the best role playing games of all time. Any gamer that can should pick this game up, either for PC or later of the Xbox 360, but be prepared for a challenge as this game delivers on all fronts.
Subject: The Witcher 2 
Mon Jun 27, 2011 10:23 am
