[Closed] The Witcher 3

Bit sceptical about the Witcher 3 combat mechanics if I'm honest - keep your 360 for a while yet I reckon

Trying to install from GoG on my PC.

25GB download, and it keeps saying a file is corrupt...but not which, errr, [s]three[/s] one.

Grating.

Forgot about this thread. I bought the deal I mentioned in my original post. Played The Witcher 3 for a couple of months, and while there's no doubt its an outstanding game set in an amazingly detailed world I've given up on it for now. Enjoying Forza Horizon 2 and Destiny far more at the moment

[IMG] [/IMG]

*sigh*

Downloads another part, again.

WTF? I've never had this with any other site. Nearly had to d/l all of the parts a second time now, just guessing which is the damaged file from where the progress bar is when it jams :/

Lucky I don't have a monthly limit!

Whilst I appreciate it's no help to you, I've never had a problem with downloading from GoG.

Well, something's screwy and I don't think it's my machine.

There's two software downloaders, but I don't want to install them.

I think they'll cache the d/l on the C drive, which may not leave enough space to do the install on top [<50GB free and OS on it].

Irritating.

When you do finally manage to get it downloaded I hope you have plenty of spare time to play the game. One of the reasons I gave up on it was because I just haven't got the free time to get absorbed in the game and do it justice

eeerrrr....

When you do finally manage to get it downloaded I hope you have plenty of spare time to play the game. One of the reasons I gave up on it was because I just haven't got the free time to get absorbed in the game and do it justice

Destiny will be perfect for you then as it's done within a week.

Got it sorted.....after hours of re downloading and patching - Success! And seen the first buttocks in about minute, too 😆

I will get stuck in when I can.

With all the graphics on Ultra, it looks amazeballs. Hairworks plus diffuse shadows is pretty!

Just need to find the option for SSAA or something, there was a hint of jaggies.

Next up - gameplay 🙂

While you (were) discussing this....

Now that I've upgraded my PC I'm considering getting this, so question is....do I get and play the first 2 or just jump in to the new game?
I normally like to play the full series where possible* but after playing skyrim I can't imagine going back to playing morrowind (it's more indepth, bigger and a more of an adventure feel to it but the gameplay is just a bit too clunky)

*admittedly I've missed the early 2d titles of the TES, fallout and GTA series.

Hey.

I've not played the others, you could probably just read up on it?

The game includes an option to Simulate a Witcher 2 Saved Game:

http://www.vg247.com/2015/05/19/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-to-simulate-or-not-to-simulate-a-witcher-2-save/

Anyway - Having played this for a good few hours I'd say:
****** EPIC!

The world is huge and interesting. The characters are developed and have bags of back story to nose-around in; the way they're introduced might be a bit confusing to people who haven't played the other games, but there's a Glossary section which includes a bio for each that develops as you progress through the game to help you understand the past relationships [and Geralt has many, eeer, relationships].

The fighting is very varied, and really can be relied on more or less as you wish for the game [ie depending on whether you want to have hard battles or not - modify the settings and choose your fights carefully to avoid making it too difficult].

The combat mechanics are great, quite subtle use of the controls allows a real variation in moves and approaches [block, dodge, counter, reverse, out-maneuver; umpteen weapons, weapon upgrades, weapon modifiers [using grindstones, oiling your blade etc], weapon condition, adrenaline points, critical hits/poisoning etc].

I have got a long way by using the simple approaches [take care of weapon etc, mostly use fast attack and dodges], but as the game progresses I find I can and want-to be, better; and am developing the complexity of my fighting techniques.

Magic can be everywhere, but is perfectly balanced as part of combat/story.

Baddies are everywhere too. However in many cases you can choose whether you want to fight or not [obvs, bossfights are not optional]. Grinding through levels is pretty easy, and I haven't done that many of the simple side-quests/grinding missions, though I intend-to when I reach the end of the next part of the main story.

NPC's are either intractable or passingly amusing, so the world doesn't feel too artificial. The wildlife is pretty good too [I have enjoyed watching a heard of deer grazing through the window of a castle while I was in a cutscene/dialogue].

The writing contains [s]a few[/s] far too many "****s" etc to be kid-friendly, and some of the finishing moves and animations [big-up the upgrade runestone that gives a chance to dismember!] are really quite gory.

Oh, and there's a load of nudity and such. I have managed to get Geralt laid already, and not by visiting the brothel.

Graphically, which also rings my bells, it's very very good. With a top end machine all the effects come together to enhance and add-to the experience. Each sword stroke bends the air subtly. The shadows are beautiful, likewise the changing weather, god-rays and the texture detail [OMFG I love my sword]. The water is the most realistic looking water I have ever seen, and sailing/swimming is a joy. Sure theres the odd clunky bit, but that's what happens when you rig a model as opposed to animate each surface etc - this isn't Toy Story and even I don't have Pixars render-farm behind me.

As a negative, the inventory can be overwhelming [I still don't know what all the different items are really for - more White Myrtle petals, anyone? Should I put it in my looted wooden pipe?!], and the loading times triggered by death are hefty even on a 250MB/s SSD]. I would guess that if you don't start to get in to it after a few hours you might just feel overwhelmed. Having said that I felt confused but just pressed on, and the progression from grom to death-dealing hired monster-slayer [or negotiator] is well handled.

There's a load more to write about, but I'll say this in closing. I have never wanted to role-play in a game before. Knowing Geralt's story, experiences and character makes me really pick my outcomes/dialogue choices. I want to be a part of this, not just a player.

The other things is MissStripes, a casual gamer, took one look at at and just joined in. We spent yesterday playing it together, not packing for our move. It's that good [plus we were hung-over].

9.6 blood-spattered boobs out of 10.

PS play it on a high spec gaming PC, even if just to try it. It's stunning.

Does STW need a gaming columnist do ya think...?

Just bought this for the PS4 last night...ended up having some loading trouble where it goes through the intro scenes and past new game creation, then just sits on the first loading screen forever.

Apparently fairly common as there are a number of forums suggesting solutions...uninstall, download update and reinstall, and restart console fixed it for me.

But it was time to go to bed, so didn't manage to play it*...but the good news is my Wife is out tonight, so I get to play it instead of watching Masterchef or Britain's Got Baking or whatever is on at the moment.

But did manage to see the buttocks in the opening scene which suggests to me that the game is targeting adult gamers.

Is it still relatively closed world like Witcher2 or is it a bit more open? That was one of the reasons I didn't particularly get on with W2 and after wandering around Skyrim, the Wasteland etc it all feels a bit of a backwards step.

My friend said it's much bigger than Skyrim.

I haven't played that, so I cant say.

Finally finished (the main storyline).

480+ hours.

A masterpiece.

It's on offer on the PlayStation Store just now. I'm tempted but have loads of games to get through.

Timely thread resurrection. I've got it for the One, had my first dabble last night (got as far as tracking the arsonist). I think it's going to be really, really good and am looking forward to getting my teeth into it, though Rise of the Tomb Raider is sapping all my gaming time currently.

I just picked up Bloodborne, after sinking nearly 200hrs into MGS and needing a new game. Wondering if I should give Witcher a go first instead.

480+ hours.

In just 5months? 😯

Only a little over 3 hours per day. Not much more than watching a movie per night.

On the list, but 110 hours about 40% into Fallout 4. I can only commit to one serious RPG at a time!

waiting for wolfenstein: the new order to download. :is excited:

Having mentioned above that I don't have the time to get absorbed into this game, I seem to be finding the time to get absorbed in Fallout 4. On paper The Witcher 3 is better in most ways but I am enjoying Fallout 4 far more. I think it might just come down to the fact I enjoy shooting stuff more than hacking and slashing.