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[subversus]

aaaaannnnnnnnndddddd.......SOLD!

ok you guys have to not share any spoilers for those of us that didn't watch the stream, nor play the pc version. Now I just have to find time between now and then to finish up all my mass effect business and play through the first Witcher

keep in mind that the first Witcher plays NOTHING like the second one. They are vastly different games, not in spirit though.

 

[Phonomezer]

Wow, it looks great.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

No chance to watch the video yet.
Is this new Dark Edition also coming for the PC like the enhanced edition did, or patch only for PC, but physical copy is 360 exclusive?

 

[AnnSwag]

Here's some new screenshot, I think.

http://www.gamercenteronline.net/2012/01/26/the-witcher-2-on-xbox-360-on-april-7/

 

[CadetMahoney]

with the extra love the 360 version is getting I am officially interested.

 

[Emerson]

I get the feeling they're going to pull a Crysis here and put out the first game a year later on 360, serving only to annoy me personally.

 

[Ramblin]

only if sells well enough.

 

[MickeyKnox]

I get the feeling they're going to pull a Crysis here and put out the first game a year later on 360, serving only to annoy me personally.

Not gonna happen.

Short of re-making the game on the new engine (which I would love) there's no way the original finds it's way to consoles.

 

[overcast]

I'm sure it's been asked before, but is it absolutely necessary to play Witcher 1 in order to appreciate the story?

 

[subversus]

I'm sure it's been asked before, but is it absolutely necessary to play Witcher 1 in order to appreciate the story?

No, but I recommend reading wiki in-game and reading Wikipedia in general before starting playing it. You will appreciate it more.

 

[OdysseusVA]

Not gonna happen.

Short of re-making the game on the new engine (which I would love) there's no way the original finds it's way to consoles.

Just like what was said with the original Crysis

Spoiler

 

[MickeyKnox]

Just like what was said with the original Crysis

Spoiler

Except Cryengine3 is technically Cryengine2.5 and getting the game ported over to the new engine is just that, porting. Where as The Witcher 1 and 2 run on entirely different engines, requiring a complete re-build of the game.

 

[MoogPaul]

What differentiates The Witcher 2 from other WRPGs? I'm not very fond of them but this looks quite good and I keep on hearing great things about the story. I've played, from this generation: Dragon Age 1 + Expansion, Fallout 3, Mass Effect 1, Fable 2 and I've only kind of enjoyed Dragon Age.

 

[Kevin]

Is any of this content coming to the PC version of the game?

 

[MickeyKnox]

Is any of this content coming to the PC version of the game?

Patch comes out the same day.

 

[28 Posts Later]

What differentiates The Witcher 2 from other WRPGs? I'm not very fond of them but this looks quite good and I keep on hearing great things about the story. I've played, from this generation: Dragon Age 1 + Expansion, Fallout 3, Mass Effect 1, Fable 2 and I've only kind of enjoyed Dragon Age.

Well for one thing, unlike all the WRPG's you've played this gen it follows a singular character, Geralt. This alone means there's a greater emphasis on characterization and your relationships with other characters seem genuine, as the writers have a lot of lore and the previous game to construct them from.

The games main focus is fairly political, it's more akin to 'A Game of Thrones' than any other game you've mentioned; there's no real ultimate evil ala Bioware games, every character simply has their own motivations and agenda's, and depending on your choices these motivations creates an interesting story. In short the story doesn't feel like it revolves entirely around Geralt. You play an important part sure, but events are a by product of other characters goals rather than any of the aforementioned games, whom all focus on making you the 'Chosen one'.

As a result the story is mature, engaging and defiantly a step in the right direction for video-games in general. Though obviously your taste's may vary.

Combat is akin to Batman : Arkham Asylum [apparently the system was inspired by it] so it's very rhythm focused, relying on you reading and adapting to the system and enemies combat style. The system is fairly simplistic, but there's enough depth in there for combat to remain engaging. If you wanted to compare it to anything on your list a more complex Fable would be the answer.

The real difference comes in the choices. As others have mentioned everything is grey in this game, and your choices have real impact - more so than the series you've mentioned. Your choices effect where you go, who you meet, character motivations and so on. The game really requires multiple playthroughs there's so much content you'll miss due to choices.

 

[subversus]

What differentiates The Witcher 2 from other WRPGs? I'm not very fond of them but this looks quite good and I keep on hearing great things about the story. I've played, from this generation: Dragon Age 1 + Expansion, Fallout 3, Mass Effect 1, Fable 2 and I've only kind of enjoyed Dragon Age.

The game treats you like a grown up person, not like a target audience. as for REAL differencies it's graphics, consequences from your actions (you won't see half the game in one playthrough) and well, the game touches pretty adult themes and sometimes goes to places where you don't expect a videogame to go. I would spoil a couple of scenes to illustrate this but don't want to. Be warned, there are some scenes you won't likely to see in mainstream movies for example. Nothing gruesome though.

 

[Snuggles]

The game treats you like a grown up person, not like a target audience. as for REAL differencies it's graphics, consequences from your actions (you won't see half the game in one playthrough) and well, the game touches pretty adult themes and sometimes goes to places where you don't expect a videogame to go. I would spoil a couple of scenes to illustrate this but don't want to. Be warned, there are some scenes you won't likely to see in mainstream movies for example. Nothing gruesome though.

Heh, I can think of at least one VERY gruesome thing that happens, but it was a great moment. Won't spoil it, of course.

 

[Felix Lighter]

What differentiates The Witcher 2 from other WRPGs? I'm not very fond of them but this looks quite good and I keep on hearing great things about the story. I've played, from this generation: Dragon Age 1 + Expansion, Fallout 3, Mass Effect 1, Fable 2 and I've only kind of enjoyed Dragon Age.

Anything specifically you don't like about the genre? It's darker than most games and it doesn't hold back. What stands out to me about the world and the story is that nobody comes off as pure evil or pure good. The decisions you make aren't going to completely fit with your "good" playthrough or your "bad" playthrough and there are real consequences. Also, the writing and delivery of dialog felt very natural to me. The characters felt like they had genuine personalities.

 

[subversus]

Heh, I can think of at least one VERY gruesome thing that happens, but it was a great moment. Won't spoil it, of course.

Well, this moment would be gruesome if they showed everything IN DETAILS. The game wouldn't pass any rating board though.

 

[Bruiserk]

Here's the Gametrailers video.

for those who didn't saw it already.

So this video will be included in the PC update, correct? I can wait until then to watch it when I give the game a second playthrough?

 

[kitzkozan]

Not gonna happen.

Short of re-making the game on the new engine (which I would love) there's no way the original finds it's way to consoles.

I wouldn't be against a remake of the first Witcher. It was really a sloppy game despite moment of brilliance. Crappy movement, simplistic click and timing based combat, pacing problems, etc.

 

[Castor Krieg]

So this video will be included in the PC update, correct? I can wait until then to watch it when I give the game a second playthrough?

Yes, all additions are also coming to PC version, CDP just announced it's coming April 17th. What does that mean? HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

 

[Exuro]

That trailer was fantastic. Can't wait to do another Roche playthrough.

 

[Fjordson]

Day fucking 1 for that Dark Edition. Wow. Can't wait to finally play this.

I wonder if all first run copies of the game will be the "enhanced edition" in stores. Pretty nice package for $60.

Also, just tell me who gets my money for that keychain :lol I need it.

 

[WorstUsernameEver]

Seems like I will finally go through my Roche playthrough this April.

 

[Solo]

What differentiates The Witcher 2 from other WRPGs?

The quality of writing and characters. And the environments are a cut above everything.

 

[Foffy]

The quality of writing and characters.

And the fantastic mythology that predates the games. Seriously, if people think the Knights of the Old Republic games are fantastic uses of the source material they're based on, The Witcher franchise beheads it in one clean slice.

 

[Solo]

I suspect we're going to see a great number of "what are the best settings in gaming?" and "who are the best NPCs in gaming?" threads for Flotsam and Roche once the console crowd plays this.

 

[Kyaw]

The quality of writing and characters. And the environments are a cut above everything.

Yup! Listen to this man.

 

[RedSwirl]

If most of the footage truly was 360 then consider me impressed.

 

[Escape Goat]

I got the game for PC last week and I'm just now getting the handle on combat. I was dieing all the fucking time! Then I got my silver sword back and it got easier still. Awesome game though. So much detail and refinement went into this game. Would play again (after I finish it).

 

[a secret-boss]

saw the GT trailer.

I wonder someone not familiar with Witcher will think that they will play as this big assassin dude.

 

[MickeyKnox]

I got the game for PC last week and I'm just now getting the handle on combat. I was dieing all the fucking time! Then I got my silver sword back and it got easier still. Awesome game though. So much detail and refinement went into this game. Would play again (after I finish it).

 

[Solo]

I've recently had the itch to do a third playthrough. Glad I didn't yet. Will wait until April! Especially since it seems like Act III is finally complete.

HYPE!

 

[Chinner]

so the 4 hours of content is for act 3 then? sweet.

 

[CrazyDude]

I can't wait to get my hands on this game. It looks fantastic.

 

[Rpgmonkey]

CG video was pretty awesome.

I'll use this update as an excuse to finally do a playthrough on Roche's side.

 

[Gong]

I'm well up for this, looks amazing (yes I know, CG trailer). Between Vinny on GB constantly going on about it and a lack of a PC that could run it, the 360 release is the perfect way to sample what I've been missing out on.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

What differentiates The Witcher 2 from other WRPGs? I'm not very fond of them but this looks quite good and I keep on hearing great things about the story. I've played, from this generation: Dragon Age 1 + Expansion, Fallout 3, Mass Effect 1, Fable 2 and I've only kind of enjoyed Dragon Age.

Not having a go at you here, but your post sums up the problem with the term WRPG. Those games couldn't be more different from one another.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

That trailer was fantastic. I never finished the game (hangs head in shame), and then I decided to just wait for the patch and start over.

I assume the trailer is something of a "prequel" movie?

 

[neojubei]

The trailer got me hyped. This and the kingdoms of amalur are making me like fantasy rpgs again.

 

[Gully State]

That trailer was fantastic. I never finished the game (hangs head in shame), and then I decided to just wait for the patch and start over.

I assume the trailer is something of a "prequel" movie?

It's an event that's often alluded to in the game..

 

[Chiquiza]

Can't wait!!

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

Great trailer. Letho is such a badass (Demavend's sorcerer wasn't to bad either).

 

[Fjordson]

Amazon needs to put up a listing for the dark edition so I can pre-order that shit.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

It's an event that's often alluded to in the game..

But it's basically what happens just before the footage they showed in the (first?) PC trailer with Iorveth and Letho. I think I recognize the head.

 

[Dmax3901]

Oh my fuck that trailer nearly made me shit myself.

 

[Baraka in the White House]

How technically "forgiving" (read: optimized) is The Witcher 2 on PC? I've got a fairly decent rig (Phenom II X6, GTX 560Ti, 16 gigs DDR3) but don't want to buy it only to have to dumb the settings down to low-med just to get a stable framerate and I've heard this is one of those PC games...

 

[Eusis]

Not having a go at you here, but your post sums up the problem with the term WRPG. Those games couldn't be more different from one another.

I think it's balanced out by the fact JRPGs are also generally pretty diverse. Usually not to the degree games under the WRPG are (probably partially because we're not just talking one nation's output, but rather pretty much anything from NA or Europe), But Xenoblade's a very different beast from FFXIII or Dragon Quest, nevermind factoring in games like Demon's Souls/Dark Souls that some argue as effectively WRPGs.

How technically "forgiving" (read: optimized) is The Witcher 2 on PC? I've got a fairly decent rig (Phenom II X6, GTX 560Ti, 16 gigs DDR3) but don't want to buy it only to have to dumb the settings down to low-med just to get a stable framerate and I've heard this is one of those PC games...

Unless you're going for 60 FPS you'll be more than fine. I have a 2500k with 560 Ti and the game runs great on High, and alright on a tweaked Ultra.