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[DangerStepp]

27. Option to fist fight woman praying at a statue in Vergen has been deactivated.
40. Elf woman in Vergen no longer strikes a T-pose.

wat?

Can someone expound upon this? I'm intrigued.

 

[FreakinSyco]

wat?

Can someone expound upon this? I'm intrigued.

Right before you

Spoiler

defend Vergan from the attack

, they take your sword away from you in Phillipa's house. As you walk out there are a group of people praying around a statue. If try to attack one you go into fist fighting mode. The woman glitches into a T form and can't be beaten... the only way out is to reload the previous save.

I came across it by accident on my play through.

 

[FreakinSyco]

Theres also a funnier part to that glitch. You start at Phillipa's house without a sword. Then you walk out and there is a weapons rack that you can pick up a crummy sword (I really think they don't want you to have one at that point because you can get into some endless waves of enemys at the front lines). If you pick up that sword and hit the praying people bodies fly everywhere. Every time you hit the NPCs you get a newly spawned body.

I should really load my old save and record it.

 

[subversus]

Also if we talk about combat done right by western devs it's Arkham Asylum. Unfortunately TW2 failed to mimick that due to responsiveness and polish but sometimes it resembles that.

I personally enjoyed combat. It actually needs to be mastered. I recommend specialising in two disciplines at least.

 

[Forkball]

The thing about this game that annoys me the most: you have to stand at stupidly specific places to pick up crap from the ground or from containers.

Did you play the first game? It was even worse in that one since you you had to go into an entirely different menu to pick up items and you have no idea what you could get. At least in this one it gives you a preview, so if you don't want nekker eyes for the billionth time, you don't have to waste your time.

And yeah, while the combat is improved, it's still not God of War or even Zelda for that matter. It still has a lot of turn based elements i.e. if you just spam attacks you will be caught in a spam attack as well. Also you REALLY have to rely on magic and bombs if you want to survive, there were many times I just ran around throwing bombs, hoping that it would hit something.

 

[ultron87]

Did you play the first game? It was even worse in that one since you you had to go into an entirely different menu to pick up items and you have no idea what you could get. At least in this one it gives you a preview, so if you don't want nekker eyes for the billionth time, you don't have to waste your time.

I didn't play the first. I don't think it being way worse in the first excuses the fact that I can be standing with a drop directly in between my legs, but have to walk a few feet away and approach really slowly to maybe get the prompt that time. God forbid you're trying to disarm a trap without stepping on it first.

It's a minor quibble, but still annoying. I do really enjoy the game.

Installing the no inventory weight mod made the other major aspect of loot grabbing a non-issue. I'd suggest it to everyone.

 

[Yurt]

I absolutely loved the combat, LOVED it.

 

[Vyer]

I'm just starting this game, and so far I'm enjoying it. but
1. QTE with a keyboard sucks, though 2. Not as bad as not letting you save after a long ass dialogue.

 

[Madouu]

Just stopping by to say that this is the first single player game in a long long while that got me hooked on it from start to finish. The game puts emphasis mainly on the story and the universe, much more than on combat, looting and such ... which is exactly what I ask of an rpg!

Overall, a great experience, and easily the best video game of this year thus far, even the package content is great. I bought the physical edition : so good! reminded me of old times where you had more than the sole dvd in the package.

Also, I'm a bit proud to say that I finished the game on my first run on hard haha

 

[Wallach]

I'm pretty much on EatChildren's side of the combat discussion. I'm actually not terribly far still but I was hoping for a big improvement over TW1's combat, and I don't feel this game provides that so far. Geralt really doesn't feel like the fast, lithe fighter that he was in the first game. The responsiveness and the speed just isn't there.

 

[Snuggles]

I'm pretty much on EatChildren's side of the combat discussion. I'm actually not terribly far still but I was hoping for a big improvement over TW1's combat, and I don't feel this game provides that so far. Geralt really doesn't feel like the fast, lithe fighter that he was in the first game. The responsiveness and the speed just isn't there.

which chapter are you on?

 

[thetrin]

I'm pretty much on EatChildren's side of the combat discussion. I'm actually not terribly far still but I was hoping for a big improvement over TW1's combat, and I don't feel this game provides that so far. Geralt really doesn't feel like the fast, lithe fighter that he was in the first game. The responsiveness and the speed just isn't there.

Geralt's speed ramps up as a combo string continues. He starts slow and build momentum. if you find him slow, it's because your combos are ending very quickly (on harder difficulties this is no surprise, of course)

 

[Wallach]

which chapter are you on?

Just the first. I really haven't put much time into the game or anything, I'm not far beyond the prologue.

I am playing on Hard so I don't often get the opportunity so far to get through a longer string without risking getting blown up for it. He just feels very weighed down compared to the first game's combat.

 

[subversus]

Geralt's speed ramps up as a combo string continues. He starts slow and build momentum. if you find him slow, it's because your combos are ending very quickly (on harder difficulties this is no surprise, of course)

this.

 

[Snuggles]

He just feels very weighed down compared to the first game's combat.

It's hard to compare it with the combat in TW1 since it's so different, but you won't be laying down fury strikes like you did in TW1 when you hit the 4th or 5th hit of the combo. It definitely does have a weighted feel, which is a big reason why it's often compared to Demon's Souls combat.

It does have a certain flow to it, which I liked. Transitioning from a string of quick attacks to a aard cast then a heavy strike to a crowd controlling bomb toss felt good. It's not always that sharp or balanced but I think they could nail it with the next game.

 

[Lunar15]

This game kind of came out of nowhere and surprised me. I couldn't make it through the first game due to slight boredom and a large pile of other games, but this game blew me away from start to finish.

There are, of course, some things I didn't like (combat ranges from totally awesome to kinda frustrating), but overall I found it to be a pretty good time. Can't wait for the third game!

Spoiler

Awwwwwwww yeah, war between the Northern Kingdoms and the Empire! Also, might Geralt have a final showdown with the Wild Hunt?

 

[subversus]

It's hard to compare it with the combat in TW1 since it's so different, but you won't be laying down fury strikes like you did in TW1 when you hit the 4th or 5th hit of the combo. It definitely does have a weighted feel, which is a big reason why it's often compared to Demon's Souls combat.

It does have a certain flow to it, which I liked. Transitioning from a string of quick attacks to a aard cast then a heavy strike to a crowd controlling bomb toss felt good. It's not always that sharp or balanced but I think they could nail it with the next game.

I hope they'll nail it with the next expansion. Or with X360 release at least.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

Wal, I think I know what you mean about Geralt feeling weighty. If you upgrade your dodge distance the movement feels a lot more fluid.

 

[Red]

Wal, I think I know what you mean about Geralt feeling weighty. If you upgrade your dodge distance the movement feels a lot more fluid.

I've been sticking exclusively to magic, but I might have to toss a point or two into increasing my dodge. Don't know if it's worth it though, at this point... level 31 and at the beginning of chapter 3.

 

[subversus]

I've been sticking exclusively to magic, but I might have to toss a point or two into increasing my dodge. Don't know if it's worth it though, at this point... level 31 and at the beginning of chapter 3.

well, there will be the boss...

 

[Snuggles]

I hope they'll nail it with the next expansion. Or with X360 release at least.

Well if it's nailed in the 360 release it damn well better be nailed in the PC version too!

I think most of us can agree that all the right pieces are in place with the combat system, it just needs more polish and some minor tweaks to be legit. I'm so ploughing ready for a major expansion pack and if it happens I expect to see some improvements there.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

I've been sticking exclusively to magic, but I might have to toss a point or two into increasing my dodge. Don't know if it's worth it though, at this point... level 31 and at the beginning of chapter 3.

Even on my Magic and Alchemy runs I put the points into it. If you don't there are all these little stop/start moments in Geralt's animations, like when you get to the end of a dodge roll it feels like he sort of pauses for an instant before moving to the next animation. Very worth the points imo.

 

[Vaporak]

Also if we talk about combat done right by western devs it's Arkham Asylum. Unfortunately TW2 failed to mimick that due to responsiveness and polish but sometimes it resembles that.

I completely disagree. Arkham Asylum made the mistake most action games make in not giving the player any way to really deal with large groups of enemies, but wanting them in the game anyways they just make the enemies stupid to make it playable. I much prefer TW2's way of not gimping the enemy AI and giving you a variety of ways to deal with group combat.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

I was really disappointed with the end of the game. Not a bad story at all but I just felt more connected to the more intimate storyline of the first game. This was on a much bigger scale and it felt removed. Spoilers/Questions about how the story plays out:

Spoiler

Zoltan wouldn't even talk to me at the end of the first game but now he is in love with me again? What the hell?
What about Alvin and Shani, did I miss something about them? (My import was Triss/Rose)
I went through my first playthrough (28~hours) with the goal that I was going to get Triss back no matter what, even if it meant teaming up with the elven scum that I never did in the first game. Then I find out triss lives no matter what so I could have just take the other path, WOO!

Got some more questions I'll post later.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

I was really disappointed with the end of the game. Not a bad story at all but I just felt more connected to the more intimate storyline of the first game. This was on a much bigger scale and it felt removed. Spoilers/Questions about how the story plays out:

Spoiler

Zoltan wouldn't even talk to me at the end of the first game but now he is in love with me again? What the hell?
What about Alvin and Shani, did I miss something about them? (My import was Triss/Rose)
I went through my first playthrough (28~hours) with the goal that I was going to get Triss back no matter what, even if it meant teaming up with the elven scum that I never did in the first game. Then I find out triss lives no matter what so I could have just take the other path, WOO!

Got some more questions I'll post later.

Spoiler

- You save Zoltan's life, it's not really surprising that he'd forgive you for siding with the Order or going neutral.
- Alvin was the Grandmaster. You killed him. You monster. Shani is still in Vizima helping sick people.
- The choices aren't save Triss or don't save Triss, it's more like try to save Triss or leave her to fend for herself. Your choice didn't make much difference to that one thing, but everything else that happened was totally different as a result.

 

[Red]

well, there will be the boss...

Don't know who it is, am guessing

Spoiler

Letho or Saskia

, but am not really concerned about avoiding damage since I've maxed Quen.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Spoiler

- You save Zoltan's life, it's not really surprising that he'd forgive you for siding with the Order or going neutral.
- Alvin was the Grandmaster. You killed him. You monster. Shani is still in Vizima helping sick people.
- The choices aren't save Triss or don't save Triss, it's more like try to save Triss or leave her to fend for herself. Your choice didn't make much difference to that one thing, but everything else that happened was totally different as a result.

Holy shit how did I miss #2? I guess that's what happens when you marathon through a game the length of the witcher's. Yes I am going to play a couple more times to see how drastically things change.

Spoiler

What happens if you chose Shani in the first game, are you not intimate with Triss in the second? I know after I chose triss in the first Shani hated but until I saved her in the hospital at the end, is there a similar thing with Triss?

 

[BriareosGAF]

Even on my Magic and Alchemy runs I put the points into it. If you don't there are all these little stop/start moments in Geralt's animations, like when you get to the end of a dodge roll it feels like he sort of pauses for an instant before moving to the next animation. Very worth the points imo.

I've been really bummed out about how clunky and awkward the sequel is. As EatChildren has said, there's this unfortunate intersection of leaden combat, poorly explained mechanics, and irreversible choices that make levelling slow and frustrating rather than exciting. The story and questing seems a lot thinner and more railroaded vs the first, too. Difficulty balance with bosses is completely out of line with normal combat. Game just feels off, makes me sad.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

Holy shit how did I miss #2? I guess that's what happens when you marathon through a game the length of the witcher's. Yes I am going to play a couple more times to see how drastically things change.

Spoiler

What happens if you chose Shani in the first game, are you not intimate with Triss in the second? I know after I chose triss in the first Shani hated but until I saved her in the hospital at the end, is there a similar thing with Triss?

Nah they really let me down on that. It's exactly the same regardless. I suppose that it makes sense since by the end of the first game, no matter what you choose, Geralt has basically decided that he's Forever Alone because that's his job, so a tryst with Triss is much more appropriate since she's not going to beg him to marry her and start popping out little Geralts.

 

[EatChildren]

Just the first. I really haven't put much time into the game or anything, I'm not far beyond the prologue.

I am playing on Hard so I don't often get the opportunity so far to get through a longer string without risking getting blown up for it. He just feels very weighed down compared to the first game's combat.

You're at the worst possible time for combat. Not only are you wrestling with the unresponsive mechanics, but Geralt is nowhere near as fleshed out and equipped as he becomes. Its really very unfortunate. I think for a lot of players the prologue and chapter one are a huge, offputting difficulty spike way too early in the game. Once chapter two starts, you'll be slaughtering opponents with relative ease.

I guess they wanted to keep things slow and steady for the first chapter. Learn the mechanics, exploit them later. I dont think it works quite as well as they might have hoped.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

Nah they really let me down on that. It's exactly the same regardless. I suppose that it makes sense since by the end of the first game, no matter what you choose, Geralt has basically decided that he's Forever Alone because that's his job, so a tryst with Triss is much more appropriate since she's not going to beg him to marry her and start popping out little Geralts.

Eh that is kinda weak :\ But I hope that's not a sign of what's to come in TW3.

 

[Kayo-kun]

Just finished the game and I absolutely loved it, especially after the major disappointment I had with DA2. Definately my GOTY so far and the best RPG I've played in years. Can't wait to play through it the second time and see how things unfolds if you choose a different path.

 

[DualShadow]

Nah they really let me down on that. It's exactly the same regardless. I suppose that it makes sense since by the end of the first game, no matter what you choose, Geralt has basically decided that he's Forever Alone because that's his job, so a tryst with Triss is much more appropriate since she's not going to beg him to marry her and start popping out little Geralts.

There can't be any little Geralts because Witchers are infertile.

I know you weren't being completely serious, but just thought i'd throw that out there.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

There can't be any little Geralts because Witchers are infertile.

I know you weren't being completely serious, but just thought i'd throw that out there.

Haha, nah you're right I spaced on that completely. Though knowing Sapkowski's love of anachronistic plot devices he may one day decide that Geralt put some of his boys on ice before going through the mutation.

 

[dreamer3kx]

Just started this up after building a new pc, jeez they just throw you right in with a bunch of powers, a bit overwhelming right off the bat, game is beautiful, playing on a 560 Ti.

 

[ultron87]

Fuck this

Spoiler

Letho

fight in chapter 1.

Spoiler

His unblockable Aard shots that are impossible to dodge when you're finishing up a combo do more damage to me than me wailing on him for ten seconds with my sword does to him.

Grrrrrrr.

 

[The Big Rig]

My strategy in any fight: quen, hit once, and then run around until my vigor is back.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

Fuck this

Spoiler

Letho

fight in chapter 1.

Spoiler

His unblockable Aard shots that are impossible to dodge when you're finishing up a combo do more damage to me than me wailing on him for ten seconds with my sword does to him.

Grrrrrrr.

Take it slow, keep your distance and don't spam dodge; try to get into a rhythm with him instead. It can take a long time, but

Spoiler

the fight is only through about 40% of his health and then a cut-scene triggers, so it seems like it's going a lot slower than it actually is.

 

[Odious Tea]

Fuck this

Spoiler

Letho

fight in chapter 1.

Spoiler

His unblockable Aard shots that are impossible to dodge when you're finishing up a combo do more damage to me than me wailing on him for ten seconds with my sword does to him.

Grrrrrrr.

Orrrrr, put that bitch on easy and coast. Haven't played since the game's been patched, though. So it may be less infuriating than it was on launch week.

 

[Varna]

Nah they really let me down on that. It's exactly the same regardless. I suppose that it makes sense since by the end of the first game, no matter what you choose, Geralt has basically decided that he's Forever Alone because that's his job, so a tryst with Triss is much more appropriate since she's not going to beg him to marry her and start popping out little Geralts.

It still pisses me off that they couldn't do a slightly different intro if you picked Shani. Since you can pretty much make it clear that you aren't together after that scene it would have completely changed the tone of their relationship.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

So how essential is playing the first Witcher to enjoying Witcher 2?

 

[Red]

Fuck this

Spoiler

Letho

fight in chapter 1.

Spoiler

His unblockable Aard shots that are impossible to dodge when you're finishing up a combo do more damage to me than me wailing on him for ten seconds with my sword does to him.

Grrrrrrr.

It is the hardest fight in the game, yes. The only one where I felt cheated and cheesed my way through.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Take it slow, keep your distance and don't spam dodge; try to get into a rhythm with him instead. It can take a long time, but

Spoiler

the fight is only through about 40% of his health and then a cut-scene triggers, so it seems like it's going a lot slower than it actually is.

This.

Spoiler

Dodge/avoid when he uses Quen--once it's done, knock him back with Aard and strike several times, then Aard again and strike. Use traps if you get the chance.

Take your time.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

It still pisses me off that they couldn't do a slightly different intro if you picked Shani. Since you can pretty much make it clear that you aren't together after that scene it would have completely changed the tone of their relationship.

I wonder if they were just trying to avoid the inevitable nightmare of making the choice meaningful once the third game rolls around and

Spoiler

Yennefer and Geralt are reunited?

So how essential is playing the first Witcher to enjoying Witcher 2?

You'll still enjoy it a lot, but you will enjoy it... er, a lot more a lot if you've played the first game. It's really long though, and the first chapter turns heaps of people off, but it's one of the best RPGs ever imo.

 

[Varna]

So how essential is playing the first Witcher to enjoying Witcher 2?

Not necessary, but it would help you with your understanding of the lore and characters. Game doesn't really mess around with accessibility in that regard. Game will assume you remember things from the first game and even makes references to the books which I don't think many people have read. There is a handy in-game codex for all of that, but it's a lot different from experiencing the first game.

The second game is a huge improvement in the gameplay department. Going back to the first is going to be rough if you start with the second game.

 

[EatChildren]

So how essential is playing the first Witcher to enjoying Witcher 2?

The main plot of The Witcher isn't really essential (except for the ending, which leads directly into the sequel's plot), but the lore and characters kind of are mostly because the sequel spends far less time explaining the ins and outs of the universe and treats characters as if you already know them well.

Im sure you can find a summary of the main story somewhere. Read up on that and you should be good. Really what you need to know is (spoilers for those who haven't played the first game):

Spoiler

Geralt is a Witcher. Witchers are mutated humans, part of an ancient tradition to create warriors built specifically to hunt powerful monsters. Geralt 'died' in a battle. Pierced with a pitch fork. Everyone saw him die, but he's back for unexplainable reasons. He doesn't know why he is back, and has forgotten his past. He sometimes has visions he cant really explain, mostly of being persued by the 'Wild Hunt', a demon (or group of demons) that collect souls.

Triss Merrigold is Geralt's former on and off again lover / fuck buddy, and a sorceress. She's infatuated by him, and though the first game allows you to establish a relationship with either her or another character (Shani), the second game focuses on your relationship with her.

The universe of The Witcher is undergoing political change, and like most high fantasy worlds is also dealing with themes of racism. Non-humans (elves and dwarves) find living with humans difficult, especially as humans have (as usual) taken control of everything. The Sco'Otel (sp?) are a fanatical group of non-humans who claim to be fighting for the rights of elves and dwarves, but tend to do so through violent acts of terrorism, often at the cost of innocent human and non-human lives. Geralt often finds himself having to deal with extremists from both sides of the war, and many of the game's difficult choices have you caught in the middle of problems that have no easy solution.

The very first game revolves around Geralt trying to understand his past, and seeking out lab equipment that was stolen from the Witcher's home base. This all happens as a violent Sco'Otel uprising takes place against the Order of the Flaming Rose, an extremist human group. The first game lets you side with either group or take a neutral path. The final chapters have Geralt meeting with King Foltest and helping him resolve the conflict between the two groups in his kingdom of Temeria. At the very end of the first game, after the main story has been complete, an ending sequence shows an assassin attempt to take the Foltest's life. Geralt kills him before he can succeed, and a final shot shows that the assassin has glowing eyes very similar to that of a Witcher.

And so beings The Witcher 2.

 

[Futurevoid]

With the

Spoiler

Letho

fight in Chapter 1, I found that

Spoiler

daggers make it quite easy to take him down. Dodge and keep your distance when he activates Quen and when it goes down spam him with daggers. You don't even need to risk getting close.

 

[cuevas. PhD.]

With the

Spoiler

Letho

fight in Chapter 1, I found that

Spoiler

daggers make it quite easy to take him down. Dodge and keep your distance when he activates Quen and when it goes down spam him with daggers. You don't even need to risk getting close.

Yeah I ended up resorting to this tactic too :\
End of the game spoiler:

Spoiler

He was much easier the second time around

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

The main plot of The Witcher isn't really essential (except for the ending, which leads directly into the sequel's plot), but the lore and characters kind of are mostly because the sequel spends far less time explaining the ins and outs of the universe and treats characters as if you already know them well.

Im sure you can find a summary of the main story somewhere. Read up on that and you should be good. Really what you need to know is (spoilers for those who haven't played the first game):

Thanks! I figure that and the Codex will serve me fine and I don't feel like dealing with meh gameplay in the first. That said I might get Witcher 1 at some point just for all the extras on GOG. I mean what's the point of getting a new gaming rig if you don't test it on the latest insanely gorgeous, but humbling engine from the East!

This just sold me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyP87YyFpTc&feature=related

Hell I'll get the first one too for 9 bucks if the OST is this good, it's like buying a soundtrack.

 

[subversus]

With the

Spoiler

Letho

fight in Chapter 1, I found that

Spoiler

daggers make it quite easy to take him down. Dodge and keep your distance when he activates Quen and when it goes down spam him with daggers. You don't even need to risk getting close.

they are fixing daggers in 1.3