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[indigo-cyclops]

I've always had minor issues with running The Witcher, for instance, minor stutter. The aliasing really isn't that bad, compared to say, Divinity II. I started this up again and plan to continue playing it over my break.

I'm bummed that I lost my most recent save file from Act III, ugh...

 

[_Bro]

Lower the graphics settings or you generally need a 3Ghz CPU & ATI 4870+ (probably more like a 5850+) / GTX 260+ to max the graphics - and even then you'll still hit the 30s here and there.

If you don't have a higher end gaming machine, well you'll just suffer, it wasn't ever really optimized too well. I've never seen mention of any tricks to improve performance, the best bet is probably just upgrading your PC!

Damn. I'm literally right on the border of this game being playable. If I could just lower the character model textures and add a little big more fog I could play the game.

I need to find a forum full of super nerds who know exactly what files to open and what scripts to change.

 

[Minamu]

Bought it on steam as well. But I'm at a pretty crappy piece of hardware over the new year so it'll have to wait until January for me :'( The tutorial level seem to run okay but having a massive pc next to the screen making all kinds of noises while playing isn't really optimal :S

 

[vocab]

If anyone is running into major hitching use D3DOverrider. It helped out a lot. My hardware is perfectly capable of maxing out this game, but the single core/2 gigs of ram limitations fuck me hard.

 

[fresquito]

I've played some more. It looks like this one can turn out to be the best RPG I've played in years. I'm liking it very much so far.

I like how elements are dropped here and there, so you learn little by little. It's not like you have to read a thousand things before you play. However, it's important you grasp all the concepts. Alchemy is very interesting, if a bit slow. When picking up herbs, it should work like Oblivion: you press the button, you pick the herb, no need to enter a submenu and double click on the herb. For remains it's almost the same, you kill something and you have to wait two or three seconds for the body to be collectable. It's a bit annoying.

Freedom of choice is good, although there seems to be the only freedom you've got. Story is a bit linear, although, from what it's said in the game, events can be quite different depending on your previous choices. That's great, although probably a second play through would really show how different this events may be.

I think it's a very streamlined RPG experience. Streamlined in a good sense. There's not many stupid secondary missions, just some collect this or that (which usually are tutorial missions) and you feel compelled to continue. To put it short, the next goal is always at hand, which is fine for me.

That said, I'd like a bit more open areas, I feel constrained when walking roads and seeing fences right and left. Besides, is it always cloudy in the game? Will always rain? I like me some blue skies from time to time :-/

 

[Minsc]

That said, I'd like a bit more open areas, I feel constrained when walking roads and seeing fences right and left. Besides, is it always cloudy in the game? Will always rain? I like me some blue skies from time to time :-/

Check out the first of the pics I linked in my prior post (or one before that)

Chapter 4 and the Swamp are some of the bigger open areas, but the game is a bit constricted which I didn't mind much myself, since I was more interested in advancing the plot than going off on my own most of the time.

 

[dak1dsk1]

Which game does Witcher best compare with: Devil may cry or Oblivion?

 

[Grayman]

Which game does Witcher best compare with: Devil may cry or Oblivion?

Oblivion by virtue of not resembling devil may cry at all.

 

[Grayman]

I've played some more. It looks like this one can turn out to be the best RPG I've played in years. I'm liking it very much so far.

I like how elements are dropped here and there, so you learn little by little. It's not like you have to read a thousand things before you play. However, it's important you grasp all the concepts. Alchemy is very interesting, if a bit slow. When picking up herbs, it should work like Oblivion: you press the button, you pick the herb, no need to enter a submenu and double click on the herb. For remains it's almost the same, you kill something and you have to wait two or three seconds for the body to be collectable. It's a bit annoying.

Freedom of choice is good, although there seems to be the only freedom you've got. Story is a bit linear, although, from what it's said in the game, events can be quite different depending on your previous choices. That's great, although probably a second play through would really show how different this events may be.

I think it's a very streamlined RPG experience. Streamlined in a good sense. There's not many stupid secondary missions, just some collect this or that (which usually are tutorial missions) and you feel compelled to continue. To put it short, the next goal is always at hand, which is fine for me.

That said, I'd like a bit more open areas, I feel constrained when walking roads and seeing fences right and left. Besides, is it always cloudy in the game? Will always rain? I like me some blue skies from time to time :-/

I started and stopped the game lots but I found that when I went back to it last I had too much stuff to do. Some of it must have been side quests. When you get into the city walls your quest log is going to get very big very fast.

 

[fresquito]

Check out the first of the pics I linked in my prior post (or one before that)

Chapter 4 and the Swamp are some of the bigger open areas, but the game is a bit constricted which I didn't mind much myself, since I was more interested in advancing the plot than going off on my own most of the time.

The thing is, I don't mind small open areas that much, but the problem here is (at least in the first area) you've only got a handful paths here and there. They're traced forming a big circle. It's annoying having to go round the circle instead of being able to cut it through. That's my complain. But I agree, it really helps advancing the game plot. However, as I say, small open areas would be better, I think.

Edit:

I started and stopped the game lots but I found that when I went back to it last I had too much stuff to do. Some of it must have been side quests. When you get into the city walls your quest log is going to get very big very fast.

I'm not a completist, so I don't really care. I beat Mass Effect in 15 hours and I think I never cared to do a side quest :lol

I only do the jobs I'm compelled to do or that I do by pure chance (while killing enemies. "you've completed mission 3295th" pops up :lol ). In fact, this is something I've learn through hard work: don't care to do all they ask you for or you'll leave the game aside in no time.

Edit2: Most important fix for Witcher 2: let me draw my sword when I want to and don't forget my sign choice. Also, draw the damn sword as fast as possible and execution moves should only be fancy when there's not an enemy peeling your back with his sword. Seriously, I've died a lot of times because I had to enter this Salamander hideout and four people were attacking me as I entered the room. I could do nothing, because this Geralt believes he must enter all houses without wearing his sword.

Edit3: How do you give things? I'm with this Jethro who is drunk and when asked about info, he suggest me to give him powder. So I use the give icon, put powder in and press. Nothing happens :-/

Edit4: I'm dumb, ignore Edit3 >_<

 

[The Technomancer]

So....I just experimentally upped my settings from medium to high and the game now runs better then before. Better FPS, less jerk as the camera moves. 0_o

 

[The Technomancer]

Also, the game is really good so far, the first 3D WRPG I've been able to get into since KOTOR, but one glaring point reminds me of why I'm so fond of the old 2D games: the voice acting and character models. RPGs are a lot better for me when I can actually imagine decent voices and appearences in my head, as opposed to having to put up with mediocre voicework and modelling.

I'm absolutely in love with the darker, more "realistic" or "muddy" or whatever you want to call it tone though.

 

[erpg]

You may like muddy and dirty, but if you have sex with Abigail, close your eyes when the card comes up. That's excessively dirty. :lol

 

[daoster]

Damn, I should have bought the Steam version of this instead of the Amazon version so I could have my games all in one nice program!

the version I bought off Amazon is suppose to be the Enhanced version, not the Enhanced Director's version...so my version is suppose to be censored or something? Are there patches to uncensor?

 

[indigo-cyclops]

You may like muddy and dirty, but if you have sex with Abigail, close your eyes when the card comes up. That's excessively dirty. :lol

Can't argue with that... the catds were so crazy because I didn't expect them and the first one was quite the surprise.

 

[Jay Shadow]

the version I bought off Amazon is suppose to be the Enhanced version, not the Enhanced Director's version...so my version is suppose to be censored or something? Are there patches to uncensor?

Yup, it's a free patch.

http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/07/31/download-the-witcher-directors-cut-patch/

 

[Jangaroo]

Damn, I should have bought the Steam version of this instead of the Amazon version so I could have my games all in one nice program!

the version I bought off Amazon is suppose to be the Enhanced version, not the Enhanced Director's version...so my version is suppose to be censored or something? Are there patches to uncensor?

The uncensored patch should be on The Witcher website.

 

[daoster]

Much thanks!

Damn 294 mb patch huh...they censored more than virtual porn, huh?

 

[Jangaroo]

Much thanks!

Damn 294 mb patch huh...they censored more than virtual porn, huh?

I was done with The Witcher before the patch came out. The only thing I can recall off the top of my head was the censored boobage on the cards you get prior to the patch. Someone can probably figure out what else is in the patch.

 

[BrLvgThrChmstry]

I started and stopped the game lots but I found that when I went back to it last I had too much stuff to do. Some of it must have been side quests. When you get into the city walls your quest log is going to get very big very fast.

This post. My exact feelings as of right now. Through most of the beginning of the game, I felt like I was in the 'dark'... admittedly, I usually need a bit of handholding while playing these types of games but I managed and started to enjoy The Witcher the more I played and discovered on my own.

But it's easy to get lost and overwhelmed. I guess everything feels vague... but I guess that is also the point(?). I might play some tonight.

 

[Jay Shadow]

Much thanks!

Damn 294 mb patch huh...they censored more than virtual porn, huh?

Probably because the card reveals were movie files.

 

[Marc :D]

Bought it on the steam sale daily deal.

25 hours in, act 4.




CAN

NOT

STOP

 

[War Peaceman]

You may like muddy and dirty, but if you have sex with Abigail, close your eyes when the card comes up. That's excessively dirty. :lol

Haha true, but the best one is (Late game spoiler, beware!)

Spoiler

The Lady of the Lake

. It is just absurd.

 

[Cruzader]

Is it stupid to want to have the Steam version that was on sale for $5? I'd like to keep all PC game purchases under one "service".

When does the Amazon sale end again? I may buy it and DL the patches. 2 are needed for the Amazon version right?

 

[The Technomancer]

Hm, how do I "research" Ghouls?

 

[Minsc]

Hm, how do I "research" Ghouls?

By buying/reading books. Sometimes it's not clear on what book unlocks what creatures, so I just try to buy everything that's unread, and then I end up with no money for armor upgrade till chapter III!

 

[The Technomancer]

By buying/reading books. Sometimes it's not clear on what book unlocks what creatures, so I just try to buy everything that's unread, and then I end up with no money for armor upgrade till chapter III!

Kk, and in the original town area where am I going to be looking for these books?

 

[Marc :D]

Kk, and in the original town area where am I going to be looking for these books?

The first part of Vizima you enter look for the Antiquary (?) near the other merchats at the statue with the snake.

The other richer district look for a bookseller near all the merchants at the center of town.

Basically what happened to me was that I did invest in books and couldn't afford armour until chapter 3 lol

Skill made up for the difference

 

[thundr51]

Is there an easier way to make money? Doing the quests is ok, and I'm trying to get as much as I can from the dice game but that's fairly slow because of all the reloading. Even when I do win (with the professionals) I still only get a few hundred (3-500).

Oh yeah, i'm only in Chapter 2.

 

[War Peaceman]

Is there an easier way to make money? Doing the quests is ok, and I'm trying to get as much as I can from the dice game but that's fairly slow because of all the reloading. Even when I do win (with the professionals) I still only get a few hundred (3-500).

Oh yeah, i'm only in Chapter 2.

I completed every possible quest in the game and I believe money was nearly always at a premium. Ultimately most things aren't worth buying anyway. Armour upgrades least of all...

 

[teiresias]

I'm in Chapter 3 and I really feel no need to upgrade my armor whatsoever. I spend the most money on buying books and stuff for bestiary and herb log entries.

The graphics in this game are weird - regular in-game it looks fine on my rig, but the minute it goes into an in-engine cut-scene or dialog the graphics get this blocky look (which seems to be a known issue). That's just a weird symptom really. I run at 1920x1200 (16:10), and read something about forcing AF via the driver rather than in-game, but it didn't help and when I tried to turn off the driver forced AF and go back to the in-game setting it wouldn't take. Just really funky overall, I really hope the second game's engine is better in the quirks department.

 

[subversus]

Much thanks!

Damn 294 mb patch huh...they censored more than virtual porn, huh?

I guess they censored the naked elf in the Swamps. It was the first time I saw full frontal in a game.

 

[thundr51]

I guess they censored the naked elf in the Swamps. It was the first time I saw full frontal in a game.

Yeah, I was pretty surprised. Even made my wife take notice and she was across the room.:lol

 

[RustyNails]

I got the enhanced edition for $5 off Amazon. I know a good deal when I see one. The EE is supposed to have reworked cutscenes and voice acting, right? I'm still in Chapter 1, but some of the voice work sounds kinda iffy. I can't find good non EE version clips on youtube to compare the voice work with. Anyone know how big of a difference this is?

Also, I suck major in Alchemy ;_;

 

[GillianSeed79]

Bought it on the steam sale daily deal.

25 hours in, act 4.




CAN

NOT

STOP

Damn. I've had the game since November and am still in Chapter 2. To be fair, I've been doing every possible sidequest.

 

[Refreshment.01]

Alchemy is very interesting, if a bit slow. When picking up herbs, it should work like Oblivion: you press the button, you pick the herb, no need to enter a submenu and double click on the herb. For remains it's almost the same, you kill something and you have to wait two or three seconds for the body to be collectable. It's a bit annoying.

Just press "Ctrl" while clicking the herb, grabs it automatically withouth extra menues. Haven´t read the entire thread so i don´t know if it has been mentioned.

 

[Jay Shadow]

I got the enhanced edition for $5 off Amazon. I know a good deal when I see one. The EE is supposed to have reworked cutscenes and voice acting, right? I'm still in Chapter 1, but some of the voice work sounds kinda iffy. I can't find good non EE version clips on youtube to compare the voice work with. Anyone know how big of a difference this is?

Also, I suck major in Alchemy ;_;

It's not really the voice acting that changed (other then a few minor characters.). It was the dialog that changed. The English translation was originally very basic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6j65ZcufR4&t=1m44s

 

[Yasae]

I'm in Chapter 3 and I really feel no need to upgrade my armor whatsoever. I spend the most money on buying books and stuff for bestiary and herb log entries.

The graphics in this game are weird - regular in-game it looks fine on my rig, but the minute it goes into an in-engine cut-scene or dialog the graphics get this blocky look (which seems to be a known issue). That's just a weird symptom really. I run at 1920x1200 (16:10), and read something about forcing AF via the driver rather than in-game, but it didn't help and when I tried to turn off the driver forced AF and go back to the in-game setting it wouldn't take. Just really funky overall, I really hope the second game's engine is better in the quirks department.

Known (and unfixable) bug, has to do with resolutions. Try a 16:9 ratio like 1920x1080.

 

[teiresias]

Known (and unfixable) bug, has to do with resolutions. Try a 16:9 ratio like 1920x1080.

I was trying that, but changing to 1080p resolution makes the Nvidia driver think it's talking to a TV rather than my monitor and I don't have the same scaling options as before and it looks horrible. Honestly, I can look past the blocky cutscenes, but really, what is the deal with that bug, it seems like a very odd graphical bug to have.

 

[Minsc]

I was trying that, but changing to 1080p resolution makes the Nvidia driver think it's talking to a TV rather than my monitor and I don't have the same scaling options as before and it looks horrible. Honestly, I can look past the blocky cutscenes, but really, what is the deal with that bug, it seems like a very odd graphical bug to have.

There's got to be a way to get it to work at 16:9, you'll get a slightly better framerate too!

As crappy as ATI's drivers are, they know the difference between what display they're hooked up too, my LCD has always shown as a LCD monitor no matter what resolution and HDTV a HDTV.

That issue drove me nuts. Luckily I had 0 problems just running it in 1920x1080, which has basically replaced 1920x1200 anyway these days.

I'd just figure a way to get a 1920x1080 working in nVidia's drivers, because just about every game made these days (and the next 10+ for the upcoming generation) is/will be designed around it.

 

[Castor Krieg]

RPGs are a lot better for me when I can actually imagine decent voices and appearences in my head, as opposed to having to put up with mediocre voicework and modelling.

I know it's probably no consolation for 99% of users here, but Polish version (the native langauge in which Witcher novels were written) is miles ahead of any other langauge version - they simply put tons of more dialogue and feeling into it. No wonder since the novels take a lot from Slavs/E.Europe.

 

[SoulClap]

Finally finished the Epilogue. Oh man did I just

Spoiler

kill future Alvin

?

 

[Jay Shadow]

Finally finished the Epilogue. Oh man did I just

Spoiler

kill future Alvin

?

Yup, sure looks that way.

 

[RustyNails]

It's not really the voice acting that changed (other then a few minor characters.). It was the dialog that changed. The English translation was originally very basic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6j65ZcufR4&t=1m44s

Oh thanks for the vid. Needed to see the improvement in action.

 

[Marc :D]

FUCKKKK YEAAAAAAAAAAAA

33 Hours. Finished at 6AM lol!

Killed

Spoiler

Future Alvin

indeed

But now that I've finished it and have The Witcher 2 preordered on steam....what do I do now?



I missed some quests though such as monster contracts and I didn't get the ulti sword and armor

Thinking of playing through again but :-/

 

[Jay Shadow]

But now that I've finished it and have The Witcher 2 preordered on steam....what do I do now?

You could pick up the books that the game is based on. It's pretty easy to ease into it because the first chapter of the first book is the Striga fight in the intro.

I missed some quests though such as monster contracts and I didn't get the ulti sword and armor

In the 2 saves that I didn't hold onto because I didn't know about save importing in Witcher 2, I had the Raven armor. In the one save I did to hold onto I didn't get it because I forgot to backtrack to get it made.

 

[Kai Dracon]

This may have been asked somewhere deep in the thread, but: I can't seem to change my texture quality in-game. I just got it from the Steam sale. No matter in menu setting between Low and High, textures seem stuck at Low. Already tried setting to High, then exiting and entirely reloading the game.

My video card is a Radeon 4850 512m. yes, this is a bit underpowered for the game, but I'd still like to see how it runs with higher textures and other settings lowered to compensate.

 

[jaundicejuice]

Man I love this game, been spinning my wheels for a bit in Chapter 2, every quest seemed to be at a dead end but then I made a few correct dialogue choices and everything's in motion again.

On the 23rd, while doing some last minute Christmas shopping I stumbled across the only two of Andpzej Sapkowski's Witcher books that have been translated and released in the west, The Last Wish and Blood of Elves. I've already read through The Last Wish, which is a collection of short stories that I believe initially debuted separately in a monthly magazine. It was an entertaining read, paints a broader picture of the world the game is set in as well as adding context and depth to characters or events that are mentioned in passing in the game.

 

[jaundicejuice]

Thought this thread would have been more active what with the game recently being 5$ in the Steam sale.

Just did something I haven't done in a long while, sat down and ended up playing this game for roughly several hours straight. Found out that it isn't always wise to explore *every* dialogue option, ended up muddling my way through Chapter 2 being a dick to everyone

Spoiler

(j'accuse!)

and found that that got me nowhere fast.

I'm really impressed with how this game deals with consequences.

Spoiler

Because I saved Zoltan from a bunch of non-human bigots in Chapter 1, there were some dwarven smiths that would sell me their wares in Chapter 2 because Zoltan vouched for me. Later on in Chapter 2 I sided with the knights of the Flaming Rose against the S'coital/Squirrels in the Swamps and suddenly the dwarven smiths refused to sell me their wares because they didn't want anything they made to be used against a non-human.

A totally unintended consequence, and a decision I've come to regret

Spoiler

the more time I spend in the city and listen to its populace.

Made some decent headway into Chapter 3, ran into

Spoiler

Dandelion, who looks nothing like I imagined based off of his description in the short story. I think it's mainly that stupid headband.

Twenty six hours in and thoroughly enjoying the game, it did kind of start off slow but I didn't mind the ramp up time as it allowed me to get familiar and comfortable with the varying systems. I really enjoy the combat system in this game, which I know has been a bit of a sticking point for some who have played The Witcher. I just dig its interactive and involving nature moreso than something like Dragon Age's combat system.

Why did I wait so long to buy and play this game?

 

[The Technomancer]

Okay, I ran into my first "fuck this game" moment.

I need to gather some petals for Abigail's potion. The only way to get said petals is by having a point in the Herbalism skill, and I'm all out of bronze talents. I'm currently about 7000 exp away from the next level, and the only monsters in town are Barghasts, which give me 40 exp each. So I need to kill something like over 200 Barghasts to level up.

Fuck this. There's got to be another way.