The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

[slpnshot]

It's just a camera view - it doesn't have to change the game. There are several games that give you the option of switching from 3rd to 1st Person (Skyrim did it pretty well).

I just prefer to see the world the eyes of the character, and not like a little bird following from behind. It gives me the feeling that I'm observing the main character instead of actually being him. Just personal preference - but I appreciate when developers give you the option.

I also liked having the choice to play in either perspective in Skyrim, but let's not try and understate the importance camera view has on the style of combat offered by games. It might not affect the overall story, but player perspective is inherently tied with not just combat mechanics but things like movement and object interaction.

 

[zinfamous]

^ yeah, I like having that choice. Admittedly, I often switch to FP in Skyrim when using a bow, but I tend to use bow less and less as I progress. Partly, because I find the bow boring and also because sniping then switching to mele, toggling perspective all at the same time gets annoying.

As for Witcher....I finally started playing Witcher 2. I've only had it for 6? months :\

Fun so far, think I'm enjoying it more than Witcher 1--put about 30 hours into that, got super bored and stopped. ....but this is god damn hard when just starting out. I like that, combat is certainly more punishing than in Skyrim, so it's a nice change. Maybe it isn't the best system, but I'm really not sure what all of the critics could propose to change the combat from what it is--aside from removing all of the button mashing events--holy shit that is HORRIBLE. cant believe it's in this game.

Shameful admission: I found KB/M more or less impossible during combat scenarios. Too many functions, all over the place, and really only 2 more buttons on my mouse with which to map. Plus, this game being very twitchy and with a bluetooth kb/m, response was lacking. I plugged in my X360 controller and am now very happy with it. Menus and all that still accessed through keyboard, though. :\

 

[Carfax83]

Watch trailer

Not a whole lot revealed, but if anything, the trailer shows the scope and detail that the gaming World will possess. It's no wonder CDPR decided to forgo current gen consoles and stick with next gen and PC only. Unless they broke it up in chunks, the Xbox 360 and PS3 could never handle this..

 

[SPBHM]

looking great, and reminds me of Witcher 1

 

[CakeMonster]

I love what they're doing, I commend them for making ambitious RPGs and having the mindset that listens to fans. However, the Witcher franchise just never did much for me. I can't relate to the main character. I wish I could customize his looks at the minimum, but also make more choices with regards to personality and professions. I hope they will hurry up with that futuristic RPG they were working on, and that it has more options.

 

[chimaxi83]

I love what they're doing, I commend them for making ambitious RPGs and having the mindset that listens to fans. However, the Witcher franchise just never did much for me. I can't relate to the main character. I wish I could customize his looks at the minimum, but also make more choices with regards to personality and professions. I hope they will hurry up with that futuristic RPG they were working on, and that it has more options.

Play Skyrim. Geralt is a unique character who's basis goes far back into the book series. Why would they let you change core attributes?

 

[Carfax83]

Play Skyrim. Geralt is a unique character who's basis goes far back into the book series. Why would they let you change core attributes?

Exactly. When you have a fixed character like Geralt, you can tell a much deeper and more personal story than with a variable character.

Just look at the Mass Effect series. Because Shepard had no fixed attributes other than his/her surname, the love interests would refer to him/her as "Shepard," even during intimate moments which is pretty awkward.

That's just one example that might seem fairly irrelevant at first, but it has a disruptive effect on suspending disbelief imo..

There are both pros and cons for each method, but if you want to tell the kind of deep and personal story the Witcher games are known for, then a fixed character is a must imo..

 

[Yreka]

want!

 

[Carfax83]

This source is much better than the one I posted earlier. Up to 1080p clarity.

You can see a lot more details, including some of the fur physics and what not..

 

[zinfamous]

Watch trailer

looks nice, but what I want to know, is if I can jump that fence with the horse and run across the field, if I so choose, or if I have to keep following that dirt path the dozens of times I would return to that spot?

 

[smackababy]

looks nice, but what I want to know, is if I can jump that fence with the horse and run across the field, if I so choose, or if I have to keep following that dirt path the dozens of times I would return to that spot?

From what I've read, the world is open, so you could jump the fence, if you choose.

I just wish games would get that, while I understand having to limit players access to areas, a shin high fence isn't going to stop anything and seriously breaks immersion.

 

[Racan]

This source is much better than the one I posted earlier. Up to 1080p clarity.

You can see a lot more details, including some of the fur physics and what not..

Even better source full uncompressed trailer in all it's glory 228MB

http://wpc.4d7d.edgecastcdn.net/004D7D/www/thewitcher/files/download/The%20Witcher%203%20-%20VGX%20Trailer_h264_1080p30_5.1.mp4

 

[Dankk]

Even better source full uncompressed trailer in all it's glory 228MB

http://wpc.4d7d.edgecastcdn.net/004D7D/www/thewitcher/files/download/The%20Witcher%203%20-%20VGX%20Trailer_h264_1080p30_5.1.mp4

I recommend everyone download and watch this version, if only to gawk at how visually pleasing this game is. I'm afraid my PC is going to get torn apart when it comes out.

 

[zinfamous]

From what I've read, the world is open, so you could jump the fence, if you choose.

I just wish games would get that, while I understand having to limit players access to areas, a shin high fence isn't going to stop anything and seriously breaks immersion.

Exactly, and that's what I hope. My concern is that their definition of "open" is "much larger world that also doesn't lock you out from traveling to earlier areas" Basically, eliminating the chapter system of the first two games, and increasing the world size.

I assume calling something an open world doesn't preclude the elimination of invisible walls, though.

But, I do understand that when you push the basket towards that kind of visual development, you probably need to compromise a bit on exploration.

 

[TheVrolok]

I recommend everyone download and watch this version, if only to gawk at how visually pleasing this game is. I'm afraid my PC is going to get torn apart when it comes out.

On it

<edit> Holy shit that's gorgeous. Wonder if I'll be upgrading (at least my GPU) when it comes out?

 

[tg2708]

Yup its amazing. Bummer its an nvidia title but looking at it sli or cfx will be needed to max it. Not too sure if a single 780 ti can max it though. Sucks for me because I'm not upgrading my 7970 anytime soon.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

It looks absolutely stunning. Too bad it's a Witcher title, and my view of them has resembled that of Ben Croshaw the more I've played them. Make a game as beautiful as you like, but if you also make it so complicated that I have to spend 20,000 hours just figuring out how to control it, you haven't made a game, you've made a job simulator, and, no thanks, I've got one of those, and it pays better than negative $60.

 

[motsm]

It looks absolutely stunning. Too bad it's a Witcher title, and my view of them has resembled that of Ben Croshaw the more I've played them. Make a game as beautiful as you like, but if you also make it so complicated that I have to spend 20,000 hours just figuring out how to control it, you haven't made a game, you've made a job simulator, and, no thanks, I've got one of those, and it pays better than negative $60.

The Witcher is complicated? Compared to what exactly? It's certainly no more complicated than many other RPG's on the market.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

The Witcher is complicated? Compared to what exactly? It's certainly no more complicated than many other RPG's on the market.

Most other RPG's have gone hack'n'slash. You are toast if you do that in the Witcher.

 

[pandemonium]

It looks absolutely stunning. Too bad it's a Witcher title, and my view of them has resembled that of Ben Croshaw the more I've played them. Make a game as beautiful as you like, but if you also make it so complicated that I have to spend 20,000 hours just figuring out how to control it, you haven't made a game, you've made a job simulator, and, no thanks, I've got one of those, and it pays better than negative $60.

I'll agree it's a little quirky to get used to the controls, but that's part of the fun of it. Some of the best games aren't focused on ease of control and require a little adaptability on the player's part.

I recommend you get over it and try enjoying the game instead of focusing on how poor the controls are.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I'll agree it's a little quirky to get used to the controls, but that's part of the fun of it. Some of the best games aren't focused on ease of control and require a little adaptability on the player's part.

I recommend you get over it and try enjoying the game instead of focusing on how poor the controls are.

You and I have different definitions of "fun." The game looks amazing, it has brilliant art direction, and from what I've heard, a great story, but the controls are so off-putting that I'm never going to experience it. I don't want the simple act of controlling my character to be such a barrier to entry that only by reading a hundred page manual and replaying the opening tutorial for three hours will I be able to advance in the game. In something like Skyrim or Arkham City or WoW I can jump in and start playing despite never having played a previous game in the series. I don't get that feeling from The Witcher at all. The Witcher is the league pro at the bowling alley scoffing at me for wanting to use bumper lanes. Sorry, but I'm not looking for a hobby, I'm looking for an enjoyable experience for a couple hours.

I get that people enjoy it, and more power to them. But it's not for me. And that's a shame, because it really does seem like it has all the makings of a good adventure; it just doesn't strike me as a good "game."

 

[BlitzPuppet]

You and I have different definitions of "fun." The game looks amazing, it has brilliant art direction, and from what I've heard, a great story, but the controls are so off-putting that I'm never going to experience it. I don't want the simple act of controlling my character to be such a barrier to entry that only by reading a hundred page manual and replaying the opening tutorial for three hours will I be able to advance in the game. In something like Skyrim or Arkham City or WoW I can jump in and start playing despite never having played a previous game in the series. I don't get that feeling from The Witcher at all. The Witcher is the league pro at the bowling alley scoffing at me for wanting to use bumper lanes. Sorry, but I'm not looking for a hobby, I'm looking for an enjoyable experience for a couple hours.

I get that people enjoy it, and more power to them. But it's not for me. And that's a shame, because it really does seem like it has all the makings of a good adventure; it just doesn't strike me as a good "game."

Ugh, you just gave two examples of games that mouth-breathing untermensch would describe as "the perfect games".

I played The Witcher 2 before the first...loved the 2nd so played the first. While the gameplay in the first lacked what the 2nd had, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Very sad, twists of events that really made you go "wow!" and think back.

We have games for people who are looking to "tard out" for a few hours (GTA is one of them) then we have games that are more geared towards story or substance than anything (Telltale's TWD, Witcher Series, any Simulator). This is a game with an awesome story...

Hell, I love the atmosphere of the game even and that's rare for me considering it's Medieval/fantasy. This is coming from someone who refuses to watch Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings AND strongly dislikes the fantasy genre in general.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Ugh, you just gave two examples of games that mouth-breathing untermensch would describe as "the perfect games".

We have games for people who are looking to "tard out" for a few hours (GTA is one of them) then we have games that are more geared towards story or substance than anything (Telltale's TWD, Witcher Series, any Simulator). This is a game with an awesome story...

Well at least you aren't justifying any stereotypes of PC gamers as elitists. "What's that, a popular video game series? It's for mouth-breathing retards." OK.

Look, the fact of the matter is video games are a source of entertainment, at least for most people. I don't think it's too much to ask that a game contain both a good story and good controls, that it sets up a world for me to have fun in and then tells me how to play it. Metal Gear Solid 2 had great gameplay, but the story went full-on crazy and it ruined the game. Gran Turismo 5 had a great physics engine, but it was contained in a mediocre game marred by design flaws. The Witcher 2 may have the best story and environment in gaming history, but it made it so hard to access any of it that I gave up; there is plenty of other entertainment competing for my time that doesn't make me fight to enjoy it.

And the games I used by way of example I chose specifically because they are from relatively different genres but can be jumped into with no prior experience and enjoyed in a matter of minutes. I can jump into a Final Fantasy game and be killing monsters in no time despite not playing many RPGs, and that's a combination of intuitive controls and the game taking the time to explain to me how to use them. The Witcher skipped all that. Actually, it may not even be that the controls are bad, it's that the game offers absolutely no help on how to use them beyond "trial and error" and "Google it." If they could make the third game slightly easier to get into, offer some tutorials on how to use the controls, I'm sure I would find it much more inviting and have a great time with it.

Incidentally, you should watch the Lord of the Rings; they're great movies.

 

[chimaxi83]

Sounds like you just need a different game. While the controls aren't easy enough that a caveman can do it, they are a far cry from having to read a manual and play through the tutorial for hours. Sure, I had to Google how in the hell to riposte properly (I was trying to do it without any vigor), but that quickly became simple.

I don't understand how the tutorial wasn't helpful, but to each his own. The game isn't rocket science, and it greatly rewards skilled combat.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Sounds like you just need a different game. While the controls aren't easy enough that a caveman can do it, they are a far cry from having to read a manual and play through the tutorial for hours. Sure, I had to Google how in the hell to riposte properly (I was trying to do it without any vigor), but that quickly became simple.

I don't understand how the tutorial wasn't helpful, but to each his own. The game isn't rocket science, and it greatly rewards skilled combat.

I'm just irked when games do something like that. You had to resort to Google to figure out what should be a basic combat mechanic. I had to resort to Google just yesterday to figure out parts of an Assassin's Creed 4 minigame that weren't adequately explained in any documentation. If someone has to resort to Google to figure out how to perform a basic action in your game, that's a failure of the game design. And I'm not the only one who felt that way about The Witcher (2); virtually the only complaints that anyone had with the game was that the developer did a poor job explaining the combat mechanics and controls. But that's a big issue in my mind, and I hope it's something they address in the third one, because it looks fantastic.