#1

This is a pre-review...things may change a bit as I progress, but probably not by much. I tend to only stick up the reviews on Steam when I have gotten further in the game, but this one is too good and too big to wait.

You know a game is good when it has you hooked after only 30 minutes of game-time. This game did that to me. Yes, it really is as good as everyone claims. It's one of those games you simply cannot put down. I found myself thinking about it way too much and itch to get back to playing it. Not many games do that these days, but this is definitely one of them.

Graphically, it looks absolutely astonishing. The environment, characters, textures, attention to detail, god, even the hair looks amazing. The weather and day/night effects are also top notch. You can truly get "lost" in a game world as lovingly crafted as this one.

The music is also very well done, it fits perfectly with the game and really helps to set the tone and emotional impact of certain events and areas. Truly, not enough praise is given to it, but trust me, it's really well done. Voice-overs are also a strong-point here. The characters (especially the "main" ones) are done extremely well and really help to immerse you in the world and form attachments with the characters.

The story and quests are also very well put together. Much less of the "go here, fetch this" crap that most RPG's use to pad out a game with content and much more involved and intriguing stories that mean just as much as the main quests in some cases. The addition of specific Witcher contracts, which allow you to go full on detective are also great fun. Some of these require a little research and preparation, rather than just running to a point on the map and button-mashing, giving them a surprisingly deep and complex vibe. There is also lots of content to keep you entertained - and as stated above, it's not just rubbish padding (I am looking at you, DAI).

At this point I am really struggling to find much wrong with the game. I suppose the only thing that is a little lacklustre is the combat - which can be great sometimes, or very frustrating at others. It could do with a little polishing given the amount of it in the game, but it is by no means a deal-breaker - and certainly an improvement over Witcher 2's. To be honest, it grows on you as well - being quite different to most RPG's I have played, but once you get used to it, suddenly it all seems to come together and work. So really, this is nitpicking. I found the keyboard and mouse controls difficult to get to grips with, but a few rebinds later and all was well (dodge key being bound to Alt by default was a personal bugbear). Also be sure to turn on "Hardware Mouse", or else the mouse never feels "right". Quite why it is defaulted to "off" to begin with, I don't understand.

The "Gwent" mini-game also never captured me (I just avoid it wherever possible). This is personal taste however, and a lot of people seem to really enjoy it. Never quite clicked with me though. Each to their own. Thankfully you can just skip these - including the "find them all" quest related to collecting every card in the game. So what we have here is an optional feature that some will love and play (no con to the game) and others will not like and skip (no con again), making this whole "issue" a non-issue.

Yep, that's it. I honestly cannot name anymore cons. Absolutely everything else about this game is good - better than good. So, all in-all, this could well be one of the best RPG's I have played in a long time. It is nothing short of a masterpiece. I don't give away 10/10 ratings often, but this game deserves it.

P.S. Team Yen, all the way.



Jimbo Rating: 10/10

Last edited 18 Jan 2016 at 13:23.

#2

Not looked at this yet i think i will have too

#3

Definitely worth a look, although if you have not played any of the previous games, the story may be difficult to follow (there is a lot to it, and you will have missed out a lot from the previous games). There were originally several books preceding the first game too.

Last edited 15 Jan 2016 at 17:31.

#4

Slight update to my review and also posted on Steam (as always).

#5

Don't know if any of you guys are the slightest bit interested, but here is my screenshot collection (so far) for the game. As a bonus, here is some little pieces of "artwork" I uploaded as well.

I ordered the first book the other day - that's how much I am loving this game. Apparently they are superb. All came out before even the first game did and lead right up to the events at the start of the first game.

Last edited 20 Jan 2016 at 11:29.

#6

Witcher 3 Mods

Just finished my first play-through of this awesome game (loved every second of it). Going to definitely be doing a "New Game +" play-though - and thought I might even try out some mods this time around. As such, I have collected together a few of the better looking ones out there to potentially try...

Fast Travel from anywhere
Texture improvement
All quest objectives on map
Debug Console or this
Auto-loot all
Indestructable items
Disable loading "videos"
Witcher sense zoom remove and toggle
Better potion icons or this
Photo mode

Last edited 27 Jan 2016 at 11:03.

#7

Noticed you finally got round to trying this one out Meg - what do you think so far?

#8

It is very good and huge every time I finish a quest I seem to get another 10!

I am about 4 hours in and enjoying in very much just met the Blood Baron

#9

Cool, I am glad you are enjoying it. Yes, the game is huge - I clocked over 100 hours on this one I think - and still hadn't done everything. Loved my time with it though and is one of the few games that I will be buying the DLC for when it is cheap enough.

Does the Blood Baron remind you of Robert Baratheon, like he did to me? Some really cool characters in this game.

#10

Lol yes he does I look forward to getting further into it

#11

Just an FYI - Angry Joe gave this game 10/10.
Well deserved in my opinion - since it is probably one of the best games ever made.

How you getting on with it Meg?

#12

Yea i really like it i am 30 hours in but i don't really feel like i have started it yet just exploring Novigarth at the moment but i am just picking up quests every turn the game is huge!

#13

*Novigrad

Shiny. I spoke with G-Man about it the other day - since I think he might like it. He likes Mass Effect, Skyrim and Deus Ex, which are both RPGs - and given how damn good this one is it might amuse him for a bit.

So have you done Triss' quest(s) yet?

#14

I followed her around for a little bit, found her stuff on the bottom of the river and helped her clear out a warehouse of rats but that is it.  She did say come and see her but i haven't yet.

I seem to have spent the last 2 hours or so trying to find some twat called Dandelion and still haven't found him. Like i said though I pickup quests all the time i must have 30 open quests at the moment its nuts! 

#15

Yeah good 'ol Dandelion takes some finding in this one. I think he then points you to Ciri. You certainly need to do some quest management in a game this big - and focus on the ones that are important or that you WANT to do. Some of them are not worth it - and the "treasure hunts" are pretty pointless.

Don't forget to do Triss' other quests though - because you haven't played the other games you will want to understand the Yen vs Triss thing a bit better and make your decision on where Geralt's loyalties should lay. Triss was a BIG part of Witcher 2 - and both Yen and Triss have had major parts to play in Gerat's life.

Last edited 7 Sep 2016 at 11:16.

#16

Arse farmer. 

#17

Do you want some or just stating it for the record? If the latter, we are aware of your afflictions already. If the former then I am not interested. 

#18

So, how did you enjoy your time in Witcher 3 then Meg? Getting the completion blues yet (I did)?

#19

I did really enjoy it but i am i bit pissed it ended so badly

Do miss it though i think i might be ready for new game + in a week or two

#20

Yeah, I can imagine after spending all those hours in it that you would be a bit pissed off that everyone died.

On both my playthroughs Ciri became empress and I lived happily ever after banging Yen.