No hate. Not everyone will like the game, especially those who absolutely loved the first. I just have a problem when the rhetoric becomes so absolute that it dissuades people who would otherwise enjoy it from even trying it. That's where you start to see the hate :)

What I meant was that the decisions are "in character." In Mass Effect Commander Shepard cannot decide to steal the Normandy and become a pirate - that's just not within the spectrum of choices that the writers provide. There are aspects of Commander Shepard's personality that are immutable in this way.

I think Geralt is similar in that many aspects of his character are already decided and the player doesn't have the option to deviate. I'm a little hesitant to bring up his sexuality because I don't want this thread to turn into another awful political/social debate - but it's a good example: Geralt likes women and the player is not "free" to play a gay Geralt.

I think one of the Mass Effect creators called this "Third Person Roleplaying," which I think is distinct from a Roleplaying game where the player is given a blank slate character to invent his/her own motivations/background/whatever.

... but I do agree that Witcher 2 seems to have more choices.

Good people here, thanks.

Know nothing of game programming, but know os and general support issues well. Forte is database design, structure, and programming, but if anyone has an issue not addressed or people are too busy to take the time, feel free to ask and will assist until problem is solved.

Enjoy the game!

You can start it right at the prologue. You can choose how to deal with Aryan La Villete and for each of the 3 choices you make, you'll have something different at the Dungeon already!

It's the best game in recent years but of course it is not for everyone. For most though!

I think you will have fun. TW2 doesn't seem like as much as a departure as the other sequels you mention. But it is a matter of taste.

Have fun!

Check out

http://www.gog.com/en/forum/the_witcher_2/recommended_mods_and_adventures/page1

for a list of highly recommended mods that do not change original gameplay. After a bit of experience with it all, you may want to visit http://www.witchernexus.com/index.php and/or the full list stickied on front page of this forum.

It's called CRPG, as in Character Role Playing Game, as in you role play a pre-designed (at least on some level and possibly in appearance and personality) character.

Vast majority of modern RPGs are CRPGs, the last pure RPG I can remember would have been IceWind Dale (where you can design a group of your own unique characters and the only thing imposed on them is their location and the fact they travel together).

Thanks for the clue on a true RPG. Last I remember dealing with were in the Wizardry series! Been awhile, I know.

If you're looking for a more recent RPG, both of the Drakensang games fit the bill. They're both pretty fun. I recommend at least looking into them. Funny that the poster above you mentioned Icewind Dale. I've been thinking about playing that again. :)

Cheers. I don't know if you trust Gamersgate or not, but they have both games available for direct download.

All fallouts are that, even the new ones. Also the Elder Scrolls series. You're given a situation, but you make the character and either follow the main plot for whatever reasons, or you can just ignore it and do whatever..

The game definately improves but the combat is still clicky clicky. At this point i am just playing for the story, which so far has been interesting and in true Witcher style still leaves the player with a few things to do for which they are not led by the nose to the specific point.

Asai

It gets better.

I always thought CRPG meant Canadian RPG o_0 :DDDDDDDD. As Jarmo mentioned the Bethesda games are all pretty... idk... 'free' as far as character development go.

I don't know if you've played Oblivion, but the only thing you know about your character is that you're in prison, so whatever motivation you have to progress through the game, and how you progress is internal to, and guided by the player.

... but yes, now I understand what people mean when they say CRPG. "-_- ... but in my defense, most conversations about CRPGs are about games made by a certain Canadian developer.