Just finished my first play through. What an amazing game.

Best RPG I have ever played.

Sure, it has its problems, like I cant map the keys to numpad without going into the ini file. Yes, it does feel like it was made with consoles in mind, but the gameplay has in no way been dumbed down.

Ill wait for the patch coming next week and then ill go for a 2nd run.

EDIT: Oh year, the main quest feels a bit short. But I guess that multiple play through will extend it.

Thank you OP for this thread. It's true, I have been playing this game so much I haven't had time to really bother with the forums! I think that's the way it always is. If you like something, there's not much incentive to say anything. I've loved the game, and I have always found this kneejerk reaction to change as being 'consolization' as absurd. For one, the changes are not necessarily console inspired, they could be for any number of reasons. I'm thinking of the combat complaints, in particular. I personally think it feels very visceral, fast and active, which I think fits the fighting style described in the books very well. I think that was the main concern, to make Geralt seem as fast, agile and deadly in the game as he came across in the books. He's never been about being a damage sponge, he's been about agility, fast thinking and speed. the combat is quite unforgiving if you approach a situation wrong, but I think this is a good reflection of the books as well. Yes, it's player-skill based, and requires practice to gt the hang of, but I thought it was fun overall, so I don't care if this goes against how older RPG's did things.

Though even if it is "consolized" as long as the game remains fun, why does it matter? I mean, face facts, consoles sell WAY more games, it is in CDPR's best interest to release the game on consoles. While they certainly have made the game with an eye towards that end, there is no doubt that the PC version will be far superior in terms of graphics and such.

For the record, no I do not own a console. Never have, in fact. I play games on the PC exclusively. But I do not fault them for realizing they will reach a larger audience if they later port to the console. It's their job to get the game to as many players as possible, not to be the great hope of the PC as a platform. As long as they treat the PC well in general, that's enough for me. The concessions they've made for this are rather small in the grand scheme of the game, and don't really bother me.

While I do have some nitpicks, they are minor, I don't think they've spoiled the game or anything. also, my nitpicks seem to be different than the people in the thread... I do agree the inventory screen needs some tweaks, but my biggest issue is when you are with companions, and they are talking to you in a scripted way but instead of timing the dialogue so that it's happening during down time, they throw unavoidable fights at you. So there's Iorveth (or Roche if you went that way, presumably) blathering on about history while you're trying to beat up harpies. It's very hard to follow what he said, and I wanted to. That's my big nitpick.

eta: also, the saving during the Draug fight. It wont let you save at the encounter, and there is no autosave right before it. If you fail, you have to do the preceding fight all over again.

Which if that is true, that's an excellent example of how a publisher should be, let the creative minds carry or drop the title, yet at the same time I guess they should've voiced their concerns...But still, I'd much rather have a hands-off publisher than a draconic one *Cough EA, UbiSoft *Cough!

well it really does depend on the publishers goal. most of them want money, do they cut things due to cost. or because they can sell it as DLC or an expansion. sometimes they force it to be open for a forced sequel.

but in the case of these guys, they do care they have shown it. their goal is usually a good game, and they should have stepped in at some point to just see how things are going. i like things hands off and all but that does not mean to never peak once and a while and see if things need a little help going. allowing them to change deadlines and such.

i hope right now that they are having a good look over and getting on top of this because their name is being dragged though the mud for it a little.

True, a publisher should help spot red flags. As with book editors. Though this can lead to a slippery slope situation, particularly with games. At least in regards to fan perception. One of the things people praise about The Witcher, for instance, is the creative freedom of the developers. People see both games as examples of an unbridled creator, unhampered by publisher demands, and they see that as a good thing. All decisions with the game, whether you agree with them or not, were THEIRS. Same with Bethesda's games. Zenimax is very hands off, and Bethesda itself appears to be pretty hands-off. That shows respect for artistic vision. Dragon Age 2, on the other hand is widely seen as a game hampered by excessive meddling from EA. Many movies also fall victim to this. So yes, I do agree the publisher has some responsibility for quality control, particularly for technical issues, it has also been shown that when excersized in game companies, it has a tendency to go too far...

in the case of brink the devs lied to us, we got a worse game then what we were shown.\

as for the witcher they did amazing and whats better is they can still take suggestions and try it out to make their game better unlike most companies that dont want to put funds into it. they rather keep the money and run to the next venture like bandits.

To each their own. I thoroughly enjoy DA2 and have full intention of continuing my 2nd play through. The visceral combat skills in DA2 [i.e. 2 handed sword] are quite appealing to me. I agree that they rushed the product out the door and there are plenty of glitches [i.e. skills not working as described], recycled environments and vastly simplified communication wheel. Yet that doesn't detract from enjoying the combat. Simple yes, and over the top exploding bodies but sexy skill animations nonetheless. I also enjoyed DA: Origins. Albeit the story was better and more enjoyable conversation options, yet the combat, although fun was not as enjoyable as DA2. PotAtoe, potatoe.

I played all the Roberta Williams King's Quest point and click rpg/adventures back in the 1980's so I'm flexible when it comes to enjoying a game.

Having said this, I definitely enjoy Witcher 2 as well. I've managed to get crossfire working well, zero crashes and the shear graphic detail, conversations and musical scores are nothing less than stunning. I say again: the music is beautiful! I enjoy the combat as well. Different, yet satisfying.

If you want skillful sword play combat, complete with effective blocking / feinting, then Mount & Blade: Warband is the ticket. There's nothing quite like it.

Personally i still say the best way to go was the "Testiculator 2000"

this device was securely attached to a devs testicles on employment day 1.

Now when a game was released each customer was given a membership code to access the 240 volt testiculator via an internet site.

If the game released was of a sub standard and in any way differed from the advertised or promised product,you could send a 2 second 240 volt belt through the testiculators a maximum of once a day per customer membership.

now i know what you are going to say........

we need to go green,and the power consumption of games like mafia 2 or dragon age 2 would short out the national grids of many countrys on release day.

Soooooooo,i offered a compromise,the mechanically operated remote "Baseball bat 2500",but that was abused as devs were seen playing baseball outside using the groin attached baseball bat to hit home runs

[BTW i should mention the wives and girlfriends of the devs were all for the latter device and very enthusiastic].
but still my version of DRM was refused many years ago.....

I for one love TW2.

However, I agree it is clear that they designed the game with an eye on a future console port. The menus and interface is designed so it can easily fit a gamepad.

Is that a good thing? I am not sure. The style of gameplay lends itself well to a gamepad anyway, relying on only a few buttons to accomplish all you want. But at the same time better menus could have been used, much better in fact.

If the combat had been more tactical, like Dragon Age, I would have been quite bothered by this. Imagine if DA2's PC version (which retains DAO's controls in combat) had kept the console-style control scheme for PC (with an ability wheel and quick bindings). The result would have been rather distressing. TW2 can get away with it because the combat style does not really require a fully integrated PC interface.

Plus, the skill wheel is a gameplay element as well: is slows down time, not pauses.

I think TW2 would have been better without a console-style interface, but I think the gameplay is such that it can bear it.

Either way, I am willing to put up with it for its excellent gameplay and storytelling, not to mention its gorgeous graphics.

But you see, consoles are where the real money can be made. As such, if the devs DO have to do a console version, I think this is the best way to do it: Design it for PC, and then port it for consoles.

This is a far better solution than the other way around. A game designed for PC with console interface capability in mind is a much better option than designing for console and then porting over to PC. We always end up getting the short end of the stick when that happens, so I am happy with CDPR's decision.

And when it comes out for console I will be happy: they get more money they deserve, and will make more games. Let us hope those games are done for PC first as well. :)

Itkovian

I will grant you your first point- to each their own.

Still, the majority of the complains here, diregarding of course the performance issues, revolve around either bashing the combat, or the difficulty, or some aspects that they call conlole-oriented. My reply therefore, was targeting those individuals who were passing judgement on game mechanics that are actually working well together, adding to the overall experiance. Conslole-oriented mechanisms, if one could call them that, do not necessary need to be negative implementations. And, from what we have here, The Wicher 2 clearly shows this: the combat is very chalenging, and it requires more precision to be properly executed - and it is here that a "console-oriented" control scheme comes into play, and, it actually works!

So, like you, i enjoyed the witcher 2, as i also played and enjoyed numerous rpgs before it. What makes this game unique, is how it expands on a already great game by adding elements that match the gameplay it offers- while maintaning an immersive storytelling, and an intricate plot.

Although this is a Witcher 2 thread, allow me to elaborate more on my earlier mention of DA 2. If we assume a comparative aproach between current and previous instalments. we can clearly see why CDProject did a much better job at creating a sequel that made both old and new funs happy, while delivering a stunning and faithful to the source material product. EA, on the otehr hand, limited the work that Bioware's talented individuals would do, resulting in a very toned down RPG game- stripped from what made the other entry worthy, such as REAL RPG mechanics. If it was a stand-alone RPG-action game, i would consider it under diffrent light, but in terms of a comparative analysis with its prequel, this is rather dissapointing. As is, DA 2 is just another proof of why EA ruins everything she acquires, be it Lord of the Rings titles, all sports games, and now Bioware RPGs as well.

I personally look forward to more games from these Polish fellows, as they have managed to outmatch the big Giants of Rpgs, not once, but twice already.

You might have some difficulty finding a PS3 with backwards compatibility with the PS2. The First two that came out 20 Gb & 60 Gb I think in Nov. '06 were backwards compatible, Since then there have been a couple of 80 Gb models that were ( before '08 I believe ). I have both a PS2 ( the original with drawer & Fan ) and a PS3. The PS2 is hooked a 42" HDTV by way of RGB Component and the PS3 is naturally hooked up by way of HDMI. I also have an old Commodore 128 with plenty of those old games.

Oh, it doesn't matter whether I get a 60, or 80GB I'll be using my PS2 for my Emu titles..I know it might sound a bit piratic, but considering that some of the games I want to re-collect is close to $200-300 I simply do not have the money for it plus I already owned them at on time and they're well over 15 yrs old..Maybe close to twenty!...However, if GoG were to acquire them...well, maybe..*Hint-Hint!

You also reminded me of the time someone was selling a magnivox oddessy (My first system!) with all the games for only $25! and like an IDIOT I passed it up!

Had an Odyssy way back when too. Only had two games, Bowling and Pong. : ) Sometimes you can run into some good older titles for the PS2 at GameStop. I need to upgrade the Hdd in my PS3. I have an 80 Gb, but the thing is almost full. I don't know about EMU titles. Some do end up as Public Domain over time, so no problem. The emus for the PS2 stuff on PC's work okay, but you do lose some quality in the process, but I guess it is fine for some who don't have a PS2. Most of what I have been looking for on the PS2 are the older Final Fantasy Titles and have managed to pick up some Tomb Raider stuff. When I bought my first PS2 ( Slimeline that broke one day after the warranty ran out ) I bought Tomb Raider Anniversary. PS3 prices sure have come down. For what I paid for mine, you can now get one with a much bigger Hdd, Move, and a game or two.

Oh, it doesn't matter whether I get a 60, or 80GB I'll be using my PS2 for my Emu titles..I know it might sound a bit piratic, but considering that some of the games I want to re-collect is close to $200-300 I simply do not have the money for it plus I already owned them at on time and they're well over 15 yrs old..Maybe close to twenty!...However, if GoG were to acquire them...well, maybe..*Hint-Hint!

You also reminded me of the time someone was selling a magnivox oddessy (My first system!) with all the games for only $25! and like an IDIOT I passed it up!