I just personally don't see a lot of point in comparing The Witcher to Elder Scrolls, since they are so different. Yeah, they're both fantasy settings and both RPG's but the design philosophy behind both is so different I can't see how they could reasonably be compared. I like both, for different reasons. Dragon Age is a little easier to compare, in that it is more focused on the main plot, like The Witcher is, but again, I see no reason to choose. Yeah, people have preferences, I get that, but...

Played both, liked risen, gothic III was good after 1000 community patches LOL. If its an RPG, I played it chances are. Risen was very good, surprised me, but its not near open world like bethesda games.

YOUR OPINION IS CONTRARY TO MINE. DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY.

On topic: Witcher 2 reminds me of playing Baldur's Gate for the first time in that it went from, "What the hell is this shit?" to "Love love love love love."

Ah, Baldur's Gate. I think I died to the first bear about a hundred times. ;p

You'd be surprised... go look at tesnexus.

The Witcher 2 is a good game but it really doesn't change anything as far as I am concern. I guess it may force other RPGs to try to be more visually appealing but beyond that it did not do anything groundbreaking (not that its needs to).

I have spent hundreds of hours on Oblivion and installed thousands of mods. Trust me. No, I wouldn't be. ;)

OMG GAME TOO DIFFICULT WHY NO BETTER TUTORIAL??? WORST RPG

disagree, first rpg ever really that has old school deep rpg mechanics, with a real time combat system, deep world with big moral choicesm and great dialog. Basically has everythiong. Every other RPG has some of these but not all. Oblivion is big but lack in the detail, story, deep mechanics.

TW2 proves you can have a deep, old school RPG, but still be modern. amespot review touches on this, Most other RPG's compromises on something.

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about. The king of RPGs and the one that ruined everything else for me is Fable 3. Talk about an in-depth storyline and choices that are shades of grey and not good/evil. The thing that really tops it off though is the dialogue. I love when dialogue consists of dancing like a chicken or dancing with the person. God I despise that game.

All kidding aside, The Witcher 2 has bleakened games that I once thought were great. It's good to know consoles and EA haven't completely destroyed cRPGs yet. I always hated DA2, before it even came out, but playing The Witcher 2 has made me begin to think of creative ways to destroy it.

EXACTLY, TW2 has exposed how poor mainstream, mainly console rpg's have gotten, and how overrrated bioware have gotten.

I adore TW2. But I'm not sure at least one of those terms means what you think it does.

I know, obviously you don't. TW2 is a deep game.

I THINK THE WITCHER 2 RE-DEFINES RPG GAMES FOR THOSE REASONS:

1. Regarding gamer taste on aesthetic aspect: Gamers want realism and diversity. A fantasy game world still has to obey to common physics, societal rule, etc, everything we would expect if we want to immerse ourself in the game.

For example: Garald carries the swords scabbards on his back but not the hanging the swords 2 inches away on his back. The community where he visits demonstrate livelihood where people eat, work, sleep, chatting.

His adventures spans from a human dungeon to an dwarven town. Every where he travels, we see a different level customization. That is the diversity we expect -not the cut-n-paste random encounters.

2. Regarding the story: at least among my friends, we all agree that RPGs should convey the moral issues, politics in our real world and genuinely put them into the fantasy world.

For mature games, we don't want the senseless flashing blood and gore but the a "mature story lines" where hard decisions must be made. Nonetheless, the level of violence and sex should be accordingly appropriate to its content. I am satisfied with the Witcher 2.

3. RPGs will take the path of action RPGs: people expect good combats, good shows of martial arts and magics. The system of finishing moves in the Witcher 2 is very very rewarding, especially after we build up the character strong enough.

I think its funny how fanboys bash Oblivion and other Mainstream RPGs and they still are popular and sell better then anything non mainstream. Sure old school types might hate mainstream but its called mainstream for a reason, it sells ridiculously well.