The Witcher 2 is a rarity in gaming. Sure, it is commonplace for companies to port games from the PC to the Xbox 360 with success. What is rare is the lengths CDProjekt RED took to give users a unique experience that also affords players a feeling of added value for their full-price purchase of a 2011 release.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition is an open-world western role playing game. You play as Geralt of Rivia, the returning hero from the previous title. As a witcher, you are a monster hunter who develops skills and powers beyond those of mere mortals, including enhanced reflexes, improved sight and greater vitality. These powers alienate you from the human population, who are split between being in awe of you and fearing you. The story revolves around the serial regicides occurring throughout the many kingdoms of the world. You, as Geralt, are accused of one of the murders. In order to clear your name, you strike out to find who’s behind the assassinations. Even though I never played a Witcher game before, CDProjekt RED perfectly utilized the “Prologue” of the game as it makes you play through the major events at the end of the original Witcher. This gave me the opportunity to familiarize myself with the story as well as learn the major mechanics of the game.
The Witcher 2 truly brings the definition of open world home. You are given plenty of side quests and room to roam in both the cities and their surrounding areas. I often found myself getting lost in these areas and completely engrossed in the side stories. I felt the game encouraging me to engage in the many facets of the environments and its people. It is through these encounters I began to see some major themes bleed through like racism and sexism. I felt personal discomfort walking through Flotsam’s “non-human district” (read: slums), though not quite as much as I did walking through the streets of Windhelm in Skyrim. There is also a lot of moral ambiguity throughout your choices as Geralt. Witcher 2 really demonstrates its brilliance in how there are no obvious visual indicators during conversations showing you how those choices will affect your morality. Often I found when I needed information, my conversational choices were “be weak and wishy-washy,” “use intimidation” or “use a spell to hex the person into telling me.” Not exactly clear-cut as to “good” and “bad,” which led me to be more pro-active in the story instead of worrying about whether I’m chasing ‘paragon’ or ‘renegade’ (as in Mass Effect decision making).
Where Witcher 2 struggles the most is in combat. For the first eight levels, you are only able to upgrade the “Witcher Training” portion of the skill trees, leaving swordsmanship and magic for levels not reached until the end of Chapter One. This leaves Geralt in situations where he is easily overwhelmed in groups. The game will inform you to “prepare” using oils, potions and other enhancements, but even then you are still at the mercy of camera position, animation length and luck. Even on Normal settings, I struggled with multiple enemies, especially if some had ranged weapons, which travel through solid objects to hit you. This makes combat more than simply challenging, it makes it frustratingly difficult and the difference between Normal and Easy is like night and day. Easy holds no challenge at all and Normal made me want to throw my controller. Personally, I wish the combat was just a bit more fluid and intuitive, allowing me to feel a part of Geralt and the combat rather than deciding on which button will have the shortest animation to allow me to throw in another attack.
The Witcher 2 Xbox 360 release includes physical add-ins to the packaging (audio CD, world map, quest handbook) along with more in-game content and improvements to graphics and sound than the original PC release. Not only are these additions available in the Enhanced Edition on the Xbox 360, but they will be delivered free to PC owners of The Witcher 2. The most obvious of these in-game enhancements is the improvements to the lighting.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition provides a fantastic story, expertly delivered through personal interaction with NPCs and the environment. Even the convoluted (and sometimes frustrating) combat will not dissuade you from enjoying this beautifully crafted experience from CDProjekt RED. If you enjoy robust role playing games, you will appreciate The Witcher 2.
Related Videos:
The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition Official Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvm7YzOH7pM
The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition Unboxing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZARlNiiU4Ow
The Witcher 2 Preview/Interview PC Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_AlS-mWOJg
[..YouTube..] So If I pick it up on PC am I loosing out on a lot? How much extra has gone into this “enhanced” release?
[..YouTube..] I am definitely getting the game on Xbox 360 and I also encouraged many others at Xbox Fans Worldwide FB page to at least check the game out on April 17.
I am definitely getting the game on Xbox 360 and I also encouraged many others at Xbox Fans Worldwide FB page to at least check the game out on April 17.
[..YouTube..] Actually, everything that’s included in the Enhanced Edition is included in a free patch for PC players. CD Projekt does it up right!!
Actually, everything that’s included in the Enhanced Edition is included in a free patch for PC players. CD Projekt does it up right!!
[..YouTube..] Fuck sakes…2 more day’s…
Fuck sakes…2 more day’s…
[..YouTube..] KOAR is so easy, it’s not even fun. I hope the witcher is somewhat like dark souls, when it comes to difficulty.
KOAR is so easy, it’s not even fun. I hope the witcher is somewhat like dark souls, when it comes to difficulty.
[..YouTube..] hey can u buy this edition is stores cuz i really want to buy this for my xbox 😀
hey can u buy this edition is stores cuz i really want to buy this for my xbox 😀
[..YouTube..] does the pc version have 360 gamepad support? I can’t stand the keyboard .
does the pc version have 360 gamepad support? I can’t stand the keyboard .
[..YouTube..] yes
yes
[..YouTube..] how often do you have to switch disks?I only have a 20 gb drive so I’ll only be able to install one disk at a time.
how often do you have to switch disks?I only have a 20 gb drive so I’ll only be able to install one disk at a time.
[..YouTube..] Comparing Witcher 2 combat to dull Skyrim’s and easy as hell Amalur? And it’s a DISLIKE that a game is actually challenging and makes you die if you run into combat only button mashing without any preparation AT ALL? A better comparison would be Dark Souls, as the creators of the Witcher 2 said many times that DS was the inspiration for the combat systems.
Oh, and maybe the reviewer should go back to Star Wars Kinect or sth if he doesn’t like dying in games, seriously.
Comparing Witcher 2 combat to dull Skyrim’s and easy as hell Amalur? And it’s a DISLIKE that a game is actually challenging and makes you die if you run into combat only button mashing without any preparation AT ALL? A better comparison would be Dark Souls, as the creators of the Witcher 2 said many times that DS was the inspiration for the combat systems.
Oh, and maybe the reviewer should go back to Star Wars Kinect or sth if he doesn’t like dying in games, seriously.
[..YouTube..] yes it does, it actually plays better that way, kinda like it was designed for a pad.
yes it does, it actually plays better that way, kinda like it was designed for a pad.
[..YouTube..] The PC version will be patched up to the same version as the xbox 360 upon release. The update can be downloaded for FREE.
The PC version will be patched up to the same version as the xbox 360 upon release. The update can be downloaded for FREE.
[..YouTube..] Thanks 🙂
Thanks 🙂
[..YouTube..] How often do you have to switch disks?I only have a 20 gb drive so I’ll only be able to install one disk at a time. I’ve read that the developers said to install the game, so this could be a deal breaker for me. If anybody knows for sure please respond.
How often do you have to switch disks?I only have a 20 gb drive so I’ll only be able to install one disk at a time. I’ve read that the developers said to install the game, so this could be a deal breaker for me. If anybody knows for sure please respond.
[..YouTube..] POW! Nipples in yo face! #TShirt
POW! Nipples in yo face! #TShirt
[..YouTube..] Yes, the PC version will be patched up for free. Plus, you can go onto GOG.com and get a “backup copy” for free.
Yes, the PC version will be patched up for free. Plus, you can go onto GOG.com and get a “backup copy” for free.
[..YouTube..] I’m curious as to what your definition of good combat is. I am not simply “running in button-mashing.” My major problem is there are some great looking skills I can upgrade later, but before level 10, you are stuck with “Witcher Training,” I’ve only just opened Swordsmanship. I also do not feel the combat is as fluid. I spend a lot of time getting hit while I wait for my animations to finish. I look forward to your opinions on my full review.
I’m curious as to what your definition of good combat is. I am not simply “running in button-mashing.” My major problem is there are some great looking skills I can upgrade later, but before level 10, you are stuck with “Witcher Training,” I’ve only just opened Swordsmanship. I also do not feel the combat is as fluid. I spend a lot of time getting hit while I wait for my animations to finish. I look forward to your opinions on my full review.
[..YouTube..] Darksoul can not be compair to the witcher dark soul had a wash rinse and repeat process you had to keep playing to find weak points in the enemy. Witcher challenge you. Darksoul made you respect the challenge. I will be waiting for dragon dogma 500 plus hours now thats a game compair to 50 hrs .
Darksoul can not be compair to the witcher dark soul had a wash rinse and repeat process you had to keep playing to find weak points in the enemy. Witcher challenge you. Darksoul made you respect the challenge. I will be waiting for dragon dogma 500 plus hours now thats a game compair to 50 hrs .
[..YouTube..] One day?! And you give it coverage?! This is so stupid and a disservice to gaming and gamers!
One day?! And you give it coverage?! This is so stupid and a disservice to gaming and gamers!
[..YouTube..] full review on the website – link in the description
full review on the website – link in the description
[..YouTube..] Well,in that case, this can be taken down,right?!
Well,in that case, this can be taken down,right?!
[..YouTube..] i think we made it clear enough that this wasnt a full review but early day one impressions — thanks for watching
i think we made it clear enough that this wasnt a full review but early day one impressions — thanks for watching
[..YouTube..] but it says review in the title. MISLEADING
but it says review in the title. MISLEADING
[..YouTube..] Worst review ever! My main dislike is you two dweebs .
[..YouTube..] Worst review ever! My main dislike is you two dweebs .
Worst review ever! My main dislike is you two dweebs .