The Witcher - first previews

[madwolf]

Personally I love this game, definitely kicks the likes of Two Worlds {my Oblivion fix} into the long grass. And the voice acting's pretty damn good too, best I've heard in ages. Added to which the hero looks like Iggy Pop.

[Infidel]

Quite early on in the game you get to make an interesting decision and it makes Witcher's design philosopy shine. It is very early on, but mentions a repercussion later in the game, so I will cloak it: You are asked to help a trader, who stocks his goods at a river, to get rid of some monsters for him, who come by at night. You go out at midnight, do that, and as soon as you have killed the last one, a group of elves comes by and demands their goods. It is unclear if this is an actual agreement between them and the trader or if they try to steal. Elves in the game are harassed by humans to the point of driving them to extinction. Anyhow, you can now decide if you let them have the wares or not. In the latter case you have to fight them. Quite a while later in the game, two things can happen, depending on how you decided: If you let them have the wares they kill a person you need to get information from. If you killed the elves, later on another elf will be killed by humans, because evidence found on the bodies you left leads to him. And you'd need that elf, too to get information.

That your decisions within the game matter, is really nice.

[Renzatic]

I broke down. You all were having so much fun without me, I went ahead and decided to get the censored NA version just so I could join in.

So far, the changes have been subtle. One little incident sticks out the most so far, the line "I absolutely adore a hard throbbing dick stuffed deeply into the velvety folds of my womanhood" has been censored down to a simple "I love Richard". Kinda disappointing, but I can live with it. And hey, if I really like it, I can sell off my current version and grab the Euro release for my second playthrough.

[Renzatic]

DEAD
FUCKING
SERIOUS

Also a donkey punch as a finishing move. Or so I hear anyway. I got the censored version.

[driver]

You don't get the Donkey Punch? Christ, what the hell did you go and hand over money for that shit for?

[Renzatic]

The way I see it, if I'm desperate for some donkey punch action, I can fire up bittorrent and find enough DP clips to desensitize me of it for the rest of my life.

Plus, I play videogames for the erudition, not the stimulation.

[driver]

But the DP is cental to the whole theme of the game.

[Scots Taffer]

Talking about edgy stuff being in computer games, I read an amazing article about a game I'd never heard before today, Phantasmagoria. That is Fucked. Up.

[Angel Dust]

I remember when that came out and it was pretty bad! Sure it had the gore etc but as an adventure game it sucked. I think you could still make something like that today, it would go down a treat with Saw/Hostel gore crowd. Oh yeah the game had a sequal too.

[DX-455]

IIRC, it was 7 discs!!!

[Digital Nightfall]

Posts and related flamewar concerning if Witcher deserves a thread at TTLG have been moved to a different thread in a different forum. Kudos if you happen to find it. By the way, it's locked.

Further discussion/flames on this topic will result in post deletions and/or other moderation, including, but not limited to, donkey punches. Oh, and your mother sucks dwarf phallus, etc.

Nice day.

[Scots Taffer]

lol

also, think Renzatic was unfairly moved there, chief

Now back to dwarf cock.

Does this game resemble KotOR or the sort of game like Oblivion that I'd never actually play?

[Digital Nightfall]

Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Explicitly pornographic statements are par for the course in this thread. However, silly willy nilly flame wars just isn't its style.

[vurt]

Does this game resemble KotOR or the sort of game like Oblivion that I'd never actually play?

It's much more like KOTOR or Fable, you're restricted in the same ways, quite linear (both in regards to pathways and gameplay/problem solving). You cant dive, jump/climb which, imo, kind of ruins the gamplay quite a bit if you're the explorer kind-of-guy. Character customization and armors/weapons are extremely limited.

While i still enjoy it somewhat (good enough story/characters), its not really my type of RPG.

[Infidel]

Does this game resemble KotOR or the sort of game like Oblivion that I'd never actually play?

It is as far from the fantasy theme park that Oblivion is as a RPG can probably get. The limitations as described by Vurt apply, however, the game offers so much more to make up for it.

[bukary]

Well, it has become a common knowledge now... The translated script was cut.

I wish you all could play this game with full dialogues. The texts are really great. It is sad to see that some things have been cut from English dialogues. I guess this game would have slightly better reviews if only you-know-who decided not to remove anything from the script.

Some random examples (Y = published English version):

X)
Geralt: Why do the local humans persecute the nonhumans?
Smith: Why do pricks go in cunts? It's the natural order of things. Humans have always disliked dwarves and elves. Not for me to know why.
Y)
Geralt: Why do locals persecute nonhumans?
Smith: Humans have always hated dwarves and elves.

X)
Elf Bandit: What do you seek here, witcher?
Geralt: Murderers.
Elf Bandit: Then visit the city. It's inhabited by a criminal race. We fight to survive. Humans only comprehend force and thus will we talk to them.
Geralt: I doubt you'll live long.
Elf Bandit: You threaten us, dh'oine, but know six ape-people, including women and children, remain inside the crypt... with the ghouls...
Y)
Elf Bandit: What do you want?
Geralt: Murderers.
Elf Bandit: Visit the city. It's inhabited by a criminal race. We fight to survive.
Geralt: I doubt you'll live long.
Elf Bandit: You threaten us, but six ape-people remain inside the crypt... with the ghouls...

X)
Shani: What were you doing in that witch's house?!
Geralt: I... she... saved my life. If not for Triss, I'd be dead, most likely.
Shani: Hmmmm, so I owe her. But know this, witcher, I'll show you my other, less tender side if you're lying.
Geralt: Why would I lie? Anyway, what brings you here?
Shani: Hear this - that witch is trying to steal one of my patients. A boy named Alvin. Besides the fact that I'm responsible for him, what does that hag know about raising children? Everyone knows she can never have one of her own. Plus, she's always saying something about sources and such. I don't want her handling that child with her dirty paws. Devil only knows what she wants to do with him. You've met her. Explain to her that Alvin's staying with me.
Geralt: I, hmmm, okay, I'll try, but it'd be much simpler if you two would just agree.
Shani: Simple or not, you know her better. I need to go home, Geralt. Please bring Alvin to me. Let me rest assured knowing he's all right...
Y)
Shani: Why were you in that witch's house?!
Geralt: If not for Triss, I'd be dead, most likely.
Shani: I'll show you my other, less tender side if you're lying.
Geralt: Aah... What brings you here?
Shani: That witch is trying to steal one of my patients - Alvin. What does that hag know about raising children? Everyone knows she can't have her own. I don't want her handling that child with her dirty paws. Devil only knows what she wants with him. Explain to her that Alvin's staying with me.
Geralt: It'd be much simpler if you two would just agree.
Shani: Simple or not, you know her better. Please bring Alvin to me.

X)
Yaevinn: Lara Dorren aep Shiadhal was an elven sorceress, called Aen Saevherne, a Knowing One. She carried Hen Ichaer, Elder Blood, which puzzles even us elves. As fate would have it, Lara fell in love with a human sorcerer, Cregenan of Lod. Other humans could not bear it and began persecuting them. No pleas would soften the stone hearts of the cruel and merciless dh'oine. When Lara, begging for her unborn child, grabbed the door of the royal carriage, a man-at-arms lashed out with his cutlass, chopping her fingers off. When the nighttime frosts came, Lara languished on a forest hill. She gave birth to a daughter whom she protected with what warmth remained in her waning body. Though through the night a blizzard had raged, spring suddenly appeared on that hill and feainnewedd bloomed. To this day those flowers grow only in Dol Blathanna and on the land where Lara breathed her last. You must understand the importance of her artifacts. She was exceptional to us, someone whose loss defies words, no matter the language...
Y)
Yaevinn: Lara Dorren aep Shiadhal was an elven sorceress, a Knowing One. She carried Elder Blood, which is puzzling. Lara fell in love with a human sorcerer, Cregenan of Lod. Other humans could not bear it and began persecuting them. When Lara, begging for her unborn child, grabbed at the royal carriage, a man-at-arms chopped her fingers off. She gave birth on a frost-covered hill and protected her daughter with what warmth remained in her waning body. Though a blizzard raged through the night, spring suddenly appeared on that hill and feainnewedd bloomed. Now, those flowers grow only where Lara breathed her last. She was exceptional, someone whose loss defies words, no matter the language...

X)
Yaevinn: I once lived in a big city among humans. Honest and courteous, I respected all their ridiculous customs and laws. Assimilation -- I lived that word for years, and during that time I was cheated, sneered at, on occasion beaten and robbed. I felt no hatred for humans. I felt better than them. I told myself they were simply incapable of controlling their weaknesses, their flaws. I was robbed three times as often as others. Racist slogans were painted on my door in excrement. For years I wondered why. Was I doing something wrong? What could I do to make my life peaceful and happy? And you know what I came to understand?
Geralt: No, but I'm sure you'll tell me.
Yaevinn: I was doing nothing wrong. I had been lying to myself from the outset. Just as the moon will never catch the sun, so humans will never change. They will remain egotistical, envious, petty, and fearful of anything they don't understand - and believe me, there's plenty... Matters proceeded quickly thereafter, but that's another story.
Geralt: Now you resemble humans...
Yaevinn: No, Geralt, definitely not... And you, witcher? Who are you? You too have experienced human ignorance and hatred.
Geralt: But I feel no contempt for them, I don't look down on them, and I don't generalize. Humans are how they are, and I'll make no effort to change or fight them. I'll adapt. Evolution, Yaevinn.
Yaevinn: Evolution makes no allowance for sterile mutants... No offense. Think about it, Geralt.
Geralt: You're trying to make the sun stand still. To me, elves hardly differ from humans. I don't understand you, and I don't like your arrogance. You dream of a lost time that will never return no matter how many dh'oine you slay.
Y)
Yaevinn: I once lived in a city among humans. I respected all their ridiculous customs and laws and during that time I was cheated, beaten and robbed. I told myself they were incapable of controlling their weaknesses. I was robbed three times as often as others. Racist slogans were painted on my door in excrement. I wondered if I was doing something wrong. What could I do to change? You know what I came to understand?
Geralt: No, but tell me.
Yaevinn: I did nothing wrong. Just as the moon will never catch the sun, so humans will never change. They will remain egotistical, envious, petty, and fearful of anything they don't understand - and believe me, there's plenty...
Geralt: You're similar to humans...
Yaevinn: Definitely not! And you? Who's also experienced human ignorance and hatred?
Geralt: I don't look down on them. Humans are how they are and I'll not try to change or fight them. I'll adapt. Evolution, Yaevinn.
Yaevinn: Evolution makes no allowance for sterile mutants...
Geralt: Elves hardly differ from humans. I don't understand you and your arrogance. The lost times will never return no matter how many dh'oine you slay.

And so on...

It's up to you to decide if these changes are important...

[driver]

I finished it last night. On the whole it was damn enjoyable, but the loading times did spoil my fun. You'd think that the interior of small houses could be loaded up with the main maps so you'd not have to face two loading pauses just to talk to one person.

The poker dice games, as mentioned earlier, is damn addictive and a good means of income, though the way money is handled seems a bit off as bar a couple of purchases in Chapter 4, you don't need more than loose change after that. So the 8k reward for killing the Grand Master came off a little flat as I had 10k on me.

I'm playing it again on hard now, chosing a different path. While you generally have to decide what to do on limited information, I'm pretty satisfied with how I played the first time, so I'm going to see how much things change if you side with different people.

[dvrabel]

I think the English dialogue is fine if not good in most places. But then I'm of the opinion if you want good writing then you should read a book instead. What is annoying the some of the lines having been poorly processed (or perhaps recorded at a different time?) and sounding louder and less clear than most of the lines.

Area loading would be improved by reducing the frequency of autosaves. Saving is almost as slow as loading on my box.

The poker player AI is bloody stupid at times, it will regularly throw away a winning hand.

[Subjective Effect]

I think the English dialogue is if not good in most places.

forum irony #4684

[michaelg]

Has anyone played the game on less than stellar hardware?

Athlon 2700+; I know they don't support this CPU, but I've heard of people playing with a 2400+.

Gig of ram

X700 Pro 256

Don't really care about what rez. If I have to play 800 X 600 with everything on low it's not really a big deal. However if it's going to be slide show with those types of settings, I'll pass on it until I can get a new comp.

[Renzatic]

You might be able to eek by, though it won't be anywhere near an optimal experience.

I'm running a 64 3200+ alongside a 7900GT with most everything set medium to high at 1680x1050. It runs okay, great indoors (45-50 FPS), outdoors varying (15-45 FPS). My processor is the big bottleneck here, because jumping from 1680x1050 down to 800x600 only nets me a couple extra FPS. So if I'm having problems with my proc, you'll probably have problems as well.

(Keep in mind I could vastly improve my framerate by just setting the draw distance to medium. You'll probably be able to do the same).

[michaelg]

Thanks for the info.

Wish they'd release a demo. Would make things a lot easier. Both your GPU and processor are better than mine though, so I'll probably pass on it for the time being.

Time for a new rig I guess.

Kind of sucks though because this is one of those games that isn't getting great scores by the media, but actual gamers seem to think is very good. Usually when that happens it really is good.

[Aerothorn]

So, I read the "nudie cards" were censored in the American version. Does anyone know if there are any other things censored in the USA version? I can live without nudie cards, but if they went and censored lots of other stuff I'll probably just import (damn you, weak dollar!).

[Thirith]

If "censored nudie cards" means getting the ones where breasts are covered and cats are used suggestively, then I must say I find the one I've seen more sexy than the "yarr, boobs, have at 'em!" one I've seen. Perhaps there's going to be a fan patch where you can choose the more subtle "censored" cards.

[Phatose]

Isn't dismemberment out of the US version as well?