The Witcher
by Atari
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Video Game Reviews of The Witcher
Customer Review: Buyer Beware
Summary: 3 Stars
I don't have the heart to give this game the 1 star it deserves. This game has TONS of technical problems so BUYER BEWARE! While it's commendable that you can upgrade this version to the enhanced edition FOR FREE (legally!), that process is far from intuitive... and once you make it through that process, if you're running Windows 7 you have some cryptic error messages you have to solve before you can play. Once you get past all of that, it SHOULD play ... assuming you don't have an ATI 5000 series video card (like me) If you do, well... you're going to be greeted with some heavy screen distortion that makes the game virtually unplayable. The most recent Catalyst updates did lessen this problem, but it's still bad enough to render the game unplayable.
If you have Windows XP and a reasonably modern system I imagine this game would be tremendous fun. On Windows 7 64 bit with an ATI 5850... no, it most definitely is not fun. Just from the little I have played it, I can just feel that it has potential... but until ATI fixes their drivers... or until this game is patched... I won't know for sure.
Customer Review: One of the worst combat engines ever
Summary: 1 Stars
If you look at the one and two star reviews you will notice a constant complaint - the combat. It is truly awful, try the demo and see for yourself. It is unlike any other rpg, you have to click at the exact moment when a silly flash happens on the sword, it is based on twitch reflexes and is like an arcade game. Just the combat alone makes this game a must not buy because like in all rpgs, combat is a main focus of the game. Lets just say even the developer knows this design was a total lemon and will be changing it for the witcher 2 (quietly though). Unless you want to be play an arcade style rpg skip this, there are many other rpgs with real depth and good combat mechanics than this available.Customer Review: Great game, great support by developer
Summary: 5 Stars
A very well designed and smartly written RPG. You can tell that the developer really cares about making this product the best that it can be. Definitely make sure to download the updates from the developer's website as they not only fix initial issues, but also add additional content.Customer Review: Worthy of its Best Game award
Summary: 5 Stars
What makes a good game? Well, for me it is: A good story. Believable characters. Something new. Quality production. Depth of Play. Witcher delivers on all these. As a bonus, graphics are good, sound is good, voice acting is good.
No game is perfect. I have three beefs with the witcher: 1) my biggest beef is transition time between scenes. You will spend 25% of your time just waiting for game saves and scene transitions while you play. It is a pain. 2) controls are somtimes not smooth. On more than one occassion my character has died becuase he got stuck somewhere and I could not move him. Stuck between trees and up against walls when it happens. When I try to get him to run away I want him to run away. 3) copy protection. There has already been a lot said about it so I won't beat a dead horse. But I think this game may have actually told me first so I accepted it.
In spite of these detractors I give the game five stars. I find the main character believable, I find the fight strategy better than simple hack and slash but not complex, and I especially like the ingame mini games, particularly the COLLECTABLE CHICK CARDS. Yes this game was made for guys.
As an example of some of the new things this game offers (at least new for me), you can get drunk in the local pubs. If you can out drink someone else, you usually get a prize. Best of all, your character will act drunk. He will walk sideways, his vision will blurr, etc. There are nice visual affects for it. Another new thing is the collectable chick cards. Yes, many of the wenches are bed-able ... if you can figure out the right thing to say, or the right gift to give. Pay attention to her, give her what she wants, and she just might give you what you want.
This game has plenty of slicing, dicing, and bludgening going on, but that is not what is is really about. The game is much more like the old days where the focus was the story. I am glad to see gaming grow up enough that it can have good graphics etc. without worrying about that, and thus get back to gaming roots by producing a game that is story oriented. After all, the book is always better than the movie right? That is because the book is about the story and the movie is about special effects. Games that work the story are always better than those that work the special effects. Sometimes you get a real winner like The Witcher where you get both.
Lastly, the combat strategy of the game is pretty good, because you can continue to grow you character, not just by altering his skills and traits, but also by learning how to use potions, bombs, and signs (minimal magic). Indeed, best gameplay in combat is achieved by learning how to affectively employ these. You will find an impossible battle becomes simple when you have the right potions embibed, weapons sharpened and treated correctly, and know your enemy's weakness (signs often help here). It is not just about you being the six million dollar man (better, faster, stronger), but just as much about knowing what kind of monster you are fighting and what it is susceptible to and thus using the right tactic. You won't be on the lookout for bigger and better weapons and armor, instead you will be on the lookout for books with the knowledge you need. Read the books, build up your knowledge base to consult later. Use that knowledge when the going gets tough.
If you are like me, you find only about one game in ten you buy is actually worth the money you paid, and more importantly worth your time spent playing it. The Witcher is a "one in ten". Well worth the time you will spend playing it.
Hail Flavius!
Customer Review: Witcher game review
Summary: 5 Stars
For anyone who loves role playing games, this is great!!! If you liked Oblivion, you'll like this. The graphics are great and the sound and music are great. I haven't had any of the hangups that I had read on some of the reviews before I bought it. I play it on my computer that I have Windows Vista on. I have a high end sound card and graphics card, too. I have nothing but great comments on this game.
The only problem I have is trying to figure out the priority in solving the differnt jobs. But, that is a minor thing. The game is definitely worth the money.
Thanks!
catjag