Discussion
I bought it a couple of years ago in a Steam sale, installed it in great anticipation, was bowled over by the graphics and storytelling but the game is just so clunky it sucks the enjoyment right out of it.
Movement, clunky, combat, clunky. You are supposed to be this bad ass magical hunter but can get taken out by the easiest opponents, especially if they are in large groups, simply because the combat and controls aren't fluid enough to engage them properly.
I played for about 7-8 hours and eventually gave up when I got killed for the 10th time by a group of low grade bandits.
I'm sure there is a decent game in there, trying to get out but it's pretty much ruined by clunky controls and crap combat. I have no idea why these elements aren't mentioned in reviews or why it got such glowing praise when fundamental parts of the game are effectively broken.
The Elder scrolls games do this kind of thing in a far more slick and satisfactory fashion IMO.
Movement, clunky, combat, clunky. You are supposed to be this bad ass magical hunter but can get taken out by the easiest opponents, especially if they are in large groups, simply because the combat and controls aren't fluid enough to engage them properly.
I played for about 7-8 hours and eventually gave up when I got killed for the 10th time by a group of low grade bandits.
I'm sure there is a decent game in there, trying to get out but it's pretty much ruined by clunky controls and crap combat. I have no idea why these elements aren't mentioned in reviews or why it got such glowing praise when fundamental parts of the game are effectively broken.
The Elder scrolls games do this kind of thing in a far more slick and satisfactory fashion IMO.
Guvernator said:
I bought it a couple of years ago in a Steam sale, installed it in great anticipation, was bowled over by the graphics and storytelling but the game is just so clunky it sucks the enjoyment right out of it.
Movement, clunky, combat, clunky. You are supposed to be this bad ass magical hunter but can get taken out by the easiest opponents, especially if they are in large groups, simply because the combat and controls aren't fluid enough to engage them properly.
I played for about 7-8 hours and eventually gave up when I got killed for the 10th time by a group of low grade bandits.
I'm sure there is a decent game in there, trying to get out but it's pretty much ruined by clunky controls and crap combat. I have no idea why these elements aren't mentioned in reviews or why it got such glowing praise when fundamental parts of the game are effectively broken.
The Elder scrolls games do this kind of thing in a far more slick and satisfactory fashion IMO.
I thought it was great, but you’ve got to push through. It belongs to that genre of games that suck while you’re low level and learning the controls, but that come into their own later on once you’ve got a bit of kit and power. Skyrim, Fallout and the newer Assassins Creed games suffer similarly in my view.Movement, clunky, combat, clunky. You are supposed to be this bad ass magical hunter but can get taken out by the easiest opponents, especially if they are in large groups, simply because the combat and controls aren't fluid enough to engage them properly.
I played for about 7-8 hours and eventually gave up when I got killed for the 10th time by a group of low grade bandits.
I'm sure there is a decent game in there, trying to get out but it's pretty much ruined by clunky controls and crap combat. I have no idea why these elements aren't mentioned in reviews or why it got such glowing praise when fundamental parts of the game are effectively broken.
The Elder scrolls games do this kind of thing in a far more slick and satisfactory fashion IMO.
DanL said:
I thought it was great, but you’ve got to push through. It belongs to that genre of games that suck while you’re low level and learning the controls, but that come into their own later on once you’ve got a bit of kit and power. Skyrim, Fallout and the newer Assassins Creed games suffer similarly in my view.
I agree a lot of these type of games can be a bit clunky and hard going to begin with but I never found Skyrim or Fallout as bad i.e. to the point where I got so frustrated that I quit. I just think the combat is that bit slicker and the first parts just a little bit easier going, at least enough so you don't feel like you are in a constant uphill struggle against the controls and the game at the same time.It's still sat on my hard drive and I do get tempted to fire it up now and then as the story looked great but each time I remember the frustration too and don't bother.
I agree with the combat controls, its not very fluid compared to many modern games but you have to work with it, not fight it.
Whats the crack with weapons and armour? Ive crafted a few things but seem to find better gear anyway. is it even worth crafting stuff? I suppose if i can use the gear for only a few levels, its still worth doing
I've also decided to use the fire and telekinesis blast signs more, as it just seems more fun that stunning one with the mind control sign (sorry cant remember all the names!)
Whats the crack with weapons and armour? Ive crafted a few things but seem to find better gear anyway. is it even worth crafting stuff? I suppose if i can use the gear for only a few levels, its still worth doing
I've also decided to use the fire and telekinesis blast signs more, as it just seems more fun that stunning one with the mind control sign (sorry cant remember all the names!)
The Witcher school gear is strong if you level it and you tend to get more slots for the stones (can't remember what they are called).
I mostly switched between the two depending on what was better. The standard gear was good enough for me to get through the game on hard difficulty though, so you don't need it.
I mostly switched between the two depending on what was better. The standard gear was good enough for me to get through the game on hard difficulty though, so you don't need it.
Picked GOTY version up at the end of June and have now sunk 90 hours into it. Absolutely fantastic game and currently playing through and really enjoying Blood and Wine as a swan song to the story.
However, I was a bit unsure for the first 10-15 hours of it and ploughed on through, where it really clicked for me was once you reached Novigrad, the story from that point onwards just becomes that much more engaging and involving.
It definitely takes some time to "learn" the combat but once you get used to it, it's more than fine for a RPG.
Probably only have about 10 hours left before i'm finished but i will definitely miss it, once it is gone.
However, I was a bit unsure for the first 10-15 hours of it and ploughed on through, where it really clicked for me was once you reached Novigrad, the story from that point onwards just becomes that much more engaging and involving.
It definitely takes some time to "learn" the combat but once you get used to it, it's more than fine for a RPG.
Probably only have about 10 hours left before i'm finished but i will definitely miss it, once it is gone.
I just read "Season of Storms", having never read any of the Witcher novels before and it's remarkable how well they captured Geralt in The Witcher 3.
I guess the novels are written in Polish and translated into English, if so, whoever does the translation really gets the dry humour. I think Geralt in W3 is animated and voiced so superbly that I'm going to struggle with the Witcher on Netflix. I'm so used to how Geralt looks and sounds that anyone else would seem like a poor imposter.
The novel was decent too, though it jumps around quite randomly, though I suppose you can do that when you have teleportation available. The descriptions of the food and drink consumed by the characters was perhaps the best bit. It's funny, light-hearted and easy reading.
I guess the novels are written in Polish and translated into English, if so, whoever does the translation really gets the dry humour. I think Geralt in W3 is animated and voiced so superbly that I'm going to struggle with the Witcher on Netflix. I'm so used to how Geralt looks and sounds that anyone else would seem like a poor imposter.
The novel was decent too, though it jumps around quite randomly, though I suppose you can do that when you have teleportation available. The descriptions of the food and drink consumed by the characters was perhaps the best bit. It's funny, light-hearted and easy reading.
Thesprucegoose said:
Netflix series out later this year.
Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. I struggled with the controls first time round and gave up after a few hours. Started it again last year and was blown away by the story telling, and ended up sinking loads of hours into its
Shappers24 said:
Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.
I struggled with the controls first time round and gave up after a few hours. Started it again last year and was blown away by the story telling, and ended up sinking loads of hours into its
Think I might fall into the same category. I bought the game in a Steam sale (probably around Christmas, if not earlier), and managed about 15 hours or so before giving up. Mainly because I'm a bit crap at these sorts of RPG type games, I'm far more used to FPS stuff with guns instead of swords. Kept getting my arse kicked by various bandits, but it was "Jenny O The Woods" which finished it for me the first time. My laptop was on the verge of going out the window I struggled with the controls first time round and gave up after a few hours. Started it again last year and was blown away by the story telling, and ended up sinking loads of hours into its
so decided the game wasn't for me.However, I picked it back up again last week and (after a quick google) managed to get through that quest. Up to about 25 hours now, on the Baron's quests, and am enjoying it a lot more now. Still a bit confused by all the spells and potions and crafting stuff (but I'll get there), but I've found by exercising a bit of patience in battles, rather than just storming in, makes a big difference.
Zetec-S said:
Still a bit confused by all the spells and potions and crafting stuff (but I'll get there), but I've found by exercising a bit of patience in battles, rather than just storming in, makes a big difference.
Making sure you know what potions/bombs/oils effect the creatures you are about to fight makes a huge difference. Being able to freeze a hag or slow down wraiths makes combat much more manageable.
Also be aware of the Scale enemies setting that levels the monsters with you, makes wandering around much more enjoyable (but deadly).
Zetec-S said:
Think I might fall into the same category. I bought the game in a Steam sale (probably around Christmas, if not earlier), and managed about 15 hours or so before giving up. Mainly because I'm a bit crap at these sorts of RPG type games, I'm far more used to FPS stuff with guns instead of swords. Kept getting my arse kicked by various bandits, but it was "Jenny O The Woods" which finished it for me the first time. My laptop was on the verge of going out the window so decided the game wasn't for me.
However, I picked it back up again last week and (after a quick google) managed to get through that quest. Up to about 25 hours now, on the Baron's quests, and am enjoying it a lot more now. Still a bit confused by all the spells and potions and crafting stuff (but I'll get there), but I've found by exercising a bit of patience in battles, rather than just storming in, makes a big difference.
Jenny O' The Woods gives me cold sweats just thinking about it. Probably the second hardest boss in the whole game including the expansions. so decided the game wasn't for me.However, I picked it back up again last week and (after a quick google) managed to get through that quest. Up to about 25 hours now, on the Baron's quests, and am enjoying it a lot more now. Still a bit confused by all the spells and potions and crafting stuff (but I'll get there), but I've found by exercising a bit of patience in battles, rather than just storming in, makes a big difference.
You only need to craft things once, taking the health potion as an example. Then you refill the uses by simply having some alcohol in your possession when you rest. It's well worth doing as the combat is largely based on you having the correct oils applied and potions giving you relevant buffs. In the books he spends a lot of time preparing for any fight so that's why they built that in to the game.
More people playing Witcher 3 now than during it's launch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOOhwrl9M_g
Gassing Station | Video Games | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff