One
of the most praised PC RPGs of 2011 finally makes its way to the Xbox 360.
We've praised Witcher 2 on PC for its truly mature world and story, renewed
pacing and improved combat from the original, and of course, the amazing
visuals that still hold up as some of the most impressive we've seen to date.
Witcher 2 on 360 provides the same experience from the PC version, only with a
few slight changes to accommodate the console and a few welcome additions.
Geralt
of Rivia is a Witcher - a mutant monster hunter with magical powers, silver
hair and so many scars that chicks probably don't dig it anymore. This sequel
starts off right after the events of the first game with Geralt having saved
King Foltest of Temeria from a mysterious assassin, been hired as a gloried
bodyguard and then framed for said king's regicide. Geralt must clear his
name, catch the true assassin and solve any well paying citizen's problem as he
faces the poverty ridden, racially tense, and monster infested world.
Geralt's
world is an unforgiving one filled with bickering nobles, downtrodden peasants,
and racially abused "non-humans" (elves and dwarves). CD
Projekt spared no attention to detail creating believable environments to
explore. You'll see townsfolk go about their daily lives chopping wood,
butchering meat, and selling goods at shops. Drunks stagger outside
taverns, whore houses are thriving businesses, hangings are common place and
interacting with townsfolk and major characters is just as colorful. The “F”
word gets tossed around like nobody’s business, dialogue is as hilarious as it
is vulgar, and the “romance” scenes put Mass Effect’s soft-core love to
shame. It is easy to get lost in the world they've created, especially one
so gritty and unapologetically vile.
As
can be expected, The Witcher 2 doesn't meet the jaw dropping visuals of the PC
version and, unfortunately, not that of Gears of War or other console
exclusives either. Graphical detail and resolution took a hit, and we saw the
occasional muddy texture and some spotty lighting showed up here and there, but
these small shortcomings never brought out of the experience or kept us from
enjoying the adventure. The Witcher 2 is far from ugly , but if you want the best
visuals gaming has to offer, keep saving up for that PC. If you just want to
experience an awesome RPG from your living room, the 360 version will do just
fine.
Anyway,
the greatest draw in The Witcher 2 are the ways Geralt can affect the world
through the story. For those who are attracted to the choose-your-own-adventure
style storytelling from games like Bioware's Mass Effect or Dragon Age, you are
in for a treat. Geralt is constantly posed with decisions that literally change
his path in the game and the course of history in the world. These choices
aren't as simple as choosing the angel on your right shoulder or the devil on
the left. Many of them result in unforeseen consequences and can lead to
polarizing branching storylines and multiple endings.
There
is no clear cut, black or white situation or character, more just taking sides
of a conflict; comrades have ulterior motives, bandits strive to free the
downtrodden, and righteous leaders can turn out to be political puppets.
Everything is grey, making every decision that much harder to choose. But to
that end, the Witcher 2 succeeds gloriously in making us feel invested in every
choice we make.
Beside
the immersive world and engaging storytelling is robust, challenging,
action-packed combat that is supported by all the things RPG lovers love: deep
crafting, leveling, and inventory management systems. Geralt has an arsenal of
traps, bombs, potions, swords and armor that can be crafted, upgraded and
modified to fit specific combat situations. Jumping head first into a battle
will often get you killed, so gathering ingredients beforehand, laying traps,
crafting special bombs and drinking stat boosting potions becomes a necessity.
Geralt can exploit enemy weaknesses by coating his swords with various oils to
boost damage or gain status effects, or protect himself by drinking
potions to counteract harmful effects like poison or bleeding.
There's
no get-out-of-jail-free health potions or aid available during combat and no
amount of preparation guarantees victory. When Geralt is out in the wilds
staring down a horde of Nekkers or the massive Kraken-like boss, the Kayran,
all of the careful preparation, crafting, and sword polishing comes into play
with intense, active combat. Once we got used to the sticky controls, and
earned the essential upgrades from our skill tree, we were chopping up enemies,
dodging, blocking, and casting Aard force pushes like we were some kind of
medieval Jedi. Having our set traps, disabling bombs, and good ol' fashioned
swordplay work together as a perfectly planned strategy is amazingly satisfying
and exhilarating, especially knowing that one second of carelessness
can quickly turn a fight.
Unlike
at the PC version's launch, the Enhanced Edition is now much easier to get into
with the optional full tutorial mission that takes you through the ins and outs
of the combat, crafting, inventory management, and environment interaction. The
most welcome addition takes all of the guesswork out of getting thrown in the
deep end and carefully explains all of the essential systems and even breaks
down how to use Geralt's magic signs. All new missions have also been added
that add a few extra hours of gameplay, lets you meet new characters, and ties
up a few loose ends.
The
Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is probably one of the best RPGs you'll play this
year (if you haven't already). The immersive world, memorable characters,
exhilarating combat, and branching storylines will have you coming back to play
it again and again. CD Projeck Red seems to have put a lot of TLC into its
beloved Witcher series and have delivered an even more complete package (adding
the new tutorial, quests, and cut-scenes) than was available at The Witcher 2's
original release. If you haven't played this brilliant RPG, dedicate you're
next thirty hour gaming binge to the Witcher 2. You won't regret it.
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