When The Witcher launched in 2007 from then (to Western fans) relatively unknown company CD Projekt Red, many in the west had no idea what to expect from this new RPG experience. Here was a brand new RPG series set in a fantasy world (modeled after The Witcher novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski) which followed the story of Geralt, one of the few remaining “Witchers” (traveling monster hunters for hire) that were gifted with unnatural powers.
The game was a huge success, touted for its wonderful use of a “moral choice” system as part of its story line that was noted for its (sometimes deeply) time-delayed consequences and refreshing lack of a black and white mortality. In 2011, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings launched and improved on many of the underwhelming features of its predecessor. Assassins of Kings was an even bigger success than The Witcher, and set the bar insanely high for the hotly anticipated third entry in the series; The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Does The Witcher 3 capitalize on the promises made by CD Projekt Red or does it fall flat on its face like Geralt off a mountain cliff? Let's find out...
As Geralt rides his horse, Roach, across the vast landscape before him with trees swaying in the distance, a small, yet definable road passing by underneath, and blades of grass flying past, The Witcher 3 had me from the opening cinematic. It is a truly gorgeous game. A stunning and monumental achievement of graphical prowess that had my jaw drop more than once. This isn't just happening in cutscenes mind you, this was happening the entire game. From the way the grass blades fall underneath you or your horse, to the way water moves as you first look at it, then enter slowly, then start swimming in it, to the way Geralt's hair moves in the wind or breeze. I was incredibly impressed from the start and the game never let me down.
CDPR really paid every detail the utmost attention when it came to how this game looks and feels. You really feel as if you're right next to Geralt on his epic, final ride. This is the game with which all future games should be judges not only on graphical prowess alone, but on story, combat, pacing, open world game play, and more. CDPR hit the nail on the head over and over again. The only fault this game really has is its unconscious ability to ruin every other game on the market right now. After playing Wild Hunt for a few hours, I tried to go back to Grand Theft Auto V for comparison. The difference was night and day and that's not something I would have noticed in another RPG title. The combat might be refined to be a bit easier from previous installments but that is a hugely welcome change over having to push 16 buttons to perform a basic attack or having to know JUST the right timing to dodge out of the way for fear of losing hours of progress with one fatal enemy swing. Its obvious CDPR took a page of the Rocksteady Arkham “How To Make Combat Great” manual and ran with it.
The story is incredibly well written. There isn't much I can say without giving too much of the plot away but if you've played previous Witcher titles, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see the return of a well loved character or two. With the option to import your save choices from Witcher One and Two, the possibilities are endless when it comes to re-playability. I played a few hours with my save from Witcher 2, and a few hours starting fresh. The stark contrast was surprising even early on in the game.
Most RPG's that allow you to load choices from a saved game (I'm looking at YOU, lately, Bioware) don't really have a massive impact until much later (if at all) in the game. I could see the choices I made in Witcher 2 directly affecting the way some characters approached me or spoke with me. That feeling was incredible. To see my impact on a game I hadn't barely touched yet based off something I last played over a year ago was incredible. Along with the feelings of how amazing this game is, it made me want to go back and play the other two titles and make different choices to see how the characters would react differently. Its something I've never really seen pulled off in an RPG before and that blows my mind.
I am not afraid to say that Wild Hunt has the best side quest system ever. Unlike other RPG's where side quests feel tacked on to grind and gain levels, the side quests in Wild Hunt make you feel like an important part of the area or world you're in. They're all unique in some way. From hunting down a lecther in a haunted abandoned small town well, to finding someone's wife who you later found out was eaten by a werewolf, and then slaying the werewolf yourself, Wild Hunt is the most brilliantly written game in side quests alone.
Wild Hunt is also one of the most stunningly ear-gasmic games I've ever touched. From the soundtrack which is phenomenal, with sweeping, epically bombastic horns and drums blasting when you're in combat, to the slow, more melodic tunes when you're traveling the country side, I was stunned at how well the music blended together and then changed in the blink of an eye perfectly depending on what was going on around me. The sound effects are absolutely incredible and the best effects I've heard in a video game ever. The clash of swords sounds so real, I caught myself flinching a time or two. Everything from hoof beats to the sounds underwater, to the voice acting is so well done I don't know how anyone can miss this game.
“Hands down the BEST RPG experience since Knights of the Old Republic”