How would you rate The Witcher?

[BuckGB]

My review should be up within the next few days, but I'd like to hear what others think of the game. Opinions?

[showoffjp]

So far, from what I have played t looks very cool. The fact that it is more in depth than I first thought is a big plus (especially since I was expecting more of a hack 'n' slash) I am really enjoying the combat, though it takes a while to get used to it. If I had to guess what it would be like for others, I would say its a mix between Assassin's Creed and Two Worlds. I am going to keep playing, and follow up later once I finish it.

[Xandax]

First impressions are very good.

I wouldn't call it a master piece because I struggle with the camera, which I find cumbersome and counter intuitive. IMO none of the camera angles are very productive.

The combat system took a little while getting used to - but is fun enough, although it is made worse due to the bad camera. It is fast paced, yet still somewhat tactical - well somewhat - and with magic and alchemy.

Conversations are good most of the time, cut scenes while long and at occasions intrusive are well done and animated and you look forward to the next ones to progress the story.

Alchemy looks to be complex enough to provide a bit of fun, but still simple enough that you can pick it up fast enough, which seems to be the design idea for the game.

Quests so far looks to be pretty straight forward, at least I've not been stuck on any yet, but I'm only somewhere in chapter one still, despite having had a playing session for some 7 hours.

Leveling looks to be fast enough to keep interest, but again - being early in the game it could slow down dramatically as I reach higher. Don't know if there is a max level, but XP gain is not limited from what I've seen due to "dynamical" spawning monsters at certain spawn points (making it possible to grind if you want).
Also a number of options with leveling forces you to specialize a bit, which I like - I've always hated the "master of all trade" type games.

One place where I am a little disappointed is choice/consequence department, where for instance NPCs react a certain way, regardless of what "interactions" you had with them the night before, for instance. Meaning still the same dialog options before and after - would have been very nice with some changes in such situation to give the appearance of a much more dynamic world
However some places in the game looks to provide you with serious alternative choices, however as I've not replayed them yet, I do not know if they lead to different outcomes in the gameplay.

But overall - I like this game very much so far - despite the camera, and despite lacking a bit of choice/consequence dynamics. It is definately one of the better games I've played this year.
It is very good, and thus I voted very good.

[Varlon]

I voted masterpiece, since I haven't played such a good game for quite some time. Yes, I agree that camera isn't too good and there are some things that could've been done much better (what annoyed me a bit is that an ally, who is weaker than me and whom I am supposed to protect rushes into a fight like a heavy tank and dies miserably in a second hehe).

Nevertheless, the quests are fun, fights are engaging (the witcher's moves, even though not complicated yet since I'm in the early levels, look real nice). And finally, it's like the first rpg (since BG2 or KOTOR I), where I started to care about my companions and the hero. Wait till you get to the end of chapter one before the lil boss fight (won't spoil who that is, but you can probably guess) and I became real proud of Geralt (well, I don't know how he would act, provided I have chosen the other option, but with what I've chosen I felt as if I made an actual difference in the game world). Even though, there are some flaws, you shouldn't miss the game, the Polish guys have done the Geralt books and the rpg genre a favor.

[Monolith]

I bought it yesterday and I'm halfway through chapter 2 I guess (damn, it's that late already?). I'm going to vote when I'll be farther into the game. It sure as hell won't be less than very good and I might even vote for masterpiece. I couldn't force myself to stop playing. The game crashed (for the first time) and yeah, that's pretty much the only reason I'm writing this now and making something to eat. Can't remember the last time I enjoyed a game that much. And here I was, thinking it's all me, being too old and whatnot. And Mask of the Betrayer is supposed to be just as good or even better.

[dragon wench]

@Monolith,
Thank God! I was starting to think that truly excellent RPGs were long dead and buried... the horizon looked positively bleak.

I plan to get the Witcher once I've ordered my new machine, and I'm really looking forward to playing it.

As far as Mask of the Betrayer goes... That is good to hear, it's only too bad that it is just the sequel.. It feels like NWN1 and HOTU all over again. I really didn't care for NWN at all, but I thought HOTU was surprisingly good.

It's really nice to hear The Witcher has broken the pattern of poor RPGs.. Finally! Now let's hope that this game, along with Age of Decadence and The Broken Hourglass will end up sending a loud, clear message to game makers everywhere..
Yes, yes... I know I'm being overly optimistic!

[Xandax]

IMO - The Witcher is better then Mask of the Betrayer by far, although Mask gives a more "roleplaying" feel to it then what Witcher can provide. But overall - I prefer Witcher.

[rapstyle]

Masterpiece:this game seems amazing.