The Witcher games

[pr1001]

The interview with CD Projekt's CEO today got me thinking about the games again. Put simply, should I play them? Is the first a prerequisite for the second? Basically, I've heard good things on and off for a while but for whatever reason I haven't taken the plunge.

Some games I've liked that may or may not help in answering my question: Deus Ex 1-3, Fallout 2 (got 2/3 of the way through 3 and then somehow lost interest), Arcanum, Mass Effect 1-3, Knights of the Old Republic 1-2, Dragon Age: Origins (though I was ready for it to be over by the end).

Thanks.

[Althea]

Put simply, should I play them?

If you like RPGs, yes.

Is the first a prerequisite for the second?

Not as such, but I strongly recommend you play through the first, well, first.

[Nalano]

Not as such, but I strongly recommend you play through the first, well, first.

Be forewarned: The gameplay differs widely between the two.

[Althea]

To be honest, they're different in most aspects. Visually, game play, UI, engine, soundtrack (TW2 does share one composer with TW1, though, the second is one of the guys who worked on the Bulletstorm soundtrack).

TW1 plays more like a BioWare game (due to its engine), TW2 more like... hmm... perhaps a Gothic title?

[SirKicksalot]

The Witcher: Versus was a fun time waster. I see it was shut down last month and will resume sometime in the future...

Buy The Witcher EE at retail.

[EBass]

No reason not to play the first, though its an inferior game to the second its still very enjoyable. That said its hardly vital, though it does carry on directly from the first game, it does an okish job of explaining everything. Expect to be a tiny bit confused through the first couple of hours whilst you work out who everyone is. Most people I know who have played W2 didn't play W1 and were fine.

[Juan Carlo]

I say definitely play the first. It's a good game and you will understand the world and the characters' relationships and backstories better in the second if you play the first. These games really don't hold your hands when it comes to following the plot. You have to actually pay attention or you won't always know what's going on.

[squirrelfanatic]

The Witcher 1 is very much enjoyable, but it's a rather long game. I've played the TW1 Enhanced Edition (which is the one you should get) and found it to be a different, but not necessarily worse game (well, apart from the graphics) than the second one.

[Rii]

Shani > Triss

[tjv]

Buy The Witcher EE at retail.

Surely the GOG version would be superior?

[Lukasz]

Surely the GOG version would be superior?

you get the gog version with your retail cd key.


so you get physical goodies and a digital drmless copy with digital goodies.

[Mohorovicic]

Put simply, should I play them?

Put it simply, no.

[Lukasz]

Put it simply, no.

dare to explain yourself?

[tjv]

you get the gog version with your retail cd key.


so you get physical goodies and a digital drmless copy with digital goodies.

If we are talking about the first one, the retail version actually has Tages. At least the one I got.has it. The EE patch 1.5 does remove it but I had to install it with it first. Ended up being easier using a DD version.

[Lukasz]

actually you are right and i was thinking about TW2. so yeah. get a tw1 from gog.

[soldant]

dare to explain yourself?

Presumably he didn't like the games, and I can't blame him - I don't like them either. I don't find them engaging on any level.

[Althea]

If we are talking about the first one, the retail version actually has Tages. At least the one I got.has it. The EE patch 1.5 does remove it but I had to install it with it first. Ended up being easier using a DD version.

Are you talking about the Enhanced Edition (either the mega-big box or the slimmer version), or the original release? AFAIK the EE shouldn't have DRM, but I could be wrong.

Either way, I'd say unless your internet connection is shite, GOG is the way to go for CDPR games.

actually you are right and i was thinking about TW2. so yeah. get a tw1 from gog.

You can also redeem TW1 on GOG. Just sayin'.

[Lukasz]

You can also redeem TW1 on GOG. Just sayin'.

Really?

brb.

[Althea]

Yes, you can, but neither of my codes worked so I had to use their workaround (i.e. take pictures, yadda yadda) to get it on my account.

[pr1001]

Thanks all, you're convinced me to give TW1 a go!