The Witcher Review (PC)

After a few years in development and many delays the computer role playing game The Witcher, based on Andrzej Sapkowski's novel and short story collection of the same name, has finally been released. The Witcher presents a mixed bag of sorts; The fresh, non-linear storyline and innovative game play is presented magnifically, but half hearted voice acting, technical bugs and head scratching side quests/games take away from what could be a really great gaming experience. Overall most RPG fans should find some very worthwhile gaming from The Witcher.

Game Specifics

• Publisher: Atari
• Developer: CD Projekt RED STUDIO
• ESRB Rating: "M" for Mature
• Genre: Role Playing Game
• Theme: Fantasy
• Pros: Excellent non-linear storyline and graphics; Innovative game play
• Cons: Sub-par and out of character voice acting; Bugs and slow performance with initial release.

Storyline

The story of The Witcher takes place in the bleak and often brutal fantasy world created by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski where players take on the role of a monster hunting witcher named Geralt of Rivia. The game opens with an assualt on the witcher's fortress of Kaer Morhen by salamandra, a group of mysterious bandits led by a serial killer named the "Professor" and a powerful wizard names Azar. Without giving too much of the story away, Geralt joins in the battle, together with the other witchers, but both the Professor and Azar are able to escape through a magical portal after stealing some important witcher secrets.

This obviously is just the starting point of a much bigger plot that encompasses the entire game. Shortly after the initial battle Geralt sets out on his quest to find out more about the salamandra and the reason behind their attack and theft. On his way he encounters and sometimes fights all sorts of characters and monsters. Nearly every character has a unique and engaging story to tell and it is just one element that makes the story told in The Witcher so much fun to play through.

Broken into five main Acts, the story follows a non-linear path which enables you to make decisions for Geralt rather than forcing you down a specific path. Some of the decisions or paths that Geralt is faced with are not as cut and dry as they can be in other games that give you a clear good or evil path to follow. Instead The Witcher presents some paths where you'll need to choose the lesser (or greater) of two evils (or good). The impact of your decisions aren't noticable right away but rather unfold slowly as the story is being told. This element doesn't change the overall plot of the game but it does add some replayability.

Encounters with the games non-player characters are very important in developing the story, but many of them are often forced and can not really take place until you've completed a specific task. By not being able to have a meaningful conversation with any and all characters until you've completed a task takes a little away from the non-linear feel. In addition, some of the voice acting and dialog is very average and at times cheesy enough to make you roll your eyes.

Game Play

Built using a modified version of Bioware's Aurora Engine, which was used in the original Neverwinter Nights RPG, The Witcher can be played in one of three camera angles; top down views that use the mouse to control movement and combat, and a third person style view that uses the WASD keyboard configuration for movement and mouse for combat.

The Witcher isn't a typical RPG in the sense that you'll be able to completely customize your character and class. That's all set up for you, you'll play as a witcher name Geralt. You will be able to customize Geralt more to your liking, by having the ability to select combat styles and magical signs. There are three combat syles to choose from; strong style, fast style and group style. These combat styles are further specialized depending on whether you use a steel or silver weapon. Magical skills are very similar offer 7 different signs which define a type of magic (telekinetic, protective, etc...). In addition to the combat styles and magical signs, Alchemy plays an important role in the game. There will be plenty of opportunity to collect ingredients throughout the game which can then be used to create potions to help Geralt in all phases of the game.

Typical of most RPGs as you defeat enemies or complete tasks you will gain experience points. Once you've earned enough experience your witcher level will increase. Each new level earns you talent which can then be used to enhance your abilities and skills.

One unique feature of The Witcher's game play is combat. Instead of continully left clicking to attack as in games such as Titan Quest and Diablo, The Witcher puts a little more skill into an attack. Clicking once on the left mouse button will initiate a standard combat move or strike, clicking a second time, will start an attack sequence or combo that consists of a number of strikes. Clicking again continues the sequence on to the next attack. These attacks can be a little tricky as the timing of your clicks must be perfect in order to execute all of them sequence. The game does provide tips in the way of glowing swords when it's time to click but if you end up clicking too soon or too late and you'll need to start your attack over.