Witcher 3 Announced for 2014! (likely to be on next gen consoles)

[jaydacris]

http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2013/02/the-witcher-inline-610x732.jpg


The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been revealed, appearing on the cover of the next issue of Game Informer.

The issue is available to digital subscribers now, ahead of the expected February 5 announcement CD Projekt RED teased in mid-January.


The head of CD Projekt RED, Adam Badowski, says that The Witcher 3 will release on, as Game Informer puts it, all top of the line consoles and PC in 2014. This seems to suggest The Witcher 3 will be looking beyond the current crop of consoles, especially as the magazine cites it as "a next generation RPG" on the cover.

According to Game Informer the open world in The Witcher 3 is 30 times larger than the previous game, which will make it even bigger than Skyrim.

Free expansion packs will release after the launch of Wild Hunt next year, akin to The Witcher 2's continuous, free post-release support.

Wild Hunt isn't broken up into acts, as the REDengine 3 permits the exploration of a vast, open-world without loading screen interruptions. Enemies won't scale to Geralt's level, though, so you can wander into territory filled with too-tough monsters who will wreck our intrepid hero. Along the way, you can expect to encounter friendlies and enemies in a dynamic world affected by unpredictable weather, including randomly generated storms, and water physics while sailing.

Fast travel is a go, and Geralt can mount horses for both transportation and combat.

Geralt will play the part of monster-hunter and detective throughout his quests, which developer CDP claims will occupy more than 100 hours of players' time. He'll have almost five times the amount of unique character animations, too.

Each new area of the game – Skellige, the metropolis of Novigrad, and "No Man's Land" – has its own story. Non-linear storytelling with branching paths dictates that avoiding the central plot of seeking out Geralt's lost love, Triss Merigold, will have ramifications.

In combat, you can interrupt attack animations to dodge or block, which depletes stamina. Dodging isn't a big somersault anymore, however – Geralt pivots to evade attacks while maintaining the momentum of a fight. Enemy AI has been retooled as well, and quick-time events are out entirely.

On February 1 CD Projekt RED announced it had a new version of the REDengine, unsurprisingly dubbed REDengine3, which was described as being created for, "RPGs set in vast, open worlds with improved tools for spanning truly non-linear stories that are based on real player choices and consequences.”

If you're unfamiliar with CD Projekt RED popular RPG, check out an introduction to the world of The Witcher here.

Early 2014 GOTY candidate no doubt!
CD Projekt RED = one of the best game developers. Makes badass games and doesnt charge consumers extra for future DLC updates

very very early preview/talk of game + developer insights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8gIsYuPIKco

[glidedrxlr22]

That's a 100% day one purchase for me! :bowdown:

[Qwyjibo]

This is an instant pre-order the moment that goes up. This is one developer I don't mind supporting and paying day 1 prices.

[Burgz V2]

these guys just KNOW how to make a game.

im in.

[LJJ]

According to Game Informer the open world in The Witcher 3 is 30 times larger than the previous game, which will make it even bigger than Skyrim.

Free expansion packs will release after the launch of Wild Hunt next year, akin to The Witcher 2's continuous, free post-release support.


:roll:

You have to love these guys. Every publisher in the world right now is trying to squeeze gamers for every penny. Numerous paid DLC's for every title (that usually are either terrible or straight up cut out of the game), pay-to-win is starting to become a trend, most games just offer a real questionable amount of content at a price point of sixty bucks.

Let's face it, the revenue on a decent selling game like The Witcher 2 runs well upwards of $100.000.000,-. They should be able to provide a good, complete package for that type of money. How come CD Projekt Red is virtually the only company in the business right now who is able to do this with success (besides Nintendo I guess)? Good for them.

[The Macho Man]

I heard the Withcher 2 was tight but I couldn't get into it. I just hate dragons and shit. Maybe I'll try it again.

[jaydacris]

CD Projekt RED has confirmed its open-world RPG will be DRM-free, the developer told Kotaku that the studio is trying to move away from DRM altogether.

“We are trying to get rid of DRM,” game designer Maciej Szczesnik said. “If someone wants to pirate a game, eventually he will.”

“Which is bad, of course,” managing director Adam Badowski added. “But you can’t do anything about it, so. We want to give the best user experience possible. When we removed DRM, people on those torrents were actually asking people not to download our game, because we weren’t using DRM.”

The Witcher 3 is slated for PC, PS4 and other next-gen platforms.

yeah... these guys rock :)

[Qwyjibo]

Gabe Newell once said that if you give people quality games, they will pay for it. It's certainly right in my case. I used to pirate almost everything. I still do for some games like buggy messes that need modding like Skyrim and the new Fallout games. But I've been buying more stuff on Steam than ever in the last 2 years.

[BrickingStar]

Can't wait I tried Witcher 2 for the first time ever last year and I never played witcher 1 but it was amazing. So far from the details we've gotten so far it looks to continue that trend. I still can't believe the guy I got witcher 2 from traded it for my dota 2 key :lol (which I have about 20+ now)

[eppelp]

New screnshots:
http://i.imgur.com/7f2TTJ5.jpg

Also Geralt with beard:
http://media.edge-online.com/wp-content/uploads/edgeonline/2013/06/witcher.jpg

source: edge-online

[Qwyjibo]

Jesus Titty-****ing Christ, YES!

[jaydacris]

http://img217.exs.cx/img217/8769/emotfappery4ip.gif

[eppelp]

Artwork:

http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2013/23/1370648630-witcher-3-3.jpg

[nightprowler10]

Is it advisable to play Witcher 2 or go straight into 3?

[LJJ]

Is it advisable to play Witcher 2 or go straight into 3?

It's advisable in the sense that The Witcher 2 is a damn good game, but the stories of the Witcher games are pretty self-contained.

[falc39]

Thoroughly enjoyed the first two... such a great game and I love the story and atmosphere.

I miss the combat system from Witcher 1

[falc39]

Gameplay trailer released!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ_G6XiHoUA

so sickkkkk

[jaydacris]

page breaker removed

[eppelp]

New Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nokYn_nZK6U

Also Charles Dance (aka Tywin Lannister) will voice Emhyr var Emreis.

[Trollsmasher]

Gonna be the best game of all time:pimp:

[JimmyMcAdocious]

I've had 2 on my computer forever and haven't gotten into it yet. That, Dishonored, and Far Cry 2 have been sitting there for at least a year.

I'll probably get 3 and not play it.

[jaydacris]

gameplay trailer posted today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GhqY9j9oCc

and like poster above mentioned, we'll prly see some more in a couple days

this shit is old i just realized :lol

[Bosnian Sajo]

I don't know why but I just couldn't get into witcher 2 for whatever reason. I didn't really like the gameplay in that game...maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance before I returned it for dragon age, however I was much happier with that game.

[Trollsmasher]

http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/g82gj1/the-witcher-3--wild-hunt-vgx-2013--world-premiere-trailer - VGX trailer

[Trollsmasher]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtVdAasjOgU

GOTD:pimp:

[Shade8780]

Wtf is this game about? Just another Skyrim? :confusedshrug: Never played any of the Witchers before.

[Qwyjibo]

Wtf is this game about? Just another Skyrim? :confusedshrug: Never played any of the Witchers before.
It's basically the Game of Thrones of video games. Medieval fantasy setting with a story about politics and shades of grey (choices, characters).

[fsvr54]

It's basically the Game of Thrones of video games. Medieval fantasy setting with a story about politics and shades of grey (choices, characters).

...

[Shade8780]

It's basically the Game of Thrones of video games. Medieval fantasy setting with a story about politics and shades of grey (choices, characters).
Really? Damn, I might look into it then.

[Shade8780]

How much GB will this take up on the PS4? Should be huge.

[magnax1]

How much GB will this take up on the PS4? Should be huge.
Cant be any bigger then 50 gigs. That's how big blu rays are. Unless its released on multiple discs.

[Shade8780]

God, I'm surprised this isn't being talked about more on here. Reached page four of a fairly inactive forum, yet is being hyped as the best game of 2015 over games like Uncharted 4 and MGS V on some sites.

I wish I had a 360 or high-end PC to play at least The Witcher 2. I know the general story from just YouTube recaps and the backstory of characters like Yennefer and Ciri, but I really want to play it anyway.

I'll be getting this day-one. My PS4 hasn't been touched since November/December, so it is much-needed along with Bloodborne, which is gaining a lot of anticipation too. So awesome that Ciri will be a playable character for parts of the game, adds a lot to a game that may have been a GOAT anyway.

May 19 can't come soon enough.

[MP.Trey]

I'm just playing Witcher II for the first time now after it was free for Gold users on Xbox 360. Without having played the first one, I love the story and combat is hella challenging/fun. Very excited for this game now.

[fsvr54]

This game looks DOPE AS FUHH, check out the new gamespot video series on it.

[Shade8780]

10/10 on Gamestop.

9.3/10 on IGN.

92 so far on Metacritic.

[falc39]

Seems like it will be game of the year. I usually have a rule where I wait a year or so before playing a game so I can buy it witl all the dlcs and extras that they keeping throwing in (usually the game of the year edition or whatever). But I've been waiting for this game for a long time and I might just break that rule.

[Thorpesaurous]

Conan Loved it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfjLRuE1CLw


As awesome as I'm sure this is, I just don't think I have the heart to devote to a game of this volume anymore.

[Rose]

Cant be any bigger then 50 gigs. That's how big blu rays are. Unless its released on multiple discs.
Could be bigger actually. There's multi-layer discs that add more space to the disc (I think the highest right now is triple layer), or they add a day one patch of whatever the **** they want that didn't make the game. Master Chief Collection had to do that.

[fsvr54]

Still very early, but this is like a fantasy rpg Red Dead Redemption. :applause:

[outbreak]

picked up my copy on my lunch break. Will play some tonight but I've currently got a football manager addiction so it'll need to be good to pull me away from that.

[Shade8780]

Still very early, but this is like a fantasy rpg Red Dead Redemption. :applause:
I've been hearing that comparison by others who have it. Skyrim in gameplay, RDR in vibe and plot, GoT in lore. Sounds like an interesting mix to say the least.

Anyone else got this? Might pick it up Friday considering I'll be off for summer break starting then. Also, my PS4 has been collecting dust for probably about half a year by now. Bloodborne was a personal disappointment. Just not my type of game.

[outbreak]

Played about an hour last night. It's alright. Not as amazing as the hype had me believe. Some of the animation is less than perfect, the controls (on console) feel a bit off to me but I'll probably get used to it and the inventory/loot system seems lazily ported from PC. Not enough for a real judgement and I still enjoyed what I played (and will enjoy it more once I learn the systems and controls properly) but it didn't' blow me away instantly.

[Ai2death]

Played about an hour last night. It's alright. Not as amazing as the hype had me believe. Some of the animation is less than perfect, the controls (on console) feel a bit off to me but I'll probably get used to it and the inventory/loot system seems lazily ported from PC. Not enough for a real judgement and I still enjoyed what I played (and will enjoy it more once I learn the systems and controls properly) but it didn't' blow me away instantly.

Gonna try and keep this spoiler free.

I've given the game a bit longer before passing any real judgement, but here are my thoughts so far. (Playing on PS4, also i think it's worth noting that i'm playing this straight after Bloodborne)

The animation is no Shadow of Mordor, but it is far better then say Skyrim. It's like a halfway between the 2. I love when limbs get chopped off and heads get decapitated.

The menu inventory system looks and feels basic, like their is crafting and alchemy, basically, it get's the job done while looking very plain. A little larger text would be appreciated too.

Controls at first felt sluggish and a tad heavy, i'm getting used to them though and now i really don't mind them at all. Certainly not as tight and responsive as Bloodborne.
Some little things annoy me, the biggest annoyance is that you need to get too close to an enemy to go into combat mode (to be able to parry) so if an archer is really far away, you can't parry the bolts until you get close.
Also since you need to be so close, a lot of enemies rush you leaving you defenseless for the first hit. Combine that with a non-regenerating health system, makes me use a lot of food/water.
(If there is a way to get into the combat stance much earlier, please let me know.)

The world seems great so far, having only been in the first area, and the enemy variety is great, i especially loved the fights I've had with the Griffin & Bear. Planning attacks, dodging at the right time & managing stamina feel good, i love dodging an attack, then unleashing a fast combo with the sword followed by a blast of the fire magic. Feels & looks really nice and powerful. There is a hell of a lot of different loot too, clothes/armour all change appearance which is a nice touch.

I also find myself just admiring the character animation during conversations, they've put some great detail into expressions and also some great development into side quest characters. It really makes you feel for the person in question. I especially found this to be the case with the Devil in the well & with the Hunter whom you hunt the dogs with.

In conclusion, I am loving the Witcher 3 so far and really looking to get further into it, i still rate Bloodborne a little higher in my GOTY list, but i wouldn't be surprised if Witcher 3 overtakes it.

TL;DR - Witcher 3 is good so far, could be great given more time.

[LJJ]

Yeah the movement is a bit wonky, but exactly what you expect if you played the first two games. You get used to the combat, but in general it's just not as intuitive as it could be. Looting and picking herbs is crazy finicky too.

Game isn't flawless, but it's simply amazing. The world, characters, loot, features. It's all so complete. I'm not even particularly enthralled by the Witcher universe and the story, but damn if I don't respect the craftsmanship that goes into these games. Already poured 6 hours into this since I got it yesterday evening. I don't have this kind of free time to spend. Strong GOTY contender this one.

[outbreak]

Gonna try and keep this spoiler free.

I've given the game a bit longer before passing any real judgement, but here are my thoughts so far. (Playing on PS4, also i think it's worth noting that i'm playing this straight after Bloodborne)

The animation is no Shadow of Mordor, but it is far better then say Skyrim. It's like a halfway between the 2. I love when limbs get chopped off and heads get decapitated.

The menu inventory system looks and feels basic, like their is crafting and alchemy, basically, it get's the job done while looking very plain. A little larger text would be appreciated too.

Controls at first felt sluggish and a tad heavy, i'm getting used to them though and now i really don't mind them at all. Certainly not as tight and responsive as Bloodborne.
Some little things annoy me, the biggest annoyance is that you need to get too close to an enemy to go into combat mode (to be able to parry) so if an archer is really far away, you can't parry the bolts until you get close.
Also since you need to be so close, a lot of enemies rush you leaving you defenseless for the first hit. Combine that with a non-regenerating health system, makes me use a lot of food/water.
(If there is a way to get into the combat stance much earlier, please let me know.)

The world seems great so far, having only been in the first area, and the enemy variety is great, i especially loved the fights I've had with the . Planning attacks, dodging at the right time & managing stamina feel good, i love dodging an attack, then unleashing a fast combo with the sword followed by a blast of the fire magic. Feels & looks really nice and powerful. There is a hell of a lot of different loot too, clothes/armour all change appearance which is a nice touch.

I also find myself just admiring the character animation during conversations, they've put some great detail into expressions and also some great development into side quest characters. It really makes you feel for the person in question. I especially found this to be the case .

In conclusion, I am loving the Witcher 3 so far and really looking to get further into it, i still rate Bloodborne a little higher in my GOTY list, but i wouldn't be surprised if Witcher 3 overtakes it.

TL;DR - Witcher 3 is good so far, could be great given more time.

I've put in maybe another hour, mainly on side quests. Still enjoying it and I still think it's going to be great but it didn't pack the same initial punch as some other games like bloodborne did (although that got repetitive fast for me). I do like the investigation slant it has though on side quests, one guy tells me a vague rumour and it's up to me to go investigate with the witcher sense and find out what monster is there and how to defeat it. They are patching the text sizes too which will help the inventory out on console. I'm getting the hang of combat more too, at first I was trying to be too reactionary like in bloodborne but I'm finding in the witcher it helps to be a bit slower as the animations are more sluggish and drawn out, less twitchy game play than what I've played recently.

[niko]

Played about an hour last night. It's alright. Not as amazing as the hype had me believe. Some of the animation is less than perfect, the controls (on console) feel a bit off to me but I'll probably get used to it and the inventory/loot system seems lazily ported from PC. Not enough for a real judgement and I still enjoyed what I played (and will enjoy it more once I learn the systems and controls properly) but it didn't' blow me away instantly.
It's better the further you go. I had the same impression but it's so involved that it's very immersive. You actually walk along and find things or find real missions with story, not just run n fetch.

[Heavincent]

This is the new gold standard for RPG's. I can't believe Skyrim has a higher score on Metacritic :facepalm The Witcher 3 shits on it in every way.

[Ai2death]

Sunk as much time as my missus would let me over the weekend. Really loving it, it's on of the only games in a long time that i start playing and i forget about everything, time, bills, work, life haha.

It does a great job of drawing you in, and while i find some of what Geralt says is mega lame, all the voice acting and expressions of the characters is great.
It's also great that there is so many dialogue options and they all feel like they are important. I'm so keen to see how my game unravels now after completing some Tower sidequest.

Spoiler in white:
I slept with Kaira, informed her that i didn't burn the lab down, caught her leaving with research papers. I convinced her to give me the papers and head for Kahe Mourn.

It's gonna be great to see how it changes that future in the game.

[outbreak]

I'm still finding it a bit dull. The controls are pretty sluggish and combat is a button mash fest while holding block too. I've gone up against some enemies much higher level and some boss fights and I do barely any damage to them but they can't hit me if I just dodge and parry so it takes awhile to kill them but I never feel in any danger, the window to time things is HUGE.

[The Iron Sheik]

just started playing last night. i consider this to be my first witcher game even though i tried the first game for about 15 minutes. i like the combat a lot more than the first game. the animation is sometimes a bit slow, and i don't like how sensitive the player movement is (although i'm using an xbox controller on pc) but i like the fluidity of the combat.

of course, i have no idea of what's going on the plot, but i'm enjoying the game a lot so far.

[LJJ]

I'm level 11 now, plenty of hours in but a lot of game left. This game does a good job setting the atmosphere. It's downright creepy sometimes. The combat it loads of fun once you start throwing bombs and using some of the combinations and strategies. Limbs flying everywhere.



Good thing after a very weak year last year now we have this. And we are not even halfway.

[Ai2death]

The only thing really bothering me about the controls now is the sensitivity to looting stuff. I often find myself lighting and extinguishing the same candle over and over

[The Iron Sheik]

The only thing really bothering me about the controls now is the sensitivity to looting stuff. I often find myself lighting and extinguishing the same candle over and over

this. the movement is also very sensitive so it's hard to make precise movements outside of combat. i find myself constantly turning too far to the left or the right when trying to focus on an object to loot or open a door. the activation radius for those things seem to be too small as well which only exacerbates the movement issue.

[Heavincent]

That whole Bloody Baron quest line was so good.

[Ai2death]

That whole Bloody Baron quest line was so good.

I just finished the sage cave part of the quest line, man that felt like it was never going to end. It was great, i really felt like i would be there for ever haha, at least i had company. Made things manageable.

[outbreak]

So I'm further in now, liking the world more and the investigations and stuff but man the combat system is so slow and boring in this game, the lock on is annoying too and it seems some enemies auto lock on with no target (some bosses) and won't let you manually take it off so if there's multiple enemies sometimes he keeps turning to face the boss when you want to kill the smaller guys first.

[fsvr54]

I've played for hours and I'm still level 8, this is already one of my all time favorite games.

[Trollsmasher]

So I'm further in now, liking the world more and the investigations and stuff but man the combat system is so slow and boring in this game, the lock on is annoying too and it seems some enemies auto lock on with no target (some bosses) and won't let you manually take it off so if there's multiple enemies sometimes he keeps turning to face the boss when you want to kill the smaller guys first.
lock on is useless... there is no point in using it against multiple enemies

Anyone else finished it already? The game for sure did a great job of ****ing with my emotions even though I got a good ending. I suspect it has to have a much bigger impact on someone like me who was read the books for the first time some 15 years ago than on someone who is new to the franchise.

[Heavincent]

Spoiler about Triss in white:

****ed up my chance with Triss and was chastised by that big bald dude (don't know how to spell his name, Diktra or something?) for not going after her...so I reloaded a save and convinced her to stay with me. If only real life worked like that :lol

It's amazing how different the outcomes are in this game. For example (Baron quest spoilers in white):

I killed the tree spirit, so the Baron takes his wife to a healer somewhere in the mountains, but if you free the tree spirit, his wife dies and he hangs himself.

This is one of the best written games I've ever played. CD Project Red ****ing killed it.

[Shade8780]

How do you level up in this? Picked it up today and put in about four hours tonight, doing/finding mostly side-quests and contracts, along with some main quest and exploring. I haven't fought the griffin yet in White Orchard.

I'm only Level 1 though. Thought I'd be a bit higher by now.

[Heavincent]

How do you level up in this? Picked it up today and put in about four hours tonight, doing/finding mostly side-quests and contracts, along with some main quest and exploring. I haven't fought the griffin yet in White Orchard.

I'm only Level 1 though. Thought I'd be a bit higher by now.

You don't have to worry about grinding for XP. Hell, you don't even get XP for killing shit when you're not doing a quest. Just do the main quests and some witcher contracts and you'll be fine.

[fsvr54]

You definitely get your money's worth for this game. I got it launch and I still haven't beaten it, it's insanely huge.

[UK2K]

You definitely get your money's worth for this game. I got it launch and I still haven't beaten it, it's insanely huge.

If I haven't played any before, will I know whats going on?

I love the open world games (Fallout New Vegas anyone?), but I also like there to be a story.

Any game where I can make the story up as I go along is A-Ok.

[Heavincent]

If I haven't played any before, will I know whats going on?

I love the open world games (Fallout New Vegas anyone?), but I also like there to be a story.

Any game where I can make the story up as I go along is A-Ok.

Yes, it's a self contained story. Probably the best story I've ever seen in an RPG.

[Ai2death]

You don't have to worry about grinding for XP. Hell, you don't even get XP for killing shit when you're not doing a quest. Just do the main quests and some witcher contracts and you'll be fine.

You do get XP for killing stuff, just takes awhile though, Have confirmed.

[Big_Dogg]

Just had my first session on my pc, man the controls are touchy, wow

[West-Side]

This is the new gold standard for RPG's. I can't believe Skyrim has a higher score on Metacritic :facepalm The Witcher 3 shits on it in every way.

Only because it's on the next console and for some reason everyone automatically gives the new console games a lower score.

This game is way better than Skyrim, I agree.

[embersyc]

I finally got around to buying this. It's pretty cool, but I wish I would've bought the PC version, controls are shitty on PS4.

I don't think you can really compare it Skyrim. Skyrim is 4 years old, and completely open world, this one is definitely more story driven.

This game to me is more like a fantasy version of Mass Effect.

[oarabbus]

I finally got around to buying this. It's pretty cool, but I wish I would've bought the PC version, controls are shitty on PS4.

I don't think you can really compare it Skyrim. Skyrim is 4 years old, and completely open world, this one is definitely more story driven.

This game to me is more like a fantasy version of Mass Effect.

That makes me very intrigued. ME series is one of my favorite of all time.

From this thread, this game seems "solid" to "great". But the reviews... it's gotten >90% almost universally, and people herald it as one of the greatest games of this generation.

Is this a must own title? I'm currently ~10% through MGSV and loving it. Wasn't impressed by 2k16... going to get a new game for Christmas, right now it looks like my choices are this game or Fallout 4.

[Heavincent]

Is this a must own title? I'm currently ~10% through MGSV and loving it. Wasn't impressed by 2k16... going to get a new game for Christmas, right now it looks like my choices are this game or Fallout 4.

Absolutely, but you should finish MGS V first. You probably don't have the time to be playing both on a regular basis. Both games are massive.

As I said, Witcher 3 set a new standard for open world RPG's.

[oarabbus]

Absolutely, but you should finish MGS V first. You probably don't have the time to be playing both on a regular basis. Both games are massive.

As I said, Witcher 3 set a new standard for open world RPG's.


I think I'll pick it up after MGSV then.

To clarify - it's "must own" like MGSV or Mass Effect, now "must own" like Bioshock Infinite or Gears of War, right? If you get what I mean.

[glidedrxlr22]

I was about 7 hours into Witcher 3 when I put it down in favor of MGS5. I won't go back to it until I complete MGS5. I loved Witcher 2 on the 360 and this one is an improvement on that. A lot of gamers are sleeping on it. CD Projekt RED, the makers of the game, are awesome at giving players what they want in a game as well as dlc. They've given a lot of free missions as dlc.

[nightprowler10]

Picked this up for $25. Can't wait to play.