Witcher II - Impressions Forthcoming

[coopasonic]

New patch 1.2 will be out on 3/6/11

Looks like the 1.2 patch is actually out today despite what they said about Monday.

3/6/11 is today. That's the Euro date format. You were thinking March 6th?

[Tscott]

brain fart

[AWS260]

ok... I'm at a boss fight that requires you to fight through about 6 minutes of crap before you even get to it and no saving in between.

It mystifies me that the game doesn't auto-save or allow a manual save right before that battle.

Apparently the new patch introduces an auto-save before this fight.

[MonkeyFinger]

Looks like the 1.2 patch is actually out today despite what they said about Monday. It automatically prompts to install when starting TW2 launcher. It was all very smooth, so it looks like they've solved their previous launcher woes.

I must be having a brain-fart as I can't figure out their 'auto-patcher'. Yes, it prompted me and then downloaded the patch. Now my launcher shows "Patcher_1.2 is ready to be installed" at the bottom and... nothing. I don't see any option to apply it, the message itself is not clickable and launching the game afterwards doesn't apply it. Reloading the launcher brings back the "is ready" message. What do I do to actually install the dang thing?

Adding: Guess it is supposed to start automagically but sometimes doesn't. From the GOG forums:

If you downloaded the patch via the game launcher but the installation does not start (install icon showing up, but nothing happens), you can start the installation manually from the directory C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Witcher 2\Downloads by using the Patcher_1.2.exe. Make sure the game launcher isn't running, when starting the .exe-file.

Done that and it went through all of the steps but then gave me a "Critical error" patch failure message and my game is now messed up. Seems now I get to uninstall everything and redo both patches... this time I think I'll do it manually.

[coopasonic]

Playing dumb, but I have the game through steam. How do I know if I'm patched?

[MonkeyFinger]

Playing dumb, but I have the game through steam. How do I know if I'm patched?

Not sure I recall seeing a version number anywhere. Do you access to the latest 'readme'? It should show there what version you are patched up to. Another way might be this:

Patch 1.2 adds a new free DLC package titled “Barbers and Coiffeuses.”

[D.A.Lewis]

I'm getting that KOTOR feeling.

this game is just not working for me. Way to actiony. I am at the end of chp 1 and getting ready to face the Kayran and I just can't get up to it. I watched some Youtube videos of how to do it and it just looks so tedious to me. I love the Witcher World, the graphics are great and there are a ton of interesting people to interact with. But the more I play this game the more I feel like I'm playing some action console game. I wish I could just skip this part or maybe let the sorceress do all the work while I stand on the cliff and yell commands.

ehhh, I got me some Utima Underworld from GOG last night - maybe I spend a few days there for a while.

[e1123]

That's actually not the end of Chapter 1. I really hated that fight at first, but after figuring it out, it's kind of cool. On normal, it takes me maybe a minute or so. The experience you get is incredible.

[D.A.Lewis]

That's actually not the end of Chapter 1. I really hated that fight at first, but after figuring it out, it's kind of cool. On normal, it takes me maybe a minute or so. The experience you get is incredible.

Maybe not the end but I've finished most of the side quests for chp 1. As far as figureing it out, I can tell there is a pattern after watching all the youtube vids. And the figuring out part is what you typically have to do with action console games. Getting a bunch of experience points isn't a good trade off for me.

Spoiler:

how many times did you die before you figured out you had to ride that tail? How many times did you figure out how to run up that bridge? You said it takes you a minute or so but how long did it take you to get it down to a minute? From what I've been reading, many people are taking over an hour to figure how to beat the krayan

[e1123]

It took me about ten deaths and the first time I killed him, I turned off Qtes. It makes things a little less tricky. I haven't run into any other fights like that, since. It kind of reminded me of the queen insect fight from the first one.

[TiLT]

Spoiler:

how many times did you die before you figured out you had to ride that tail? How many times did you figure out how to run up that bridge? You said it takes you a minute or so but how long did it take you to get it down to a minute? From what I've been reading, many people are taking over an hour to figure how to beat the krayan

Both your examples I figured out without dying (though I had died about 10 times earlier in the fight, and the Kayran missed me with the first tail swipe). Once I got past the first 30 seconds or so of the fight, the rest was easy, and I never felt frustrated since the battle is so short and you can jump right back into the action when you fail.

Here's a tip:

Spoiler:

The Kayran has limited range with his attacks. Instead of trying to dodge left and right between his pouncing tentacles (which is what other games have conditioned you to do), do the sensible thing and run away to stand in a far corner until the thing calms down. Doing this after every time I hurt the beast kept me safe and sound.

[Daehawk]

Ok Im not liking the arm wrestling and fist fighting as much as I did in the first game. In the 1st one they were fun. In this one I cant enjoy them. Like the first fighting I cant actually watch the fighting or see my opponent get the shit kicked out of him because Im having to stare intently at the screen to see what button pops up for me to hit. Very disappointing. Theres no feel or feedback to me.

Have I mentioned I also hate the viewing angle on the poker dice rolling?...Why did they change these things? They were perfect in the first game and they just took and ruined them.

[TiLT]

Ok Im not liking the arm wrestling and fist fighting as much as I did in the first game. In the 1st one they were fun. In this one I cant enjoy them. Like the first fighting I cant actually watch the fighting or see my opponent get the shit kicked out of him because Im having to stare intently at the screen to see what button pops up for me to hit. Very disappointing. Theres no feel or feedback to me.

You MAY have noticed that each button appears at different parts of the screen, corresponding to which direction you're supposed to press, right? You don't have to look at the buttons, just at their screen location.

[D.A.Lewis]

Ok Im not liking the arm wrestling and fist fighting as much as I did in the first game. In the 1st one they were fun. In this one I cant enjoy them. Like the first fighting I cant actually watch the fighting or see my opponent get the shit kicked out of him because Im having to stare intently at the screen to see what button pops up for me to hit. Very disappointing. Theres no feel or feedback to me.

Have I mentioned I also hate the viewing angle on the poker dice rolling?...Why did they change these things? They were perfect in the first game and they just took and ruined them.

yeah, I agree with that. The fight cinematics are great but the actual button mashing sorta ruins the effect. Maybe if I had an option to make the button bigger and bolder the screen stare might not be so intensive.

[e1123]

I like the new poker dice. The ability to throw the dice seems more realistic. You do have to be careful as I have thrown the dice off the table a couple of times. The stakes are so low in this game that it doesn't seem worth it, though.

[Toe]

I like the new poker dice. The ability to throw the dice seems more realistic. You do have to be careful as I have thrown the dice off the table a couple of times. The stakes are so low in this game that it doesn't seem worth it, though.

I hate it. It makes no sense to me to have the dice fly out of the throw-space so easily. Its not realistic in the least (unless the dice are made out of rubber maybe) and shouldn't be a part of any dice-rolling game.

[TiLT]

I like the new poker dice. The ability to throw the dice seems more realistic. You do have to be careful as I have thrown the dice off the table a couple of times. The stakes are so low in this game that it doesn't seem worth it, though.

I hate it. It makes no sense to me to have the dice fly out of the throw-space so easily. Its not realistic in the least (unless the dice are made out of rubber maybe) and shouldn't be a part of any dice-rolling game.

That, plus the game is completely random while the NPCs still talk as if it's a game based on skill and experience. I don't even bother rolling dice any more in the game, as it's just an exercise in frustration.

[EzeKieL]

Someone here said that you can load your savegame from the first witcher.
Does it make a big difference in any way?
I'm just trying to finish the first one and wondered if it's really necessary or not?

I'll probably finish it eventually but I'm finding it difficult to fight the urge to buy this one ^^

[Effidian]

I don't think it makes a big difference. I got some dialog about a couple choices I made in the first one. You also get some of your equipment, but you get better stuff pretty quickly. I don't think it affects the story much at all.

[cheeba]

Someone here said that you can load your savegame from the first witcher.
Does it make a big difference in any way?
I'm just trying to finish the first one and wondered if it's really necessary or not?

Not necessary in the least. In fact, Witcher 2 will ignore and/or reverse some of the decisions you made in Witcher 1.

[Daehawk]

Triss in Polish Playboy very NSFW

[MonkeyFinger]

Tris in German Playboy very NSFW

Polish Playboy, actually.

[Daehawk]

ooops.

[e1123]

Finished the game. I think it probably took me around 30-40 hours. I would place it as just slightly below the Witcher.

Spoiler:

I let Letho live. He was, after all, just another witcher on a mission. Didn't really see any of the loose strings I've heard mentioned.

[Daehawk]

I'm never more than 4 lbs under my carry limit and having o drop stuff all the time out in the field. Is it safe to find a chest or something...anything....to put all my crafting supplies in? Im guessing they are holding me down because books, quest items and the like weigh nothing. Is there a container of my own Im missing or overlooking? Am I going to just have to sell all this stuff off and then try to find or buy back when i need to make potions or something?

[e1123]

No, there isn't a container. I would recommend carrying minimal to none of the stuff until you need it. Fortunately, I was always able to find what I needed within the vicinity.

[D.A.Lewis]

I'm never more than 4 lbs under my carry limit and having o drop stuff all the time out in the field. Is it safe to find a chest or something...anything....to put all my crafting supplies in? Im guessing they are holding me down because books, quest items and the like weigh nothing. Is there a container of my own Im missing or overlooking? Am I going to just have to sell all this stuff off and then try to find or buy back when i need to make potions or something?

I just downloaded a mod that created a no weight limit. (There are also mods that up the weight limit to 500 and 900). Some call that cheating and by their definition, they're right. (saying all that to avoid getting this thread derailed on the neeener neeener cheater bit). But the no weight limit makes my game funner for me.

[Daehawk]

I got that zero weight mod. Now the game is even more fun that I dont have to stop every 10 min and sort and drop items I may or may not need. Much better. Only down side is that now I have more stuff to scroll through

[TiLT]

Just finished the game (and I finished Duke Nukem Forever earlier today. Effective!). Loved (almost) every second of it. This was truly exceptional storytelling, mature and willing to challenge the player's ability to pay attention (I had a hard time keeping track of all the important players in the plot, but you don't really have to either).

Like in the first game, I managed to stay satisfyingly neutral despite every force in the universe attempting to get Geralt involved in some kind of political powerplay. I don't know if I was just lucky or if the writing is stellar all around, but I felt that every major choice I made turned out the right way in hindsight. The situation at the end of the game felt right to me based on the decisions I made.

I don't know why some people call the final chapter rushed. I didn't notice anything like that. It's shorter than the others, but that makes sense because of the plot. It certainly wasn't any less polished.

[Daehawk]

Looks like all the individual DLC packs have gone free now. You can find them in the first post HERE

[Smoove_B]

Patch 1.3 is out today -- with the inclusion of widescreen support (took long enough), maybe I can start playing again. There's also DLC included for Chapter 2.

Spoiler:

New FREE DLC – “A Sackful of Fluff” is a new quest in Chapter 2 of the game. To start the quest, visit the eccentric Elthon, who inhabits a solitary hut near the quarry outside Vergen. The quest will prove most rewarding to those who demonstrate patience.
Game now supports 4:3, 5:4, and 16:10 aspect ratios.
Item storage has been added. Players can now store items from their Inventory at inns. To leave items in storage or collect previously stored items, talk to innkeepers.
A ‘Junk’ panel has been added to the Inventory to provide greater clarity in item classification.
A new menu option has been added under ‘Extras’ – this enables players to view in-game animated sequences (flashbacks, memory flashes, dreams stolen by harpies) outside of the game.
A ‘Quickload’ option has been added under the F9 key.
The game's HUD can now be hidden in order to produce HUD-free screenshots! On newly installed game copies, the option to hide/show the HUD is available by default under the 'H' key. Users who have modified the key assignments on their installations should go to the 'Input Settings' dialogue of the Witcher 2 Configuration Tool to assign a key to this option. Please note that the game cannot be played with the HUD hidden.
A counter has been added for items placed in quick slots.
Players can now create multiple items in the Alchemy panel.
Issue involving the game not running at 2560x1440 resolution has been resolved.
Issues with nVidia 3D Vision technology have been resolved. Players no longer need to uninstall the related drivers.
Assorted improvements have been made in the game’s 3D Vision, SLI and Crossfire functionality.
Assorted improvements have been made for running the game in Ubersampling mode on nVidia cards.
Key bindings have been corrected to enable configuration of mouse buttons for use by left-handed players.
Assorted key binding options have been added to facilitate configuration of controls and quick access to various in-game panels.
Issue related to game settings being reset to defaults upon patch installation has been resolved. Patches no longer reset game settings.
The configuration file is no longer over-written when the launcher/configuration tool is patched and over-written.
The launcher now closes while the game is being patched, thus eliminating the resulting game patching error.
The launcher now closes completely and no longer continues to operate in the background.
‘Installed game version is invalid or incomplete’ error in updater when free space on system drive is insufficient – message has been corrected to reflect more accurately the nature of the error.
Mutagens are now alchemy ingredients. Minor mutagens drop more frequently than do major mutagens, though the overall mutagen drop rate has been reduced.
Corrections have been made in the mutagen drop rate and in Thorak’s store.
‘Dragon’ section of Prologue does not become available until after all assault-related sections have been completed, thereby softening the difficulty curve at the start of the game.
During the fight against the kayran, when the bridge collapses, a map pin appears at the end of the bridge to facilitate player navigation and quest completion.
Map pins have been corrected in many quests.
Quen Sign slightly de-buffed – Sign dissipates 20% faster after foes land a blow. Assorted minor balance issues related to this Sign have also been resolved.
Issue with oil enhancements not working on silver swords has been resolved.
Issue with Dragon’s Dream bombs has been resolved. Damage to bosses from cast daggers has been reduced by one-half.
Several optimization improvements have been made in the tavern in Vergen.
Problem with music accompanying ‘stealth’ sequences has been resolved.
Issue related to arm wrestling Bart Bargee has been resolved. Players can no longer win coin from this character endlessly.
Option to fist fight woman praying at a statue in Vergen has been deactivated.
Mini-game contestants at one of the in-game taverns now switch positions correctly without blocking one another.
Problem involving Fenn’s sword in combat has been resolved.
Problems with herbalist’s gloves have been resolved.
In the Prologue, Geralt retains his steel long sword throughout, i.e., he is no longer automatically equipped with his default sword for the ‘Assault’ sequence.
Problem with some nekkers being immortal has been resolved.
Issue with triggered black screens blocking game progress has been resolved.
Interactions no longer appear on nekker nests after these have been destroyed.
The “Scent of Incense” quest no longer shows up as failed after being completed successfully.
Sudden switch to gameplay just prior to cut scene involving Cynthia and Philippa has been eliminated.
Triss, Roche and Iorveth are now de-spawned before the final credits roll.
Guard pacing cycles have been corrected.
The Redanian messenger in Henselt’s tent can no longer be killed, preventing him from re-spawning.
Elf woman in Vergen no longer strikes a T-pose.
Rotfiends feeding on corpses no longer re-spawn after corpse is burned.
Several fixes have been made in the functioning of in-game populaces.
Numerous problems with cameras in dialogue sequences have been resolved.
Assorted corrections have been made in dialogue sequences (including King Foltest’s gestures on the town walls in the Prologue).
A progression break in the ‘In the Claws of Madness’ quest has been eliminated.

[naednek]

Patch 1.3 is out today -- with the inclusion of widescreen support (took long enough), maybe I can start playing again. There's also DLC included for Chapter 2.

Spoiler:

New FREE DLC – “A Sackful of Fluff” is a new quest in Chapter 2 of the game. To start the quest, visit the eccentric Elthon, who inhabits a solitary hut near the quarry outside Vergen. The quest will prove most rewarding to those who demonstrate patience.
Game now supports 4:3, 5:4, and 16:10 aspect ratios.
Item storage has been added. Players can now store items from their Inventory at inns. To leave items in storage or collect previously stored items, talk to innkeepers.
A ‘Junk’ panel has been added to the Inventory to provide greater clarity in item classification.
A new menu option has been added under ‘Extras’ – this enables players to view in-game animated sequences (flashbacks, memory flashes, dreams stolen by harpies) outside of the game.
A ‘Quickload’ option has been added under the F9 key.
The game's HUD can now be hidden in order to produce HUD-free screenshots! On newly installed game copies, the option to hide/show the HUD is available by default under the 'H' key. Users who have modified the key assignments on their installations should go to the 'Input Settings' dialogue of the Witcher 2 Configuration Tool to assign a key to this option. Please note that the game cannot be played with the HUD hidden.
A counter has been added for items placed in quick slots.
Players can now create multiple items in the Alchemy panel.
Issue involving the game not running at 2560x1440 resolution has been resolved.
Issues with nVidia 3D Vision technology have been resolved. Players no longer need to uninstall the related drivers.
Assorted improvements have been made in the game’s 3D Vision, SLI and Crossfire functionality.
Assorted improvements have been made for running the game in Ubersampling mode on nVidia cards.
Key bindings have been corrected to enable configuration of mouse buttons for use by left-handed players.
Assorted key binding options have been added to facilitate configuration of controls and quick access to various in-game panels.
Issue related to game settings being reset to defaults upon patch installation has been resolved. Patches no longer reset game settings.
The configuration file is no longer over-written when the launcher/configuration tool is patched and over-written.
The launcher now closes while the game is being patched, thus eliminating the resulting game patching error.
The launcher now closes completely and no longer continues to operate in the background.
‘Installed game version is invalid or incomplete’ error in updater when free space on system drive is insufficient – message has been corrected to reflect more accurately the nature of the error.
Mutagens are now alchemy ingredients. Minor mutagens drop more frequently than do major mutagens, though the overall mutagen drop rate has been reduced.
Corrections have been made in the mutagen drop rate and in Thorak’s store.
‘Dragon’ section of Prologue does not become available until after all assault-related sections have been completed, thereby softening the difficulty curve at the start of the game.
During the fight against the kayran, when the bridge collapses, a map pin appears at the end of the bridge to facilitate player navigation and quest completion.
Map pins have been corrected in many quests.
Quen Sign slightly de-buffed – Sign dissipates 20% faster after foes land a blow. Assorted minor balance issues related to this Sign have also been resolved.
Issue with oil enhancements not working on silver swords has been resolved.
Issue with Dragon’s Dream bombs has been resolved. Damage to bosses from cast daggers has been reduced by one-half.
Several optimization improvements have been made in the tavern in Vergen.
Problem with music accompanying ‘stealth’ sequences has been resolved.
Issue related to arm wrestling Bart Bargee has been resolved. Players can no longer win coin from this character endlessly.
Option to fist fight woman praying at a statue in Vergen has been deactivated.
Mini-game contestants at one of the in-game taverns now switch positions correctly without blocking one another.
Problem involving Fenn’s sword in combat has been resolved.
Problems with herbalist’s gloves have been resolved.
In the Prologue, Geralt retains his steel long sword throughout, i.e., he is no longer automatically equipped with his default sword for the ‘Assault’ sequence.
Problem with some nekkers being immortal has been resolved.
Issue with triggered black screens blocking game progress has been resolved.
Interactions no longer appear on nekker nests after these have been destroyed.
The “Scent of Incense” quest no longer shows up as failed after being completed successfully.
Sudden switch to gameplay just prior to cut scene involving Cynthia and Philippa has been eliminated.
Triss, Roche and Iorveth are now de-spawned before the final credits roll.
Guard pacing cycles have been corrected.
The Redanian messenger in Henselt’s tent can no longer be killed, preventing him from re-spawning.
Elf woman in Vergen no longer strikes a T-pose.
Rotfiends feeding on corpses no longer re-spawn after corpse is burned.
Several fixes have been made in the functioning of in-game populaces.
Numerous problems with cameras in dialogue sequences have been resolved.
Assorted corrections have been made in dialogue sequences (including King Foltest’s gestures on the town walls in the Prologue).
A progression break in the ‘In the Claws of Madness’ quest has been eliminated.

Wait, I haven't been playing in wide screen? I have a 24 inch widescreen at 1980x1020 and never noticed it wasn't in widescreen

[tgb]

How do you change the difficulty on the fly? I can't find it anywhere in the menus.

[AWS260]

Patch 1.3 is out today -- with the inclusion of widescreen support (took long enough), maybe I can start playing again. There's also DLC included for Chapter 2.

Wait, I haven't been playing in wide screen? I have a 24 inch widescreen at 1980x1020 and never noticed it wasn't in widescreen

It used to only support 16:9, now it also supports 16:10.

[EzeKieL]

I can't even get it to start. I just see the loading wolfhead and that's it.

It never loads

[tgb]

Never mind - the difficulty setting was right under my nose. D'oh!

I'm still in the 2nd(?) part of the prologue - the part with the ballista. Never have I enjoyed frustration so much. Not so much the combat, because I got to hone those skills every time I screwed up the timing on cocking and aiming the damned balista, but figuring out the ballista itself.

Now I need to rejoin the king, but can't find my way back up.

[tgb]

I'm still in the Prologue, but this game has got it's claws into me big time, which I really didn't expect. I normally hate reloading and having to re-fight the same battles over and over, but somehow I don't mind it.

Other than the occasional stutter or hang, I've had no technical issues at all.

[tgb]

Enjoy the novelization.

Shall I regale you with the tale of this magnificent battle? For verily, it was magnificent. In a flash, Geralt accidentally drew his silver sword, then hastily put it back in its scabbard. The brigand hit Geralt in the back, and Geralt stumbled forward.
Shall I regale you with the tale of this magnificent battle? For verily, it was magnificent. In a flash, Geralt accidentally drew his silver sword, then hastily put it back in its scabbard.

The Witcher then drew his steel sword, relieved to have drawn the correct sword this time. Then, with great valor and cat-like speed, he rolled out of the way. He rolled again, and again, rolling like the wind, rolling like a small rock down a mountain, which would eventually pick up other larger rocks and form an avalanche.

Two of the bounty hunter's men came at him from the left, so he rolled to the right. He rolled to the right again, and then rolled to the left.

"Ploughing whoreson!" shouted the brigand.

Geralt rolled one more time, this time to the right, further down the alley. He paused and cast the Quen sign upon himself, surrounding his armor with a glowing, magical shield. He then rolled back towards his foes, accidentally rolling straight into a swinging sword. In the blink of an eye, he rolled away from them again, then rolled twice more. He rolled into a merchant's cart, then rolled away from it. Then he stood up and cast another Quen sign upon himself.

Geralt rolled towards one of the less-armored men and attacked him, his steel sword flying in a precise combination of light and heavy swings. The man went down, and Geralt rolled over his body and away from danger. He rolled again, and again, and again, occasionally swinging his sword between rolls, killing the bounty hunter's men one by one.

"Ploughing whoreson!" shouted the brigand.

Triss pushed open the door to the forest and passed through it. Once she was through, she closed the door. Then Geralt approached the door and tried to open it, but found he could not. He fumbled at the door for a few minutes, unable to open it, before finally backing up, putting his hand firmly on the knob, and opening it.

[Smoove_B]

On the one hand, I'm happy to say I supported the game the day it was released. On the other hand, seeing that they're getting ready to announce PC version 2.0 has completely demotivated me from trying to get back into playing.

I really do appreciate all the free DLC, patches, updates, etc... but I don't quite understand why the game couldn't have baked a few more months if there really is a "new and improved" version of the game coming.

[Daehawk]

I haven't touched it since I rebuilt my system over a month or more ago. Im bad with time. Anyways whats this 2.0 thing? Should I just wait? Is it free? Ill try to look it up.