Witcher II - Impressions Forthcoming

[tgb]

Yes. What is this 2.0 of which you speak?

[Smoove_B]

No one knows. I think more information is going to be revealed this week at the German gaming convention, GamesCon.

[Daehawk]

A very real very NSFW Triss

[Smoove_B]

As suspected, more info on Witcher 2.0, including the September 29th release date:

As detailed in the developer diary below, update 2.0 adds "20 technical enhancements", various gameplay tweaks and a number of major new features.

Chief among them is Dark Mode, which is a new difficulty level pitched just below Insane. As well as upping the challenge it also adds in a number of super-powerful new "Dark" items to mess around with too.

There's also an Arena mode which lets you test your skills against endless waves of enemies and pick up XP and new items in the process.

On top of that, the update adds a tutorial to help new players through the game's tough first few sections.

[tgb]

I'll wait until after the patch and probably restart. But I wonder if the tutorial mode was added as a consideration for the console version.

[NickAragua]

So, I buy this via the GoG sale, go to install it and... no Russian language option? WHAAAAAT?

Now, I have to screw around with getting a friend to download the Russian speech pack for me using the steam version.

On the plus side, I was going to wait for version 2.0 to play this anyway.

[Daehawk]

A little video on 2.0. Damn if it isn't till Sept 28. Argh.

http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/61800 ... oper-Diary

[Daehawk]

So whats the latest news on 2.0? I've set aside the game till it comes out. I've finished Deus Ex 3 and now Witcher II is staring me in the face whispering "play me" . I really want to wait till 2.0 bit I cannot find any solid news on it's release other than late Sept. Thats a long way off to have to wait and no play it. Also any more news on whats in 2.0 other than technical fixes and something worth waiting on?

[Smoove_B]

What? The news I posted from 2 weeks ago wasn't enough? What more do you want to know? If they're adding boobies?

[Daehawk]

They are!?..I must spread this rumor.

[Effidian]

You are going to want to play through twice anyway, so you might as well play one now and the next when 2.0 comes out.

[Daehawk]

I was thinking I could use my save game in 2.0 but as I re read a lot of the info it seems starting over would be the way to go.

If this is true I may reinstall Fallout New Vegas and try to finish it before 2.0 comes out.

Good plan? Lame idea?

[Tscott]

If this is true I may reinstall Fallout New Vegas and try to finish it before 2.0 comes out.

Good plan? Lame idea?

New DLC for FO:NV comes out on the 20th and 27th, so you may want to hold off on that one too. Lonesome Road, which will feature the mysterious "Courier Six" comes out Tuesday. Then Courier's Stash (allows you to pick your starting equipment from all the various, previously exclusive, pre-order DLCs) and Gun Runners' Arsenal (adds new unique weapons, weapon mods, ammo types, and recipes) comes out the following week.

[D.A.Lewis]

I . . . If this is true I may reinstall Fallout New Vegas and . . .

Hmmmm, help me out here. With the size of hard drives nowadays. I never uninstall games and I buy about one PC game a month. Did I miss the memo??????

[Daehawk]

I like to keep my drives semi clean for performance. But I usually format all drives when i do a full gutting and rebuild. I've done 2 since New Vegas came out.

[Smoove_B]

Just some slight updates when the patch comes out this Thursday.

Spoiler:

Corrections and improvements to combat:

• Numerous improvements have been made in the targeting system.
• Parrying is now unlimited (even when Vigor is completely depleted), though parries no longer cancel all damage (maximum 50% reduction once the relevant ability has been acquired).
• Responsiveness of game controls has been improved. This includes but is not limited to casting Signs, parrying, and attacking immediately after evading an opponent's assault.
• Geralt's attacks are no longer interrupted by attacking opponents. Attacks are now contiguous and foes cannot interrupt Geralt's attacks by landing a blow.
• Assorted fixes now prevent opponents from incessantly attacking Geralt after he has been knocked down. Geralt can no longer be knocked down repeatedly in quick succession. Also, he rises quickly while evading subsequent attacks.
• Geralt no longer attacks opponents located behind other opponents positioned nearer to him.
• The target locking system has been improved. Preference is now given to previously highlighted targets.
• Target selection has been improved. Priority is now given to foes affected by a critical effect facilitating the completion of a finishing move.
• The additional two steps Geralt took after mounting an attack with the W, S, A or D key depressed have been eliminated.
• Attacks can now be continued even when a key controlling Geralt's movement (e.g. W, S, A, D) is depressed.
• Attacks can now be continued if the attack key is depressed immediately after the final strike of an attack animation sequence.
• Geralt can now pivot 180 degrees immediately after completing an attack.
• Assorted problems with key responsiveness have been resolved. Keys no longer need to be depressed twice or more to trigger a given action.
• A distance attack problem has been resolved. Geralt now mounts distance attacks (lunge with sword in hand in the Fast style) when opponents were located at a suitable distance from him.

Other corrections and amendments:

• Casting several bombs no longer blocks further inputs.
• An option has been added to the configuration tool enabling aspect ratio to be set independently of resolution.
• The amount of disk space required for game patching has been reduced.
• The loading of selected Witcher 1 game saves no longer causes the game to crash.
• A greater number of monsters now appear in the cave leading to Loc Muinne.
• Improvements have been made in the manner in which monsters are spawned in the mist in Chapter 2.
• The visual effect accompanying Adrenaline use no longer disappears prematurely.
• Archers now draw their swords more quickly when Geralt approaches.
• Mages no longer automatically cast shield spells when Geralt casts daggers at them.
• The game is now paused when Geralt executes a finishing move in combat.
• The troll in Chapter 2 has been corrected. Previously, in some circumstances he could not be attacked.
• Physics on cast daggers have been improved.
• The site for aiming daggers is now more visible.
• Geralt's animation when he dies while casting the Axii Sign has been corrected.
• An exploit in the fight against Letho has been eliminated. Previously, this foe could be killed by casting bombs in quick succession.
• An exploit related to the ‘Insane' difficulty setting has been eliminated. Previously, game saves could be loaded with difficulty set to this level, which was contrary to design intentions.
• Camera positioning/operation has been corrected during the boss fight against the kayran.
• Camera control via gamepads has been improved.
• Assorted adjustments have been made in mutagen statistics.
• The ‘Junk' filter in the Inventory has been adjusted to provide for correct item filtering.
• In the Inventory, the dialogue window warning of prohibited actions has been corrected.
• Assorted corrections have been introduced to the mini-map in Chapter 1.
• Audio balance throughout the game has been adjusted.
• Erratic character teleportation in mini–games has been eliminated.
• Assorted adjustments have been made in animations applying to nekkers.
• A minor bug in the "Scent of Incense" quest has been resolved.
• Numerous minor fixes have been introduced in character lip-sync throughout the game.

[Daehawk]

Only 2 days to go. Im considering a full restart. Long as my zero weight mod still works

EDIT - It's been a while since I played but do I need to add some EU patch to my game to get the full Monte in the love scenes? I have a store copy and I dont recall anything other than blurs. But it's been a while, may be wrong.

[Effidian]

Just some slight updates when the patch comes out this Thursday.

Spoiler:

Corrections and improvements to combat:

• Numerous improvements have been made in the targeting system.
• Parrying is now unlimited (even when Vigor is completely depleted), though parries no longer cancel all damage (maximum 50% reduction once the relevant ability has been acquired).
• Responsiveness of game controls has been improved. This includes but is not limited to casting Signs, parrying, and attacking immediately after evading an opponent's assault.
• Geralt's attacks are no longer interrupted by attacking opponents. Attacks are now contiguous and foes cannot interrupt Geralt's attacks by landing a blow.
• Assorted fixes now prevent opponents from incessantly attacking Geralt after he has been knocked down. Geralt can no longer be knocked down repeatedly in quick succession. Also, he rises quickly while evading subsequent attacks.
• Geralt no longer attacks opponents located behind other opponents positioned nearer to him.
• The target locking system has been improved. Preference is now given to previously highlighted targets.
• Target selection has been improved. Priority is now given to foes affected by a critical effect facilitating the completion of a finishing move.
• The additional two steps Geralt took after mounting an attack with the W, S, A or D key depressed have been eliminated.
• Attacks can now be continued even when a key controlling Geralt's movement (e.g. W, S, A, D) is depressed.
• Attacks can now be continued if the attack key is depressed immediately after the final strike of an attack animation sequence.
• Geralt can now pivot 180 degrees immediately after completing an attack.
• Assorted problems with key responsiveness have been resolved. Keys no longer need to be depressed twice or more to trigger a given action.
• A distance attack problem has been resolved. Geralt now mounts distance attacks (lunge with sword in hand in the Fast style) when opponents were located at a suitable distance from him.

Other corrections and amendments:

• Casting several bombs no longer blocks further inputs.
• An option has been added to the configuration tool enabling aspect ratio to be set independently of resolution.
• The amount of disk space required for game patching has been reduced.
• The loading of selected Witcher 1 game saves no longer causes the game to crash.
• A greater number of monsters now appear in the cave leading to Loc Muinne.
• Improvements have been made in the manner in which monsters are spawned in the mist in Chapter 2.
• The visual effect accompanying Adrenaline use no longer disappears prematurely.
• Archers now draw their swords more quickly when Geralt approaches.
• Mages no longer automatically cast shield spells when Geralt casts daggers at them.
• The game is now paused when Geralt executes a finishing move in combat.
• The troll in Chapter 2 has been corrected. Previously, in some circumstances he could not be attacked.
• Physics on cast daggers have been improved.
• The site for aiming daggers is now more visible.
• Geralt's animation when he dies while casting the Axii Sign has been corrected.
• An exploit in the fight against Letho has been eliminated. Previously, this foe could be killed by casting bombs in quick succession.
• An exploit related to the ‘Insane' difficulty setting has been eliminated. Previously, game saves could be loaded with difficulty set to this level, which was contrary to design intentions.
• Camera positioning/operation has been corrected during the boss fight against the kayran.
• Camera control via gamepads has been improved.
• Assorted adjustments have been made in mutagen statistics.
• The ‘Junk' filter in the Inventory has been adjusted to provide for correct item filtering.
• In the Inventory, the dialogue window warning of prohibited actions has been corrected.
• Assorted corrections have been introduced to the mini-map in Chapter 1.
• Audio balance throughout the game has been adjusted.
• Erratic character teleportation in mini–games has been eliminated.
• Assorted adjustments have been made in animations applying to nekkers.
• A minor bug in the "Scent of Incense" quest has been resolved.
• Numerous minor fixes have been introduced in character lip-sync throughout the game.

That looks like a significant change to combat. It'll be interesting hearing how people like it. I got used to the old way and played through twice, but I might play again.

[Daehawk]

I think they said theres a whole new beginning tutorial like thing. Not sure how that would work with the Foltest start.

[Daehawk]

Anyone else like me that would like The Witcher 3 to give you a broken down Kaer Morhen as a base where you can get other witchers and people to come and start fixing it up and protecting it while you do adventures in a free open world?

[tgb]

I think they said theres a whole new beginning tutorial like thing. Not sure how that would work with the Foltest start.

My understanding is that it's a stand-alone module, kind of like those that came out for the first Witcher. At the end it suggests the level at which you should be playing. I fully expect to get "OMFG, u suxxors, Noob".

[Daehawk]

Lol. I'm sure you're not that bad. Maybe for horrible players it should give you a small npc bodyguard troop that doesn't replenish itself on death.

[hepcat]

Hmmm...I stopped about midway through Chapter 2 so I might restart just to play this new and improved version. Maybe I'll make some different choices...kill a few annoying peasants, that sort of thing.

[tgb]

2.0 is up, and I'm getting a pretty good d/l speed - 755 kbs/sec. I'll chime in on the new tutorial later.

[tgb]

I've tried the tutorial a couple of times - basic stuff like camera control, making potions, etc. but the combat just feels clunkier, and not as smooth. Also it doesn't look as good as I remember, almost as if different artists were involved.

I'm going to restart the game later or tomorrow, but I hope the problems I'm seeing in the tutorial are confined to it.

[hepcat]

I friggin' hate patching d2d games sometimes. It keeps telling me that my install is incomplete or invalid. I'm hoping I don't have to wait for an "official" d2d version of the patch.

edit: nm. I didn't realize I was still on the 1.2 patch. I grabbed the 1.3 patch from d2d's site and then after it was applied, it prompted me for the new patches in order. All done.

[Smoove_B]

Isn't that usually the case and what D2D is infamous for? Needing their own special patches?

[hepcat]

Isn't that usually the case and what D2D is infamous for? Needing their own special patches?

Going from 1.2 to 1.3 that's the case. However, the auto patcher kicked in after 1.3 was loaded and grabbed the patches directly from the developer's site.

[Daehawk]

Wow is my animation sloooooow now. Before patch I was fine. Now it's as if 20 new graphic options are on and I've have my cpu and video card replaced with vaseline. I have a i7 2600k and a 560 ti

I cannot find how to bind control or even save my game now. What did they do to this game?

Ok got the save to work. Still need to rebind my keys geez. You'd think these days that would be standard.

[Dave Allen]

I got the game off ebay for 16.50 two days ago.

I hope I get it soon. I'm in a rush to play it - now that the game is actually done.

[Daehawk]

Anyone else 'floaty' since 2.0? As in it's a bit slow or hard to control. I have a i7 and 560 ti and now it seems floaty. What 1 or 2 settings would fix this? Shadows?...LOD?...post pro?...not sure what to do.

[Daehawk]

The minigames are still bugging the shat out of me. I much prefer them in the first game.

Boxing - All I do it push the button it shows me on screen. YAWN. In the first game I could mouse click to punch just like my sword fighting.

Poker dice - The view is all wrong. It's difficult to roll the dice now cause of the angle. In the first game it was overhead and I could really toss them well. Here any power to my toss and they fly right off the table.

Arm wrestling - I simply follow a little bar as it moves. Boring.

They really ruined the mini games.

[Daehawk]

My first try at this game when it came out I could not beat those queen bugs in the forest. This time I found a way to do it VERY easily and it should work on anything. All the big bad boss type things 'should' fall instantly to you.

So only read this is ya want a easy out. I only used it due to dying over and over trying to d oa quest. I only plan to use it in those circumstances.

Spoiler:

You know those steel jaw traps you find in the forest and disable and pick up? Ya use those. Just set them all in the same spot. I think I used 20 in a spot to kill each queen bug. You can disable and pick them back up after the fight. She walked over the spot and BAM insta death.

I suppose this spoiler would not work unless you are using a weight mod cause you could not carry so many. Im using a zero weight mod. I carry everything lol.

[hepcat]

I got the game off ebay for 16.50 two days ago.

I hope I get it soon. I'm in a rush to play it - now that the game is actually done.

It was done on release. This 2.0 version is just additional material and some tweaks. You could play through the initial release with absolutely no problem and seeing everything that was intended to be included.

[Daehawk]

Can someone spoil a part of The Rose of Remembrance quest for me?

Spoiler:

It's after the bath scene when Triss asks the witcher to throw it all away and be with her. Will it screw my relations with Rouche up if I choose that or should I tell her I have to clear my name?

[Daehawk]

It's a bit funny that those two that were hanged when I first got to Flotsam are still hanging there in the town square. Sunny days, rain storms, day , night there they are. And now they are hanging there in the middle of the town's celebration. Flowers all over, a keg beside them, and a bard playing music on the hang man's platform. It's a little surreal.

[Daehawk]

Well I've sided with Rouch. I decided to stick with what I know . Once I finish the game Im going to see if there is a way to load it up where I made this decision and pick the elf instead. I really want to see dwarf town . Im not sure I can do that though. Sure hope so.

Now Im off to kill Flotsom's leader.


EDIT: In Loredo's guards quarters did anyone get that locked chest open that requires a key? I could never find the key.

[NickAragua]

Good god this game is difficult. I guess I wouldn't mind dying every other fight, except that you get your ten second loading time and about 5% chance of a crash every time you load.

That being said, now that I've got the Russian language pack set up, this game is awesome. For the most part, the annoying bits are over very quickly, and the cutscenes are skippable. Also, there are a lot of boobs.

Combat: Fast-flowing, exciting. You get awesome kill animations occasionally, and there's plenty of tactics involved, it never becomes formulaic. The down side is that Geralt is a giant pussy and can't take more than a few hits before going down. Also, the boss guys use a lot of cheap shots, and are more like puzzles than anything else.

Quick-Time Events: Are not obnoxiously difficult, not terribly intrusive, and add a little bit of extra fun to the game.

Dice Game: Still blows chunks, although, mercifully, it's over in only one round now instead of a painful three.

Fist fighting: Looks like a quick time event, but there's actually a little strategy there - sometimes it's better to miss the first cue and hit the second one, then Geralt does a nasty counter move for much more damage.

Arm Wrestling: Retarded mechanic, but is over mercifully quickly.

"Crafting": There is only a very basic interface for managing your recipes and materials, which is simply not enough for when you have a lot of stuff. However, there are things that you can craft that are very much worth the time you put into it.

Story line: Super fun. I'm only up to chapter 2, but I'm really enjoying the various character interactions.

Exploration: Make sure to run around and explore each area thoroughly - there are plenty of little side quests and ambushes and such.

Word to the wise: Kill all training dummies that you see. You apparently get a bonus "perk" or "trait" or whatever after killing ten.

[naednek]

I'm getting back into it after a hiatus. I'd go back to Deus Ex HR, but it's still bugged and I refuse to restart.

Anyways the game is fun, it's different and hard. I had to lower the difficulty to easy to kill of the two queen spiders.

[Daehawk]

Ive passed up soooo many training dummies that I cant get back to now.

I added a point to some skill and now sometimes I do an insta kill even when they have near full health. Pretty kool. I do it a lot too.

I find it stupid that I can't just drink a potion and have to go into meditation mode to drink one.