This article gives you all the information you need to see if you should play the Witcher 3.
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If you’re anything like me then you love a good RPG game that can scratch that fantasy itch for you. The expansive maps, interesting characters, skill trees, and of course the meme potential are all amazing reasons to want to get into RPG gaming.
One franchise that stands out in this category is none other than The Witcher 3. Apparently, it’s not uncommon for good fantasy video game series to come in threes (The Witcher 3, Baldur’s Gate 3, etc.) and this game is no exception. Released by CD Project Red back in the mid 2010s the game still holds up as a strikingly entertaining staple of its genre even after all these years later.
The Witcher video games have grown to levels of popularity that have surpassed even the books that they are based on going so far as to almost overshadow them entirely. The attention to detail and wide fan base have earned it the title of one of the best RPG video games of all time.
In this addition to the franchise you play as Geralt of Rivia who is an emotionless monster hunter by trade and a white haired womanizer for funsies Though Geralt often seeks to stay neutral when it comes to politics he soon finds himself right in the middle of torrential as he seeks to save is adopted daughter Ciri from a group known as The Wild Hunt.
One thing that this game does well is that though it is in a series you do not have to have played the passed Witcher games or to have read the books to be able to jump into the story. The engaging characters and impeccable story telling make you feel immersed within the game from the very beginning. The unfolding of events and information within the story invite you to come along on the journey rather than bogging you down with your potential lack of background knowledge of the franchise.
This is not a quick playthrough and you will need to invest some time into completing the game. But this can be done in bites and if you are a fan of the genre you will likely be rewarded with a fun gaming experience. If you’re considering whether you should play The Witcher 3 then keep on reading to see if you should play The Witcher 3.
Story
The game starts off with an introduction of the land’s current setting before jumping to the protagonist, or the titular witcher, Geralt of Rivia. The land is plagued by monsters of every kind and this issue brings about the creation of witchers. Witchers are genetically enhanced super humans trained in the art of monster hunting and magic to keep the monster population down. However, the witcher profession is seen by many as a blight on the world causing the witchers to be pushed into seclusion.
Geralt is on the hunt to try and find his long-lost adopted daughter Ciri after receiving a somewhat vague letter from his long time situationship known as Yennnifer. Geralt and his mentor Vessimer set out to find her. Upon meeting with Yennifer Geralt realizes that trying to find Ciri will not be easy as the land is plagued by monsters, war, and some very disgruntled peasants. As you travel the continent following Ciri’s trail you’ll meet new characters, fight monsters, brew potions, solve problems, and be given the chance to be an all-around cool dude. T
he storytelling of the game is very well done and gives you many pockets of interesting narrative along with the main storyline. Given that this set of game is based off a book series it would be a shame if it weren’t good at telling the story. The many facets of the game and the characters therein really real you into the story making you want to know more and more.
While there is a main storyline the game does have a lot of different outcomes based on your choices throughout the game. There are good endings, bad ending, and other outcomes that will be effected by how to make your choices. This makes the game feel all the more real and adds to the gaming experience as your choices have weight to them. Remember that your actions do have consequences and while some decisions may seem meaningless others may have certain outcomes that you did not anticipate.
This game is by no means a light tale, in story or gameplay, so if you’re setting out to play this game know that it will bring up some rather dark topics. However, if you do continue until the end you will have played a very well made game with a very in depth and compelling story about the hardships of war, being seen as an outsider, and the value of found family.
Gameplay
The Witcher 3 is an RPG in which you explore, fight, forage, and socialize, and maybe even flirt your way through the world at large.. Most of your time will be taken up by foraging and socializing as you try to find quests to further the story or to line your purse. Navigating the world is not terribly hard and the game does an extensive job of giving you the information that you need to be able to move through your travels with ease.
I know for myself this made like so much easier for me as the world is expansive and it can be overwhelming in games like these to find your way around. Using the map and its many toggles and quest directors made moving through the world a no brainer.
CD Project Red did an amazing job of guiding the player through the game by easing them in through well thought out tutorials and control highlights. And this is helpful because the number of controls in this game can become overwhelming.
Fighting monsters will also be another big aspect and there are a few weapons in your arsenal to be able to achieve this. You have your two swords, a silver sword and a regular sward, as well as a crossbow. The silver sword is effective against monsters while your regular sword is good killing humans and animals. These do wear out so be sure to use them for the right enemies.
Then you have signs. Signs are different magical hand gestures that Geralt uses that will produce a different effect in battle such as fire, shields, traps, and so on. Learning these takes a bit of practice and you can toggle the keys on your key board to make life a bit easier for you.
Lastly, you have bombs, mutagens, and potions. Mutagens change your genetics in order to produce a specific effect and to make you more adept in battle. These alter your DNA and can be found throughout the world.
Potions are the same way but these wear off after a set amount of time and don’t alter your body chemistry like mutagens.
Lastly, bombs can also be crafted to give you a wider range of effect like a flashbang or a huge explosion.
Utilize all of these and see what works to help you gain an advantage in battle. You will have to switch up your approach depending on what enemies you face but you do have a compendium of monsters to help you discover what their strengths and weaknesses are.
I will say that if you’re someone who struggles with skill trees and levelling up characters this aspect of the game can be a bit confusing. I had to do a lot of research to find out what to do so that I could level up in order to get stronger. If you’re looking for a game that you want to turn off your brain and play this is definitely not going to be the game for you.
Who Will Like This Game?
Those who are big fans of the RPG fantasy genre will LOVE this game. It’s interesting main plot, compelling subplots, interesting gameplay, and expansive world is enough to give you hours of enjoyable content.
Also, those who enjoy min maxing and testing certain techniques against monsters will get a kick out of this game as there are many ways to kill a monster and many techniques to discover while doing so.
Who Will Not Like This Games?
Those looking something that is less of a commitment will want to steer clear of this game. There is a lot of content and a lot that you can do in this game that can feel overwhelming. If that’s not your style then you might not enjoy this game as you need to put some hours in this game in order to beat it.
Pros
- This RPG RPGs and has all the fun staples of the genre.
- Fantastic storytelling.
- Interesting fantasy world.
- Insightful tutorials that ease you into the gameplay.
- Foraging, alchemy, and crafting are just as important as combat.
- Romanceable options.
- You can have a sword that glows pink if you know where to look.
Cons
- Lots of controls to remember.
- Crafting is technically optional, but the game does encourage this, which might be a bit taxing for players who are not interested in creating potions or foraging.
- You do play as Geralt so there is no character creation. Again, not necessarily a bad thing but might be a con for those looking to forge their own unique path.
- There’s a lot of prejudice against your character. If you do not like the idea of being spit on by random NPCs maybe rethink this game.
Conclusion
The Witcher franchise is a fascinating and interesting world to sink your teeth into. If you’re looking for a new fantasy RPG to add to your repertoire that includes hunting monsters, exploring a cottagecore fantasy realm, and using superhuman powers then consider checking out The Witcher 3.
While this game’s mechanics can be overwhelming (as fantasy RPGs tend to be) the developers did a fantastic job framing the game for newer players. While there is a learning curve, you will have a much easier time learning the ropes then you may initially think. If you’re looking for a game that will ease you into the fantasy RPG genre while also giving you an extensively fun and interesting playthrough consider purchasing The Witcher 3.
Ready to join Geralt on his journey? You can purchase The Witcher 3 at these online retailers:
Nintendo eshop (Switch): Buy.
Steam (PC): Buy.
Humble Bundle (PC): Buy.
GOG (PC): Buy.
Looking for something to play that has more of a real life domestic feel to is? Check out my article on The Sims 4 here to see if life on the domestic side is right for you.