Tales from the Grieve - A Review of The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
Already heralded as Game of the Year at The Game Awards in December 2015, it's difficult to write any kind of review without treading into some level of bias. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is a vast game...and also a game this reviewer was initially a little apprehensive of completing in part due to its sheer size and the time commitment the main campaign offers (a whopping 76 hours with little deviation). Counting the massive breadth of the story, the 16 free pieces of downloadable content (DLC), and the ever-expansive additions of Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine - two lengthy adventures in their own right - and you have a full package of overwhelmingly vast gameplay opportunities at your disposal. Skeptics may argue - and justifiably so - that the vast array of content may not denote quality, but I assure you: that is certainly not the case here.
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is a sprawling epic high-fantasy Role-Playing Game (RPG) in which a medieval world across the countries of Temeria, Redania, Nilfgaard, and Skellige are tormented by monsters, magic, and mischievous deception while locked in a deadly war between two superpowers. Players take control of Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher - a powerful monster slayer for hire - who is seeking his ward, Ciri, as she is pursued by the unrelenting Wild Hunt, spectral riders from another world. During the sprawling campaign, players will learn the politics behind the war between Redania and Nilfgaard, traverse the mountains of Ard Skellige, the bars of Novigrad, and the Witcher's fortress of Kaer Mohen. The best aspect of the story is that it never trudges along. It constantly reinvents itself by advancing the story in unpredictable and exciting ways that you can't help but admire. One such example is, at key moments in the story, you actually play as Ciri, who has her own unique abilities. The fact that it commands your attention so fully with changing locales, themes, and stakes...and respects you as an intelligent player, is one of the most gratifying feelings one can have as someone who plays games. Your hand is never held and the story is so dense with character nuance, you can't help but wonder if they aren't living people in their own right. All of this, of course, is a powerful draw to the third and final Witcher game, but it isn't the key factor that separates it from the competition...it's the little things.
CD Projekt Red, the developer, has achieved what few open-world games have dared to attempt: to create a world so complete and rich with life that, as a player, one can't help but marvel at its very existence. Going beyond the main storyline, there are a number of optional objectives and activities steeping with dense lore and interwoven seamlessly into the rich world presented. With hundreds of armour and weapon upgrades, dynamic skill-trees for combat, alchemy, and arcana, and even a dynamic choice and consequence system based on decisions you make through your actions and in dialogue, The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is an extremely customizable game. On top of that, there are so many ways to lose yourself in the world with horse-racing, playing cards, brawling, discovering exotic locales with precious loot, taking up Witcher contracts to hunt powerful monsters, and helping those in need with optional objectives and branching paths.
Perhaps most incredible, all of the activities and experiences previously detailed blend 100% seamlessly into the world. Nothing feels forced, overly taxing, or like it has any less weight than any other aspect of the game...including the main story. Like most open-world games, The Witcher III: Wild Hunt allows for free exploration...this time using his trusted steed, Roach.
It is important to note that, despite being open world, some areas are locked for the first bit of the game due to character level progression, which makes sense as enemies throughout the story and in certain areas gradually increase in difficulty as you progress through the ranks. Fear not though: all missions are detailed with a recommended character level, so you'll have a pretty decent idea of the kind of challenge you can expect before you begin that particular segment. It is assumed that you will have reached level 30 by the end of the campaign, though that is not the level cap.
Combat in The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is strategic and requires patience and care to succeed. Like other modern fantasy RPGs, the tactical use of dodging and circle-strafing combined with magical abilities and precision hits from one of your two swords will serve you well. For those that enjoy the use of projectiles, there are also bombs you can craft as well as a trusty crossbow with interchangeable arrows. That being said, these methods aren't always effective, so it would be wise to consult the bestiary tab in the menu to determine what attacks will deal the most damage to specific enemy types. Crafting and alchemy also add nuance to combat and exploration; douse your sword in powerful oils to further weaken enemies, craft antidotes for rare poisons with herbs found in the environment, and brew potions to clear your vision in darkness or increase Geralt's dexterity. The five magical signs you use in the game can also be upgraded and they range from YRDEN, a trap that slows down time to IGNI, a focused projectile of flame shot from Geralt's hands. Only one magical sign can be used at a time, but they are well balanced and can become very powerful quickly.
One aspect players accustomed to RPGs will appreciate is the user-interface (UI) of the menus, which is generously divided to provide a wealth of information. From a handy meditation screen to both heal Geralt and quickly advance time, to extensive character bios, it can be a little overwhelming, but welcoming. In fact, nothing is more welcoming than the world map, which is initially full of question marks - labelling all of the locations you have yet to explore to satiate your adventurous appetite. Upon travelling to new locations, handy message boards will usually be loaded with new quests and contracts for you to accept or decline at your leisure.
For all the praise this review gives The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, I have a few gripes. On the Xbox One, there was a very rare frame-rate dip under 30. That being said, this issue may not be present on the other available platforms. The main complaint, though, stems from Geralt's horse Roach. He gets stuck a little too often and diverted a number of times from the desired path, which can pull the player out of the world and allow them to remember that they're playing a game and not a gruff badass monster hunter. Roach was used more out of necessity than enjoyment due to the size of the world, but the added detail of a fear meter when enemies approach the noble steed was a nice touch. There is also a rather unique customization with Roach, in which the player can equip larger saddle bags, sturdier mounts, and even the heads of tough monsters as trophies.
The reality of the situation is that there's so much that can be said about the vastness and breadth of detail found in The Witcher III: Wild Hunt that it is impossible to do it justice without playing the game for yourself. It makes an easy recommendation to players who just want to escape in an epic fantasy game with engaging characters, captivating scenery, and tight gameplay. The finished product is truly a sight to behold and is one that deserves to be experienced by everyone who value the medium of gaming.
5/5
Here is the Launch Trailer:
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