87 réponses à ce sujet

[Allan Schumacher]

Haplose wrote...

Yes, some are imported... but legendary Witcher 1 swords with rich lore and history become mediocre Act 1 weapons in TW2... its just sad. Sure they help... very slightly at the very beginning... but that's all. Kinda takes away from the value of these weapons, which were really powerfull in TW1.

That's fair.  But at the same time part of game design (especially for RPGs) is still that sense of progression.

While I think there are some that would be quite content to think "Cool, this awesome sword I imported from the first game is still awesome.  I'm glad I imported" there will also be some that think "It's kinda silly to essentially start off with the best weapon in the entire game right from the get go...."

[Allan Schumacher]

What's the point of the other weapon slots?

I have an axe and a dagger. The seem to be weapons with somewhat unique abilities, but aside from maybe putting a secondary witcher sword in one of the slots, I can't imagine choosing them over the weapons that get very clearly better with my level ups.


(although I crafted me a red meteorite sword.  +40% damage and +30% bleed on crit, yes please.  Although it only seemed to use 2 of the meteorite rocks...)

Modifié par Allan Schumacher, 14 décembre 2012 - 08:11 .

[Allan Schumacher]

The princess needs a man to give her a proper lay? /facepalm

Also, the woman with Dandelion's lute?! /headdesk /headdesk

At least it's comically bad XD

[Allan Schumacher]

The line was actually mentioned by someone else when discussing the Princess.

But yeah, she told a putrid joke, and then when I said I was there with Triss, well, she's not the most interesting character I've ever met.

[Allan Schumacher]

The problem with the cards is that they immediately make me look at the women in game as targets. This is horrible messaging IMO.

I found myself going "Does she have a card? What do I need to do to get the card?" As there's a progression mechanic, the game reinforces this perspective that all the women in the game are targets to be conquered. Coupled with the laughable circumstances where women pretty much throw themselves at Geralt, I actually find it grating. The whole scene with Shani was absolutely destroyed by the end of that arc as what could have been a tender moment turns into "I can't wait to jump Geralt's bones," not to mention the moment where Triss pretty much takes advantage of a wounded Geralt in some male fantasy wish fulfillment at the start of Chapter 3. "So I need to make sure you're fully recovered Geralt, so let me just take a page from some skin flicks and verify how manly you are." /facepalm


Sure, not everyone is going to share this perspective, but as the game went on I went from "Card mechanic is neat" to "Card mechanic makes me feel uncomfortable as it leverages my gaming tendencies of progression/collection into making me look at all the female characters in the game as targets to be conquered."

I'm not here to tell others that they should feel the same way as me, but that's the way I feel about it.

[Allan Schumacher]

Well CDPR basically agreed with the criticism when they said sex would be handled more maturely in TW2. People still fight over whether that's actually the case, but people have lots of hang-ups about depictions of sex in games for some reason- far more than in movies- probably because of the participatory aspect. You're not just watching, you're in bed with them, so to speak.

This is an important distinction I think. I'm the type that tends to look at games as "art" in that I am curious what the content creator's original thoughts were, so I actually have the Enhanced Edition of The Witcher. I also imported Indigo Prophecy (Fahrenheit), as much to see what the big deal was.

At first I think it was the sex scene with Carla, and I was like "that's it?" But then there was the scene that I noticed on a second playthrough with Lucas' ex-girlfriend. Player control actually existed in a limited capacity during the scene, which came across as being somewhat weird to experience (and not particularly necessary).

While Triss is definitely a more interestingly developed character (compared to many in The Witcher), she does basically come across as a nymphomaniac. While I have no problems with a character enjoying sex, it seems to be a frequent topic for her, to the point where she seems to bring up the innuendo on almost excessive amount. (Though so far I mostly find it grating because she doesn't come across as a trustworthy or likable character at this point).

Similar with Shani, the general vibe I am getting from the game is that there are some interesting concepts, but the execution missed the mark (hmmm this rings a bell >.>). I like the idea of having a grittier world where darker themes exist, and many of the concepts that come across were ones that I considered during NWN module creation days. It's almost eerie because some of it comes across the same almost to a tee.

So I think I find I may be a bit unfair since I associate the way many themes come across with many of the ideas I had 8-10 years ago that I since have reconsidered as not being as well thought out as I originally considered.

The biggest one for me is still Shani. One of the few likeable characters in the game so far (Zoltan, Siegfried, and maybe Dandelion, being the others), who is attractive and a pretty genuinely nice person. While Dandelion is singing there's even some cute moments where Geralt catches Shani looking at him, and she quickly looks away, and it's definitely a sort of "Hehehe, she definitely seems to have a crush on me." So I gave her a red rose (explicitly to be romantic), and there was some interesting conversation, and while I was expecting the scene to lead to sex, they pretty much fast forwarded straight to the sex, which I found really disappointing.


In general though, I more laugh at it. The willingness of women to throw themselves at me has pretty much hit the level of B-movie badness, which I can still find entertaining (I love bad movies).

[Allan Schumacher]

slimgrin wrote...
Really. What are you suggesting, that they mind tapped you? 
It's clearly not your type of game and that's cool. I've disagreed with the CDPR guys about stuff too. But this observation borders on, well...maybe I won't go there. 

The only suggestion I am making is that it matches the early assumptions about what I thought would be an interesting and edgy story environment, that ultimately ended up not actually delivering on the themes in the way that I had imagined that it would during conception.

In that, I feel I can understand how CDProjekt came to have this content in place.  As in, with iteration, they can improve on the execution.  People in this thread have said they did in TW2 (I'll find out once I am done TW1).


It should be noted that this game has a reputation of being either:

Some type of immature, misogynistic, or inappropriate
or
Some type of realistic, dark, gritty, and mature.

depending on who you ask (I find opinion on the game is polarizing).  So there is some inherent bias into how I anticipate upcoming content.

I also disagree that it's "not my type of game."  Based on the concepts, and my own history for what I personally thought would be interesting themes to cover in an RPG, I'd say it's very much my type of game.

Here you are at a disadvantage for not having read the books (I guess).
Triss is very in love with Geralt, to the point of betraying her best
friend in the game. Not so in love that she´ll put him ahead of the
Sorceresses´plans however. Shortly before things go to hell at the end
of the saga Yenn is looking forward to telling Geralt what they had done
about her and Ciri.

I agree it's a risk for moving to a different medium.  Should it be assumed that the players all know about Triss' history?  Unfortunately, when I am presented with an amnesia state, I am sort of given the impression that my character's history is no longer relevant to how I am playing the character (e.g. Planescape: Torment), but I am learning that this isn't the case.

Yeah, the card thing is silly. Yet, is it that different than having
achievements pop up for "finishing" romances in Mass Effect or Dragon
Age just by having sex with a given character?

Nope, and I don't like that either.  The only place it "worked" for me was Alpha Protocol, since the game is in part a shot at the "classic spy tales" where the James Bond style archetype exists.

Then, I'm also a proponent that sex shouldn't be seen as the "victory condition" of the relationship (something BioWare is certainly culpable of doing), while also being a supporter of the idea that if sex is in the game, it doesn't need to be explicitly shown either.

So if your end goal was to just try to point out "Yeah but your company does it too!" I guess it's mission accomplished.  Unfortunately, you told me nothing that I'm not already aware of, and when I give feedback to the guys in the office it's still consistent with the type of feedback I have given regarding The Witcher.

[Allan Schumacher]

Gibb_Shepard wrote...

Brockololly wrote...

Allan Schumacher wrote...
While Triss is definitely a more  interestingly developed character (compared to many in The Witcher), she does basically come across as a nymphomaniac. While I have no problems with a character enjoying sex, it seems to be a frequent topic for her, to the point where she seems to bring up the innuendo on almost  excessive amount.

So you're saying Triss is Isabela in DA2?

Exactly what went through my mind when reading that. Though i don't remember Triss being nearly as excessive as Isabella in the innuendo department.

I find Triss less subtled actually.  She seems to make it clear that she wants to have sex with Geralt.  Somewhat frequently given how infrequently I've actually been able to interact with her.


At this point I don't consider the comparison apt at all, but then, Isabela is probably one of my favourite characters in a game.  Though I consider it beyond the scope of this thread to actually bother discussing it in depth.

[Allan Schumacher]

And just so people know, as much as I can justify forcing myself to play something I don't enjoy as being important for "market research," if I wasn't in general enjoying myself with The Witcher, I would have stopped playing.

My expectations are just adjusting because I was under the impression the game was a bit more serious than it seems it actually is. I don't mind camp, and I'm starting to approach it with more camp, which does help.

And minor quips like the combat are more just comments on how I struggled to play through the game the first time. I don't really mind it and it does look pretty cool to unlock new abilities, and there are many aspects of the skill tree I think are pretty well done.

I have added in some newer pics here.

[Allan Schumacher]

After crashing the party and antagonizing the princess (which will be fun to do in the future), Geralt is now about to start an epic quest..... for better armor >.>

Will likely do some quests to rack up the 5000g.  Need something to go with my improved steel sword.


@Firky
After The Beast, I did spend some additional points in combat skills, and I am at least level 2 in every style (since bronze points are pretty plentiful) with most of the passive upgrades too.

In general I am not finding combat much of a challenge at this point.  I typically do not think to use alchemy, aside from Swallow (which is super handy), and Cat (which also has obvious utility).  I have made some oils, but have never actually applied them.

The only thing I typically remember to apply (and even then, not all that frequently) are weapon enhancements like the whetstone.


It's fun and looks cool, and is at about that comfortable level of challenging I typically enjoy for my RPG experiences (Combat is usually not a strong focus for me - also just a reminder I am playing on intermediate).  The chained moves do look very nice.  The only mode that is a bit "random" is the fist fighting, but Geralt seems to pretty pretty capable at it in any case.

Also, most of my "disdain" for Triss at this point is mostly because she's very clearly hiding something.  Although, from a meta standpoint, it's almost TOO obvious XD.  Still, at this point my Geralt finds Shani more appealing.  And that's perfectly okay because he has amnesia!

Modifié par Allan Schumacher, 15 décembre 2012 - 06:24 .

[Allan Schumacher]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Okay, this game is CLEARLY camp (in that awesome sort of way).

Count De Witt: "By the power invested in me, et cetera, et cetera, I hearby .... [not important]"


I actually guffawed bumping into him and Thaler outside. Naturally, Thaler and I seem to be on the up and up (I appreciated his honesty at the party, he appreciated mine), and De Witt being De Twit is certainly making this pretty obvious.

Though, being me, I will naturally hear both sides.

[Allan Schumacher]

Whoops. It's easy for me to remember to switch to silver weapons, but the mental switch back to steel struggles. Was fighting some.... spider thing, and a salamandra assassin, and MAN did that assassin take a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time to kill.


Also, totally sided with Thaler.  De Twit is a... err... twit >.>

Modifié par Allan Schumacher, 15 décembre 2012 - 06:33 .

[Allan Schumacher]

Does your difficulty have cues for chaining?

It does give me the notification yes.  The game mentions that alchemy is pretty much required on the hardest difficulty level (which I am not on).

I've played dice poker with Thaler for 3 hours in Act II to get that.

Saving the world can wait, Geralt has some dicin' to do folks!

LOL.  I hadn't thought of that.  But likely will not do that.  I don't mind me some Yahtzee but I prefer to smash things with my sword

[Allan Schumacher]

Gave Alvin to Shani. I think she definitely considers me BF type since she was insanely jealous about Triss rescuing me haha.

I'm skeptical if the game will let me run with pursuing Shani, but I will see how far it lets me go.

[Allan Schumacher]

bwahahaha. I'm already regretting Shani XD

"Honey, could you spend some time with Alvin? You're his only role model!"

Whoa whoa whoa! You asked for the orphan and I delivered! Now Shani is all "I love you Geralt!" O_o

XDXD

[Allan Schumacher]

LOLWUT!?

Alvin: "I don't want to go to Oxenford University. But Shani says..."

LOL My friend on Steam: "Didn't you give her the child like 5 minutes ago?!"

"I suppose I did spend the evening drinknig with the boys."


I swear they're trying to troll me to say "You chose wrong!!!" LOL

[Allan Schumacher]

Took out the Salamandra lair in the sewers.

I do have to say, the cycling between stances has grown on me. I was a bit worried it'd seem silly that my "speedy" guy (although I'm actually quite balanced) wouldn't be able to attack a guy simply because I need to use the "strong" attack, but there's obviously something about the character design that makes it implicitly obvious what types of attacks would work best.

And even then, it's not like the "wrong" attack never works. It's just less consistently effective. When fighting a huge group of guys, it looks really freaking badass to be in group mode and smashing all around, knocking 4 of them down, quickly switching to strong attack and firing off a 3 sequence attack to kill that guy, firing off an Igni, to kill two more, while then using the speed attack to finish off the last two.


In that sense, the combat has actually become an increasingly more enjoyable aspect of the game.

Modifié par Allan Schumacher, 15 décembre 2012 - 10:39 .

[Allan Schumacher]

On the higest difficulty setting the cursor no longer changes when you should click... but after a normal gamepaly it's not a problem at all, as you can hear it... and the rhytm is pretty obvious by then.

I find I don't really look at the indicator anymore either. I probably subconsciously notice it so it still helps, but once you see the combat animation a few times it's pretty clear when to click.

When you're fighting a sizeable group, it rarely makes sense to switch styles. Group style is the uber style when there are more enemies then 3. If I remember correctly, in Group Style Geralt has a critical chance that gets higer with the number of enemies he's fighting. So the group style leads to many instant fatalities on enemies and a quick reduction of their numbers (as long as there are many).

You're right that I don't have to, and while guys are standing, I typically don't. But it does have a knockdown and once a few guys get knocked down, I switch it up. I don't have to, but it's kind of like Batman: Arkham City. I could win the fights just hitting attack and counter, but it doesn't look as awesome, nor is it as much fun.

[Allan Schumacher]

Also:

Hehehehe

[Allan Schumacher]

Oooo, I like this sort of stuff. Came across a bunch of elven murderers. They left some humans trapped with ghouls in the crypt. The Witcher must choose!

Was a tough choice actually. Undoubtedly more will die with the elves still at hand, but leaving those people in the crypt to a horrible fate was something I couldn't do.

[Allan Schumacher]

Well now I'm all up involved in politics. Siegfried (who gave me a bonus for helping the people!) and I went to investigate a bank robbery!

Yaevinn was there. I said I wanted to negotiate, Siegfried did not approve. In the end, I spoke with Yaevinn. I encouraged him to spare the lives of his men, and he called me a traitor. Siegfried rejoined me at this part.

Scoia'Tael aren't going to be happy, that's for sure. Now to chase down Yaevinn!

[Allan Schumacher]

Siegfried is coming across as probably the one genuinely likeable character in the game lol.

Though I may not agree with his affiliation, he seems like a stand up guy that isn't just using me. Which means, he totally is using me >.>

[Allan Schumacher]

Found Vincent the superhero haha.

[Allan Schumacher]

According to the gas chromatograph, the secrent ingredient (to cure lycanthropy) is.... LOVE!? All right.... Who's been screwing with this thing!?

[Allan Schumacher]

A bull from Bullsville? XD