Hello PC players, I came across something VERY interesting.
Do you want to turn on Hairworks, but without the massive framedrops? Go to the Rendering.ini file within bin/config/base and change HairworksAA from 8 to 2.
Barely any visual difference, but suddenly hairworks is really doable! 
Guest_Puddi III_*
I'm just waiting for them patch in some realistic jiggle physics for Brewess.
That will convince me to build myself a PC.
I'm still not entirely sure whether I like hairworks or not. The physics are nice, but the hair itself looks a bit...odd to me. The textures actually look better to me with vanilla.
I've just been using this mod to get it on monsters, but not Geralt.
I'm still not entirely sure whether I like hairworks or not. The physics are nice, but the hair itself looks a bit...odd to me. The textures actually look better to me with vanilla.
I've just been using this mod to get it on monsters, but not Geralt.
Hello PC players, I came across something VERY interesting.
Do you want to turn on Hairworks, but without the massive framedrops? Go to the Rendering.ini file within bin/config/base and change HairworksAA from 8 to 2.
Barely any visual difference, but suddenly hairworks is really doable!
If you're running AMD you can also disable the heavy tessellation (default set to x64) which will give you a large performance boost but limited visual difference. Nvidia users can't do this though, drivers don't support it, or at least when I checked they didn't.
2nd playthrough rolling, managed to time this picture, satisfaction.
Also this was just too funny...should have played gwent after to ease the pain.
Spoiler
Saw this on youtube
It took me longer than most to realise this...
And I'm ashamed.
But.
Yen is perfection personified.
It took me longer than most to realise this...
And I'm ashamed.
But.
Yen is perfection personified.
You have chosen the right side, brother.
One of us, one of us, one of us...
Those dog puns they were making.
Like...
Who's Triss again?
She also complimented my Geralt's glorious beard
I was already set on Yenn but that was when it became official
Yen is the perfect woman/wife/mother, while Triss is still a teenager in heat. They are not in the same league really.
Also this was just too funny...should have played gwent after to ease the pain.
Spoiler
Must say I wasn't really thrilled with the way it was handled. I thought Geralt would just shove him away (as the dialogue option says), instead he goes on re-enacting the entire Thanedd scene with Dijkstra all over again. I was like "WTF calm down Geralt!"
So I finally beat the game.
There is certainly a lot that could be said about the game. To put it short, I enjoyed the overall experience I had with the game greatly. Truly, I've never seen a game world that seemed that alive and believable in its rules and limitations. There are so many dynamic elements in this game, attention to detail, and everything in between that continuously makes you just stop and appreciate what the game is doing. While I could praise the gameplay, sound, animation and so forth, ultimately what truly matters for me personally is the narrative and the execution of, which has been The Witcher's strengths in its two previous installments. Well for the most part, I am pleased that I can at least say that CDPR did an overall great job with it. CDPR does a phenomenal job in creating diverse and well written quests that helps shape the world and its characters through various ways, making the overall experience quite enjoyable. However, it is quite a disappointment to see how everything crumbles in the last parts of the game.
There are two narrative approaches that the game explores (something which the previous games shared as well) which is a 'personal' one and 'worldly' one. The personal revolves around Ciri, while the worldly one of course about the Witcher world and the conflict that it faces. The former one is sweet, entertaining and quite well designed and for the most part well structured, which puts a strong emphasis on Geralt's and Ciri's relationship. Their interactions with each other is certainly one of the highlights in the game, and it offers plenty of avenues for you to really see what it is that brings these two together and why they love each other. There aren't many relationship in games that have made me feel so invested between two characters, were every single moment these two are on screen is a delight for me, and I do commend the team for the work they put into it. However, that is not to say that it is perfect, and I do think it suffers a bit when it comes to the events where Geralt is supposed to show his ability to work as a father. Throughout the last act, Geralt is offered the option to support Ciri and her desires, which ultimately ends up being what decides the outcome of the ending for her. I do like the concept, though arguably the execution could have been handled a bit better. The problem here is two fold; one that the choices are a psychological one, wherein it (potentially) alienates it from the player and Geralt, in addition to that it doesn't respect the context of the situation to full extent as it should. Secondly, the choices works either as a reward or a punishment, wherein choosing the wrong options leads to a bad end. While I did myself get the "Good" ending, and I knew myself what the right choices were, I still think that these choices could have been implemented a bit better, and worked along the lines of how Geralt's and Alvin's relationship worked back in TW1, wherein the choices you made towards Alvin shaped him as a person in the future, especially considering how two of the potential endings can be for Ciri. Also the climax for the game is quite disjointed, since Eredin is sh*t and the game then introduces a deus ex machina which is equally sh*t. I understand that it is an element that has been introduced in the books and the games, but that doesn't make it any better, since the plot never acknowledged it in any meaningful, because it was never about it, but about Ciri and the Wild Hunt.
The latter narrative, the world, is a bit of a disappointment, as I've made clear about previously. While the game sports some great side quests, which are so well done that I sometimes forgot that they weren't actually part of the main quest, the underlying problem with the game is that there is no compelling background plot to it. What the game introduces are three major ones; The war between The North and the South, Radovid and the mages, and the events in Skellige. These three conflicts and the choices you make ultimately has an effect to the ending slides you get, but the problem lies in their mediocre portrayal and execution, and how little of an influence they have on the central narrative. The previous Witcher games displayed a great job in incorporating these elements and combining them into a tangible plot, but the execution in TW3 is not as solid. The war is okay-ish at best, since while it takes up some focal aspects like class conflicts, racial tension, socioeconomics, repercussions of war, and so forth, so little of these aspects are never put into the limelight as much as they should, since all of the political players are more interested in personal matters. Emhyr is obsessed with finding Ciri, and is quite incompetent when we are shown about him regarding matters of war. Radovid is obsessed with Philippa and his hatred for mages, and is a bumbling idiot in basically every scene he is in. The Lodge is as well obsessed with Ciri and the individual members are quite underdeveloped (aside from Keira), since they get introduced so late in the game. Djikstra, Roche and Thaler are only ones that show some decent portrayal on internal and external matters, though they also suffer as well from idiocy late in the game. The issue in Skellige, while it does a well enough job to show the conservative nature of individuals and society and others wanting tousher in reforms, it is quite dichotomous in its portrayal. And don't get me started on the civil war that gets introduced, only to be ignored completely.
While Ciri and Geralt's relationship is great, unfortunately the relationship Geralt has with Triss and Yenn, alongside what they two women bring on the table to Ciri is quite underdeveloped. While there are some good factors, like the characters taking up the past, present, and future, their ultimate contribution to the relationship in the later section of the game is quite hollow, since the focus in solely put on the task at hand, with little to no room to explore anything else (which could have been implemented). Yenn's central motivation after all is to be a mother to Ciri, and is a big reason for her conflict with Geralt. Triss' is her relationship with the Lodge and her feelings for Geralt. Both of these are barely utilized at all in the later parts of the game, and I was expecting them to do so, so I was quite disappointed that this never happened.
So those were my quibbles about the game. It is an excellent game, truly, and I did love the experience. I dop hope that whatever CDPR has in store, be it the expansions or an Enchanced Edition will fix a few issues. That would at least make me more than happy. But as for now, what I loved the most about the game and what will be etched into my heart and what I will remember TW3 for, is the genuine and loving relationship between Geralt and Ciri.
"I like it when you smile."
So I finally beat the game.
There is certainly a lot that could be said about the game. To put it short, I enjoyed the overall experience I had with the game greatly. Truly, I've never seen a game world that seemed that alive and believable in its rules and limitations. There are so many dynamic elements in this game, attention to detail, and everything in between that continuously makes you just stop and appreciate what the game is doing. While I could praise the gameplay, sound, animation and so forth, ultimately what truly matters for me personally is the narrative and the execution of, which has been The Witcher's strengths in its two previous installments. Well for the most part, I am pleased that I can at least say that CDPR did an overall great job with it. CDPR does a phenomenal job in creating diverse and well written quests that helps shape the world and its characters through various ways, making the overall experience quite enjoyable. However, it is quite a disappointment to see how everything crumbles in the last parts of the game.
There are two narrative approaches that the game explores (something which the previous games shared as well) which is a 'personal' one and 'worldly' one. The personal revolves around Ciri, while the worldly one of course about the Witcher world and the conflict that it faces. The former one is sweet, entertaining and quite well designed and for the most part well structured, which puts a strong emphasis on Geralt's and Ciri's relationship. Their interactions with each other is certainly one of the highlights in the game, and it offers plenty of avenues for you to really see what it is that brings these two together and why they love each other. There aren't many relationship in games that have made me feel so invested between two characters, were every single moment these two are on screen is a delight for me, and I do commend the team for the work they put into it. However, that is not to say that it is perfect, and I do think it suffers a bit when it comes to the events where Geralt is supposed to show his ability to work as a father. Throughout the last act, Geralt is offered the option to support Ciri and her desires, which ultimately ends up being what decides the outcome of the ending for her. I do like the concept, though arguably the execution could have been handled a bit better. The problem here is two fold; one that the choices are a psychological one, wherein it (potentially) alienates it from the player and Geralt, in addition to that it doesn't respect the context of the situation to full extent as it should. Secondly, the choices works either as a reward or a punishment, wherein choosing the wrong options leads to a bad end. While I did myself get the "Good" ending, and I knew myself what the right choices were, I still think that these choices could have been implemented a bit better, and worked along the lines of how Geralt's and Alvin's relationship worked back in TW1, wherein the choices you made towards Alvin shaped him as a person in the future, especially considering how two of the potential endings can be for Ciri. Also the climax for the game is quite disjointed, since Eredin is sh*t and the game then introduces a deus ex machina which is equally sh*t. I understand that it is an element that has been introduced in the books and the games, but that doesn't make it any better, since the plot never acknowledged it in any meaningful, because it was never about it, but about Ciri and the Wild Hunt.
The latter narrative, the world, is a bit of a disappointment, as I've made clear about previously. While the game sports some great side quests, which are so well done that I sometimes forgot that they weren't actually part of the main quest, the underlying problem with the game is that there is no compelling background plot to it. What the game introduces are three major ones; The war between The North and the South, Radovid and the mages, and the events in Skellige. These three conflicts and the choices you make ultimately has an effect to the ending slides you get, but the problem lies in their mediocre portrayal and execution, and how little of an influence they have on the central narrative. The previous Witcher games displayed a great job in incorporating these elements and combining them into a tangible plot, but the execution in TW3 is not as solid. The war is okay-ish at best, since while it takes up some focal aspects like class conflicts, racial tension, socioeconomics, repercussions of war, and so forth, so little of these aspects are never put into the limelight as much as they should, since all of the political players are more interested in personal matters. Emhyr is obsessed with finding Ciri, and is quite incompetent when we are shown about him regarding matters of war. Radovid is obsessed with Philippa and his hatred for mages, and is a bumbling idiot in basically every scene he is in. The Lodge is as well obsessed with Ciri and the individual members are quite underdeveloped (aside from Keira), since they get introduced so late in the game. Djikstra, Roche and Thaler are only ones that show some decent portrayal on internal and external matters, though they also suffer as well from idiocy late in the game. The issue in Skellige, while it does a well enough job to show the conservative nature of individuals and society and others wanting tousher in reforms, it is quite dichotomous in its portrayal. And don't get me started on the civil war that gets introduced, only to be ignored completely.
While Ciri and Geralt's relationship is great, unfortunately the relationship Geralt has with Triss and Yenn, alongside what they two women bring on the table to Ciri is quite underdeveloped. While there are some good factors, like the characters taking up the past, present, and future, their ultimate contribution to the relationship in the later section of the game is quite hollow, since the focus in solely put on the task at hand, with little to no room to explore anything else (which could have been implemented). Yenn's central motivation after all is to be a mother to Ciri, and is a big reason for her conflict with Geralt. Triss' is her relationship with the Lodge and her feelings for Geralt. Both of these are barely utilized at all in the later parts of the game, and I was expecting them to do so, so I was quite disappointed that this never happened.
So those were my quibbles about the game. It is an excellent game, truly, and I did love the experience. I dop hope that whatever CDPR has in store, be it the expansions or an Enchanced Edition will fix a few issues. That would at least make me more than happy. But as for now, what I loved the most about the game and what will be etched into my heart and what I will remember TW3 for, is the genuine and loving relationship between Geralt and Ciri.
"I like it when you smile."
Awesome review, but I think you underestimate Geralt and Ciri's "disinterest" to background plots especially political ones. The neutrality of witcher's path is a result of experience and wisdom. Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer are survivors from all kinds of tragedies, conflicts and political schemes. None of them will have any intention to risk their loved ones into these nonsenses again. TW1 and 2 did an amazing job in established the grim world of wticher series and TW3 is truly an saga of Geratl's family. IMHO, instead to fully investigate certain politic figures and their plots, CDPR did an amazing job in illustrate the suffering of common folks, common soldiers and non-humans in such an chaos (just like the books does). The death of Radovid, Emhyr, Djikstra and even the Lodge will not bring the end of tragedies, conflicts and political schemes in witchers's world.
I would like to quote the time Geralt teach Ciri for the neutrality of witcher's path and kind of related to beloved Scoia’tael too.
'
“Aelirenn,” said Geralt after a long silence.
“She’s beautiful,” whispered Ciri, grabbing him by the hand. The witcher didn’t seem to notice. He stared at the sculpture and was far away, far away in a different world and time.
“Aelirenn,” he repeated after a while. “Known as Elirena by dwarves and humans. She led them into battle two hundred years ago. The elders of the elves were against it, they knew they had no chance. That they would not be able to pick themselves up after the defeat. They wanted to save their people, wanted to survive. They decided to destroy their towns and retreat to the inaccessible, wild mountains… and to wait. Elves live a long time, Ciri. By our time scale they are almost eternal. They thought humans were something that would pass, like a drought, like a heavy winter, or a plague of locust, after which comes rain, spring, a new harvest. They wanted to sit it out. Survive. They decided to destroy their towns and palaces, amongst them their pride – the beautiful Shaerrawedd. They wanted to weather out the storm, but Elirena… Elirena stirred up the young. They took up arms and followed her into their last desperate battle. And they were massacred. Mercilessly massacred.”
Ciri did not say anything, staring at the beautiful, still face.
“They died with her name on their lips,” the witcher continued quietly. “Repeating her challenge, her cry, they died for Shaerrawedd. Because Shaerrawedd was a symbol. They died for this stone and marble… and for Aelirenn. Just as she promised them, they died with dignity, heroically and honourably. They saved their honour but they brought nothing but ruin as a result, condemned their own race to annihilation. Their own people. You remember what Yarpen told you? Those who rule the world and those who die out? He explained it to you coarsely but truly. Elves live for a long time, but only their youngsters are fertile, only the young can have offspring. And practically all the elven youngsters had followed Elirena. They followed Aelirenn, the White Rose of Shaerrawedd. We are standing in the ruins of her palace, by the fountain whose waters she listened to in the evenings. And these… these were her flowers.”
Ciri was silent. Geralt drew her to himself, put his arm around her.
“Do you know now why the Scoia’tael were here, do you see what they wanted to look at? And do you understand why the elven and dwarven's young must not be allowed to be massacred once again? Do you understand why neither you nor I are permitted to have a hand in this massacre? These roses flower all year round. They ought to have grown wild by now, but they are more beautiful than any rose in a tended garden. Elves continue to come to Shaerrawedd, Ciri. A variety of elves. The impetuous and the foolish ones for whom the cracked stone is a symbol as well as the sensible ones for whom these immortal, forever reborn flowers are a symbol. Elves who understand that if this bush is torn from the ground and the earth burned out, the roses of Shaerrawedd will never flower again. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
“Do you understand what this neutrality is, which stirs you so? To be neutral does not mean to be indifferent or insensitive. You don’t have to kill your feelings. It’s enough to kill hatred within yourself. Do you understand?”
'
Awesome review, but I think you underestimate Geralt and Ciri's "disinterest" to background plots especially political ones. The neutrality of witcher's path is a result of experience and wisdom. Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer are survivors from all kinds of tragedies, conflicts and political schemes. None of them will have any intention to risk their loved ones into these nonsenses again. TW1 and 2 did an amazing job in established the grim world of wticher series and TW3 is truly an saga of Geratl's family. IMHO, instead to fully investigate certain politic figures and their plots, CDPR did an amazing job in illustrate the suffering of common folks, common soldiers and non-humans in such an chaos (just like the books does). The death of Radovid, Emhyr, Djikstra and even the Lodge will not bring the end of tragedies, conflicts and political schemes in witchers's world.
Unfortunately that is a misunderstanding of the real issue. Even though the story is more personal and the game features less politics than its predecessor, that is not a justification for mediocrity or characters behaving like idiots, not to mention how much of a failure Wild Hunt is as a sequel, because the games basically pretends TW1 and 2 never happened.
I always expected the game to have Ciri and close ones as the center aspect of the game, but still having enough exposure to struggles that previous games brought up and tie it into a satisfying conclusion, but we got nothing of that sort, instead having characters removed from existence, characters that reappeared butchered, and choices ignored almost completely.
The whole concept of neutrality has played a focal point with the games, but it has still served as an avenue to get introduced to different struggles, be it willingly or not. It is not so much about whether the characters or the player cares about them, but about how well they are written to tell some sort of a solid story.
Unfortunately that is a misunderstanding of the real issue. Even though the story is more personal and the game features less politics than its predecessor, that is not a justification for mediocrity or characters behaving like idiots, not to mention how much of a failure Wild Hunt is as a sequel, because the games basically pretends TW1 and 2 never happened.
I always expected the game to have Ciri and close ones as the center aspect of the game, but still having enough exposure to struggles that previous games brought up and tie it into a satisfying conclusion, but we got nothing of that sort, instead having characters removed from existence, characters that reappeared butchered, and choices ignored almost completely.
The whole concept of neutrality has played a focal point with the games, but it has still served as an avenue to get introduced to different struggles, be it willingly or not. It is not so much about whether the characters or the player cares about them, but about how well they are written to tell some sort of a solid story.
I agree certain character development is horribly done especially Eredin. But from a story perspective, I would say TW3 has done its best for Geralt and Ciri as characters, while TW1 and 2 has more focusing on CDPR's own story rather than who Geralt really is (like serving as Foltest's glorified body guard then became accused assassin of kings etc.). And I agreed on rest of you points.
Learned today there are folks who refuse to use the fast travel system... why???
Huge Chewin post that I'll save for when I finish.
I've done the uhhh... main stuff for now in Skellige.
Gonna wrap up a few things before I go on.
According to House I'm still like 2/4 of the way through.
Said I love you to Yen.
Never been an easier choice in a game.
Apart from killing Anders, of course.
Getting my GFX tomorrow.
Will play this baby on ultra high 
Learned today there are folks who refuse to use the fast travel system... why???
My brother's exact words were "I need to feel that this game is larger than Skyrim."
Bahaha this Skellige thing xD
Just comparing it to Act 3 of the Witcher 2 hurts my sides.
ETA:
So that's how the subplot ended.
Well... it's a subplot, so it doesn't bother me that much.
I'm really glad that
Oh, I wonder what she meant by "once we.... ugh, a bygone age" when talking about playing in that cave.
Jeez does my mind wonder to places.
Retour en haut
