The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
I think it’s impossible to do The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt justice with just words, because it’s a grand, open world adventure, with many paths to take, and a huge main storyline that can keep you tied up for what seems like the rest of your life (in a good way). Even in completing just the main quest, it’s unlikely you’ll have the same experiences as me. But words are all I have so I will attempt to write something at least half legible.
There is plenty of history with Witcher, I mean it’s got the number 3 in the title, so that would suggest a couple of previous games. Alas this is my first foray into the boots of a grey haired old fella named Geralt or something, riding a horse through an immense world searching for a hot chick named Yennefer or Ciri or some such. From time to time you even get to play small missions as the girl. It’s a great storyline, one that draws you in, and the game experience is very immersive.
But this huge RPG can be broken down into fairly basic gameplay. In your quest to find the mysterious woman, you have to follow leads, these leads will lead you to someone who has knowledge. But before they will part with said knowledge they of course want you to do something for them, resulting in your researching, crafting, fighting and returning to trade for information.
This is essentially the game, multiplied by almost infinity.
But don’t worry, it’s not a bad thing as the game doesn’t really feel repetitive, and if you tire of the main quest at any point there is plenty else to do. Look at the notice boards in eery village to find side quests, or talk to various people to find that some need your help. The possibilities for gameplay seem endless. And the choice is firmly up to you.
Being an RPG adds to the variety, as in the usual way things work, everything you do gives you experience points, with enough points you level up, when you level up you can chose to increase certain attributes. You can forage, buy, sell, craft. Your version Geralt could easily be quite unique, and will depend on your play style.
As for the world and game play, it is beautiful and flawed. The flaws are easy to over look, and mainly involve getting your horse stuck in a bush or on a plank of wood. The beauty of the game however is not so easy to ignore. There will be certain points in the game where you will just stop and look in awe at the word around you, the setting sun, or the glorious vistas.
Gameplay is intuitive, and the use of magic, close and ranged combat gives you plenty of options – which you will need – to battle what ever foe presents itself. That’s not to say that your combinations will always enable your swift victory, but if the gameplay just falls into place for me, then anyone should be able to pick up and play The Witcher 3.
However, The Witcher 3 isn’t for everyone. Indeed, if your idea of fun is fast cars or modern first person shooters, probably you should stay away. Having said that however, a few years ago my entire gaming world was cars and guns, but I’m glad I took a punt on several great RPG’s because they all lead to this game! Then of course there is the R16 rating, which hopefully counts out any younger gamers playing this. Though I am surprised at The Witcher 3 getting away with just an R16, as it’s very graphic in places, and not just blood, guts and severed heads. There is a lot of graphic sex in the game.
So if you’re mature enough, and want a game that will take over your life, drag you away to a fantastic land of magic, monsters, violence and sex, then The Witcher 3 is the game for you. It could even be the only game you need to buy for some time, as it has enough content to keep you going for the foreseeable future!
Reviewed on: XBox One
Rating: R16 Violence, sexual violence, offensive language & sex scenes.
Reviewed by: Jonathan
GAMEGUIDE rating:
