Mister Wolf
Gold Member
What can I say Geralt.....Ol green eyes gon miss ya.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
CDPR: Blood & Wine is Geralt's last story; feel it's "better than the main game"
- Thread starter shinobi602
- Start date
Yautja_Warrior
Member
Already looking forward to this so much and I've not even finished the main game yet. I've just reached level 35 and just about to start the final part now, plus around another 10 hours with Hearts of Stone after, so lots still to do.
I sometimes get bored of massive open world games after a while but Witcher 3 has had me hooked, thanks to the characters and quests being extremely well done, so the thought of another 20 hours with Blood & Wine is great.
Will be sad to see Geralt go, after spending so long with him on his adventures. I'm guessing if they did another game, Ciri could be the new main character (well if she survived, as I don't know how Wild Hunt ends yet)
I sometimes get bored of massive open world games after a while but Witcher 3 has had me hooked, thanks to the characters and quests being extremely well done, so the thought of another 20 hours with Blood & Wine is great.
Will be sad to see Geralt go, after spending so long with him on his adventures. I'm guessing if they did another game, Ciri could be the new main character (well if she survived, as I don't know how Wild Hunt ends yet)
Ricky Ricardo
Member
Guess I'm just going to wait till B&W hits and marathon it with HoS.
Easily another 50+ hours of quality right there.
Easily another 50+ hours of quality right there.
Jay Shadow
Member
Geralt dies, and Yennifer dies trying to resurrect him. Ciri drops their bodies off in an unknown island (CDPR calls it the Isle of Avallach) where Geralt wakes up in Yennifer's arms. They're content to be alone together but curious about where they are. So their death kinda was their happy ending. Ciri leaves the Witcher universe behind to start a new life in the lands of King Arthur. Witcher 1 happens 5 years after the books with Geralt returning with no memory. Witcher 2 he has flashbacks that fill in the gaps.
Admiral Woofington
Member
lol
started a new game, got past all the tutorial stuff and then the game opened up and I'm all
aaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
It's like my mind was forcefully blocking just how GOD DAMN long this game was hahaha. And I only want to play it until DD is out. And to be honest I only wanted to play it to see the extra Triss scenes added in patch 1.10. But no, 100+ hours solely fueled by wanting to see the romance again, I didn't feel like it. So I was about to give up and just start the Hearts of Stone DLC with a brand new lvl 32 Geralt, thinking that I had deleted all the previous post-game save files.
And then a miracle occurs. Right there at the bottom I spot a post-game save point. I quickly load it and save the game, get the pop up that the DLC is available.
HUZZAH! And as an added bonus I'm level 35, with full end game school of bear gear (which is the one I like the most visually anyways), and all the skills I would have probably chosen again. So now I can play Hearts of Stone.
Questions for those that have beaten Hearts of Stone:
- I saw a pop-up talking about a far away blacksmith or something that can level up your equipment. What does this mean? Does it mean I can level up my current equipment to higher levels? Or something else?
started a new game, got past all the tutorial stuff and then the game opened up and I'm all
aaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
It's like my mind was forcefully blocking just how GOD DAMN long this game was hahaha. And I only want to play it until DD is out. And to be honest I only wanted to play it to see the extra Triss scenes added in patch 1.10. But no, 100+ hours solely fueled by wanting to see the romance again, I didn't feel like it. So I was about to give up and just start the Hearts of Stone DLC with a brand new lvl 32 Geralt, thinking that I had deleted all the previous post-game save files.
And then a miracle occurs. Right there at the bottom I spot a post-game save point. I quickly load it and save the game, get the pop up that the DLC is available.
HUZZAH! And as an added bonus I'm level 35, with full end game school of bear gear (which is the one I like the most visually anyways), and all the skills I would have probably chosen again. So now I can play Hearts of Stone.
Questions for those that have beaten Hearts of Stone:
- I saw a pop-up talking about a far away blacksmith or something that can level up your equipment. What does this mean? Does it mean I can level up my current equipment to higher levels? Or something else?
TheRealJakoozie
Member
Yeah. But it would be kind of lame if they just created a new random dude. There is one perfect candidate to pick up where he left off. (End game spoilers)
Ciri. The ending I got was that she became a witcher. It would be perfect if they made that the canon ending. She's a great character,and really badass too. They could have a greater emphasis on magic since she's better at that, and they could cut out/tone down the potions since she hasn't gone through the mutation process and can't take drink them. (I personality dislike the potion and inventory management parts of the game anyway)
Ultimadrago
Member
I still haven't found a compelling argument to use that character for a pickup. I enjoy them fine, more than fine really, but their canon character is too far removed from the same core that makes moral ambiguous choices (an absolute keystone of the game series) even possible to their full extent like with Geralt or even Lambert (unless I'm missing a great detail from the books).
I have faith in CDPR as a developer at this point, so I know that in their current state they could work with a box of scraps in a cave and make do. The workmanship there is nothing I doubt.
However, for seeing that character as such a swift and vocal choice around the forums, I'm not convinced.
VanillaCakeIsBurning
Member
You said
Witcher 1 happens after the books. So none of the content featured in the games is in the books at all?
Zero percent.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
I reaaaaly need to play Witcher 3
Most likely Empress. If you finish HoS before finding Ciri it is hinted at that that is the canon ending. If you side with Mirror Man you can ask for wishes.
If you have not found Ciri yet you can ask about Ciri. He explains in detail what you *need* to do which leads to that ending. It's pretty cool.
If you have not found Ciri yet you can ask about Ciri. He explains in detail what you *need* to do which leads to that ending. It's pretty cool.
It's the only good ending which I like as well so even cooler! (Not that the other good is bad but... not even close to giving the same closure
and manly tears ;(
On phone so can't look but it's on Youtube.
Edit - here https://youtu.be/j3oGWhfVku4
His Majesty
Banned
He's not a fan of games as a story-telling medium in general and doesn't see the games as a continuation of his books but rather as an adaptation.
Article from eurogamer:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...r-of-the-witcher-books-thinks-about-the-games
While Sapkowski wrote some great books, I think he is just too old to really understand the video game medium, while also being very proud of a story and characters he views as his own. Might be an ego thing coming in, but I remember him being rather salty/defensive when people brought up the story in the Witcher games.
In regards to Blood and Wine, I can't wait. I'm replaying Witcher 3 on NG+/death march, and really realized how much I LOVE this game. Easily my favourite game this gen. Being a fan of the series + the books made me appreciate this final entry all the more. I'm actually saddened that this is the end of Geralt, because I love the character to death. That said, all things must come to an end, and they couldn't have given the character a better send off with Witcher 3. If Blood and Wine keeps the quality of the main game + Heart of Stone, i'll be as happy as can be. If it somehow manages to top it....
iz.podpolja
Neo Member
Technically a part of the beginning/tutorial of TW3 is from the books, but that's like 0,005% of the game.
texhnolyze
Banned
Geralt's last story.. Nooooo..
I'm gonna miss you so bad my man.
I'm gonna miss you so bad my man.
Technically it isn't.
D
Deleted member 471617
Unconfirmed Member
Come on CDPR, announce that Game of the Year Edition with the base game, all the patches, all the free DLC and both expansions for $60. I'll buy it on release day.
Franchise wise, if CDPR makes a Witcher 4, im hoping that you play as Ciri with maybe some flashbacks with Geralt (that still allows him to be playable in the game but only on a minimum level which makes it better as opposed to being overdone) and Vesemir (would be the same as Geralt). In my opinion, this would be fucking awesome and possibly surpass The Witcher 3.
P.S. - Please please please, no create a witcher crap. Easily prefer a set witcher. Thanks CDPR.
Franchise wise, if CDPR makes a Witcher 4, im hoping that you play as Ciri with maybe some flashbacks with Geralt (that still allows him to be playable in the game but only on a minimum level which makes it better as opposed to being overdone) and Vesemir (would be the same as Geralt). In my opinion, this would be fucking awesome and possibly surpass The Witcher 3.
P.S. - Please please please, no create a witcher crap. Easily prefer a set witcher. Thanks CDPR.
VanillaCakeIsBurning
Member
Whaat. This is blowing my mind right now.
I thought the games were just a video game adaption of what happened in the books. So the Witcher games are basically their own thing then, just sharing the characters/locations from the books.
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
I liked Hearts of Stone, but the writing and performances weren't quite on the same level as the main game. I'd happily play another expansion of HOS quality, but if this is even better, hell, that's cool.
Meccanical
Member
Rogue Agent
Banned
I was hoping for the same thing so I did some digging, unfortunately it's not gonna happen according to Marcin.
https://www.reddit.com/r/witcher/co..._on_twitter_teasing_changes_and_stuff/cxk7vfz
The reasoning as to why it would be unlikely for him to appear in this particular expansion makes sense, but it still begs the question why he was excluded from the main game. What a wasted opportunity, and this is coming from someone who actually preferred the Roche path.
Yennefer doesn't die, she merely collapses from exhaustion.
silvermember
Banned
Or the books are basically fanfiction with the original author. ha
blueteainfusion
Member
You are missing some great detail. But that line of thinking isn't something out of ordinary on these forums, so it's probable it's not entirely your fault.
Ciri would be a great protagonist, even if her character is very different from Geralt's. If you can't see that, I kind of blame the game writers for that. They sanitized her personality a bit, made her basically "the best version of herself". In the books she had a lot more edge to her, and by edge I mean some dark, disturbing stuff. You could say she got over it during her travel, and some of it is hinted at, but she definitely wasn't this pure goodness that some players think she is. In fact, Sapkowski (original author) is on record saying that while in the books Geralt represents the good, she is supposed to be the evil. He simplified that statement obviously and fully understanding it requires context and knowledge about how their arcs are constructed in the novels - but there's a lot that could be drawn to the forefront if she got her game. Yes, her personal dilemmas would be different, but I can't see how putting her in morally complex situations wouldn't work. If anything, that would provide a welcome change in perspective and freshness.
I do have my fears whether the writers would be able to write her to convey it all well, but if they finally got it right in TW3 with Geralt and Yennefer, I have faith that Ciri is also doable.
True. Still, the structure of the games borrows a lot from the books and many plot points are direct callbacks to them. In The Witcher 1 they went so far they almost blatantly plagiarized some characters (namely, gave Yen's character to Triss and created Alvin as a blatant Ciri 2.0). In TW2 and TW3 it's a little more subtle, but the way the narrative is constructed will be instantly familiar for book readers. Think Star Wars: A New Hope and The Force Awakens.
Ultimadrago
Member
I can't speak for the books as I haven't (yet) read them, but this dampens the spirit a bit. The way I'm hearing Ciri described here, I would have no issues with her as a protagonist. Why go with such a cleaner yet a touch mischievous! version for the game then? I appreciate letting me in on more details according to her original design, it's closer to what I recall book readers getting excited over when she was initially announced for Witcher 3 years back.
Again, I still really like her in Witcher 3, but that synopsis sounds closer to what I'd prefer for a candidate going forward. I'm certain her great travels had the potential to execute the most base instincts out of a person. It's brought up in the game, but doesn't fully show through her character as I'd like.
The perfect Dark
Banned
It's like Stephen King who didn't understand Stanley Kubrick's version of Shining.
Darryl M R
Member
Will going into NG+ take away my mastercrafted armor I grinded for?
Jay Shadow
Member
"Yennefer stopped in the middle of the magic formula and fell on the pavement next to the witcher.
One of the dwarves swore again, the other bowed his head in silence."
Their reaction read like more than exhaustion to me. CDPR seems to agree.
One of the dwarves swore again, the other bowed his head in silence."
Their reaction read like more than exhaustion to me. CDPR seems to agree.
shinobi602
Member
No, pretty sure it just raised their levels again to accommodate. They're still in your inventory.
Because they know they kinda screwed up with
Eredin
HalfBakedProphet
Member
O'Dimm telling you to
"never let her feel as if you've sold her out" could just as easily mean not taking her to Emhyr to begin with. Which gives the other good ending
CD Projekt Red in general doesn't have a great track record when it comes to adapting primary characters. It took them three games until Geralt started showing signs of his original personality. In that time Triss was completely reinvented two times, but never quite aligned with her original characterization. Dandelion changes from game to game, but you never get a sense that he and Geralt have any reason to be friends. Yennefer is honestly the only character they've managed to get just right, I was surprised by how much she sounds like her book counterpart, compared to everyone else.
You were describing what happens in the books where she's last described as "still unconscious."
Jay Shadow
Member
That description or anything like it appears nowhere in my translation.
YankeeDonB
Member
Good analogy I think. I've only read The Last Wish, but the prose is poor, while I find the writing in Witcher 3 to be very good, on par with reasonably good modern TV. Now, this could be in part a translation problem. But the book is full of awkward exposition and sophomoric tonal shifts and plot devices. Reminded me of nothing so much as those old Dragonlance books.
Admiral Woofington
Member
it'll still be there and you'll still have it, but be ready for them to quickly become obsolete because NG+ has a whole separate set of NG+ armor. Part of the reason I didn't do one.
As to whether they should use Ciri in a sequel I'm a big advocate of no. They finished the story lines fairly well for everyone in the Witcher 3. Let the characters rest, and let creativity fly. I'd rather they do a whole new set of characters.
Darkstorne
Member
I've logged over 81 hours so far into The Witcher 3, still haven't even started Hearts of Stone, and still haven't found Ciri yet in the main quest. I have never played an RPG where every single side quest is as captivating and well designed as this. Nor a game where the environment design is so detailed.
Now they're saying the next expansion is even better? I won't need to buy any games next year at this rate. Just Blood and Wine. No game will compare to the Witcher 3 for years anyway.
Now they're saying the next expansion is even better? I won't need to buy any games next year at this rate. Just Blood and Wine. No game will compare to the Witcher 3 for years anyway.
I'm looking at the Polish text, so I don't know what the translator did there, but that's exactly what it says when Dandelion carries her to the boat.
" Wziął na ręce wciąż nieprzytomną Yennefer."
Holundrian
Unconfirmed Member
Things always get cut even from games like the Witcher 3.
But I don't know it's hard to be mad about when you still get 50-100 hours of meaningful content.
KyanMehwulfe
Member
Wonder if it was still be set before the Wild Hunt ending, as with Heart of Stone.
One thing that really struck me during Heart of Stone, but also during the last couple weeks as I did a NewGame+, is the sort of 'ludonarrative dissonance' between the main story and the constant side quests. The game sort of promotes a sense of urgency for most of the main story.
During my new game, I tried to play it 'realistic' in the sense that, I tried to frame all my decisions based on the 'canon story.' So, considering some of Geralt's canon morale choices, and the urgency of the main story, how would 'that' character treat a lot of other choices in the game.
And I found myself basically ignoring most of the side quests because they made no sense =p The notion of doing Heart of Stone before the ending seemed sort of odd, too.
So I wonder of Blood and Wine will be the same way.
Not a big deal, mind you. Easy to suspend disbelief about it, too... cuz, you know, it's a game and it's fun. But starting with GTA V, I've sort of been more interested in sort games trying to create less dissonance between gameplay and story, and it just sort of struck me recently as I replayed the game that the vast majority of the side quests, I can't imagine Geralt actually wasting time on with more pressing urgent business.
One thing that really struck me during Heart of Stone, but also during the last couple weeks as I did a NewGame+, is the sort of 'ludonarrative dissonance' between the main story and the constant side quests. The game sort of promotes a sense of urgency for most of the main story.
During my new game, I tried to play it 'realistic' in the sense that, I tried to frame all my decisions based on the 'canon story.' So, considering some of Geralt's canon morale choices, and the urgency of the main story, how would 'that' character treat a lot of other choices in the game.
And I found myself basically ignoring most of the side quests because they made no sense =p The notion of doing Heart of Stone before the ending seemed sort of odd, too.
So I wonder of Blood and Wine will be the same way.
Not a big deal, mind you. Easy to suspend disbelief about it, too... cuz, you know, it's a game and it's fun. But starting with GTA V, I've sort of been more interested in sort games trying to create less dissonance between gameplay and story, and it just sort of struck me recently as I replayed the game that the vast majority of the side quests, I can't imagine Geralt actually wasting time on with more pressing urgent business.
absolutely loved the main game, and the first expansion not only delivered in terms of a fantastic story, it was one of the most worthwhile dlc expansions ive seen in a game. I have high hopes for this final ( ) dlc for the game, and cant wait to get into it. I'm hoping we'll see a few characters show up from the franchise thus far that they couldn't fit into witcher 3, just to round off geralts story.
) dlc for the game, and cant wait to get into it. I'm hoping we'll see a few characters show up from the franchise thus far that they couldn't fit into witcher 3, just to round off geralts story.Familienoberhauptvogel
Banned
Good ending?
Emhyr
went to war with the north to marry her, knowing she's his child. Just because he wanted to be the progenitor to the child of destiny.
Not to mention that Nilfgaard technically already has an empress
Ciri even
shinobi602
Member
It's like Hearts of Stone. Side story. That's why I'd play HoS and Blood and Wine after finishing the game. That way I get the good ending where
Geralt basically retires and does contracts and whatnot on the side. Makes more sense.