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[ScepticMatt]

What the fuck are we even arguing anyway.

I agree. In any case, from what we've seen, the Wichter 3 has much better characters.
They have been improved a lot from the initial gameplay reveal:

https://youtu.be/TZ_G6XiHoUA?t=43s

edit: beaten

Yeah, no doubt. The characters models have improved so much, there is way more detail and animation -- Geralts necklace is glued to his chest in the old stuff. In all those early gifs people post Geralt is always looking away from the camera.. itd be less impresive if this was staring back at us:

 

[Kinthalis]

I certainly hope so. TW1 and TW2 both had excellent stories.

I never finished Witcher 1, and I did beat Witcher 2, but it's been so long... I might just be misremembering how it all played out.

 

[jim2point0]

Not this shit again

Don't know what you mean by that?

A person can look completely different depending on lighting. Exchange "good" and "bad" with "flattering" and "unflattering" if it helps.

 

[tuxfool]

Anyone else think the story of the Witcher kind of sucks?

I love the witcher in general, love the realistic (well, in some fashion), gritty, medieval world. I actually liked the combat (for the most part), and I love the great RPG elements.

But, that story... I mean it's like something out of daytime soap opera, isn't it? People having amnesia left and right, women drama...

Am I alone in thinking this?

I was thinking about picking up the books actually to flesh out the story a bit more, but I'm not sure if it's any better there.

Ok. I'll ask if there aren't other stories that you can distill down to simplistic descriptions such as those. Also just as a thought exercise give me a good story as an example.

 

[GwyndolinCinder]

Anyone else think the story of the Witcher kind of sucks?


Am I alone in thinking this?

Probably most people i know who played the games, decided to read the books afterwards

 

[GavinUK86]

This whole thread is one spoiler, if you didn't want see anything bad why to come here?

AFAIK none of the Youtube footage shows Yennifer and Geralt together. I've read all the novels, I know their story, but we've yet to see them unite in the game. Whatever, maybe I'm just more sensitive to spoilers than most.

 

[viveks86]

Don't know what you mean by that?

A person can look completely different depending on lighting. Exchange "good" and "bad" with "flattering" and "unflattering" if it helps.

I think he interpreted your "bad lighting" as "downgraded lighting"

 

[Kinthalis]

Ok. I'll ask if there aren't other stories that you can distill down to simplistic descriptions such as those.

I think it's the premise I have a issue with I guess. Two characters having amnesia? Like I said, daytime soap opera stuff. But thinking on what happens in Witcher 2 (and early witcher 1) some more, I think I am wrong actually in terms of what happens after that.

There's a lot of political maneuvering and interesting plot developments. Nevermind. I think I'm just sad the game isn't out yet and I'm takign it out on the poor story setup.

 

[Tovarisc]

Anyoen else think the story of the Witcher kind of sucks?

But, that story... I mean it's like something out of daytime soap opera, isn't it? People having amnesia left and right, women drama...

I think amnesia was good way/excuse to basically start from blank page and really explain world and characters to players who have never heard about Witcher before. It's very used and old trick, but I think it worked decently well and served its purpose in Witcher 1. I don't remember it being that big point in Witcher 2.

Drama around women was little... yeah. It was interesting and funnily clumsily done part of story when you juggle Shani and Triss relationships. Especially when both of them act like they are already married to you at certain points of events. Witcher 2 made improvements in this department too by quite big margin and will be interesting to see how Witcher 3 handles juggling of Triss and Yennefer.

Overall story of Witcher 1 and 2 isn't anything ground shattering stuff that we haven't seen before in form or another, but like you said world that has been build makes it interesting and excellent experience. It's dirty, it's ugly and there isn't saints around.

AFAIK none of the Youtube footage shows Yennifer and Geralt together. I've read all the novels, I know their story, but we've yet to see them unite in the game. Whatever, maybe I'm just more sensitive to spoilers than most.

I didn't mean to insult or anything with my response. I was just wondering out loud. Now I wonder in what kind media blackout you have been when it comes to Witcher 3? I think it has been prominent in a lot of marketing materials that Yennefer is coming back into Geralts life during events of Witcher 3.

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

Anyone else think the story of the Witcher kind of sucks?

I love the witcher in general, love the realistic (well, in some fashion), gritty, medieval world. I actually liked the combat (for the most part), and I love the great RPG elements.

But, that story... I mean it's like something out of daytime soap opera, isn't it? People having amnesia left and right, women drama...

Am I alone in thinking this?

I was thinking about picking up the books actually to flesh out the story a bit more, but I'm not sure if it's any better there.

There are better than the games, but the game use a really similar style of story and characters...

 

[Killzig]

Anyone else think the story of the Witcher kind of sucks?

I love the witcher in general, love the realistic (well, in some fashion), gritty, medieval world. I actually liked the combat (for the most part), and I love the great RPG elements.

But, that story... I mean it's like something out of daytime soap opera, isn't it? People having amnesia left and right, women drama...

Am I alone in thinking this?

Na, I think the story is pretty goofy for the most part. I like the larger world stuff, but could not give less of a wet shit about Geralt and what he's sticking his dick in. I actually kind of hate the character and would probably rank the series as my favorite if it weren't tethered to him.

 

[maestrillo]

This is bad enough on its own, but then compare it to Gamespots coverage.. Eesh.

WTF!!!

That music, OMG XD

 

[ScepticMatt]

I loved that in the Witcher games there isn't any morality meter to fill, and few if any black and white characters.
The political stuff in The Witcher 2 confused the heck out of me in my first play-through.
It made much more sense after replaying and reading the books.

 

[tuxfool]

I think it's the premise I have a issue with I guess. Two characters having amnesia? Like I said, daytime soap opera stuff. But thinking on what happens in Witcher 2 (and early witcher 1) some more, I think I am wrong actually in terms of what happens after that.

There's a lot of political maneuvering and interesting plot developments. Nevermind. I think I'm just sad the game isn't out yet and I'm takign it out on the poor story setup.

It's cool. I'll agree that amnesia is a commonly used trope and that its abuse by soap operas (american ones mostly) tend to ridiculous. But you also have to see it as a very useful mechanic for an RPG and the witcher certainly isn't the first to use it.

I think amnesia was good way/excuse to basically start from blank page and really explain world and characters to players who have never heard about Witcher before. It's very used and old trick, but I think it worked decently well and served its purpose in Witcher 1. I don't remember it being that big point in Witcher 2.

Well it was used as a way for Geralt to start remembering the wild hunt, Yennefer and also

Spoiler

who Letho was

.

 

[tuxfool]

AFAIK none of the Youtube footage shows Yennifer and Geralt together. I've read all the novels, I know their story, but we've yet to see them unite in the game. Whatever, maybe I'm just more sensitive to spoilers than most.

Surely you saw their 2014 E3 trailer? Where that shot of Triss,Geralt and Yennefer comes from.

 

[GavinUK86]

I didn't mean to insult or anything with my response. I was just wondering out loud. Now I wonder in what kind media blackout you have been when it comes to Witcher 3? I think it has been prominent in a lot of marketing materials that Yennefer is coming back into Geralts life during events of Witcher 3.

I didn't read it as insulting, it's fine. I've not been on a blackout or anything but that sort of reunion, to me, would be something I'd be excited about seeing in game not in a screenshot. Maybe that scene isn't as prominent in the game as it seems it would be in my head. I remember that old screenshot of Triss, Geralt and Yennifer on the boat but that seemed like a bullshot so I didn't think much of it. I tend to overthink things like this, feel free to gloss over my ranting.

 

[RDreamer]

Anyone else think the story of the Witcher kind of sucks?

I love the witcher in general, love the realistic (well, in some fashion), gritty, medieval world. I actually liked the combat (for the most part), and I love the great RPG elements.

But, that story... I mean it's like something out of daytime soap opera, isn't it? People having amnesia left and right, women drama...

Am I alone in thinking this?

I was thinking about picking up the books actually to flesh out the story a bit more, but I'm not sure if it's any better there.

I... don't understand this comparison at all. People having amnesia left and right? Uh... it's just Geralt

Spoiler

and Yennefer

but that's likely because

Spoiler

something happened when they left the Wild Hunt

... and the amnesia is also so that players who haven't read the books could fit into the world and shape Geralt. I think as long as the explanation for it isn't too crazy (and I don't think it will be in this world where magic can do crazy things like bring back eyesight and remove crazy scars and turn someone from a hunchback to beautiful), it works pretty well.

I'm just not seeing any daytime soap opera comparison at all. Witchery 1 had a bit of "women drama" between Triss and Shani... I guess, but Witcher 2 had nothing of the sort. 2 had a lot of political drama that I'm not sure can be compared to soap operas at all.

Not sure if I can recommend the books or not. I think they're probably better written. Certainly better written than Witcher 1. But since I can't understand your complaints with the games, I don't know what to say.

 

[Anton Sugar]

I loved that in the Witcher games there isn't any morality meter to fill, and few if any black and white characters.
The political stuff in The Witcher 2 confused the heck out of me in my first play-through.
It made much more sense after replaying and reading the books.

Yeah, the story could be beyond shit, but if the player has a believable sense of agency and impact, it can be overcome (IMO).

 

[jim2point0]

Anyone else think the story of the Witcher kind of sucks?

The story and general tone of the game won't be for everyone. The political bits make it less accessible than other games like Skyrim, which is also why I don't think it will sell as well despite being a much better game overall.

I've never been very attached to the story either. It's serviceable enough for me to play through the game and enjoy the mechanics, but I'm never really interesting in seeing what's going to happen to any of the characters.

 

[RDreamer]

AFAIK none of the Youtube footage shows Yennifer and Geralt together. I've read all the novels, I know their story, but we've yet to see them unite in the game. Whatever, maybe I'm just more sensitive to spoilers than most.

Again, it could be a flashback to the books. One of the trailers already had what I assume was a flashback to the books with Yennefer and Geralt on the stuffed unicorn.

 

[misho8723]

Anyone else think the story of the Witcher kind of sucks?

I love the witcher in general, love the realistic (well, in some fashion), gritty, medieval world. I actually liked the combat (for the most part), and I love the great RPG elements.

But, that story... I mean it's like something out of daytime soap opera, isn't it? People having amnesia left and right, women drama...

Am I alone in thinking this?

I was thinking about picking up the books actually to flesh out the story a bit more, but I'm not sure if it's any better there.

Na, I think the story is pretty goofy for the most part. I like the larger world stuff, but could not give less of a wet shit about Geralt and what he's sticking his dick in. I actually kind of hate the character and would probably rank the series as my favorite if it weren't tethered to him.

GET OUT! .. ... nah, just joking

I love the characters - Geralt isn't your average hero, he is really interesting, sometimes doesn't make the best choices, Dandelion is great, a funny guy, all dwarfs - but mostly Zoltan - are great, the elves are really intesting, Triss is great, Yennefer is great and her relantionship with Geralt is great written, Roche, Iorveth - fantastic, Letho is one of the greatest "villains" in games ever, etc.. yeah, I basically doesn't hate any of the characters in TW series

 

[Denton]

I think it's the premise I have a issue with I guess. Two characters having amnesia? Like I said, daytime soap opera stuff. But thinking on what happens in Witcher 2 (and early witcher 1) some more, I think I am wrong actually in terms of what happens after that.

There's a lot of political maneuvering and interesting plot developments. Nevermind. I think I'm just sad the game isn't out yet and I'm takign it out on the poor story setup.

I would not expect such stupid posts from you.
The amnesia is explained and has its reason and background in the books. You should read the books, it is some of the best fantasy there is. Polish PM didn't gift it to Obama just for shits and giggles. The story setup is not poor, CDP did it the best way they could while introducing the game to new audiences that did not read the books.

 

[GavinUK86]

Again, it could be a flashback to the books. One of the trailers already had what I assume was a flashback to the books with Yennefer and Geralt on the stuffed unicorn.

Oh! I totally forgot that scene in the trailer. That shits all over my previous comments then. I'll get my coat.

 

[Killzig]

GET OUT! .. ... nah, just joking

Fair enough, I can't begrudge the Fass.

 

[EatChildren]

I love the story, though prefer TW2 over TW. It can get a bit dense at times and requires you really dig into the journal/glossary (which I like), but that density helps ground the universe and gives it momentum.

The only misstep I feel CDPR make is the occasional misstep in balancing what Geralt (and thus the player) should know and remember versus what he remembers from the book arcs. Geralt name drops Ciri late into TW2 I believe, but it's literally the only time outside of a once off "ashen haired girl" reference in a memory flashback. Easy for book readers to understand, but for a non-booker reader it's a "what the the fuck is a ciri" moment as Geralt knows more than the player.

Usually they're pretty good at the balance though.

 

[GavinUK86]

I love the story, though prefer TW2 over TW. It can get a bit dense at times and requires you really dig into the journal/glossary (which I like), but that density helps ground the universe and gives it momentum.

The only misstep I feel CDPR make is the occasional misstep in balancing what Geralt (and thus the player) should know and remember versus what he remembers from the book arcs. Geralt name drops Ciri late into TW2 I believe, but it's literally the only time outside of a once off "ashen haired girl" reference in a memory flashback. Easy for book readers to understand, but for a non-booker reader it's a "what the the fuck is a ciri" moment as Geralt knows more than the player.

Usually they're pretty good at the balance though.

There was also the tale of Ciri the Inn owner told Geralt in TW.

I think I spent just as much time in the glossary as I did playing the games. I love it when devs fill out the game world like that.

 

[Tovarisc]

There was also the tale of Ciri the Inn owner told Geralt in TW.

But Ciri or Yennefer were never named in that tale if I remember right. Just references by using colors of hair and such.

 

[GavinUK86]

But Ciri or Yennefer were never named in that tale if I remember right. Just references by using colors of hair and such.

I'm pretty sure the Innkeeper said she was called Cirilla at the end.

edit: found it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEzO5AQn_tI

 

[Primethius]

I always enjoyed the story in Witcher games. Though for me, it was almost always more about the character arcs. I prefer TW2 more so then TW1 but I think the ending of TW1 was far stronger then TW2's ending.

 

[SaberEdge]

She looks completely different now. And much more faithful to the books (and my imagination). Yen on that picture looks like some young almost girlish model completely unlike Yennefer.

I agree with this. She now looks closer to the way I envisioned her.

 

[Tovarisc]

I always enjoyed the story in Witcher games. Though for me, it was almost always more about the character arcs. I prefer TW2 more so then TW1 but I think the ending of TW1 was far stronger then TW2's ending.

I still remember when TW2 ended pre-EE, "Oh.. thats it? The end?" was more or less my reaction. Somehow it felt so sudden and not final, ending, enough.

 

[SaberEdge]

Does this game use physically based rendering at all?

Yes, if you look at the materials I think it's pretty obvious. It would be hard to get that sort of interaction with light without PBR. But here's a quote:

"The stuff we're using that's really cool for next-gen is dynamic IBL," he continues, referring to image-based lighting. "We're using PBR (physically-based rendering), and water simulation's really interesting. It basically reacts to the weather conditions so you'll get choppier waves in wind."

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-the-witcher-3-tech-analysis

And it's also been talked about in several other interviews and technical presentations.

 

[BatSu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ocxa0dHnCNk

PS4

 

[Emperor_Uriel]

I'm really curious what happened with Ciri after the end of the last book, especially in relation to

Spoiler

Galahad.

Seemed like she finally had a partner who wasn't

Spoiler

trying to take advantage of her sexually (well, except for that first kid that hopped rocks with her, but she was a kid then)

.

 

[Tovarisc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ocxa0dHnCNk

PS4

Got me excited for a second there, but it's just that teaser

 

[Philippo]

Is Gopher going to release part 3 of his video today?

 

[rashbeep]

I think he interpreted your "bad lighting" as "downgraded lighting"

Lol yep

There's a handful of jim's posts pertaining to the "downgrade" so I interpreted that post as just another to add to the pile.

 

[Loakum]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ocxa0dHnCNk

PS4

I highly doubt it, since CD Projekt Red still admits to not showing console footage yet....but that woman is hot thou.

 

[BatSu]

Got me excited for a second there, but it's just that teaser

Sorry , suppose is better than nothing

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

Is Gopher going to release part 3 of his video today?

I hope so. Never knew of him before this thread and I'm really impressed with his style of YouTube presentation.

 

[TheStruggler]

Sorry , suppose is better than nothing

 

[parasemic]

Then what the hell use is gsync? I guess I didn't need to buy a gsync monitor, I could have just bought one of those magic standard monitors that you have that somehow don't stutter when games are running at variable framerates below the refresh rate.

Seriously, though, you're simply mistaken. Your ideas about what constitues microstutter and stutter isn't accurate. I could post a bunch of links explaining this, but I don't have time. If I were you I'd go read up on the subject.

You have literally no idea what you're talking about. GSync is done to fix SCREEN TEARING while having unlocked fps. That's the point of it. Output device has nothing to do with stutter. Stutter happens in the GPU before the picture reaches it's destination. Jesus christ.

Just because VSync helps with stutter doesn't mean it has anything to do with the reasons for it. VSync helps stuttering because stuttering is based on sudden increase in the frame intervals, and VSync places an artificial cap which standardizes the interval. GSync actually breaks this and introduces the suttering back.

I think you're still talking about screen tearing with a wrong term.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6857/amd-stuttering-issues-driver-roadmap-fraps/3
http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Frame-Rating-Part-2-Finding-and-Defining-Stutter

(btw, how can one capture stutter or microstutter in action into a video, if it had anything to do with the output device?)

 

[Loakum]

Sorry , suppose is better than nothing

We have no idea if that's even actual console footage. It could be another console controller hooked up to a PC (like what we've been already getting up to this point).

 

[Tovarisc]

We have no idea if that's even actual console footage. It could be another console controller hooked up to a PC (like what we've been already getting up to this point).

Can you then even then trust CDPR/Sony/MS when they release that console footage that it's actually console footage and not from PC version with controller?

Note to look at the ps4 that is on, by the bottom right hand corner of the screenshot....

EDIT: did people miss the ps4 thats on in the picture....

It's there only for a show, obviously. There is PC hidden beneath that sofa.

People has grown very skeptical about this stuff and don't really trust footage to be what it's said to be. Can't really blame people tho, many publishers/devs like to push deceiving footage.

 

[TheStruggler]

We have no idea if that's even actual console footage. It could be another console controller hooked up to a PC (like what we've been already getting up to this point).

Note to look at the ps4 that is on, by the bottom right hand corner of the screenshot....

EDIT: did people miss the ps4 thats on in the picture....

 

[jim2point0]

Note to look at the ps4 that is on, by the bottom right hand corner of the screenshot....

EDIT: did people miss the ps4 thats on in the picture....

Clearly they just turned on a PS4, while the game is actually running on a hidden PC which the TV is hooked up to.

 

[TheStruggler]

Clearly they just turned on a PS4, while the game is actually running on a hidden PC which the TV is hooked up to.

 

[Isendurl]

Clearly they just turned on a PS4, while the game is actually running on a hidden PC which the TV is hooked up to.

 

[BigTnaples]

They were playing on a PS4 people. Tin foil hats off please.


Interested to see some direct feed though.

 

[misho8723]

Note to look at the ps4 that is on, by the bottom right hand corner of the screenshot....

EDIT: did people miss the ps4 thats on in the picture....

Not only that, but it's from Playstation Poland and they are going to have a report about the PS4 version.. so, yeah, it's the PS4 version