• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Witcher 3's 'Hearts of Stone' is seriously incredible

I'd give the expansion a whirl if I still wasn't so bitter about the original game brutally punishing me at the end for
ignoring the Radovid assassination sidequest on account of my belief that Geralt would try and steer clear of politics. As a result, the dude burns pretty much everyone in the world alive and because of my neglecting to do one side-mission, the universe is doomed for an eternity.
As a result, I think I'm too depressed to go back.
 
Oh man, I am holding off on the DLC until I do a 2nd playthrough but the great impressions on this is making me cave.

Does anyone know whats the advantage of getting the season pass vs just getting the DLC separately? Thanks!
 
I really liked the w3 but if I have any criticism it is that it was too massive for me.
I really like many of the side quests but at the same time I feel like I missed a lot ... in the end I was a little bored and decided to clear the main quest, then I was at level 31. It did not feel like I had needed to collect me all armor etc. fore these last assignments was pretty simple.

I realize that my attitude towards witcher 3 is a parodox. I really like the game, it may be one of my top 10 games ever, so I am of course interested in expansion. At the same time, I feel like I have had my full with the game, if I still want to play, there are about 100 000 side missions that I have not taken me through. I want more and less at the same time.


How does the expansion work ? Will it be like a new "main quest" and everything else in the world is exactly the same? What should be the level for it ? Can you make a clean start with the expantionen?
 
How does the expansion work ? Will it be like a new "main quest" and everything else in the world is exactly the same? What should be the level for it ? Can you make a clean start with the expantionen?
The Heart of Stone DLC quests are level 30. It's completely separate from the main quest and your choices will have no effect on the main story/world. You can pick up the quest from a bulletin board at the Seven Cats Inn east of Novigrad in your current save or you can start a completely new game at the main menu just for the DLC. Geralt will automatically be level 30 if you do so.
 
It is,...a lot of memorable moments throughout the expansion/DLC.
This is why it is so good.
I have to play it again sometime.
 
I'd give the expansion a whirl if I still wasn't so bitter about the original game brutally punishing me at the end for
ignoring the Radovid assassination sidequest on account of my belief that Geralt would try and steer clear of politics. As a result, the dude burns pretty much everyone in the world alive and because of my neglecting to do one side-mission, the universe is doomed for an eternity.
As a result, I think I'm too depressed to go back.

So you purposely skipped
Radovid's assassination and
now you're bitter that he's still alive?

Oh man, I am holding off on the DLC until I do a 2nd playthrough but the great impressions on this is making me cave.

Does anyone know whats the advantage of getting the season pass vs just getting the DLC separately? Thanks!

You save like 5 bucks if you get the season pass
 
Er... it's an ending in which you
idly stand by as an evil being murders the man who was tricked by it into signing a contract that turned his titular heart to stone. Without a chance at redemption, without the ability to show any sort of agency in a story centered around him.
That's both bad = worst and bad = evil, or at the very least apathetic to evil, which is also bad because it's completely out of character.

It's a choice between siding with an evil being who preys on human weaknesses (whenever it's not just murdering or cursing them for the fun of it) and a man who allowed the former to magically turn him into a heartless monster in a moment of weakness.
One of those is clearly, objectively worse. If doing bad things under magical influence is a crime worse than being O'Dimm, then the player probably should have thrown Geralt off a cliff two games and hundreds of hours ago for choosing to join the Wild Hunt.

A moment of weakness?

Olgierid willfully summoned O'Dimm and knowingly sacrificed his brother for the power and riches that O'Dimm would grant him, further he entered into the contract with full knowledge of what O'Dimm was but thought he was smart enough to create a contract that was fool proof. He failed. Olgiered is the true evil of the story.
 
Best DLC I've played in years. And the value you get for the money is ridiculous. Can't wait for Blood and Wine.

So you purposely skipped
Radovid's assassination and
now you're bitter that he's still alive?

Wish I didn't
break Dijkstra leg, and lock myself out of killing Radovid. Thought I was gonna shove the dude, not fuck his shit up lol.
 
So you purposely skipped
Radovid's assassination and
now you're bitter that he's still alive?
To be honest it is a shit move, I did the same first time around -not that I mind it, I was fascinated with him-, problem is in The Witcher 1
neutrality can be preserved
that is lost in TW2, but I thought they would bring it back in TW3, alas I managed to rechange things cause I had an earlier save.
 
To be honest it is a shit move, I did the same first time around -not that I mind it, I was fascinated with him-, problem is in The Witcher 1
neutrality can be preserved
that is lost in TW2, but I thought they would bring it back in TW3, alas I managed to rechange things cause I had an earlier save.

The neutrality can be preserved but it's obviously going to have consequences.
 
So you purposely skipped
Radovid's assassination and
now you're bitter that he's still alive?



You save like 5 bucks if you get the season pass

Right? That line of sidequests clearly served its purpose because even if you ignore it, there are still consequences that follow and affect the world state. It should be applauded for that aspect not deemed as a negative.
 
Completely. Best DLC I've ever played.

The
Wedding quest with Vlodimir
is amazing.

Gaunter O'Dimm
is one of the best and creepiest villains I've seen in a game, especially given his bland design, makes him even more terrifying.
 
The neutrality can be preserved but it's obviously going to have consequences.
How?, The way I see it if you choose to preserve it, It is like you
choose Radvoid, I can't wrap my head around Geralt being that very crucial piece to Djesktra's plan, and Empyer dying doesn't make that much sense (I know how he died and why, but how did Radvoid win!)
, All of it isn't explained well in terms of how things unfolded if you remain neutral.
 
You can do it past level 30 unless you make the game generate a level 30 Geralt for you, you can ask about Ciri at the end if you
side with the bad guy.

I probably wont, so I might as well go on a little grind before I go to the endgame quest.
 
Cant wait to get this, I finished the base game a few months but I have a serious itch for some more Witcher goodness. Might get it after I finish Dragons Dogma and Binary Domain
 
How?, The way I see it if you choose to preserve it, It is like you
choose Radvoid, I can't wrap my head around Geralt being that very crucial piece to Djesktra's plan, and Empyer dying doesn't make that much sense (I know how he died and why, but how did Radvoid win!)
, All of it isn't explained well in terms of how things unfolded if you remain neutral.

Geralt's not that important in what actually occurs, really. I'm 100% sure they would have tried the same thing with someone else if Geralt refuses, but they probably just get killed immediately on trying to board the ship rather than attempted afterwards like Radovid did to Geralt. Plus Phillipa doesn't give anybody the ring to lure Radovid out. I think that's the key difference, rather than geralt specifically
 
How?, The way I see it if you choose to preserve it, It is like you
choose Radvoid, I can't wrap my head around Geralt being that very crucial piece to Djesktra's plan, and Empyer dying doesn't make that much sense (I know how he died and why, but how did Radvoid win!)
, All of it isn't explained well in terms of how things unfolded if you remain neutral.

Geralt has two swords. Both are for killing monsters. Radovid was a monster that much was made abundantly clear. The first time you meet him and he delivers his chess piece monologue you immediately know he's insane. He had to go. Preserving neutrality in this case is like choosing to idly stand by and watch people die. As for him winning the war if you let him live, it is said that he was a strategical genious during the ending slide show. Granted this is not quite clear from the game alone.
 
I've been playing Witcher 2 nonstop over the past week and have been loving it. Glad to hear the expansion is good. Do most of you prefer Witcher 3 to Witcher 2? I'm hoping it doesn't disappoint because 2 is wonderful.
 
Yep, it was brilliant. Some of my favourite quests and characters in the game no doubt. Only £6.49 as well, a steal by today's standards! ;) CDPR <3
 
I Love witcher 3 but I found it a bit overwhelming. I acctually prefer witcher 2 but its a close call and there both 2 of my favorit games
 
I've been playing Witcher 2 nonstop over the past week and have been loving it. Glad to hear the expansion is good. Do most of you prefer Witcher 3 to Witcher 2? I'm hoping it doesn't disappoint because 2 is wonderful.

I actually like Witcher 2 more than 3, really loved the hell outta that game and enjoyed the story a ton. But 3 is not far behind at all, and was easily my GOTY for 2015. Blood and Wine might honestly change this though, if it's anything like HoS. That expansion elevated the game and made it nearly on-par with Witcher 2 for me.
 
This thread really makes me want to pick this up but i feel like too much time has passed. Witcher 3 is my personal GOTY but I recently picked up the dragon age tresspaser dlc and didn't remember anything about the combat or what was going on in the world. Really on the fence whether i should take the plunge on this one.
 
I'd give the expansion a whirl if I still wasn't so bitter about the original game brutally punishing me at the end for
ignoring the Radovid assassination sidequest on account of my belief that Geralt would try and steer clear of politics. As a result, the dude burns pretty much everyone in the world alive and because of my neglecting to do one side-mission, the universe is doomed for an eternity.
As a result, I think I'm too depressed to go back.

I really do not understand how one could ignore that sidemission.

Vernon fucking Roche is back! I immediately dropped everything and helped him for the glory of Temeria.
 
Geralt's not that important in what actually occurs, really. I'm 100% sure they would have tried the same thing with someone else if Geralt refuses, but they probably just get killed immediately on trying to board the ship rather than attempted afterwards like Radovid did to Geralt. Plus Phillipa doesn't give anybody the ring to lure Radovid out. I think that's the key difference, rather than geralt specifically
Well attempting to board the ship is suicide, a thing I doubt the 3 biggest intelligence heads of the north would do, though you rise a good point regarding Philipa's involvement, I'm okay with all of that, really, but assuming you choose not to help them, you are left out without knowing how the events occurred or even what happened to Djekestra, Roche, and Thaler. They don't shed light on the outcome.
Geralt has two swords. Both are for killing monsters. Radovid was a monster that much was made abundantly clear. The first time you meet him and he delivers his chess piece monologue you immediately know he's insane. He had to go. Preserving neutrality in this case is like choosing to idly stand by and watch people die. As for him winning the war if you let him live, it is said that he was a strategical genious during the ending slide show. Granted this is not quite clear from the game alone.
I get that,
I know Radovid was crazy that's for sure, but in his defense he was a necessary evil, if it was not for him, Emhyr would have conquered the north easily, he almost did, but Radovid managed to stop him, It is not like I don't want to stop evil, but here we are talking about someone taking other people lands, calling it his own 'Emhyr' and someone who persecuted the few -nonhumans and mages- but helped his realm stand against the invader, neither is good, both are inherently bad, I wanted to choose the Witcher way and remain neutral and out of politics. In either cases the events that occurs with or without your input are not 100% clear cut explained that's my point.
 
It all depends on your level, IIRC Hearts of Stone requires Level 35, I had a bit of challenge in the expansion, and I don't recall EVER killing an enemy -let alone a boss- in 3 hits.

Also if by some magical way you are overpowering everything, there is an option to start the expansion alone by a preset character, should give you a challenge.

Best questline in the game and my favorite piece of DLC to date.



Depends on what level you are and the difficulty level I suppose, but without spoiling anything I'll just say that I doubt you'll be killing them in 3 hits. I was fairly high level and still felt decently challenged.

I'ts been a while since I last played, but I am in the 60's or 70's. I literally did every single quest in the game-san the card games since I couldn't understand them. I am the strongest creature in the game world by far. I have the best gear/weapons. Not even the end game was a challenge at all and I don't remember the last time I died- maybe fell of a cliff or something.


I really love the Witcher 3. I keept playing it for 6+ hours every day for two or so weeks till I finished it. But the last few steps, I just overpowered everything. I still explored the world. I'd love to get both DLCs, but I don't want it to be a fast forward stroll.

Thanks for the input. I'm really hovering around this DLC. CDP are amazing.
 
I'ts been a while since I last played, but I am in the 60's or 70's. I literally did every single quest in the game-san the card games since I couldn't understand them. I am the strongest creature in the game world by far. I have the best gear/weapons. Not even the end game was a challenge at all and I don't remember the last time I died- maybe fell of a cliff or something.

Are you in NG+? I'm pretty sure it's impossible to get to lvl60 without doing so.
 
Are you in NG+? I'm pretty sure it's impossible to get to lvl60 without doing so.

No, I just did everything in the game san the card game.
I did start an NG+ just to have something to do with a harder difficulty. I fooled around the beginning of the game and I'm choosing the opposite of every decision I made the first time to see what changes. But other games showed up and I left it just past the first boss fight (the Griffin).
Beautiful, beautiful game.
 
Playing through it now and it's such a great expansion. I'm loving the characters being introduced and where the story is going. The seasons pass is already proving to be an incredible value.
 
No, I just did everything in the game san the card game.
I did start an NG+ just to have something to do with a harder difficulty. I fooled around the beginning of the game and I'm choosing the opposite of every decision I made the first time to see what changes. But other games showed up and I left it just past the first boss fight (the Griffin).
Beautiful, beautiful game.

That sounds weird to me, because after lvl ~35 all quests will be greyed out and thus will give you like 10xp, and most monsters would only give you 1xp.
 
Awesome DLC for sure, best one I played yet. Last one I enjoyed this much was "lair of the shadow broker", except that this one was about 5 times as long.

Gotta say, I got some serious Silent Hill vibes during the
final boss in the painted world
fight.
 
That sounds weird to me, because after lvl ~35 all quests will be greyed out and thus will give you like 10xp, and most monsters would only give you 1xp.

I really don't remember. Maybe it was ~35. It was high as I did a lot. Let me check...
It's level 38. Sorry, I mixed it up with Bloodborne. Been a while since I played either and I completed both back to back. What a great month that was.
 
Can't beat the boss in front of the tavern (duel) on Blood & Bones. I do low damage even at level 35 and can't dodge most attacks.
 
I'ts been a while since I last played, but I am in the 60's or 70's. I literally did every single quest in the game-san the card games since I couldn't understand them.

No, I just did everything in the game san the card game.
I did start an NG+ just to have something to do with a harder difficulty.

Bwah?

I don't see how you can be level 60 without doing NG+. You only reach 30-something if you do all the games quests. I can't even imagine how many monsters you'd have to kill in the wild to get to 60.


edit: Haha, nevermind, it's already been covered.
 
I completed HoS earlier today and I loved the ending! I
let Gaunter kill Olgierd
, and the ending was the perfect mix of creepy, mysterious, and concise. I watched the alternate ending on YouTube and thought it was just a bit over-the-top. Dragged on and on and took some of the mystery from the whole ordeal. I like thinking that even Geralt is smart enough not to
get involved with Evil incarnate. In my mind, this is one of those, "Eh, I'll tell you another time..." kinda memories for him, one he'd sooner rather forget.
 
As with everything with the witcher 3 it was awesome. Highly impressed with this dev and I can't wait to see what we get out of them in a few more games. Can't wait for blood and wine.
 
Mr. Mirror is fun, at least until
the reveal that he indeed is a one-dimensional evil entity who doesn't actually have to play by his own rules... and probably the dumbest of his kind, judging by the solution to his unsolvable riddle being literally his own name.
The original two books of the Witcher side stories were basically interesting and funny dark fantasy retellings of classic fairy tales and that part reminded me of that. In that context, I really liked it.
 
Top Bottom