Yep, Witcher 3’s adult themes are quickly established from the moment the camera lingers on a bare derrière mere minutes into the game. Yet – and despite that reading like an apparent Hollywood “sex, blood, swearing, – buy, buy, buy!” kind of campaign – it’s not gratuitous, rather more representative of a believable world. Y’know, one where mages and magic are a normality.
For role-playing game fans it’s only once in a blue moon a title comes along that’s so engrossing you’ll willingly surrender not just a little bit of time to play it, but days and weeks of your life. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a prime example; a captivating game that, for our money, is the best RPG since Skyrim.But, if anything, it’s a little bit more grown-up than that 2011 Bethesda epic. There’s a lot more f-ing and blinding for starters, the occasional c-bomb included. And much more blood. Oh, and let’s not forget the smattering of nudity.
Yep, Witcher 3’s adult themes are quickly established from the moment the camera lingers on a bare derrière mere minutes into the game. Yet – and despite that reading like an apparent Hollywood “sex, blood, swearing, – buy, buy, buy!” kind of campaign – it’s not gratuitous, rather more representative of a believable world. Y’know, one where mages and magic are a normality.
One giant beast
When it arrived back in 2015 there was no game of the same epic scale as The Witcher 3. Even now, five years later, it’s still a huge world to explore. The open landscape throws you into a world of magic and combat, led by enticing characters and great acting that will keep you hooked. Ok, so Geralt, the witcher you play, might’ve been listening to Christian Bale’s Batman a little too much, but his husky voice becomes part of the game’s charm.
fter the main cutscene kicks-off proceedings – in hand-drawn graphic novel style with story narrator, a theme that continues with each loading and progress scene, but that feels distant from the style otherwise used within the game – the story begins with you seeking Ciri, your adopted daughter, who, for reasons unknown at the time, the evil Wild Hunt seek.
It’s from here the basics of combat are learned, in a flashback to Ciri’s childhood. But there’s a whole lot to master, which takes time to then apply effectively in the game. The Witcher 3 is no plodding turn-based role-player: you’ll need to attack in fast-paced, real-time scenarios. It’s not all slash, slash, slash button bashing either; parry, dodge and use of stronger sword attacks in combination deal with different foes. Other sword-bearing folk tend to be easily dispatched, but groups of wraiths, ghouls and the like will demand well-timed rolls and dodges to get around.
To add to the mixing pot there are a variety of magical spells that are essential for tactical attack and defence – particularly when ensconced by a group of enemies
All this has the makings of a deep role-player, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg really. You’ll later learn crafting and alchemy, trading, and how to apply experience points to specific character enhancement trees (earned from quests, resulting in your levelling-up), all of which are essential to the game. Whether you chose the path of warrior, alchemist or magician is down to the choices you make when applying upgrades. Enhancements can also be multiplied with mutagens, sourced from specific enemy kills.
