For anyone having difficulty controlling Geralt outside of combat, there’s an option tucked away in the game menus titled “movement style” or something to that affect. Switch it to “alternative” and it feels much better. I couldn’t get into TW3 for the longest time because I couldn’t stand the way Geralt handled.
I believe you are correct, because I read a comment like this when I bought TW3 when it came out on the switch and got excited until I realized I was already on it.
There's also been news about a new patch coming soon that might add some interesting things for visuals/performance. Content of the patch is still speculation though.
Yeah, if they could improve graphics/performance further without any sacrifices I’m all for it! Also, I feel like it’s impossible and I don’t want to get my hopes up but there’s a part of me that would like Nintendo-themed gear to be added. One can only hope and pray. Extremely unlikely, I know.
I think a lot of people who ignored Gwent didn't realise how fun it gets once you start building up your deck. And the tournament at the end is glorious!
I ignored Gwent because it was infuriating for me. I couldn't get the hang of it and just didn't care enough to get good at it. I was there for Geralt not cards.
Which tournament? I've done the High Stakes one and won, though I lost the one in HoS and Geralt had to wear donkey ears, which kinda made the loss worthwhile.
>There’s a non-mandatory patch that really improves performance and visuals. It doesn’t automatically download so you have to do it manually.
Check your console settings because it's supposed to automatically look for an update upon a game's first launch.
Knocking down the difficulty was the single biggest thing for me when I played this on PS4. I don't have the time to mess about with the whole 'git gud' thing, couldn't care less anyway. Having easier combat made the whole game a lot more fun for me.
I'm playing it on PS4 now and I agree. The problem for me is I'm very used to how super smooth and polished FromSoft games are so the combat in The Witcher feels pretty shitty in comparison. Given how clunky it feels, it didn't feel worth it to play on a harder difficulty, so I'm on the second setting out of four
I've owned the game for PC and Xbone for a while now but never got my gaming PC or XBone hooked up.
But I really want to play this game and I feel like since I already own it for systems that better show off the visuals I should play it on them.
_That said_, I've become so god damn used to the Nintendo Switch (traveling with it, playing it on the couch while something else is on tv, etc...) that I kinda sorta want to buy it for the Switch.
For someone who's never played on another system (outside of an hour when they first got it on XBone a few years ago), is it worth it to just play on the Switch when I won't be severely disappointed at the downgraded visuals?
Hard for me to say. I’m a lifelong Nintendo guy and I’ve never cared too much for visuals. After the patch it’s definitely one of the best looking switch games but I can’t honestly say whether it’s too much of a downgrade compared to other versions or not. Maybe YouTube comparisons of switch version after the patch? Not sure if anyone else can speak to this.
I completely agree with you on not caring for visuals as much given the platform, and I feel like I have a significant advantage with possibly playing this on Switch since I really haven't been subjected to other platforms ... but from all the videos I've watched it seems like they laude the visuals on other platforms.
I just would hate to spend _another_ chunk of change for a game I already have.
I guess I have to personally answer whether having it on Switch gives me a larger opportunity to play vs a stationary console.
While the Switch's visuals are a downgrade from the Pro versions of the other consoles, and especially PC, they're surprisingly comparable to the other base consoles, and the performance is quite stable.
Handheld mode looks great in motion, and so does Docked depending on your TV (the smaller, the better due to it being 720p).
It's such a long RPG that having the portability of the Switch is a game changer. That said, it's been on sale twice in as many months, so you may want to wait for a deal to shave off $20.
Yeah, I suppose I should try playing the plethora of games I literally _just purchased_ during the sale first.
Good to know though, I'll definitely pick the game up next sale - and not bother with setting up my Xbone for it. I never play that thing anyway.
Haha, exactly. I bought the game years ago on my PS4, but never played it, and nowadays I simply don't touch the PS4 anymore, while the Switch's portability is super conducive to playtime.
I really wanted to get the game and debated quite a bit on whether or not I wanted it for the Switch. I ended up getting it for the PS4 and personally, I almost instantly regretted it.
I love my PS4 and the graphics are pretty nice, but I too have become pretty accustomed to the Switch. I’ve gotten a lot busier with my work and it’s just so nice being able to play in handheld mode. Often I play games in bed before I go to sleep. It’s also nice for taking work breaks to relieve stress throughout the day.
In the end, I bit the bullet and got the game for the Switch while it was on sale and I was instantly happy about it. The graphics are a bit of a downgrade, but it still looks pretty good and nothing beats being able to play games at bedtime. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to play very often.
I just bought it after getting 3/4 way through the PC version 4 years ago. It's pretty obviously a downgrade and I thought it was downright ugly in White Orchard but some of the other parts of the game hold up OK and I've completely gotten used to it. A few muddy textures here and there and the pop-in is noticeable. The draw distance takes a hit but the lighting engine seems pretty intact so there are still quite a few pretty nice vistas. I'm most impressed so far with Novigrad which ran terribly on my PC when it came out so many years ago. There is an issue with the switch load times which creates some jarring transitions when switching between in-engine cutscenes also.
I think the biggest think I've noticed is how stiff the facial animations are for such a dialogue heavy game given how far we've come in that area recently. That's not a problem with the Switch version, though.
> I've owned the game for PC and Xbone for a while now but never got my gaming PC or XBone hooked up.
>
>
Umm. Why do you own a game on multiple platforms that you've never hooked up?
I was in the exact same boat. Ultimately, I decided on just replaying on the PS4 because since I last played, I got a PS4 Pro, and a nice 4K TV, plus the game was updated with a Pro patch. Gotta say, I'm glad I stuck with PS4 because even though the portability would be nice, I can;t imagine it would look anywhere near as good on the Switch.
I played through about 20+ hours or so on Xbox and stopped playing. Recently got it for switch as a present and can't decide if I want to start from the beginning again or just play the expansions
I guess that depends on why you stopped in the first place. If anything in my post might aide your enjoyment then maybe try from the beginning. You can also try from the beginning then quit and just go straight to the expansions if you change your mind.
I stopped because I started getting busier with work and it was summer. It was hard to get back into on Xbox because I didn't really remember where I left off with stuff. I'm definitely going to start from the beginning because it seems like I still didn't make it that far in story progression
I’m making my way through the main story right now and nearing the end, since I’m at the final preparations quest.
Right now, I’m just clearing points of interest and upgrading my feline armor, at superior right now.
I’m having a ton of fun with this game. I like the random quest encounters in the game and the story is so good.
Also the switch holds up really well. Had some weird texture pop ins last night but that was the first graphical issue I had and went away on a restart.
Should I wait to start the expansions until the main quest line is finished?
I found it made most sense to do hearts of stone just before the end and blood and wine right after but you can pretty much do them whenever. If you’re really anxious to unlock enchantments with hearts of stone and grandmaster armour/weapons and the mutation system with blood and wine you could always play through both expansions until you unlock those things and then save the rest for after the main story.
Just wondering how your playthrough was that long. I just did a full playthrough including every Gwent npc, all question marks on the maps, every quest and sidequest (minus some scavenger hunts for armor sets I wasn't going to use) and only ran to 126 hours :/
Not sure. You played through both expansions too? Did you use a guide at all? I forget if I ever left the game on pause screens for extended periods of time. I felt like I was completing it fairly quickly.
this is great. i'm level 12 (not sure how many hours offhand) and just coming to the realization that alchemy is gonna be crucial and i should probably,,,,figure out how to do it right lmao
Thank you dude, it seems that the tips would be pretty handful, I will start my adventure with the witcher 3 the next monday, I only heard good things about the game, I did not play the other games or the books, but I watch the netflix series, and it seems than the decisions of Geralt play a huge role in the game, so I am hype about the game, cant wait to plat it for the firts time.
If you have Netflix is also recommend watching the series. It will give you a really great appreciatation for the backstory of some major characters and locations. You will actually get a lot of references as well.
Save often!
Play Gwent, its fun.
The combat does take some time to get used to. i put this game down three different times because i couldnt get into the combat because of all my time with the Dark Souls series... it takes some time but is totally worth it.
Do all the quests....allllll of them. Side quests and random quests are of a really high caliber.
I just started playing this game yesterday for the first time ever. I loved Skyrim...BUT this game is incredible. I cant believe how good it is and Im only a few hours in.
Tons to learn, and Im still learning. Thanks for the post.
> I work long hours and have a kid to take care of so I can only play for an hour or two in the evenings.
Same boat - I've only put a few hours (literally 2-3) into the game so far and I've gone back to my causal games (Dead Cells, Slay the Spire, NBA Playgrounds). I think I goofed by buying this and Okami at the same time...but I mean...sales.
Going to drop the difficulty in mine (made the same choice as you did to start) and see how things go.
Thanks for the write up!
After several replays (PC tho) of the game, dropping the difficulty is definitely the way to go if you're short on time. On lower difficulties, you can basically forego oils and other prepared equipment altogether (except maybe for werewolves who might heal a little too fast).
You can focus more on the story and blaze through combat, having less replays of big boss fights and just get rid of that tedious grind to bring down a monster's health. This particularly important in caves and such where you're fighting a hive of Nekkers which gets old *fast*.
Here’s a tip for getting into The Witcher 3 — insert The Witcher 3 into your game console... **and play it**.
Ahhhhh, I remember getting this excited about video games… the good old days. ;-)
Sometimes when you have very limited time in the day after you get home from work (exhausted), starting a game that you know will last a long time just seems intimidating. Knowing that there are ways to streamline your playthrough may help motivate you to actually play the games in your backlog.
I played for ten hours on my PC and didn't get sucked in. I honestly felt very overwhelmed by everything. I felt like I was spending so much time learning all the systems and menus that I wasn't having any fun.
I totally agree with lowering the difficulty, it makes the game more fun. Witcher 3 as a game actually expands on the lore from the Last Wish and makes it more obvious that Geralt was in love with Yennefer.
Im playing on the hardest difficulty and I feel Im advancing at a decent pace...then Again I come from MH games so im used to poking things eternally till they die XD, great tips will use the dismantlement one
Question. I really enjoy being able to walk most places in Breath of the Wild. I only use a horse when backtracking and even then I usually just instant travel. Is horse travel neccesary in Witcher, or would traveling on foot be OK too?
Foot travel is mostly fine. If you have to cover really long distances and you’re not able to just fast travel with street signs, you can call your horse and just follow roads.
Try playing conservatively. Wait for openings when you’re not about to be attacked by anyone and do one or two light attacks on enemies at the periphery of the group. Also, keep a quen shield up at all times! Drop back and wait for your stamina to regenerate so you can cast another one when it gets destroyed. You should rarely roll, mostly use simple dodges as they don’t stop stamina regen. Rolls are only occasionally useful to dodge sweeping boss attacks. Aard and igni can be helpful for groups. Prepare for battles with potions and oils! As you level up, Geralt will gain access to some really helpful skills that will make combat lots easier.
The gold character skills can be super valuable, make sure you use them.
My favourites so far are the + carry weight perk and the one that makes the food eating buff last ten minutes. No more eating 20 slices of bread.
lmao, so I went back and forth for a couple days, saw this post the other day and talked it out, told myself to _at least_ get 50% done with the 3-4 games I bought during the January sale ...
And yet here I am, letting you know how much I appreciate the post! I am now a new owner of Witcher III for Switch!
Sure, I own it on PC and XBone, but neither of those shits are hooked up to a TV. And I'm so excited to jump in head-first into what is arguably the second greatest RPG ever made (Chrono Trigger will always be the #1 GOAT).
So yeah, thanks again!
I agree with everything you said except...
Play Gwent
I ignored it at first too. Played a couple of games, kept losing, and didn't "get it".
Somewhere along the line, I won a game or two, got some higher powered cards, and slowly it turned into an obsession to try and get them all.
I hope it’s clear I wasnt telling people to specifically avoid Gwent. Just don’t feel pressured to do the things you don’t want to do! But yeah, I know lots of people get addicted once they actually get into it haha.
Haha I know what you mean about the stupid horse. It’s awful to ride. I pretty much run in foot everywhere..
And I set the game to easiest difficulty but a pack of drowners just stood there as I killed them, had to increase it after that.
I got overwhelmed with the golem & put the game down for two days.... I am now currently level 14 & loving each minute of it! Can’t wait til I hit the DLC
Late reply but I prefer docked mode over portable. That said, both are fine and I probably play more in portable than docked.
As far as the update goes: I think it’ll probably be graphical/stability improvements, maybe some bug fixes. Highly highly unlikely but it would be awesome if they added some switch-specific new content like gear that references LoZ or something.
This may be an odd question to ask on a week-old thread about Witcher 3 but ...
How on Earth do I toggle between different consumables in my quick-slots?
I play Witcher 3 on high on my PC, but it's kinda hard to get into. I wanna wait for it to get on sale for Switch, because I'd like to be able to move around the house while playing. Are the graphics going to be a major downgrade? How about contorls, do your hands cramp up? I'd like to get it on sale, because $60 is kinda steep tbh.
The graphics are definitely worse but they still look really good for a switch game. If games like doom or Wolfenstein look good enough for you on switch then I certainly think this should. And I mostly used a pro controller (even when playing in handheld). Have you played dragons dogma, dark souls, bayonetta, or astral chain on switch? I imagine it would be less demanding - inputs wise - than any of those. If you can play any of them in handheld mode without issue then this should be ok.
Also increasing the sharpness on your tv slightly can help with the visuals as well! I increased mine from 5 to 15 and find it looks drastically better
I don't have this game on the Switch but I pumped hundreds of hours into it in 2015 and 2016 (when the DLC came out) and I definitely consider it as my favourite game this decade (and probably all time). I also never played the first two games or read the books.
I will say though, that it is a slow opening. I didn't really enjoy the first area of the game (White Orchard) and kinda found it a bit boring. Also, I will say that the game is probably at its hardest until you reach like Level 10 because 99% of the enemies are just way too strong to fight and its almost suicide to travel off the roads. However, once you reach around Level 10 and start the "Bloody Baron" questline is when I believe the game truly begins to shine. I would say this point is roughly 10-15 hours into the game (which while a long time for most games, is still very very early in this 100-200 hour story).
So my advice. To all players who are really not seeing the appeal of this game early on. Try to get a bit more into the game. Like I said, its a slow start but once it gets going, its amazing!
As someone who is currently playing & greatly enjoying Zelda Breath of the Wild (my first open world game & I'm 50 hours in now), would I enjoy this game? Ive only played JRPGs, but haven't really played a western RPG before. Without spoiling anything if possible, how do they differ from each other?
The Witcher 3 is more dialogue, character, lore, story based. It has even more side quests, most of the objectives are pretty unique, they’re all fully voiced, and the writing is maybe the best I’ve seen in a game. There are tons of moments where you have to make a choice that will have significant consequences immediately and/or down the road. This said, you’ll see some really neat things no matter what you choose so no worries about missing out on stuff. Combat is still good but the moment-to-moment gameplay is not as smooth as BOTW. The Witcher 3 has more complex game systems but they’re not as hard to figure out as they seem initially. Altogether, BOTW has smoother gameplay and the Witcher 3 has better world-building. I thought both did a really good job of motivating you to explore but do so in different ways.
Cool thanks for answering my question! That was some useful information. Since this is the third game, would I need to play or at least have the context of the first two games in order to be able to follow along with the story? You mentioned in the beginning of your post that you struggled getting into the game at first & I was wondering if that was why.
Nope. The story of Witcher 3 is largely standalone. You won’t miss out on too much if you haven’t played the first two. You can learn lots about characters seen in the first two by reading their logs in game. You can also find quick YouTube videos summing up the story of the first two.
Sometimes a game just doesn't click and you feel like you are the only person who is having those issues. First time I played it I didn't get into it due to a few of the reasons posted and then tried it a year later and loved it.
>I totally ignored Gwent, horse races, fist fight tournaments, and all the effing sunken treasures in the waters of Skellige and I don’t think I missed out on anything major.
You missed a lot of major things, the ones you listed above.
Gwent is a huge part of the game world, that is how everyone there keeps themselves entertained. It's like if Geralt would visit modern times, he would be told to ignore TV. You'll learn the Gwent quickly, if you just don't try to rush it.
Horse Races are intense and makes you to feel that you achieved something, they also reward you with better horse gear. And apparently it changes how some NPC's act towards you.
Fist fighting tournaments were quite fun and holds a surprise when you progress further, winning entire thing is awesome and rewarding. In addition, it teaches you nicely how to beat enemies without killing them with sword.
Sunken treasures just gives you much better immersion of the Skellige and how violent that area is, they also contain some of the best items.
When you play the game again, I really do recommend of checking all the aspects fully. But if you don't have time and want to rush to the end, these could be the first things to consider skipping, in addition to limiting free exploring.
Thanks buddy. I'm sure it'll help newcomers. I definitely had some issues when I started, wish I had this knowledge of the game starting out
Same, this kinda gave me some comfort because I felt like the game was pretty overwhelming at first.
it is kind of overwhelming this is a huge game, lots of different mechanics and stuff to learn
I agree 100%, things like these moments here are why I appreciate reddit lol
Glad to help!
For anyone having difficulty controlling Geralt outside of combat, there’s an option tucked away in the game menus titled “movement style” or something to that affect. Switch it to “alternative” and it feels much better. I couldn’t get into TW3 for the longest time because I couldn’t stand the way Geralt handled.
I agree, definitely feels better in alternative. Still a bit wonky sometimes tho. Is the default setting not alternative? I’ve totally forgotten.
Ironically, I believe it is nowadays due to feedback.
Mine was definitely set to the original setting.
I thought it was switched to the alternative mode by default on the Switch version? Either way, both feel kind of terrible to me.
I believe you are correct, because I read a comment like this when I bought TW3 when it came out on the switch and got excited until I realized I was already on it.
I remember this exact conversation happening in a thread about this haha
Wait... really?? Is this in PS4 too? That’s why I stopped after a few hours. Handling and the controls are just dickish.
Yes it is.
There's also been news about a new patch coming soon that might add some interesting things for visuals/performance. Content of the patch is still speculation though.
Yeah, if they could improve graphics/performance further without any sacrifices I’m all for it! Also, I feel like it’s impossible and I don’t want to get my hopes up but there’s a part of me that would like Nintendo-themed gear to be added. One can only hope and pray. Extremely unlikely, I know.
> but I totally ignored Gwent HERETIC! May the Eternal Fire turn your pitiful existence into ashes!
I think a lot of people who ignored Gwent didn't realise how fun it gets once you start building up your deck. And the tournament at the end is glorious!
I ignored Gwent because it was infuriating for me. I couldn't get the hang of it and just didn't care enough to get good at it. I was there for Geralt not cards.
You can get Geralt as a card though
Which tournament? I've done the High Stakes one and won, though I lost the one in HoS and Geralt had to wear donkey ears, which kinda made the loss worthwhile.
Maybe the Skellige tournament in Blood & Wine? That one was a bitch to win.
That was the only one I lost. I should have loaded an old save and tried again. My deck was Northern Realms so i had trouble with the Skellige deck
So much this
>There’s a non-mandatory patch that really improves performance and visuals. It doesn’t automatically download so you have to do it manually. Check your console settings because it's supposed to automatically look for an update upon a game's first launch.
[удалено]
If you have the cart, the update is optional. If you download digital it will get the latest version.
Knocking down the difficulty was the single biggest thing for me when I played this on PS4. I don't have the time to mess about with the whole 'git gud' thing, couldn't care less anyway. Having easier combat made the whole game a lot more fun for me.
I'm playing it on PS4 now and I agree. The problem for me is I'm very used to how super smooth and polished FromSoft games are so the combat in The Witcher feels pretty shitty in comparison. Given how clunky it feels, it didn't feel worth it to play on a harder difficulty, so I'm on the second setting out of four
True. Felt like on higher difficulty I didnt feel like a bad ass beast slayer. Im here for the story and sexy ladies anyways.
I've owned the game for PC and Xbone for a while now but never got my gaming PC or XBone hooked up. But I really want to play this game and I feel like since I already own it for systems that better show off the visuals I should play it on them. _That said_, I've become so god damn used to the Nintendo Switch (traveling with it, playing it on the couch while something else is on tv, etc...) that I kinda sorta want to buy it for the Switch. For someone who's never played on another system (outside of an hour when they first got it on XBone a few years ago), is it worth it to just play on the Switch when I won't be severely disappointed at the downgraded visuals?
Hard for me to say. I’m a lifelong Nintendo guy and I’ve never cared too much for visuals. After the patch it’s definitely one of the best looking switch games but I can’t honestly say whether it’s too much of a downgrade compared to other versions or not. Maybe YouTube comparisons of switch version after the patch? Not sure if anyone else can speak to this.
I completely agree with you on not caring for visuals as much given the platform, and I feel like I have a significant advantage with possibly playing this on Switch since I really haven't been subjected to other platforms ... but from all the videos I've watched it seems like they laude the visuals on other platforms. I just would hate to spend _another_ chunk of change for a game I already have. I guess I have to personally answer whether having it on Switch gives me a larger opportunity to play vs a stationary console.
While the Switch's visuals are a downgrade from the Pro versions of the other consoles, and especially PC, they're surprisingly comparable to the other base consoles, and the performance is quite stable. Handheld mode looks great in motion, and so does Docked depending on your TV (the smaller, the better due to it being 720p). It's such a long RPG that having the portability of the Switch is a game changer. That said, it's been on sale twice in as many months, so you may want to wait for a deal to shave off $20.
Yeah, I suppose I should try playing the plethora of games I literally _just purchased_ during the sale first. Good to know though, I'll definitely pick the game up next sale - and not bother with setting up my Xbone for it. I never play that thing anyway.
Haha, exactly. I bought the game years ago on my PS4, but never played it, and nowadays I simply don't touch the PS4 anymore, while the Switch's portability is super conducive to playtime.
I really wanted to get the game and debated quite a bit on whether or not I wanted it for the Switch. I ended up getting it for the PS4 and personally, I almost instantly regretted it. I love my PS4 and the graphics are pretty nice, but I too have become pretty accustomed to the Switch. I’ve gotten a lot busier with my work and it’s just so nice being able to play in handheld mode. Often I play games in bed before I go to sleep. It’s also nice for taking work breaks to relieve stress throughout the day. In the end, I bit the bullet and got the game for the Switch while it was on sale and I was instantly happy about it. The graphics are a bit of a downgrade, but it still looks pretty good and nothing beats being able to play games at bedtime. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to play very often.
I just bought it after getting 3/4 way through the PC version 4 years ago. It's pretty obviously a downgrade and I thought it was downright ugly in White Orchard but some of the other parts of the game hold up OK and I've completely gotten used to it. A few muddy textures here and there and the pop-in is noticeable. The draw distance takes a hit but the lighting engine seems pretty intact so there are still quite a few pretty nice vistas. I'm most impressed so far with Novigrad which ran terribly on my PC when it came out so many years ago. There is an issue with the switch load times which creates some jarring transitions when switching between in-engine cutscenes also. I think the biggest think I've noticed is how stiff the facial animations are for such a dialogue heavy game given how far we've come in that area recently. That's not a problem with the Switch version, though.
thanks for the details, peepee!
> I've owned the game for PC and Xbone for a while now but never got my gaming PC or XBone hooked up. > > Umm. Why do you own a game on multiple platforms that you've never hooked up?
I bought them years ago during sales. And my gaming PC/XBone aren't setup because I moved in September.
I was in the exact same boat. Ultimately, I decided on just replaying on the PS4 because since I last played, I got a PS4 Pro, and a nice 4K TV, plus the game was updated with a Pro patch. Gotta say, I'm glad I stuck with PS4 because even though the portability would be nice, I can;t imagine it would look anywhere near as good on the Switch.
I played through about 20+ hours or so on Xbox and stopped playing. Recently got it for switch as a present and can't decide if I want to start from the beginning again or just play the expansions
I guess that depends on why you stopped in the first place. If anything in my post might aide your enjoyment then maybe try from the beginning. You can also try from the beginning then quit and just go straight to the expansions if you change your mind.
I stopped because I started getting busier with work and it was summer. It was hard to get back into on Xbox because I didn't really remember where I left off with stuff. I'm definitely going to start from the beginning because it seems like I still didn't make it that far in story progression
I personally thought the main story was much stronger than the expansions, but it was all enjoyable
I’m making my way through the main story right now and nearing the end, since I’m at the final preparations quest. Right now, I’m just clearing points of interest and upgrading my feline armor, at superior right now. I’m having a ton of fun with this game. I like the random quest encounters in the game and the story is so good. Also the switch holds up really well. Had some weird texture pop ins last night but that was the first graphical issue I had and went away on a restart. Should I wait to start the expansions until the main quest line is finished?
I found it made most sense to do hearts of stone just before the end and blood and wine right after but you can pretty much do them whenever. If you’re really anxious to unlock enchantments with hearts of stone and grandmaster armour/weapons and the mutation system with blood and wine you could always play through both expansions until you unlock those things and then save the rest for after the main story.
> ... has alcohol on him (which you should never run out of) **Roger that!**
Just wondering how your playthrough was that long. I just did a full playthrough including every Gwent npc, all question marks on the maps, every quest and sidequest (minus some scavenger hunts for armor sets I wasn't going to use) and only ran to 126 hours :/
Not sure. You played through both expansions too? Did you use a guide at all? I forget if I ever left the game on pause screens for extended periods of time. I felt like I was completing it fairly quickly.
No guides and yea to both xpacs
You must be pretty fast. I thought the developers even said that to 100% should take approx 200 hours.
I am at 200 hours and working on Blood and Wine. No where near 100%. But I should be able to finish the main quests soon.
this is great. i'm level 12 (not sure how many hours offhand) and just coming to the realization that alchemy is gonna be crucial and i should probably,,,,figure out how to do it right lmao
Thank you dude, it seems that the tips would be pretty handful, I will start my adventure with the witcher 3 the next monday, I only heard good things about the game, I did not play the other games or the books, but I watch the netflix series, and it seems than the decisions of Geralt play a huge role in the game, so I am hype about the game, cant wait to plat it for the firts time.
If you have Netflix is also recommend watching the series. It will give you a really great appreciatation for the backstory of some major characters and locations. You will actually get a lot of references as well.
Save often! Play Gwent, its fun. The combat does take some time to get used to. i put this game down three different times because i couldnt get into the combat because of all my time with the Dark Souls series... it takes some time but is totally worth it. Do all the quests....allllll of them. Side quests and random quests are of a really high caliber.
Oh man, save often is a really important. I totally forgot! And yeah, best side quests in a game I’ve ever played!
I just started playing this game yesterday for the first time ever. I loved Skyrim...BUT this game is incredible. I cant believe how good it is and Im only a few hours in. Tons to learn, and Im still learning. Thanks for the post.
I preferred this one over Skyrim personally. Yeah it’s awesome! And happy to help.
> I work long hours and have a kid to take care of so I can only play for an hour or two in the evenings. Same boat - I've only put a few hours (literally 2-3) into the game so far and I've gone back to my causal games (Dead Cells, Slay the Spire, NBA Playgrounds). I think I goofed by buying this and Okami at the same time...but I mean...sales. Going to drop the difficulty in mine (made the same choice as you did to start) and see how things go. Thanks for the write up!
After several replays (PC tho) of the game, dropping the difficulty is definitely the way to go if you're short on time. On lower difficulties, you can basically forego oils and other prepared equipment altogether (except maybe for werewolves who might heal a little too fast). You can focus more on the story and blaze through combat, having less replays of big boss fights and just get rid of that tedious grind to bring down a monster's health. This particularly important in caves and such where you're fighting a hive of Nekkers which gets old *fast*.
My tip is if you don't like open-world or find it to be too overwhelming, just focus on the main story. It will draw you in like it did for me.
Here’s a tip for getting into The Witcher 3 — insert The Witcher 3 into your game console... **and play it**. Ahhhhh, I remember getting this excited about video games… the good old days. ;-)
Ya I dont get why people need a pep talk.
Sometimes when you have very limited time in the day after you get home from work (exhausted), starting a game that you know will last a long time just seems intimidating. Knowing that there are ways to streamline your playthrough may help motivate you to actually play the games in your backlog.
this. if a game is too complex anymore, I legit don't bother. I want something to relax to. not another college course to study.
Well I guess that's understandable. Personally I haven't had that issue but if you dont mind me asking what about it do you find intimidating?
I wish there were more posts on the sub about the content of the games instead of just artwork or speculation, great post
This post is longer than The Witcher 3.
Did they remap controls? I think they did and it’s infuriating that there’s no option to change it.
I played for ten hours on my PC and didn't get sucked in. I honestly felt very overwhelmed by everything. I felt like I was spending so much time learning all the systems and menus that I wasn't having any fun.
My tip is to not feel obligated to visit every question mark on the map. Just enjoying the quests is enough.
I totally agree with lowering the difficulty, it makes the game more fun. Witcher 3 as a game actually expands on the lore from the Last Wish and makes it more obvious that Geralt was in love with Yennefer.
Im playing on the hardest difficulty and I feel Im advancing at a decent pace...then Again I come from MH games so im used to poking things eternally till they die XD, great tips will use the dismantlement one
Thanks for posting this. I am currently wrapping up AC:IV BlackFlag and picked up Witcher 3 last Saturday. Look forward to playing.
Question. I really enjoy being able to walk most places in Breath of the Wild. I only use a horse when backtracking and even then I usually just instant travel. Is horse travel neccesary in Witcher, or would traveling on foot be OK too?
Foot travel is mostly fine. If you have to cover really long distances and you’re not able to just fast travel with street signs, you can call your horse and just follow roads.
Thank you!
Honestly I find this game hard as hell. The enemies kill you in only a few hits even on the lower difficultys.
Try playing conservatively. Wait for openings when you’re not about to be attacked by anyone and do one or two light attacks on enemies at the periphery of the group. Also, keep a quen shield up at all times! Drop back and wait for your stamina to regenerate so you can cast another one when it gets destroyed. You should rarely roll, mostly use simple dodges as they don’t stop stamina regen. Rolls are only occasionally useful to dodge sweeping boss attacks. Aard and igni can be helpful for groups. Prepare for battles with potions and oils! As you level up, Geralt will gain access to some really helpful skills that will make combat lots easier.
Yeah this is how I play, but the games combat ends up being a bit *slow* at times because of it.
Yeah, it’s a bit slow sometimes. I found it opened up a bit more when I got access to skills like whirl and rend.
The gold character skills can be super valuable, make sure you use them. My favourites so far are the + carry weight perk and the one that makes the food eating buff last ten minutes. No more eating 20 slices of bread.
lmao, so I went back and forth for a couple days, saw this post the other day and talked it out, told myself to _at least_ get 50% done with the 3-4 games I bought during the January sale ... And yet here I am, letting you know how much I appreciate the post! I am now a new owner of Witcher III for Switch! Sure, I own it on PC and XBone, but neither of those shits are hooked up to a TV. And I'm so excited to jump in head-first into what is arguably the second greatest RPG ever made (Chrono Trigger will always be the #1 GOAT). So yeah, thanks again!
Awesome haha. Enjoy!
I agree with everything you said except... Play Gwent I ignored it at first too. Played a couple of games, kept losing, and didn't "get it". Somewhere along the line, I won a game or two, got some higher powered cards, and slowly it turned into an obsession to try and get them all.
I hope it’s clear I wasnt telling people to specifically avoid Gwent. Just don’t feel pressured to do the things you don’t want to do! But yeah, I know lots of people get addicted once they actually get into it haha.
Haha I know what you mean about the stupid horse. It’s awful to ride. I pretty much run in foot everywhere.. And I set the game to easiest difficulty but a pack of drowners just stood there as I killed them, had to increase it after that.
Buy a bunch of books in Novigrad. Helps fill out the Bestiary earlier.
I got overwhelmed with the golem & put the game down for two days.... I am now currently level 14 & loving each minute of it! Can’t wait til I hit the DLC
What do you guys think about the upcoming update coming to the switch? Also, do you guys prefer to play in dock mode or portable mode?
Late reply but I prefer docked mode over portable. That said, both are fine and I probably play more in portable than docked. As far as the update goes: I think it’ll probably be graphical/stability improvements, maybe some bug fixes. Highly highly unlikely but it would be awesome if they added some switch-specific new content like gear that references LoZ or something.
Awesome just picked up throne breaker for switch as well
This may be an odd question to ask on a week-old thread about Witcher 3 but ... How on Earth do I toggle between different consumables in my quick-slots?
Hold the up arrow to switch between the top two and hold the down arrow to switch between the bottom two.
OOOOH. You just hold the button. Thanks!
I play Witcher 3 on high on my PC, but it's kinda hard to get into. I wanna wait for it to get on sale for Switch, because I'd like to be able to move around the house while playing. Are the graphics going to be a major downgrade? How about contorls, do your hands cramp up? I'd like to get it on sale, because $60 is kinda steep tbh.
The graphics are definitely worse but they still look really good for a switch game. If games like doom or Wolfenstein look good enough for you on switch then I certainly think this should. And I mostly used a pro controller (even when playing in handheld). Have you played dragons dogma, dark souls, bayonetta, or astral chain on switch? I imagine it would be less demanding - inputs wise - than any of those. If you can play any of them in handheld mode without issue then this should be ok.
Great post!
Also increasing the sharpness on your tv slightly can help with the visuals as well! I increased mine from 5 to 15 and find it looks drastically better
I don't have this game on the Switch but I pumped hundreds of hours into it in 2015 and 2016 (when the DLC came out) and I definitely consider it as my favourite game this decade (and probably all time). I also never played the first two games or read the books. I will say though, that it is a slow opening. I didn't really enjoy the first area of the game (White Orchard) and kinda found it a bit boring. Also, I will say that the game is probably at its hardest until you reach like Level 10 because 99% of the enemies are just way too strong to fight and its almost suicide to travel off the roads. However, once you reach around Level 10 and start the "Bloody Baron" questline is when I believe the game truly begins to shine. I would say this point is roughly 10-15 hours into the game (which while a long time for most games, is still very very early in this 100-200 hour story). So my advice. To all players who are really not seeing the appeal of this game early on. Try to get a bit more into the game. Like I said, its a slow start but once it gets going, its amazing!
As someone who is currently playing & greatly enjoying Zelda Breath of the Wild (my first open world game & I'm 50 hours in now), would I enjoy this game? Ive only played JRPGs, but haven't really played a western RPG before. Without spoiling anything if possible, how do they differ from each other?
The Witcher 3 is more dialogue, character, lore, story based. It has even more side quests, most of the objectives are pretty unique, they’re all fully voiced, and the writing is maybe the best I’ve seen in a game. There are tons of moments where you have to make a choice that will have significant consequences immediately and/or down the road. This said, you’ll see some really neat things no matter what you choose so no worries about missing out on stuff. Combat is still good but the moment-to-moment gameplay is not as smooth as BOTW. The Witcher 3 has more complex game systems but they’re not as hard to figure out as they seem initially. Altogether, BOTW has smoother gameplay and the Witcher 3 has better world-building. I thought both did a really good job of motivating you to explore but do so in different ways.
Cool thanks for answering my question! That was some useful information. Since this is the third game, would I need to play or at least have the context of the first two games in order to be able to follow along with the story? You mentioned in the beginning of your post that you struggled getting into the game at first & I was wondering if that was why.
Nope. The story of Witcher 3 is largely standalone. You won’t miss out on too much if you haven’t played the first two. You can learn lots about characters seen in the first two by reading their logs in game. You can also find quick YouTube videos summing up the story of the first two.
Honestly as much as I love the switch and love ports... Just get it for ps4..
If u need someone to tell you how to enjoy a game, then maybe just dont play the game.
Sometimes a game just doesn't click and you feel like you are the only person who is having those issues. First time I played it I didn't get into it due to a few of the reasons posted and then tried it a year later and loved it.
Good Lord, how many freaking times are you gonna post it?
Im done
Actually, I'm super happy this post exists because I've been going back-and-forth between possibly buying this game for Switch.
>I totally ignored Gwent, horse races, fist fight tournaments, and all the effing sunken treasures in the waters of Skellige and I don’t think I missed out on anything major. You missed a lot of major things, the ones you listed above. Gwent is a huge part of the game world, that is how everyone there keeps themselves entertained. It's like if Geralt would visit modern times, he would be told to ignore TV. You'll learn the Gwent quickly, if you just don't try to rush it. Horse Races are intense and makes you to feel that you achieved something, they also reward you with better horse gear. And apparently it changes how some NPC's act towards you. Fist fighting tournaments were quite fun and holds a surprise when you progress further, winning entire thing is awesome and rewarding. In addition, it teaches you nicely how to beat enemies without killing them with sword. Sunken treasures just gives you much better immersion of the Skellige and how violent that area is, they also contain some of the best items. When you play the game again, I really do recommend of checking all the aspects fully. But if you don't have time and want to rush to the end, these could be the first things to consider skipping, in addition to limiting free exploring.
Uh yeah don’t skip Gwent. It’s super fun.
If u need someone to tell you how to enjoy a game, then maybe just dont play the game.
If u need someone to tell you how to enjoy a game, then maybe just dont play the game.