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Better late than never! The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

On paper, The Witcher 2: Wild Hunt is exactly the type of game that I should love. But I've tried it twice over the years, and spent a few hours with it each time before dropping it. I've chalked it up to simply being the wrong game at the wrong time when I try to play it. I think that I am finally ready to embrace the Wild Hunt that is The Witcher 3.

I intend to play a gritty and surly Geralt. I'll take the snarky replies every chance I get, except with any love interests. I will probably knock the difficulty down, as that's how I enjoy most games these days in my bitter old salty gamer years. I will be playing the PS5 version. I will have to read up on the enhancements and such.

Without spoilers, what tips and tricks can anyone offer? Are there side quests or locations of note that I should make a point to do and see? I'd like to catalogue my progress if my playthrough is interesting and if anyone is keen to read it. Some people enjoy when others experience older or famed games for the first time.

Thank you for reading this, and for offering any help or suggestions. I read them all even if I don't have a reply for all of them. Merry Christmas!
 

HRK69

Member
Without spoilers, what tips and tricks can anyone offer? Are there side quests or locations of note that I should make a point to do and see?
I'm playing through the game too!

I beat it on the PS4 years ago but never touched the DLC. I'm now replaying the base game on PC and finishing the DLC after.

My tip would be: use mods if you're on PC

Oh, and check merchants/blacksmiths for diagrams and other goodies
 
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zokie

Member
my psn region is having 80% off digital sale for Witcher 3 Complete edition for ps+ users

i bought Witcher 3 complete edition for $13 in my region's currency

For $13 which consists of ps4 and ps5 version , its a good deal for me as i do not foresee myself playing W4 unless CDPR listens to their customers

P.S for ps4 owners - it will be W3 Game of The Year Edition , ps5 users will get the Complete Edition
 
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Yeah, you don't get a choice. He's that way regardless of your dialogue selections.

haha! Good to know. I thought I recalled neutral replies as opposed to the more salty ones, but it has been awhile since I played so I am probably remembering it wrong.

I would recommend turning of map question marks. Finding them organically makes the game so much more immersive. Following a question mark versus following some rising smoke or checking an abandoned monster ravaged village is a lot more enjoyable.

I will indeed consider this as I play, as long as the game isn't too vague or obtuse about hints or instructions when it comes to quests. I tend to enjoy "Slay the monster in the mountains to the west" since it gives a direction and landmark, as opposed to, "Slay the monster" and then yeah, that's it, figure it out without any greater context.


I'm playing through the game too!

I beat it on the PS4 years ago but never touched the DLC. I'm now replaying the base game on PC and finishing the DLC after.

My tip would be: use mods if you're on PC

Oh, and check merchants/blacksmiths for diagrams and other goodies

I am playing on PS5 so no mods for me, unfortunately. It is truly the one thing in PC gaming that is most attractive to me. I still love cheat codes and such. I will definitely check out the merchants and blacksmiths, as I love me some goodies and trinkets and items in games.

For $13 which consists of ps4 and ps5 version , its a good deal for me as i do not foresee myself playing W4 unless CDPR listens to their customers

I am curious what you specifically mean in the part that I bolded.

If you're playing on ps5pro your in for a pristine visual treat

Launch PS5 I have. Pro I am not!
 

Verchod

Member
I really struggled to get into this game. I did put a lot of hours in, but i found it hard to level up or upgrade anything. And also, acquiring resources to make things was also very laborious, everything seemed broken down into too many raw components. I eventually lost the will..
 

IAmRei

Member
I never could clicked with witcher combat

One time, I use mando style combat by utilizing mod such as fire arms and dark souls combat, then add hornless helmet which similar to mando. I think that's how i could play it but yeah, still never finish it.
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I would recommend turning of map question marks. Finding them organically makes the game so much more immersive. Following a question mark versus following some rising smoke or checking an abandoned monster ravaged village is a lot more enjoyable.
My number 1 thing in all of these open world games is trying to shut off as much of the HUD as possible. It makes them so much more enjoyable.
 

RyRy93

Member
I never got much enjoyment out of the combat but the deeper I got into the story the more engaging I found it to be and that’s what sets it apart from all the other big open world games of the last decade with the exception of RDR2 (although that is very limiting from a choice and gameplay perspective).

There are strong points early on but IMO the last quarter of the main story and the DLCs are 10/10.
 

Lokaum D+

Member
i dont recommend TW3, its a really woke game, Geralt is a simp and some sorceress are more powerful than him and u even play as a person that has a vagina at some point, incredible disgusting's, as a "Neogafer" i really wouldn't recommend.
 
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Aces High

Member
I dislike the combat in Witcher 3 a lot.

That's why I played the game on easiest difficulty so I can just experience the story and the world. Still worth every second.

There's addon content called "Blood and Wine" which is absolutely superb. The quality of it can't be overstated. Peak video game craftsmanship.

I get the urge to play it again just by writing about it.
 

James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
I’m in the same boat. I bought it and simply haven’t gotten to it. Maybe this Christmas holiday
On paper, The Witcher 2: Wild Hunt is exactly the type of game that I should love. But I've tried it twice over the years, and spent a few hours with it each time before dropping it. I've chalked it up to simply being the wrong game at the wrong time when I try to play it. I think that I am finally ready to embrace the Wild Hunt that is The Witcher 3.

I intend to play a gritty and surly Geralt. I'll take the snarky replies every chance I get, except with any love interests. I will probably knock the difficulty down, as that's how I enjoy most games these days in my bitter old salty gamer years. I will be playing the PS5 version. I will have to read up on the enhancements and such.

Without spoilers, what tips and tricks can anyone offer? Are there side quests or locations of note that I should make a point to do and see? I'd like to catalogue my progress if my playthrough is interesting and if anyone is keen to read it. Some people enjoy when others experience older or famed games for the first time.

Thank you for reading this, and for offering any help or suggestions. I read them all even if I don't have a reply for all of them. Merry Christmas!

Did you end completing it?

Curious if I should try it for the first time on ps5 pro

Or if it will feel outdated and jank
 
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Trogdor1123

Gold Member
Did you end completing it?

Curious if I should try it for the first time on ps5 pro

Or if it will feel outdated and jank
Honestly, I never got to it. My mother in law was super ill with cancer so we spent a bunch of time with her. She sadly passed last week and we have been dealing with the outcomes.

I still plan on it though!
 

viveks86

Member
Did you end completing it?

Curious if I should try it for the first time on ps5 pro

Or if it will feel outdated and jank
Since you didn’t get the answer you hoped, I’ll pitch in. Playing it almost every day. It’s fantastic on performance mode with a near locked 60 and crisp 4k.

You will have to put up with a little bit of jank and last gen lighting during cut scenes. But it hasn’t aged badly with the new control scheme and is smooth as butter. Have cranked up the difficulty to death march and even the combat, which isn’t the game’s strong point, is quite challenging and fun. Just play with the expectation that it is an old game, like watching a movie from the 90s, and you’ll be fine.

The quests are some of the best ever written. Mundane side missions end with choices that torment you and you would empathize with NPCs, reflect on your personal life and the hardships you have faced and how you often need to choose between bad and worse.

And Gwent on max difficulty is simply sublime once it ramps up. My God I wish a card game like this would exist in real life where we can collect them by traveling the world and competing in real tournaments and challenge random people on the streets. *Chef’s kiss*!

It’s a must play. Games like this come once in a generation.
 
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James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
Since you didn’t get the answer you hoped, I’ll pitch in. Playing it almost every day. It’s fantastic on performance mode with a near locked 60 and crisp 4k.

You will have to put up with a little bit of jank and last gen lighting during cut scenes. But it hasn’t aged badly with the new control scheme and is smooth as butter. Have cranked up the difficulty to death march and even the combat, which isn’t the game’s strong point, is quite challenging and fun. Just play with the expectation that it is an old game, like watching a movie from the 90s, and you’ll be fine.

The quests are some of the best ever written. Mundane side missions end with choices that torment you and you would empathize with NPCs, reflect on your personal life and the hardships you have faced and how you often need to choose between bad and worse.

And Gwent on max difficulty is simply sublime once it ramps up. My God I wish a card game like this would exist in real life where we can collect them by traveling the world and competing in real tournaments and challenge random people on the streets. *Chef’s kiss*!

It’s a must play. Games like this come once in a generation.

Good to know. Still a little worried about the combat :(

Kinda want to try it.. only $10 and probably necessary before Witcher 4
 
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viveks86

Member
Good to know. Still a little worried about the combat :(

Kinda want to try it.. only $10 and probably necessary before Witcher 4
Start 2 saves and spend an hour in white orchard on the easiest and the hardest difficulty and fight some creatures and thugs. If you get a hang of the hardest, it’s the best way to play. Otherwise, just power through on easiest. In either case, make sure the new control scheme is active, where you can cast different signs with L2 button combos. Dodge and parry instead of roll. Parrying creatures was very hard on death march, but dodge was totally manageable. Parrying humans was way too easy as their moves are heavily telegraphed.

I found the new camera angles to be quite limiting and pointless. The old camera looks and works perfectly fine and you get to see more during combat and exploration. Disable fisheye for Witcher sense. And clear out as much clutter from the hud as you are comfortable with. The minimap seemed indispensable, but your mileage may vary with the rest.
 
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Cyberpunkd

Member
The quests are some of the best ever written. Mundane side missions end with choices that torment you and you would empathize with NPCs, reflect on your personal life and the hardships you have faced and how you often need to choose between bad and worse.
I refunded CP2077 yesterday because the quests for me are such a step back from Witcher 3. Or maybe I’m more invested in that world.
 

viveks86

Member
I refunded CP2077 yesterday because the quests for me are such a step back from Witcher 3. Or maybe I’m more invested in that world.
Whoa. That gives your name a whole new layer of meaning now.

Yeah the reviews and impressions never got me as excited for playing that game. But I hear Phantom Liberty seems to be doing more on that front?

Really hope they get their writing mojo back for Witcher 4. The trailer gives me hope.
 
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On paper, The Witcher 2: Wild Hunt is exactly the type of game that I should love. But I've tried it twice over the years, and spent a few hours with it each time before dropping it.
This is why I dont like overrating of games.

Will you give these many chances to something like Redfall??

I enjoyed Payday 3 more than Baldurs Gate 3 last year. Though admittedly, BG3 too is a good game.

As for this game, I finished it. It immerses you with music graphics and writing. If it works for you, thats great.

Rpg mechanics, character building are bad to borderline retarded.

I think its ok. I struggled to finish it. There is no way to make it fun that I could figure out in 50 hrs I played it.
 

Shubh_C63

Member
Turn off button prompt and potions/food prompt from the HUD from bottom left and right.
Turn off Witcher senses being visible in the Minimap.
Made HUD hide during exploration

Playing at a Normal difficulty is a mistake but you can increase it anytime.
Don't run behind Points of Interests too much (like an Assassins Creed map). Play slow and natural.

Been playing it again on PC as I got exhausted by the time I got to last DLC (which people tell me is the best one) on my PS4 years ago.
 

James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
Just booted up Witcher 3 and wow....hard to believe it's a game from 2015???? It looks better than Cyberpunk on PS5 Pro....WTF

Cyberpunk has this awful gritty look to it (FSR I guess). Witcher 3 looks clear, 4K, and beautiful still. Damn. Game holds up well.



don't tell rofif rofif
 
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James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
Since you didn’t get the answer you hoped, I’ll pitch in. Playing it almost every day. It’s fantastic on performance mode with a near locked 60 and crisp 4k.

You will have to put up with a little bit of jank and last gen lighting during cut scenes. But it hasn’t aged badly with the new control scheme and is smooth as butter. Have cranked up the difficulty to death march and even the combat, which isn’t the game’s strong point, is quite challenging and fun. Just play with the expectation that it is an old game, like watching a movie from the 90s, and you’ll be fine.

The quests are some of the best ever written. Mundane side missions end with choices that torment you and you would empathize with NPCs, reflect on your personal life and the hardships you have faced and how you often need to choose between bad and worse.

And Gwent on max difficulty is simply sublime once it ramps up. My God I wish a card game like this would exist in real life where we can collect them by traveling the world and competing in real tournaments and challenge random people on the streets. *Chef’s kiss*!

It’s a must play. Games like this come once in a generation.

Looks amazing on the Pro. Had to choose this over Star Wars for the time being. Feels like a game I need to play just to prepare for Witcher 4. So far, I'm pretty impressed. I dunno, I like this theme more than Cyberpunk. Looks better to somehow (no idea why).
 

viveks86

Member
Looks amazing on the Pro. Had to choose this over Star Wars for the time being. Feels like a game I need to play just to prepare for Witcher 4. So far, I'm pretty impressed. I dunno, I like this theme more than Cyberpunk. Looks better to somehow (no idea why).
I’m glad! What difficulty did you end up choosing and how are you finding the combat?
 

James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
I’m glad! What difficulty did you end up choosing and how are you finding the combat?

Not too bad so far, still very early though. Gotta be honest though I think "normal" is usually the way I like to roll when it comes to difficulty settings for my tastes in general. Don't want it to be a pushover but not intentionally difficult unless I really love the combat. Actually prefer the Souls way of not giving you a choice tbh

The quality of the story/characters is very strong. I'm not a complete Witcher noob since I watched some of the netflix series. But yeah, the vibes are good in this one.
 
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