The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings ann.

Won the game this morning.
I'd definitely say my earlier suspicion was right - the game gets easier as you go.
Early on you're fighting the same enemies that you're facing at the end of the game...only you're like 20x stronger this time. I remember thinking the early portion of the game was a bit frustrating, but I pretty much cruised through the last 2/3.
Other than the optional fight in Chapter 3 (no spoiler), I had more trouble with the early Nekker caves and Asylum than anything else.
Quen is definitely abusable and well worth powering up as soon as you can if you're not much for swordplay and blocking.

I really had a good time, though. It might be the best looking game out there right now. It's one of those situations where I'd love to see the game with next-gen hardware just to see everything with the details maxed, view distance on far, vsync on, etc. just to see how great it can actually be.
 
Shouldn't you be able to max everything, using rig in your sig, except ubersampling? Ubersampling is not really an "eye popping" difference from what I've seen.
 
I can max things out in theory, but the FPS are seriously inconsistent and it drives me up the wall to go from 60 to 20 fps randomly. Plus, I refuse to play without vsync. Image tearing is a massive no-no for me.
To get a constant never-dropping 60 FPS with vsync I dropped my resolution to 1366x768, kept the draw distance and lights/shadows at "normal."
 
Great game with some faults here and there. Big bonus for having 2 almost completely different storylines that split off from chapter 1, currently I`m playing second one and it is pretty cool how you see things unfolding from different angle. There are also lots of optional decisions that affect later game and even TW1 savegame introduces some encounters.

Combat is tad easy but there is a new difficulty mode in next big patch coming. Still, even if your Geralt is tough as nails if you get swamped by half a dozen guys from all directions it gets hard as you run out of vigor to parry. :D Golems have iffy hit detection which is a problem when they hit you like a freight train. It looks like actual arms of those things reach further than graphics indicate.

Bad things include sluggish mouse, somewhat clumsy inventory and occasional trouble at picking up things, especially near some other objects you can interact with. Another bad thing was that if you do certain choices early on you miss on getting +50 on your carry weight which is a big boost. On the other hand it is cool that Geralt gets all sorts of perks depending on how he solves problems.

Graphics are awesome with reasonable realistic-looking characters. Atmosphere is pretty close to Stalker games with graphics mods at times.
 
just finished first play thru and the ame was goo but it does end faster then you would like at end.

Max setting 1920x1200 minus ubersampling with system in sig.

Looking forward to laying again with 2.0 patch gonna play a darker storyline.

The game has so many obvious set decisions for witcher 3 looking forward to it.
 
One of best looking game in a long time. I am surprised my rig (i5 2500k 4.8Ghz + HD 5850 975Mhz) can run this with everything ultra except uber & DOF almost always above 60fps @ 1680x1050. The geometry details on the terrain, rocks and walls are beautifully done. The fact that this game can look so good and run so well on DX9 really puts into question the need for DX11.
 
If someone is interested into business side of gaming TW2 total shipments of boxed copies up to 30.06 and digital sales up to today reached 960k so far (and still counting) while CDP made already around 4 milions of profit on this game.
 
I'll really hope that the big patch does something with the inventory system.
I know there are mods for it...but why should that be necessary?
With all of the different formulas, diagrams, ingredients, etc. the inability to sort things and the weird left and right panes really do need a fair amount of work.
The other things I'd fix would be the difficulty scaling (the beginning enemies are the same as the end ones) and the bizarre lack of money in chapter 3. For anyone playing now - get as much $ as you can in chapter 2 or be ready to scrounge and sell heavy ingredients over and over!
 
One of best looking game in a long time. I am surprised my rig (i5 2500k 4.8Ghz + HD 5850 975Mhz) can run this with everything ultra except uber & DOF almost always above 60fps @ 1680x1050. The geometry details on the terrain, rocks and walls are beautifully done. The fact that this game can look so good and run so well on DX9 really puts into question the need for DX11.

Yeah really, the only real way for DX11 to shine is if the game is built for it from the ground up (i.e. Battlefield 3). Otherwise, DX9 Witcher 2 is by far the best looking game on the PC.

Still think it's weird that [H] would rather cover console ports with DX11 effects bolted on than this game, but oh well.
 
Yeah really, the only real way for DX11 to shine is if the game is built for it from the ground up (i.e. Battlefield 3). Otherwise, DX9 Witcher 2 is by far the best looking game on the PC.

Still think it's weird that [H] would rather cover console ports with DX11 effects bolted on than this game, but oh well.

Well sure Dx11 will shine if "built from the ground up". And we know this for sure because there has been a game in existance that demonstrates it? Or is it based on marketing bulletpoint made up by Microsoft/ Amd/ Dice? We have been saying this for 2 years. My guess is by the time a ground up dx11 game appear we would be looking at Dx12.

And yes it is sad [H]ardocp only test DX11 games now.
 
I thought I'd fire this up and finally give it a test drive, and was baffled and pissed when I found that the only way to change key bindings was via ini file edit.

At least the option is there, but it's going to be a pain in the ass to get everything mapped the way I want it.

Note to game developers: Fifteen percent of your customer base is LEFT HANDED. :rolleyes:
 
I thought I'd fire this up and finally give it a test drive, and was baffled and pissed when I found that the only way to change key bindings was via ini file edit.

At least the option is there, but it's going to be a pain in the ass to get everything mapped the way I want it.

Note to game developers: Fifteen percent of your customer base is LEFT HANDED. :rolleyes:

There is a setup button on the launcher. Change your keybinding there.
 
There is a setup button on the launcher. Change your keybinding there.

Last I checked (played a few months ago) I had to do 90% of my keybindings via the ini file because the launcher config just wouldn't allow it. Maybe they'll fix that in the 2.0 release.
 
Last I checked (played a few months ago) I had to do 90% of my keybindings via the ini file because the launcher config just wouldn't allow it. Maybe they'll fix that in the 2.0 release.

Check again, one of the latest patches helped this immensly.
 
CD Projekt Red does a great job with the games, but I wish they'd focus more on polishing the little things. I wouldn't have cared if the game looked as good as it did or not if the controls and inventory and such had been flawless. The Witcher 1 didn't look amazing but it was still a good game, and given the criticism they garnered over bad controls and inventory in the first one you'd think they would make sure to nail them the second time out (even if they did do better from the start there is still room for improvement).
 
Actually, I felt the inventory in the first game was quite good. I'tll be interesting to see what changes in the 2.0 patch.
 
Check again, one of the latest patches helped this immensly.

I tried that and didn't have an option to set key bindings in the launcher menu or the ingame menu.

I'll get through it eventually because Geralt is the baddest of badasses, but generally speaking, it's a pain in the ass to screw around with halfassed keymappings. As an example, DX:HR won't recognize the numpad enter key, and loads of games don't recognize when the mouse buttons are swapped.
 
Actually, I felt the inventory in the first game was quite good. I'tll be interesting to see what changes in the 2.0 patch.

Ditto. I liked the inventory system in the first game.
This one had the weird two-pane system where you had to toggle between the two in a very odd way. Not to mention the complete lack of sorting options in spite of having boatloads of misc. trash you had to collect for recipes and diagrams.
My only real complaints about the Witcher 2 involve the inventory and uneven difficulty.
 
I tried that and didn't have an option to set key bindings in the launcher menu or the ingame menu.

I'll get through it eventually because Geralt is the baddest of badasses, but generally speaking, it's a pain in the ass to screw around with halfassed keymappings. As an example, DX:HR won't recognize the numpad enter key, and loads of games don't recognize when the mouse buttons are swapped.

One of the things that pisses me off the most. Why can't I bind whatever I want to whatever key I want? Nonsense.
 
I tried that and didn't have an option to set key bindings in the launcher menu or the ingame menu.

I'll get through it eventually because Geralt is the baddest of badasses, but generally speaking, it's a pain in the ass to screw around with halfassed keymappings. As an example, DX:HR won't recognize the numpad enter key, and loads of games don't recognize when the mouse buttons are swapped.

You couldn't bind any keys at all, or a specific set? There is a keybinding menu in the launcher, but it might be limited in scope. I was able to get my preferred keys set for my 2nd playthrough, but the first one, prepatched, I was pretty much forced into WASD.
 
Evidently I bought this game on DVD at some point in the long forgotten past, and assumed it was on Steam. :rolleyes: Fail!

Now I can't login to register/patch the game. Ugh. At least the worst case scenario is reregistering using a different e-mail account (the 'forgot password' feature doesn't work.)
 
So you have the game on DVD? Can't you just download the patches from CDProjekt's website and then fire the game up? I don't recall having to run it through Steam.
 
One of the best things about this game is the sound...holy cow it's awesome. Running it in 5.1 is beâ͙̲͓̣̟̠̩̹̞͈͙̪͚͑̐̇̈ͨ̉̑ͣ̉͒ͥ͒̑̍ͭ̓̚͢͟͝utiful.
 
Just finished the game, but I've already started my second play through. So much I missed based upon my choices, gotta love a game like that.

It really helped wash the disgusting taste of Dragon Age II from my mouth. What an outstanding game.
 
Major new changes and content. :D

The Witcher Version 2.0

CD Projekt said:
Patch notes

Numerous improvements have been made in the targeting system.
Parrying is now unlimited (even when Vigor is completely depleted), though parries no longer cancel all damage (maximum 50% reduction once the relevant ability has been acquired).
Responsiveness of game controls has been improved. This includes but is not limited to casting Signs, parrying, and attacking immediately after evading an opponent’s assault.
Geralt’s attacks are no longer interrupted by attacking opponents. Attacks are now contiguous and foes cannot interrupt Geralt’s attacks by landing a blow.
Assorted fixes now prevent opponents from incessantly attacking Geralt after he has been knocked down. Geralt can no longer be knocked down repeatedly in quick succession. Also, he rises quickly while evading subsequent attacks.
Geralt no longer attacks opponents located behind other opponents positioned nearer to him.
The target locking system has been improved. Preference is now given to previously highlighted targets.
Target selection has been improved. Priority is now given to foes affected by a critical effect facilitating the completion of a finishing move.
The additional two steps Geralt took after mounting an attack with the W, S, A or D key depressed have been eliminated.
Attacks can now be continued even when a key controlling Geralt’s movement (e.g. W, S, A, D) is depressed.
Attacks can now be continued if the attack key is depressed immediately after the final strike of an attack animation sequence.
Geralt can now pivot 180 degrees immediately after completing an attack.
Assorted problems with key responsiveness have been resolved. Keys no longer need to be depressed twice or more to trigger a given action.
A distance attack problem has been resolved. Geralt now mounts distance attacks (lunge with sword in hand in the Fast style) when opponents were located at a suitable distance from him.

Other corrections and amendments:

Casting several bombs no longer blocks further inputs.
An option has been added to the configuration tool enabling aspect ratio to be set independently of resolution.
The amount of disk space required for game patching has been reduced.
The loading of selected Witcher 1 game saves no longer causes the game to crash.
A greater number of monsters now appear in the cave leading to Loc Muinne.
Improvements have been made in the manner in which monsters are spawned in the mist in Chapter 2.
The visual effect accompanying Adrenaline use no longer disappears prematurely.
Archers now draw their swords more quickly when Geralt approaches.
Mages no longer automatically cast shield spells when Geralt casts daggers at them.
The game is now paused when Geralt executes a finishing move in combat.
The troll in Chapter 2 has been corrected. Previously, in some circumstances he could not be attacked.
Physics on cast daggers have been improved.
The site for aiming daggers is now more visible.
Geralt’s animation when he dies while casting the Axii Sign has been corrected.
An exploit in the fight against Letho has been eliminated. Previously, this foe could be killed by casting bombs in quick succession.
An exploit related to the ‘Insane’ difficulty setting has been eliminated. Previously, game saves could be loaded with difficulty set to this level, which was contrary to design intentions.
Camera positioning/operation has been corrected during the boss fight against the kayran.
Camera control via gamepads has been improved.
Assorted adjustments have been made in mutagen statistics.
The ‘Junk’ filter in the Inventory has been adjusted to provide for correct item filtering.
In the Inventory, the dialogue window warning of prohibited actions has been corrected.
Assorted corrections have been introduced to the mini-map in Chapter 1.
Audio balance throughout the game has been adjusted.
Erratic character teleportation in mini–games has been eliminated.
Assorted adjustments have been made in animations applying to nekkers.
A minor bug in the “Scent of Incense” quest has been resolved.
Numerous minor fixes have been introduced in character lip-sync throughout the game.
 
Sounds easier. I hope it isn't, otherwise I'll have to play on ironman or "Dark" exclusively.
 
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