The Witcher | Official Teaser | Netflix

What streaming devices support Dolby Atmos on this show?
My Amazon 4K Firestick, and my 4K Roku stick didnt have the option, but my HTPC Netflix app and my Panasonic UB420 4K player app both had Atmos option.
 
Went thru all 8 episodes. It wasn't that great.

Story and the characters are boorish. The production values are all over the place. Some great some out right bad.

The time line jumps were horribly done and not needed.

When Cavill is not on screen the show pretty much sucks. He carries the hell out of this.

The sword fights were very well done. NOT the battles. The individual sword fights.

5/10
 
I’ve not read the books, but Cavill matches the Witcher 3 game character well in episode 1. Better than I expected.

Before I called it Cosplay level. I take it back. Cosplay is better than this:

His modern biker fetish studded armor stands out like a shiny sore thumb. Black shiny studded leather is a modern affectation. It was gone in Ep 2, so I hoped they came to their senses, but it was back in all it's shiny bedazled glory in ep 3.

Compared to something where the made at least some token effort to make something tech level, and practically appropriate:
BikerFetish.JPG



Cosplay wins:
t0djN26.jpg
 
Went thru all 8 episodes. It wasn't that great.

Story and the characters are boorish. The production values are all over the place. Some great some out right bad.

The time line jumps were horribly done and not needed.

When Cavill is not on screen the show pretty much sucks. He carries the hell out of this.

The sword fights were very well done. NOT the battles. The individual sword fights.

5/10


Sounds like most current Netflix shows to me. Netflix really has gone to shit in the last couple years.
 
Sounds like most current Netflix shows to me. Netflix really has gone to shit in the last couple years.

Between their poor storylines/production values and the insane catering to LGBTQ+ in almost every new show they make, I finally ended up canceling Netflix for good. It can die in a deep dark hole for all I care. I get far more value out of Prime (which already has better shows) and Hulu.
 
Not growing on me. Not my Geralt (I read all the books).

His costume and wig also look kind of comic-con, Cosplay level.

This is really FAR from LOTR/GOT level stuff.

I thought it got better as it went. The only character off for me was Triss and a bit Ciri.

Overall it felt like the Witcher IMO. I really liked Yennefer. Sometimes felt like it should have been called “Yennefer” rather than “The Witcher”.

I know what you are saying though. It could be better, but also far worse...
 
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Went thru all 8 episodes. It wasn't that great.

Story and the characters are boorish. The production values are all over the place. Some great some out right bad.

The time line jumps were horribly done and not needed.

When Cavill is not on screen the show pretty much sucks. He carries the hell out of this.

The sword fights were very well done. NOT the battles. The individual sword fights.

5/10

Time jumps were a mess, without any explanation. I am confused at times, and I read all the stories. Me: "Hey, didn't she die 3 episodes ago..."

I don't agree on Cavill. He seems most out of place. The queen carried episode 4.

It's above the quality of most Netflix SciFi, and Fantasy genre shows, but that isn't saying much, since some are likely contenders for the worse show of the year ("Another Life").
 
I think both Ciri and Yen were okay picks. For Ciri they have teh same problem as Arya in GoT. The book character is one age but the actress has to be another age (for practicality and of course labor laws) . I wasn't feeling Yen at first but she grew on me after watching a few episodes and I could finally let go of the video game image of Yen (who looked more like Kate Beckinsale)

Geralt might have been a bit too buffed but not bad in the end. I can appreciate Cavills enthusiasm, especially in the dedication to swordfighting (not using stuntguys).

I thought Renfri was awesome.

As for the cosplay vs production - cosplay just has to look good for still photos, it doesn't have to be functional. I'd imagine being able to run, ride a horse and swordfight might have something to do with how the armor ended up looking. So I'll give that a pass. But hopefully it will continue to improve after season one. If they could do it in GoT, I'm sure if the ratings hold, they can do it for the Witcher.
 
As for the cosplay vs production - cosplay just has to look good for still photos, it doesn't have to be functional. I'd imagine being able to run, ride a horse and swordfight might have something to do with how the armor ended up looking. So I'll give that a pass. But hopefully it will continue to improve after season one. If they could do it in GoT, I'm sure if the ratings hold, they can do it for the Witcher.

The shiny black/rhinestone look is not needed for mobility. Cavill looks positively distressed and hampered in his fetish biker gear armor.

For the biggest brawls I remember, the episode 1 marketplace fight, his buiky suit was no where in sight. Ep 2 didn't have that armor at all, Episode 4 big fight, he was again without his armor.

It looks to me like it's a visual and usability failure.
 
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Anyone who watched Netflix and it piqued their interest in the games, now is a great time to buy especially given the Steam sale.

Some may go right to The Witcher 3 (which shakes up the formula considerably in terms of open world etc), but I'd say if you're interested in the world/lore and Geralt's story, its worth playing all 3 games in sequence. Its worth noting that both 2 and 3 allow you to import your finished game save from the previous title so that some decisions you made will have impacts in the next; its similar to Mass Effect series in this regard and just like Mass Effect there are also plenty of pre-fab save files online you can use to import other decisions if you wish.

Those who wish to start with The Witcher 1, I HIGHLY suggest mods. While it varies depending on the particular game, Witcher titles are a little like Elder Scrolls and Fallout in that they can be improved, even on a first playthrough, with certain mods. For instance, for the first game, The Witcher Enhanced Edition Director's Cut, I suggest looking at the mod list at https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/installing-best-mods-for-the-witcher-1-guide/ (you don't have to get all the mods here - you can get them from Nexus or whereever, its just a good list).

For a first playthrough I suggest...

UI category - Rise of the White Wolf Enhanced Edition
Texture/Graphics - Numbers 1 - 11
Bugfixes (Mandatory) - All
Quest fixes/improvements - All
Gameplay - Better Color Coding for Alchemy, Greater Item Stacking Mod (optional),

This will kit you out with a bugfixed, graphically enhanced version of the game that doesn't lose its core feeling, add cheats, or change mechanics significantly. Enjoy!
 
Get yourself the nude patch so the game will be like the show. BOOBS!
Episode 5 was over the top in that regard, IMO. It seemed like a fantasy soft porn and beyond anything the game portrayed, not in a good way. My wife asked me if the show was risqué - after that episode which seemed to have gratuitous nudity I’d have to say absolutely.

I only played the 3rd game. Was Yennifer so focused on chasing a baby in the previous games or books. In game three it was just noted by both they were sterile, and it was more that they lamented but accepted it - IIRC.
 
We watched Ep1 last night. I didn't hate it, which is quite a bit better than I feared.

But, I watched it with the SO who has no familiarity with the books or games at all. That added a different dimension.

> "Milf Guard? They're really being invaded by Milf Guards? Are they looking for more Milfs to guard?"
< "It's Nilfgaard."
> "So, do we get to see the Milfs?"
< sigh. "... probably."
 
Anyone who watched Netflix and it piqued their interest in the games, now is a great time to buy especially given the Steam sale.

Some may go right to The Witcher 3 (which shakes up the formula considerably in terms of open world etc), but I'd say if you're interested in the world/lore and Geralt's story, its worth playing all 3 games in sequence. Its worth noting that both 2 and 3 allow you to import your finished game save from the previous title so that some decisions you made will have impacts in the next; its similar to Mass Effect series in this regard and just like Mass Effect there are also plenty of pre-fab save files online you can use to import other decisions if you wish.

Those who wish to start with The Witcher 1, I HIGHLY suggest mods. While it varies depending on the particular game, Witcher titles are a little like Elder Scrolls and Fallout in that they can be improved, even on a first playthrough, with certain mods. For instance, for the first game, The Witcher Enhanced Edition Director's Cut, I suggest looking at the mod list at https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/installing-best-mods-for-the-witcher-1-guide/ (you don't have to get all the mods here - you can get them from Nexus or whereever, its just a good list).

For a first playthrough I suggest...

UI category - Rise of the White Wolf Enhanced Edition
Texture/Graphics - Numbers 1 - 11
Bugfixes (Mandatory) - All
Quest fixes/improvements - All
Gameplay - Better Color Coding for Alchemy, Greater Item Stacking Mod (optional),

This will kit you out with a bugfixed, graphically enhanced version of the game that doesn't lose its core feeling, add cheats, or change mechanics significantly. Enjoy!


It's also on sale at GOG. GOG is also a CDPR enterprise, so more of the money goes to the actual developer, and bonus it's completely DRM free.
 
Me too

I finished season 1.

The game is better than the show.

Finished it last night. Both the games and the books tell it better. I'll be generous and give it a 6/10. It's more comparable to the old Hercules/Xena shows, than it is to LOTR/GOT/Vikings.

The time jumps were a complete mess of confusion. Most of the stories were butchered summaries that lost much of their essence in the drive to one story per episode.
 
Finished it last night. Both the games and the books tell it better. I'll be generous and give it a 6/10. It's more comparable to the old Hercules/Xena shows, than it is to LOTR/GOT/Vikings.

The time jumps were a complete mess of confusion. Most of the stories were butchered summaries that lost much of their essence in the drive to one story per episode.
I read a quote where the book author expected this to be as big as or bigger than GoT. I haven’t yet watched GoT, but I wouldn’t put Witcher even near the top of streaming series I’ve watched - so I don’t think it’ll get there. I’d probably give the series a C+ or maybe B- on the first season. It wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t epic.
 
Was Yennifer so focused on chasing a baby in the previous games or books. In game three it was just noted by both they were sterile, and it was more that they lamented but accepted it - IIRC.

IIRC yes, in novels Yennefer hated being sterile but by the time Ciri became her and Geralts adopted daughter it mellowed down.
 
I've watched 5 episodes and it's my new favorite show! Everything about it is amazing, the cast, story, action. I'll watch it for a second time when I finish. Makes me want to go try the game now.

And an all new respect for Henry Cavil!

To each his own I guess.
 
The show was so mixed bag. On the other hand it follows the novels rather well. But they really dropped the ball with the time jumps. It was confusing as hell, even when I knew what was going on! Also it has been ages since I read the book (or listened audiobooks) but the way Nilfgaardians used magic was fucking stupid! Was there really in the novels a part where they used their own mages for one-off spells where they essentially turn themselves into firebombs for catapults? Or necromancy where they pretty much sacrifice themselves instead of using the lifeforce of their surroundings, or lesser slaves? Using themselves for one-off spells is both stupid and incredibly wasteful of people who are incredibly powerful. This made me facepalm so hard. And don't get me started on their bulky ballsack armor that does not look functional in the slightest. Well, no armor is functional in this show, swords cut through them like lightsabers. C'mon hollywood, this trope is so done and stupid.

Anyway I digress. Back to the good things. Cavils portrayal of Geralt is excellent. Obviously inspired by the videogames but I would not have it any other way. Also Yennefer was spot of. Triss however is horribly miscast. But then again, probably the best episode of the series is the one with Triss, the famous story with Geralt and the Striga. That episode was awesome! Overall I enjoyed the show, characters and the storyline for the most part, except for the Nilfgaardian parts which I hated every time they were on the screen. I am looking forward to the next season though. Now that we are done with the Last Wish parts maybe the time jumps stop and we get a coherent storyline from episode to episode.
 
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I had to force myself just to make it through two episodes. I can't understand half the shit being said as much of the dialogue is like indistinct mumbling.
 
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...turn up the volume?
Sarcasm or do you really think I am that stupid? Turning up the volume doesn't fix the issue as other dialogue or other sound effects will be extremely too loud. And really no matter how loud I turn it up there is still some dialogue that is just not very coherent.
 
I had to force myself just to make it through two episodes. I can't understand half the shit being said as much of the dialogue is like indistinct mumbling.

An issue with your sound system maybe? I use a simple stereo 2.1 with no center speaker (always hated them anyway) and dialogue is fine on my end.
 
An issue with your sound system maybe? I use a simple stereo 2.1 with no center speaker (always hated them anyway) and dialogue is fine on my end.
If it was a problem on my end then it would be the same issue with all other TV shows and movies and it's not. I hardly ever run into a movie or TV show that has this issue and when I do everyone else I talk to also notice the same thing. And it's not like I only have one TV in my house...
 
If it was a problem on my end then it would be the same issue with all other TV shows and movies and it's not. I hardly ever run into a movie or TV show that has this issue and when I do everyone else I talk to also notice the same thing. And it's not like I only have one TV in my house...

dialogue is occasionally a problem with this show on the Atmos track on my expensive home theater setup. Maybe the stereo track is clearer, I didn't try it but as far as Atmos tracks go, this one is average or below. I found myself turning on subtitles or turning it up too and I have legitimate JBL cinema speakers of the type commercial cinemas use (CBT 70j-1) and a Denon 7200wa flagship AVR that is all calibrated correctly and validated with a calibrated omnimic. Having owned this setup for a couple years and watched a bunch of stuff, I can assure you it isn't the speakers or gear. Some of the dialogue is mixed low, on occassion, not bad, just not a showcase.
 
Hah! :ROFLMAO:

Actually I hope that really is a joke, because if it is not then it makes me feel very depressed and misanthropic again. :inpain:
I don’t know - its anonymous. So probably no one does.
 
Another nitpick about the show. Actually the visuals, HDR quality. I would not go as far as call this fake HDR but it clearly opts to using squashed dynamic range and dulled colors for atmosphere. The visuals of this serie would have worked in SDR easily, maybe even better than HDR. But if you do not want to make use of HDR's real life-like lighting and contrast then why make it HDR in the first place? Content that is clearly SDR but placed in HDR container looks worse than SDR in and SDR out. Sadly I cannot disable HDR in my TV's Netflix app to test how this serie looked in SDR.
 
On the other hand it follows the novels rather well. .

I didn't think so. They used the stories from the books, but they were butchered down to fit in a single episode, and since they throw in Yennifer and Ciri backstory into the episodes as well, even less room was left to tell a credible version of the original stories. Most were nothing but empty summaries devoid of tension and charm.
 
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RanceJustice

I'm looking into the mods you suggested for my first play through of Witcher 1. What about Witcher 2 -- any mods you suggest? I haven't played it either.

(I've already played and loved Witcher 3) but didn't use any mods.
 
I don't know how, cinematographically, you make a telepathic dragon speak - but that wasn't it IMHO. That really wasn't it.
 
RanceJustice

I'm looking into the mods you suggested for my first play through of Witcher 1. What about Witcher 2 -- any mods you suggest? I haven't played it either.

(I've already played and loved Witcher 3) but didn't use any mods.

I'll have to see what's available for Witcher 2 - There are some graphical/function/quality of life overhauls too if I recall, but let me go find the latest versions thereof. Oh by the way - this may not apply to everyone but Witcher 2 is the only version with official Linux support - sadly it is built really, really badly (its kinda like a bundled WINE and was introduced by a third party porter who did a crappy job as opposed to a true port ; some say that's why TW3 didn't get official Linux support. ) ; if you have problems with mods, you may be better off running the Windows version via Proton / or WINE instead - pretty much all 3 Witcher games play flawlessly on Linux that way.

I've not looked into the modding community for Witcher 3 deeply as of yet, as it - by virtue of it being relatively recent and changes to the gameplay dynamic - didn't at the time have the kind of huge overhauls in features that the others did. However, in the years since TW3's release I know there are some graphical upgrades and there may be some more comprehensive overhauls.
 
I'll have to see what's available for Witcher 2 - There are some graphical/function/quality of life overhauls too if I recall, but let me go find the latest versions thereof. Oh by the way - this may not apply to everyone but Witcher 2 is the only version with official Linux support - sadly it is built really, really badly (its kinda like a bundled WINE and was introduced by a third party porter who did a crappy job as opposed to a true port ; some say that's why TW3 didn't get official Linux support. ) ; if you have problems with mods, you may be better off running the Windows version via Proton / or WINE instead - pretty much all 3 Witcher games play flawlessly on Linux that way.

I've not looked into the modding community for Witcher 3 deeply as of yet, as it - by virtue of it being relatively recent and changes to the gameplay dynamic - didn't at the time have the kind of huge overhauls in features that the others did. However, in the years since TW3's release I know there are some graphical upgrades and there may be some more comprehensive overhauls.

BTW - the registration appears broken on that site. I tried to register and it says invalid captcha. Well there is no capcha to use!

https://www.kirmiziperfect.com/downloads/rise-of-the-white-wolf-installer-version/#wpdmregister

I tried to just start the first game without the mods and was greeted to a static background while the cut scenes were going on. Specifically the walls of the Witcher castle. Then thrown into the first combat scene. MAN it looks dated, and point and click on enemies? eewww. I saw you can do a combat mod to make it more like Witcher 3. yes please!
 
The Netflix Witcher felt like too much story and not enough episodes to play them out. I've stopped at episode 5 because it is getting ridiculous. And the stupid Nilf armor, my god, whoever designed them should be removed from show business forever.
 
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