This is exactly the same impression I got after a couple of hours of play (still at the prologue, only had one combat yet). Still I don't think that it is going to kill the game. All the kids enjoy adult content too, even if they are legally not allowed to play it. It's just us old school players who thought they could enjoy a nice RPG, that keep getting frustrated about this. Guess I shouldn't have bought the game but rather just watched some playthrough on youtube. That would be more satisfactory for me.

I thought it was buggy too originally, but it actually isn't. Usually if you press E and it doesn't parry, it's because you don't have any Vigor left. If you have no Vigor you CANNOT PARRY. The button won't do anything when you're sitting at 0 Vigor.

Later on, once you get the talent that your Parries don't cost as much I think this won't be as bad.

I tend to agree that the combat is a little too hard at the beginning, simply because if you get surrounded you either have to run or use a bomb of some sort. Those are the only counters. Even if there are 2 enemies fighting you at once, if you try to parry and counter the other enemy will typically hit you (this is especially noticeable with something like wraiths which hit faster).

It would have been nice if they gave you a basic "group attack" starting out, as they seem to give later in the sword fighting tree (I haven't gotten there yet, though).

I couldn't disagree more, I think this game has the best combat in any RPG ever, other than maybe Demon's Souls. It actually takes strategy and makes you think and prepare, while still being action packed, I really don't think they could have done any better. The difficulty is spot on for normal imo, if you're having trouble, thats what easy mode is for.

You're right, out of combat. But if you want to use potion like Sallow to increase health regeneration during combat, and have a use of witcher alchemy abilities, you will feel a bit frustrated.

practice makes perfect! haha if you can't master this game's combat, you might have problem with Skyrim's combat also.

raises the question of... why does it cost vigour?

seems silly to leave us defenceless after 2 blocks.

and maybe you will never get the group attack seeing as there are other options

I totally agree with you. After dieing a few times I quickly learned to use every thing a my disposal. Hell if I could have Triss summon a kitchen sink, I'd throw that at them too

Well, I like the combat in the original and this game, but they are different. W2 combat is a lot less forgiving - you just can't ignore enemies on your flanks and back like you could in W1.

The combat is more difficult, but seems grittier and more realistic to me. When fighting a mob I really have to work at not getting surrounded, and isolating enemies from one another so I can whittle them down. Maybe as my Witcher levels up I can face mobs without having to use such strategies, I don't know. For now, since my character is just starting out (he's 7th now), this feels right.

I agree that it's a bit harsh at the start. You block twice and have to run. At the same time, I can understand the need for some limit, because otherwise you could just sit there and parry every single attack, which is also a bit unrealistic.

well i dont see what wrong with blocking all day long but putting vigour to use in counters would be nicer

maybe have a new bar added. like a endurance meter just for blocking. when that runs out you are open for attack for a second so you have to play smart. while counters still take vigor

People are struggling to come to grips with this combat system. I absolutely love it, it feels dynamic, fluid and is very fun. I'm playing through the game on hard, and its great. You need to use tactics, potions, traps, magic, everything you can at your disposal to win a difficult fight.

It's quite irritating to see that some people are calling the combat system 'broken' when they've barely been playing it for a few hours, or haven't put the effort into learning. This is not a mash-attack-until-win combat system. Or, if you really suck at the combat, move it to easy, thats why the difficulty changer is there.

not broken at all.

just i think the block can be handled better

Couldn't disagree more.

Haven't had this much fun getting my arse kicked in a loooong time. This combat system feels like you need skill to be good, using everything at your disposal to defeat enemies - well it feels that way on HARD anyways.

but should it be that way for the given difficulty?

im not saying it is not im just aking

Absolutely agree. Why do we even need the retarded parrying if we can't use it? I mean the ONLY way to actually play the game right now is: Shield+roll. And that's easy and boring. I suppose that upgrading would fix it, but's still annoying!