The Witcher: Enhanced Edition

If you can get over the fighting mechanics and are willing to install a few mods, this game is just good as TW3: A very well written main story, many interesting side quests, large open world, nice music, choices that influence the world. Recommended mods: Rise of the White Wolf, Witcher 3 Character Faces by Hiuuz, Perfect Blood, Sound & Texture Overhaul

My suggestion for The Witcher, if it is not quite what you are looking for at first, wait until you play the second chapter a bit, since it opens up a lot more at that point, not unlike other Witcher games. Be sure to check out the high quality mods for this game to help it into the 2020s, if you are not simply wanting a vintage experience. Upscale mod cut scenes alone are nice. I enjoy playing this type of game on PC using a controller. This game is not designed nor does this one on GOG support this. I used AntiMicroX to assign the keyboard/mouse to an xbox controller on the PC, worked great. Give it a try if you are a controller person, and this is a hurdle for this game. AntiMicroX is on github.

While it has it's flaws (the collectibles.... the combat system) I still enjoyed the story, atmosphere, world building and overal writing a lot. I think it's still worth to star the Witcher game series with this title and not the third.

If you love Witcher 3 like I do then you probably will like this game, you must be patient with it however, but for Witcher 3 fans it's a recommend from me. Following are a few strengths and weaknesses in random order: + The game ran well for an older title, it did freeze and exit a few times so save frequently and the frame rate was stable most of the time. + The story is solid overall + Music is very enjoyable It would fit in Witcher 3 in my opinion! + Environmental graphics are surprisingly quite pretty (2007) - Combat is strange at first but you get used to it, be patient! It can be quite satisfying seeing Geralt spin about and do kicks and spins! - Bit of a walking simulator at times, use the zoomed out view and just click is my advice + Levelling feels rewarding and I think is well thought out - Boss fights are a bit crap -Side quests are pretty average, collecting the "love" cards is fun :P + The extras that come with the game are quite cool I don't plan on playing the remaster as they will probably gut and simplify this title to appeal to "modern audiences". If you love Witcher 3 give this one a fair go it will surprise you as it did me, thanks for reading.

So you’ve heard of the masterpiece called Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. You learn of the trilogy but then Witcher 1 and Witcher 2 are quite ancient. You don’t want to grind through these old ass games to craft your own Witcher story. I am hoping this review will prove to you otherwise and encourage you to play through Witcher 1. Pros of chugging through Witcher 1: Mysterious hints of Geralt’s clouded past Clues about Elder Blood and its source Whispers of the White Frost To Destiny or not to Destiny, that is the question Up to 3 encounters with the King of the Wild Hunt That Witcher 3 Sword of Destiny trailer will start making sense Gain a good idea of who and what Triss is; motives, personality, character attributes etc. Careful gentlemen, of who you choose in Witcher 3. Cut through hyped advertising in trailers to understand what a Witcher truly is Choices have consequences. Fantastic butterfly effect of actions and consequences Rhythm like combat, unique to only this game in the trilogy Identify the root of all the evil, pain and suffering in that world Discussion about the role of Witchers and whether they are needed Knowledge will serve you well in Witcher 2 and 3 Cons of grinding through Witcher 1: Very long game, overstays its welcome May as well rename the game shortcut to Witcher 1: Backtrack of Destiny Completely unfun for about 75% of the game (without mods) Mandatory seggs, it's inescapable. I had to actually work extra hard to keep Geralt celibate Story pacing seems disjointed Many many fetch quests flavoured as Witcher contracts Annoying limited inventory and storage access Vague upgrading system Absolute grind and cumbersome game without mods 25 holes, 1 pole Advice for Witcher 1: Cheat! Yes, go ahead. All you need here are the story context and save file to import to Witcher 2 Mods list: Book of all Knowledge, Faster movement, Item stacking, Plentiful herbs, All talent points, broken quest bug fixes Overall Score: 4/5 with mods || 2/5 without mods