The Witcher (PC RPG)

[rk47]

I just trashed my old system and got a new one to play it. With 8600GT it's pretty smooth with the Grass effect turned off, but I've got an audio issue. It starts fine but as I played it, it gets progressively worse with skipping and crackles when sounds are played. I'm not sure what's the problem here, I'm using an onboard audio card (RealTek HD Audio) and updated the driver to the ones they hosted on their website, tried turning off Hardware Acceleration in dxdiag, but still no dice, sound keeps popping and crackling.

anyone know any fix for this?

[Riggswolfe]

I'm using an onboard audio card (RealTek HD Audio)

Not to be a smart ass but the fix is to put in a real soundcard. This onboard shit usually sucks.

[rk47]

I shdn't have trashed my old Sb audigy...   

[Signe]

You might be right.  Sorry.     All sorts of goofy things like that were happening to me, too, in games until I bought a sound card.  I don't listen to music much with this computer so I basically threw in what you trashed and haven't had a problem since.

[UnSub]

Can anyone confirm that Australia is getting the international version? Witcher has been rated MA15+ for

Rating Advice: Strong violence, sex scene and drug references

which would seem to indicate an uncensored version was coming out. However my search-fu is weak, I am tired and would like to know for sure.

[taolurker]

Lots of stuff in the US edition is getting censored. I'm buying the US edition and acquiring the British one. Because let's be fair, tits.

This censor shit pisses me off. If I got the British one would it work on my computer? I guess I'd need a region free DVD player or something. Is there a list of what's getting censored?

I wonder if those cards will end up censored in America. I know I'm gonna get razzed but those were more tasteful than I thought and actually pretty decent artwork.

Hmmm....

Any comprehensive lists of what the differences between the versions are?

I happened to stumble across exactly the information all of you were seeking, in a post on the IGDA forums about this game. The post is by Sande Chen, one of the producers:

Apparently, there's not much censorship overall on the U.S. version and ppl are buying the UK version mainly b/c it came out first and maybe out of principle.

The ppl who've seen the ROW=Rest of World version think the art is not lewd and point out that it might be appropriate for a dryad to be nude. The changes to the U.S. version affects 2 NPCs, 1 monster and the collectible cards mini-game.

[MrHat]

To what extent?

[Riggswolfe]

If I had to guess I'd say they put bikinis tops on some of them like in the Gothic games.

[raydeen]

I like to think that some enterprising hacker(s) will figure out what needs to be patched and bring the uncensored version out of the product being sold in the U.S. Normally, companies don't take the time to actually re-work the assets (although the cards are probably edited), they just throw an extra texture on. Anyone remember Giants: Citizen Kabuto? One small patch to a file was all it took to get Delphi's top off. And Oblivion as well. Somebody will poke their nose in and figure it out.

[UnSub]

I like to think that some enterprising hacker(s) will figure out what needs to be patched and bring the uncensored version out of the product being sold in the U.S. Normally, companies don't take the time to actually re-work the assets (although the cards are probably edited), they just throw an extra texture on. Anyone remember Giants: Citizen Kabuto? One small patch to a file was all it took to get Delphi's top off. And Oblivion as well. Somebody will poke their nose in and figure it out.

That change got Oblivion recalled though.

I'm waiting for the penny to drop on The Witcher as someone tells the media that their sons or daughters might be playing a game that isn't Puritan Happy Fun World.

[rk47]

http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots.x?gallery=8544&id=108103
  they took away the nipples

[Riggswolfe]

I paid extra for my nipples damn it. Long live Britain! when they're doing bad things to the Irish and Scottish

[Sky]

Got the international version via download. Worth a few extra bucks imo, though the 5.6GB download was tedious. I took a nap. I don't normally buy downloads, but for some reason getting it shipped here was becoming troublesome, so fuck it.

Really enjoying the game, I'm thinking this might replace Gothic as my favorite rpg right now (especially since Gothic 3 was meh). The bewbs are fun, but they actually make the game a bit more believable. I mean, what's more motivation, doing something for a pat on the back or for the charms of the local brothel?

Great graphics and style, great setting. I like the way it's 'gritty', though I dislike that terminology. The character is slightly more believable a hero than the normal guy who does good things just because that's how he's written. And there's a bit of an Elric 007 vibe going on, too.

[Mazakiel]

Where's a good place to buy and download the international version?  Direct2drive didn't seem to have any version of the game. 

Edit:  So, apparently it was as simple as checking out the official web page.  Go me. 

[rk47]

I just finished chapter 2. LONG game. They're not kidding when they said it's a 50 hour game. 
A little bugs on combat here n there but overall nothing serious to deprive me of my enjoyment. The lack of dialogue skills may seem like an issue, but it never preached itself to be a customizable character like Fallout.

 I percieve it as a hybrid of Diablo and Baldur's Gate with some 'dirty' aspects in the medieval setting. Two thumbs up for CD Projekt imo.

[murdoc]

I don't get the boobs issue. There's been a few games with boobs quite prominent, most notibly God of War. Why is it such a no-no for this game?

[NiX]

International Developer?

[Morfiend]

I bought my copy from Gogamer.com, they had the international version for $2 more than the normal one. It shipped today.

[Riggswolfe]

I don't get the boobs issue. There's been a few games with boobs quite prominent, most notibly God of War. Why is it such a no-no for this game?

I don't know. I can't help thinknig back to me trying to buy one of those Japanese Hentai games and being told they no longer ship to my state. Perhaps there is a perception that the U.S. is tightening up on "immoral" things in gaming, like nipples.

[Morfiend]

If I am going to pay for a game, I want the whole fucking thing. Not some watered down version thats what some religious nut *thinks* is ok for me to see.

Game arrived today. Ill start it later.

[Samwise]

My uncensored copy is on its way.  TAKE THAT, PURITAN AMERICA!

[rk47]

Man, just finished it. Good stuff. 1.5 chapters of boredom followed by 3.5 of awesomeness. They really did what Obsidian couldn't do with Aurora engine, make a believable city that has day and night cycle and fluid movements in and out of combat. And the cinematic is top notch, Blizzard-shiny standard! Plenty of plot twists and even a teaser ending. I hope they can keep this up, there's some rough edges on the translation and slight bugs. A little optimization on the loading times and it could turn out to be a classic series.

I'mma take a break and prepare for work next week.  Good weekend spent!

[Mazakiel]

I'm loving the game so far.  Fun combat, though it takes a little getting used to, and while it is a little slow to get going, great story.  The only problem is the occasional crash, and sometimes you have to run around to get an enemy  to change position so that they can be targeted instead of just vainly running into them.  My only real complaint is that for whatever reason, the plant/vine monster is a bitch to get an attack to go through because it has no target ring that shows up, and the spot I choose to click on will stop working, even though the plant hasn't moved.  Because it can't move and all.  Makes fighting them alot harder than it should be. 

Also, one thing I noticed is that with at least one quest, you have to actually check your log to 'notice' that someone made off with the item in your possession before the option to ask about it shows up in conversation. 

[Sky]

Wow, I've been playing what I consider to be a LOT of the Witcher, and I just got to Chapter 3. Chapter 2 was long as hell, though I guess I do play a bit slowly.

I agree the biggest negative is the loading times, or more correctly the save time. Loads aren't actually too bad but the autosaves are killers.

The plant/vine things were really fucking me over early on with their projectiles, but then they got real easy. Not sure if it was my talent choices or what. You get no target ring, but with the ability to pause and rotate the camera, getting shots in on them shouldn't be too tough. I did notice attacking from pause is very buggy, I'd say over half the time it doesn't carry out the action you attempt, but once I got used to it everything works ok.

Maybe you're using the wrong attack style/weapon? Both are critical. Sometimes if it seems like I can't attack, even though I'm using a correct style and weapon, I cast a quick spell and then I can attack again (whether it's a bug or the knockback from my spell broke the combat lock, I don't know).

I should really open the manual at some point :)

[Mazakiel]

Well, the normal green ones aren't so bad, once you figure out how to fight them, like you mention.  The ones currently kicking my ass are the red ones in the swamp.  Even deflecting a decent amount of their projectile attacks (Yay arrow deflect talent), I'm getting torn to shreds.  Maybe I should play dice to get the money for the upgraded armor or something, because I'm taking hits for 40 damage a swipe, and they attack fast.  I'll probably just have to run in and out, using a Swallow potion.  Downside of that is, running away, the projectiles always hit, and those are for like 20 damage.  I'll figure it out, only problem is I don't look forward to doing it over and over.  There definitely seems to be alot of them in the swamp. 

Really, the target problem with them is the killer.  I can knock them down with Aird, but they're up before I can get an attack to even try to work.  Maybe a patch'll fix that up. 

[Sky]

Hmm. I just cleared the swamp yesterday. Like I said, they started out tough and then I just steamrolled them. I never bought any new armor, heck, I haven't even upgraded my weapons because I can't figure out how (again, need to rtfm, which I haven't cracked open yet). I do apply whet or grind stones before heading out to chop things up. I'm using the witcher silver sword you get at the start of chapter 2 and the named blade you get near the end of chapter 2 (replacing my blue meteorite sword), so nothing too fancy. I also don't remember too many, I ran away from a couple (when they were destroying me), then finally killed one (for a quest) and never saw another.

I use fire spells, might be more effective against them, too. Make sure to buy up all the books you can, especially if you plan on doing alchemy. The journal in this game is a bit cumbersome, but very useful.

[Morfiend]

I haven't even upgraded my weapons because I can't figure out how ....my blue meteorite sword

As far as I can tell buying the Meteoric Sword IS upgrading your sword. I had 2 blue runes, and 1 red and it gave me one sword option to "buy". I bought another blue rune and all of a sudden there is 2 options to buy.

[Mazakiel]

Yeah, that threw me at first.  They call it reforging, and act like it's using the starting sword, but it's just getting a new sword.  I have a Witcher sword in the inn bank now that I had the blue sword made.  I thought of selling it, but it seems like something you wouldn't want to sell.

[Samwise]

My import version of this just arrived.  Now I have to decide whether to play it now or to finish Sam and Max Season 1 first.   

[Mazakiel]

Once you start, be prepared to be sucked in pretty hard.  I spent most the weekend playing, and I'm only partway through chapter 2.  Granted, I've been exploring every nook and cranny.  Even then, I know of two or three things I missed out on that I'd rather not have. 

[Murgos]

Peer.pressure++; 

[Big Gulp]

My only real complaint is that for whatever reason, the plant/vine monster is a bitch to get an attack to go through because it has no target ring that shows up, and the spot I choose to click on will stop working, even though the plant hasn't moved.

Use your sign against it and then you can run in and go combo-happy with the sword.

Yeah, I've been trying to come up with a strip idea for this one, but besides the game's name (which has already been done by PA) I'm coming up with nothing.  Other than that, great game.  They made it sort of Diablo-like while removing all the shit I didn't like about Diablo.

[Riggswolfe]

Once you start, be prepared to be sucked in pretty hard.  I spent most the weekend playing, and I'm only partway through chapter 2.  Granted, I've been exploring every nook and cranny.  Even then, I know of two or three things I missed out on that I'd rather not have. 

I'm a completist which means I'm being very obsessive about finding the trading cards. I'm only in Chapter 1 and to my knowledge have found the 3 there. I'm loving the game so far. It started a bit slow but is good otherwise.

My only real complaint is that I get sick of the camera rocking in OTS mode. It's kind of annoying and distracting, but OTS mode is also my preferred mode so I deal with it.

[Sky]

Don't think this is a spoiler, let me know if it is and I'll shrink it. Zomg the teleporter Kalkstein throws together is wicked.

Did a little of Chap3 last night, also cleaned up a couple things from Chap2. Really like the characters in this one. I like when a game makes me want to influence characters, like Siegfreid...great character and I just want to convince him he's allied with some wackos. I'll probably end up opposed to him because ultimately I think I'll side with the non-humans if it comes down to it.

OTS camera is the only way imo. I was looking at some screenshots from the new NWN2 game/expansion/whatever and Obsidian needs to pack it in. CDProjekt just embarassed them imo.

On swords: meteorite swords are new swords. You also get runes, some of which seem temporary and some permanent, that you can put on your sword somehow to enhance it. I just can't figure out how :) Just got my third red meteorite last night and decided it wasn't quite enough to upgrade the named sword I got (which I can never remember the name of).

[Riggswolfe]

OTS camera is the only way imo. I was looking at some screenshots from the new NWN2 game/expansion/whatever and Obsidian needs to pack it in. CDProjekt just embarassed them imo.

I agree. I just wish I had an option to turn off that rocking motion. It gets really annoying and is the number one thing that keeps me from playing the game for ridiculous amounts of time.