The Witcher

The whispers of misty fog recall a long-lost time when witchers were the protectors of the people, but since the time of the Great War, the mystical monster slayers all but vanished. And there was one among that elite class, the White Wolf, powerful and fearless. His name was Geralt, of Rivia.

Five years have passed since the Great War, and a man named Lambert finds a white-headed man wandering the wilderness, stumbling actually until the darkness of unconsciousness claims him. He is carefully picked up and taken to the ruins of a citadel, called Kaer Morhen. A handful of witchers are there, practicing.

The white-haired man is Geralt, but he has lost his memory. He finds himself in a camp with young and old. The young abound with enthusiasm; the old, bearing the scars of years fighting the abominations of the land, carry a certain weariness as easily as they carry their swords. And then there is Triss, the sorceress.

Before things can go too much further, the camp is attacked by brigands, and a mage guiding a giant insect-like beast known as a frightener. Another mage, along with a known criminal mage known as The Professor, are using the attack as a diversion to head to the witcher’s lab beneath the citadel. They seek mutagens, a source of mysticism that allows the witchers to take on certain attributes.

The Witcher is a PC role-playing title from Atari and CD Projekt, based upon the writings of Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. This is an adult-themed game, not only in the combat, but as Geralt, you will have the opportunity to bed winsome lasses you meet. This is a point driven home right at the beginning when dialogue choices allow you to bed Triss. There will be other women and Geralt can be a bit randy, if you play him that way.

Atari sent along preview code for the game and while there were a few bugs, including one that crashed the game in the middle of combat in a cave, chances are these will be out of the game when it releases.

This is a deep role-playing experience, but to understand the game, you need time and this game should give players plenty of reason to explore its depths.

The combat is compelling and does not require much thought, though there are three difficulty settings that do come into play in terms of the game’s challenge. The game has two ways of moving and controlling your character – there is a straight mouse option and a keyboard-mouse combination. In the latter, you move using the WASD keys and can strafe in combat. To enter combat, you simply left click on a target. When engaged in combat, when the sword icon looks like it is on fire, you left click to unleash a combo. But that is only part of the witcher’s abilities. He also has mage abilities, and you will unlock them as you adventure. The first one you get is Aard, which is a telekinetic push. The signs are attached to the number keys. You key in the one you wish to use and then right click to use that skill. With Aard, you can knock down opponents and perform a finishing move, rather than engage in a prolonged combat with them. Also, different opponents require different combat styles. There are two main ones – strong attack and quick attacks. You simply pause the game (using the space bar) and then select which attack you will utilize.

There are two methods of viewing the game, and these can be switched back and forth at your discretion. There is the isometric view and over-the-shoulder view as well. It is important to note that the game does have a targeting system, of sorts. You have to face the way you are fighting or casting, and if you use a spell, you have to click on the target of that spell in order to hit it.

Like most RPGs, you can loot and store items in your inventory, which is important when you are entering the alchemic aspect of the game. The witcher can brew potions, and can experiment with the potions he brews.

During the course of the game, you will undertake the main story thread, which will lead you into side quests as well. After the prologue, which serves mostly as a tutorial (though you will run up against some challenging foes), you enter Chapter One. This takes place in a small village, one that you get very acquainted with as you run fetch quests and kill quests. These are important as they allow you to level up and increase your skills. The interface will allow you to track the quests, using the mini map to help guide you in the right direction.

The sound of the game is very solid. The voice acting is a little understated at times, but the music and ambient sounds are on the mark. Graphically, the game shines. There are some minor clipping issues with the preview code, and you will have a time working the movement in the over-the-shoulder mode as what you perceive to be straight ahead may be off on a bit of an angle. The lighting effects and spell effects are well done. The environmental textures are also nicely rendered. There are some invisible barriers that will prevent you from traversing the world freely, though. For example, you can’t wade or swim across water and if the quest lies on the other side, chances are there is a way around. 

The game has five chapters and three possible endings. It did seem, at times, to advance one quest you needed to achieve success in others. You can save at any juncture and this is wise. Die and the game will reset to the last checkpoint, which may be on the other side of a cut scene.

The Witcher is shaping up to be a wonderful and robust adventure that truly shows what PC RPG gaming is all about. Rated M, it is slated to hit retail shelves at the end of the month.