Should I set to lowest difficulty?

[Xarovin]

I'm definitely not starting 3 without playing through 2 again (now that I actually own it on steam), but I've gathered that while 1 is not vital to play before 2, it's still worth it.

I tried starting last year and got really bored during the tutorial, and I've read that the combat is a bit boring and is the main downside of the game. If I set it to lowest difficulty and breeze through the game just for the story, am I missing out at all?

[Zidex]

Nah, the combat is not that good. You should play this game just for the story! :)

[Deroo85]

Originally posted by Obliterator2:

I'm definitely not starting 3 without playing through 2 again (now that I actually own it on steam), but I've gathered that while 1 is not vital to play before 2, it's still worth it.



I tried starting last year and got really bored during the tutorial, and I've read that the combat is a bit boring and is the main downside of the game. If I set it to lowest difficulty and breeze through the game just for the story, am I missing out at all?

I think it is. It is probably my favourite one so far, although 3 comes close. If they hadn't of dumbed down 3 in some respects and made a couple of QOL changes it would be perfect (it can be modded though to make changes)

Nope, while I personally enjoyed the combat of one, I can see why others don't. There is a combat mod though (can't say i've used it personally)

I would say the first couple of hours is a bit of a bore, and I like you didn't really enjoy the tutorial, but once I got through that and started to gel with the combat system I really enjoyed myself.

[Shepard-Commander]

Originally posted by Zidex:

Nah, the combat is not that good. You should play this game just for the story! :)

Amen and +1 to this.

Even though it tries to capture the actual swordfighting resembling real life, for some people it's just mindless clicking and it feels strange until you get used to it. After a while, quirks and all, it actually gets you on. Who said fighting for your life had to be beautiful or look awesome?

It's the story the thing that makes everything in this game, bugs and performance issues included) still worth while.

If you've already played W2, I'd understand your rush to go to Wild Hunt. Playing it on easy makes everything much choir-oriented, but allows you to pay closer attention to plot development that, let me tell you, few games have it crafted that masterfully and lasting so many hours.

If you enjoyed the thing on Easy you can always restart on Medium, which is just right for every purpose.
Go for it and good luck on the Path! Greetings!

[Coldsnaps]

I would say play it on hard. If you actually learn to like the combat it can be oddly fun. Plus, it gives you a reason to do everything and feel like you're being challenged the whole way though. I tried on normal first, and I stopped playing after 10 or so hours because I was just running around spaming attacks with no thought, but once I restarted on hard, I haven't been able to put it down. It really does make every little thing better. Heck even the story seemed fresher with harder difficulty.

[⛥ ⌁⌁L⁕ꝉ⁜ϾH ⌁⌁]

the animations of combat are way better than most games. Saying it's not good when most games have cheesy 1 click snap moves that have 1 cheap animation is a bit much. The combat is more flexible than other games which are just button spamming.

[Coldsnaps]

Originally posted by --s..Lich..s--:

the animations of combat are way better than most games. Saying it's not good when most games have cheesy 1 click snap moves that have 1 cheap animation is a bit much. The combat is more flexible than other games which are just button spamming.

I agree. It is different from many games, but more fun than any other RPG I've played so far.

[ChiliOil]

I'm blazing through it on hard and the only difficult part about it is Chapter I. Chapter II is a bit of a grind and chapter III is when it really opens up. If you hoard alchemy ingredients, get all the bestiary stuff, and keep a cocktail of potions on you at all times, to be used as needed w/ atleast one "Panic Button" for when ♥♥♥♥ hits the fan, you'll do fine.

The combat is more tactical and less action-packed. It feels like a quick time event w/ potions and stances mixed in, but some people like it (or you'll get used to it.) I don't think you'd miss anything on easy, but Hard is definitely the way I think it's ment to be played.

[N'wah]

The combat isn't really all that challenging on hard (later in the game), and doesn't make that much of a difference - except maybe make the playthrough a few hours longer. If you're just in it for the story, you might as well pick easy. There's nothing stopping you from playing through it on hard at a later point anyway.

[Dragoon]

Play it on Hard, the combat is worthwhile on Hard difficulty, it also makes you prioritize talents into must have skills while leveling, it forces you to use alchemy, potions, oils etc. Hard makes you actually feel like a Witcher.

[⛥ ⌁⌁L⁕ꝉ⁜ϾH ⌁⌁]

Originally posted by Dragoon:

Play it on Hard, the combat is worthwhile on Hard difficulty, it also makes you prioritize talents into must have skills while leveling, it forces you to use alchemy, potions, oils etc. Hard makes you actually feel like a Witcher.

It's hard to tell what abilities are useless.....

[Zombie Lenin]

Just to see the story, yeah play on easy with liberal use of fire spells.

[Coldsnaps]

Originally posted by --s..Lich..s--:

Originally posted by Dragoon:

Play it on Hard, the combat is worthwhile on Hard difficulty, it also makes you prioritize talents into must have skills while leveling, it forces you to use alchemy, potions, oils etc. Hard makes you actually feel like a Witcher.

It's hard to tell what abilities are useless.....

Ard (the knockback one, however it's spelled) is your best friend and allows for easy kills, even on some boss characters. The others, I haven't gotten much use out of, but fire can be useful.

[SirPhineasTinklebot]

I through this game about a month ago on the hardest difficulty.

Don't play on the highest difficulty.

I chose the highest difficulty so I can get the "full experience", using potions and oils for every fight, preparing and stuff like that. Unfortunately, the game uses some animations that are lengthy and can COMPLETELY screw you over during a fight. I.E the animation for "pain" causes Geralt to stand still and groan for a good 5 seconds, and in that time the enemy can completely tear you a new one.

Play on the easiest difficulty if you value your hair, sanity, and keyboard.

[Xarovin]

Originally posted by Dragoon:

Play it on Hard, the combat is worthwhile on Hard difficulty, it also makes you prioritize talents into must have skills while leveling, it forces you to use alchemy, potions, oils etc. Hard makes you actually feel like a Witcher.

I've been reading the replies and will probably stick to easy (also thanks for all the replies), especially since I was almost ready to skip this game, but from what I've heard the story is worth it. Though I gotta say in terms of your comment, I really dislike being forced to use items just to be at the level the game needs you to be, so imo that'd be a reason not to play hard lol.

Like with Splinter Cell for example which I'm going through on the realistic difficulty, I'm avoiding relying on gadgets, since it's designed in a way you don't need to use them. If the idea was you were forced to use them and had to do it sparingly, it'd just be tedious and take the fun out of the better designed parts (same thing with certain MMOs requiring a million temporary buffs to do high level stuff, that's just bad design if everyone needs the same stuff) :P

[Dragoon]

Originally posted by Obliterator2:

Originally posted by Dragoon:

Play it on Hard, the combat is worthwhile on Hard difficulty, it also makes you prioritize talents into must have skills while leveling, it forces you to use alchemy, potions, oils etc. Hard makes you actually feel like a Witcher.

I've been reading the replies and will probably stick to easy (also thanks for all the replies), especially since I was almost ready to skip this game, but from what I've heard the story is worth it. Though I gotta say in terms of your comment, I really dislike being forced to use items just to be at the level the game needs you to be, so imo that'd be a reason not to play hard lol.

Like with Splinter Cell for example which I'm going through on the realistic difficulty, I'm avoiding relying on gadgets, since it's designed in a way you don't need to use them. If the idea was you were forced to use them and had to do it sparingly, it'd just be tedious and take the fun out of the better designed parts (same thing with certain MMOs requiring a million temporary buffs to do high level stuff, that's just bad design if everyone needs the same stuff) :P

I understand being forced to use items is a turn off, but in the Witcher it is somewhat different. Alchemy is a mechanic only really usefull in Hard difficulty. A witcher uses alchemy and potions/bombs/oils to be able to combat monsters. A witcher brews potions, to gain the right alchemical substances you are gathering herbs and extracting ingredients from monsters. It all becomes very mundane on lower difficulty , you dont have to use alchemy at all in easy / normal if you level smart. There is no reason to loot and pick ingredients, there is no reason to pop the right potions, there is no need to read the bestiary etc. But I understand, if you just want to enjoy the story, by all means play on easy, dialogue and the story will flow better. But for other people reading this, if you really want to play the game and use all the mecahnics, play on hard.