Why does it feel like this game starts AFTER the beginning?

[Coltraz]

I'm fresh off The Witcher 1.

We open with Geralt's dream of running through the woods after some explanation of the assassination attempt on Foltest, and that some war's going on.

Then Geralt is a prisoner, and taken by someone who he knows, but who I have no idea, to get interrogated. I can choose three dialogue options, none of which make sense because I don't know what's going on, but I choose the first one about getting summoned by the king.

Now Geralt awakes in a bed with Triss. Next dialogue option is about the war...

I can either choose something like “there are no wise wars” - something the Geralt I'm RPing would not say as I'm trying to be Lawful Evil like I was in TW1. The other option is to say the war is a lover's spat. I don't know what that means. Nowhere have I learned that the war is based on a lover's spat. So how can I say that? I do anyways because it's the lesser of two bad options.

Next dialogue choice includes, “A scout reported seeing a dragon.” Geralt launches into a story about a dragon and bowing elves – I didn't see any of that. The game just began, this is the first scene. I didn't see any dragons, I didn't hear anyone's report of any dragons. I don't know what Geralt is talking about or why it's assumed I know anything about this up to this point...

I then went on to chat with three gentleman who Geralt forgets but once knew—I'm relying on memory here but they talked a long, long time about a bunch of things and I didn't understand a word of it. I think I left them with a quest, but I don't know what they were talking about.

It felt like I should.

Am I missing something?? Is the beginning of the game supposed to be this confusing? I realise it must be setting up the plot but it has an odd way of doing so because I feel like I somehow missed the actual beginning of this game.

EDIT Oh crap I forgot the worst part (restarting now)

I talk to "Temerian recruit" and can say "Job done." Geralt says he killed a cockatrice like he was asked. WTF? The game just started!!! I didn't take on any jobs or kill anything!

[adnoam]

The game starts with Geralt in prison. During his interrogation he explains what happened that day and you get to relive (and play) this in his flashbacks.

You, the player, are not supposed to know what happened (yet). You're supposed to relive it. Geralt of course knows what happened, which is why yet get certain dialogue options. You (the player) learn about what happened via those dialogue options.

For example, Geralt knows that a scout saw a dragon, so this is a dialogue option. If you choose it, you (the player) will learn more about it. If you choose another, you'll learn something else.

Regarding the three mercenaries - remember that Geralt has lost his memory. These are characters he's met before and doesn't remember (so the player and Geralt are both in the dark when talking with them). They do, optionally, give you a side quest (you can track all open quests in your journal, and you'll find more info there).

Regarding the Temerian recruit, I'm pretty sure this is a follow up to events in the first Witcher game and you only encounter this if you start with an imported saved game file from the first game.

[Coltraz]

Thanks for the explanation. I restarted the game since I felt so lost and it made a little more sense. I don't think, personally, dialogue options should be used that way and I found it really confusing. But actually I brought up the journal and read all the entries and it really helped to fill me in on what is going on.

I did start with an imported save but I don't remember picking up a kill a cockatrice quest in 1 that wasn't turned in til now... oh well.

thanks again!

[Rodso]

that recruit is there even if you dont import a witcher 1 save

[Coltraz]

Originally posted by Rodso:

that recruit is there even if you dont import a witcher 1 save

Well, I guess he's just there to give you some money for something Geralt did offscreen before the game. I found it terribly confusing though.

[Manax]

and if you want the answer to the question what happened you have to finish the game. it will all be explained

[Rodso]

Originally posted by Coltraz:

Originally posted by Rodso:

that recruit is there even if you dont import a witcher 1 save

Well, I guess he's just there to give you some money for something Geralt did offscreen before the game. I found it terribly confusing though.

i never got any money from him