Must read before buying. (A brutally honest review)

[Ronin Ghost]

I"ll make this as Short and Sweet as possible. Or as Long and Sour....as necessary

Right off the bat any gamers who has played gems like "Shadow of Mordor" or the "Arkam Knight" series are going to recognize similar elements this game shares.
Such as "Witch Vision" which highlights items and areas of interest in the game to be investigated.

Blocking and parrying mechanics which are reminiscent of the previously named games.
However this title does not share in any way the fluid and nearly blinding polish the other games have in terms of mechanics and gameplay.
Shadow of Mordor plays like an experience. You block, parry, counterattack and perform killing blows in a manner that allows you to literally take on dozens and dozens of enemies at once. And these enemies are of varying difficulty levels, bosses included.

The Witcher III, well, not so much. Granted the games designed to simulate better games. But in practice its just not fun and fails to emulate the polished combat of other titles.

The first hour in game felt like work. Real work.
While trying to follow after one of the NPC's in the opening movement tutorial, I could not stop myself from falling off ledges, overstepping doorways, and bumping into walls.
Dozens of times I had to retrace my steps because the controls didn't allow a smooth approach to a door, or ledge.
The controls were just simply horrendous.

The same goes for combat. The combat tutorial was a chore. There is zero intuition in terms of parrying or blocking, and any enemy with a modicum of skill will have you backing up and cornered quickly.
Once out in the world and fighting actual monsters, your basically just locking on to them and swinging away with next to zero planning or technique.
Unlike games such as Dark Souls, Shadow of Mordor, Arkam Knight, where you feel like every ounce of combat is a carefully orchestrated chess match and balet combination, The Witcher III is soul less and empty combat.
Unlike games such Assassins Creed, where your movement through the world is amazing and fun, this game feels choppy, annoying and tiring.

Overall, this game is so far a big disappointment.
I've gotten over an hour into and without even mentioning how boring the cinematic scenes are, or how mediocre the Graphics actually are, I would recommend a big fat pass on this title.
Sadly, I'm not sure I can even mount the courage to continue playing past my first hour or so to see if it gets better. Because the flaws I've mentioned are not storytelling flaws, or commentary about the game not being fun due to nothing exciting.
They are issues with game mechanics, and handling which in essence are the cause for the game not being fun, or almost unplayable in my opinion.
Things like poor fighting and movement mechanics don't get better deeper into a game. And about an hour is all I needed. In comparison, Games like Shadow of Mordor, Arkam Knight, Dark Souls, etc... All had me fully entrenched and enjoying every second of combat within the first 10 minutes.

My Breakdown: 1-10 with 10 being best, and 1 worst.

Graphics: 6 (Sometimes the graphics inch up to be amazing, but mostly they're just ok)
Gameplay: 2 (Horrendous controls and combat mechanics)
Sound: 7
Cinematics cutscenes: 4 (They have you looking for the "Skip" icon every time)
Story: 4

Overall Rating: 3 (Because sound doesn't weigh as heavily as gameplay)
Unless your dead set on buying and playing this game I'd say STAY AWAY....

[Morgan]

Escrito originalmente por HaddockA:

I was playing computer games when 95% of you guys weren't even born yet and all I can say that it's an excellent review! Well done! You summed it up perfectly!

Why did you feel the need to state that?

[Markus Kruber]

Escrito originalmente por Morgan:

Escrito originalmente por falcon_x:

Clearly some people are not as open-minded as they claim. It is one person's opinion. He didn't bash the game and he gave his honest opinion. Nothing wrong with that. Unless of course you live in a world where everyone has to think the same as you do or yours begins to fall apart at the seams.

If you’re going to post a review that you claim people "Must read before buying” then it’s a good idea to plays the game for more than an hour. He’s entitled to his opinion but after only an hour his opinion isn’t worth a damn.

It is still his opinion that he find it important for people to read his review before they decide to buy it and that his play time is more than enough to make a review.

If you don't care about his review, move along or tell him in a constructive way why you disagree with him and how he should make a review next time.

[Morgan]

Escrito originalmente por Deathstroke:

Escrito originalmente por Morgan:

If you’re going to post a review that you claim people "Must read before buying” then it’s a good idea to plays the game for more than an hour. He’s entitled to his opinion but after only an hour his opinion isn’t worth a damn.

It is still his opinion that he find it important for people to read his review before they decide to buy it and that his play time is more than enough to make a review.

If you don't care about his review, move along or tell him in a constructive way why you disagree with him and how he should make a review next time.

I know it’s his opinion and it’s still not worth a damn. I have been constructive. I’ve pointed out that you are required to actually play a game before you are able to post an accurate review. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but it is a fallacy that all opinions are valid.

[Chad of Nazareth]

Only problem I have with the game is how sluggish protagonist is when turning around. It feels like there is a invisible pole behind his back that he must go around if you want to turn around.

[Kaledvoulc'h]

Partially agree I would have bumoed all your scores up by a point or 2 except story, can't judge it off of what I played, but going off the other 2 games I feel as if I'll be at least an 8, Not blown away in the little I've played, but not terribly disapointed, worth the $47 I paid for it, not $60. That being said, you lost me as soon as you said you liked Shadow of Mordor.

[Von Pink]

Escrito originalmente por HaddockA:

Oh wait, but we should use a game pad instead?

the game is actually better with kb/m controls, even in the menu screens. the only people who are saying use a gamepad are people that already prefer to use one in the first place.

[Sludge]

I can appreciate an honest review but this seems a bit harsh. You shouldn't give up on this game so easily. Try using a controller! You might not want to but it looks like your main complaint is the controls. You spent $60 on this game, maybe more. Is it really worth throwing away that money because you don't like using a controller? Personally, I don't mind the K/M controls even though they are a little clunky. I imagine once I get used to the controls Geralts movement will be more fluid. I honestly suggest you try a controller so you didn't spend $60 on a desktop icon.

[Medwynd]

Escrito originalmente por FroBodine:

Sheesh! This guy/gal writes an honest and competent review of the game, and he/she gets called a whiny troll? I have not played the game, but a three seems rather low to me. But, it certainly is not a troll thread.

Man, Steam forums suck sometimes!

You know someone can be honest and wrong, they aren't mutually exclusive.

[Sikotic]

Movement and combat is crap in this game, almost a dealbreaker, atleast with xbox controller. Considered avoiding creatures to avoid fights... Can only pray for a fix of sorts.

[supertrooper225]

Escrito originalmente por Sikotic:

Movement and combat is crap in this game, almost a dealbreaker, atleast with xbox controller. Considered avoiding creatures to avoid fights... Can only pray for a fix of sorts.

BS...get beyond the first couple of fights.

[undefined]

You're brave, I'll give you that. This is one of those franchises that people will savagely defend any criticism of. It's one thing to get mostly positive reviews from the professional critics, that happens often and we all know how that racket works, but for a game to have such a rabid following is rare indeed. The Elder Scrolls, Call of Duty, Halo, or maybe Bioshock come to mind as well. Generally prepare to be personally attacked if you have any even legitimate complaints.

I hated the second one and it looks like they didn't improve on anything I took issue with - though why would they? This is what sells. http://chrishecker.com/The_Dysfunctional_Three-Way

Good luck!

[supertrooper225]

Escrito originalmente por Hadley:

You're brave, I'll give you that. This is one of those franchises that people will savagely defend any criticism of. It's one thing to get mostly positive reviews from the professional critics, that happens often and we all know how that racket works, but for a game to have such a rabid following is rare indeed. The Elder Scrolls, Call of Duty, Halo, or maybe Bioshock come to mind as well. Generally prepare to be personally attacked if you have any even legitimate complaints.

I hated the first one and it looks like they didn't improve on anything I took issue with - though why would they? This is what sells. http://chrishecker.com/The_Dysfunctional_Three-Way

Good luck!

From the first game? The combat system is totally different and there are tons and tons of improvements. Look... if a ton of people like something and YOU don't. Maybe that is because YOU have a quirk instead of the massive group of people you disagree with.

[izotron]

Escrito originalmente por Ronin Ghost:

I"ll make this as Short and Sweet as possible. Or as Long and Sour....as necessary

Right off the bat any gamers who has played gems like "Shadow of Mordor" or the "Arkam Knight" series are going to recognize similar elements this game shares.
Such as "Witch Vision" which highlights items and areas of interest in the game to be investigated.

Blocking and parrying mechanics which are reminiscent of the previously named games.
However this title does not share in any way the fluid and nearly blinding polish the other games have in terms of mechanics and gameplay.
Shadow of Mordor plays like an experience. You block, parry, counterattack and perform killing blows in a manner that allows you to literally take on dozens and dozens of enemies at once. And these enemies are of varying difficulty levels, bosses included.

The Witcher III, well, not so much. Granted the games designed to simulate better games. But in practice its just not fun and fails to emulate the polished combat of other titles.

The first hour in game felt like work. Real work.
While trying to follow after one of the NPC's in the opening movement tutorial, I could not stop myself from falling off ledges, overstepping doorways, and bumping into walls.
Dozens of times I had to retrace my steps because the controls didn't allow a smooth approach to a door, or ledge.
The controls were just simply horrendous.

The same goes for combat. The combat tutorial was a chore. There is zero intuition in terms of parrying or blocking, and any enemy with a modicum of skill will have you backing up and cornered quickly.
Once out in the world and fighting actual monsters, your basically just locking on to them and swinging away with next to zero planning or technique.
Unlike games such as Dark Souls, Shadow of Mordor, Arkam Knight, where you feel like every ounce of combat is a carefully orchestrated chess match and balet combination, The Witcher III is soul less and empty combat.
Unlike games such Assassins Creed, where your movement through the world is amazing and fun, this game feels choppy, annoying and tiring.

Overall, this game is so far a big disappointment.
I've gotten over an hour into and without even mentioning how boring the cinematic scenes are, or how mediocre the Graphics actually are, I would recommend a big fat pass on this title.
Sadly, I'm not sure I can even mount the courage to continue playing past my first hour or so to see if it gets better. Because the flaws I've mentioned are not storytelling flaws, or commentary about the game not being fun due to nothing exciting.
They are issues with game mechanics, and handling which in essence are the cause for the game not being fun, or almost unplayable in my opinion.
Things like poor fighting and movement mechanics don't get better deeper into a game. And about an hour is all I needed. In comparison, Games like Shadow of Mordor, Arkam Knight, Dark Souls, etc... All had me fully entrenched and enjoying every second of combat within the first 10 minutes.

My Breakdown: 1-10 with 10 being best, and 1 worst.

Graphics: 6 (Sometimes the graphics inch up to be amazing, but mostly they're just ok)
Gameplay: 2 (Horrendous controls and combat mechanics)
Sound: 7
Cinematics cutscenes: 4 (They have you looking for the "Skip" icon every time)
Story: 4

Overall Rating: 3 (Because sound doesn't weigh as heavily as gameplay)
Unless your dead set on buying and playing this game I'd say STAY AWAY....

Nice bait, a absolutely love how you compare it to pure thrash games.

you could be a little bit less obvious.

but I see you managed trigger a few people.

[O]

So you're telling me The Witcher series is emulating popular titles released after The Witcher 1 and 2 which had similar mechanics to the third unsurprisingly. Righty-o then.

Furthermore just how long have you played for ? It's only been released for 19 hours odd and you're reviewing it ?

[kaffekoppen]

Combat tends to feel terrible to me for the first few levels of RPGs, so it's too early for me to tell how much I like the combat system. I do find the controls a little weird, and I have had issues just going through doorways because of Geralt's absolutely huge turning circle.

Overall my impression has been positive. The controls have been a minor negative, and the durability system is probably the only thing I really hate about the game. Very few games manage to make weapon and item degradation an enjoyable features, and so far I have to say that I don't think TW3 is an exception.

Say I'm going somewhere to finish a quest that potentially involves a tough fight. Now I'm unlikely to go off the beaten path and explore a bit because it'll dull my weapons and they'll potentially even break before the quest is done. In addition, repairs cost more than I make killing things so far. Really hoping it gets better.