This review contains spoilers
Witcher 3 really is an amazing game so close to perfection but has a few flaws that prevent it from reaching its potential (this review isn't taking into account dlc).
The immersions of this game is really impressive and arguably the best of any game I have played. Playing this game with a headset on and really getting immersed drastically increased my enjoyment of the game. The environments all felt very real, ranging from bustling cities, lowly villages, to the middle of the forest, it really felt like I was Geralt traveling around and seeing the different parts of the world and events unfolding within them.
The game also treated your decisions seriously and your choices had a very clear impact on the world around you. The choices you are forced to make are usually morally grey and tackle adult subjects, which further enhances immersion and forces the player to truly think about the choices they make throughout their journey, and put into question both Geralts and the players morals. And this persists not only for major main plot moments, but even on smaller side quests that may not even impact any bigger aspect of the game.
These more realistic and adult choices and ideas extend to almost all the characters in the game. They don't really follow a typical stereotypical role and all characters have their own wants, goals, and desires that feel real and authentic.
The first fault of the game is a very weak main villain. I do love the visual design of all of the Wild Hunt, however they really were not fleshed out at all, especially Eredin who feels like a generic big bad evil guy. People who have read the books are aware they are just elves, but in the books Eredin is fleshed out and has personal goals and motives for his decisions and hunt for Ciri, but for some reason the game doesnt really touch on them despite them being not only the big bad of this game but all the games really. The last act of the game felt quite rushed, I dont know if there was some push from production to finisht he game quickly but a longer third act that fleshed out the big members of the Wild Hunt more would have gone a very long way. As it stands I often forget Eredin is the main villain and primarily remember more minor villains from the game such as the Barron and the Witches of the Bog.
Another weaker aspect of the game is some of its gameplay mechanics. It is all still passable but for a game where you play as a monster slayer for hire, I wish the game had some more in depth combat mechanics and gone deeper with learning about what monster you are hunting and how to combat it. I do appriciate the different build routes you can take Geralt, but overall the combat is very simple and one dimensional. As for the monster hunting part, there really isnt a need to learn what monster you are hunting and prepare as your specialized potions get refilled for free as long as you have alcohol in your inventory which is extremely easy to get. Even if there was a set of side quest missions for bigger more dangerous foes would have gone a long way. Where the monster you are hunting is more dangerous or a mystery and so you can go out and do some research and some bigger prep if you want to have an easier time to take on the foe, alongside help build immersion of being a Witcher which use different tools depending on what foe they are hunting.
Despite those flaws, The Witcher 3 is an extremely well made game that is very easy to get lost in due to the more real and adult themes and sheer size and quality of the game.
The immersions of this game is really impressive and arguably the best of any game I have played. Playing this game with a headset on and really getting immersed drastically increased my enjoyment of the game. The environments all felt very real, ranging from bustling cities, lowly villages, to the middle of the forest, it really felt like I was Geralt traveling around and seeing the different parts of the world and events unfolding within them.
The game also treated your decisions seriously and your choices had a very clear impact on the world around you. The choices you are forced to make are usually morally grey and tackle adult subjects, which further enhances immersion and forces the player to truly think about the choices they make throughout their journey, and put into question both Geralts and the players morals. And this persists not only for major main plot moments, but even on smaller side quests that may not even impact any bigger aspect of the game.
These more realistic and adult choices and ideas extend to almost all the characters in the game. They don't really follow a typical stereotypical role and all characters have their own wants, goals, and desires that feel real and authentic.
The first fault of the game is a very weak main villain. I do love the visual design of all of the Wild Hunt, however they really were not fleshed out at all, especially Eredin who feels like a generic big bad evil guy. People who have read the books are aware they are just elves, but in the books Eredin is fleshed out and has personal goals and motives for his decisions and hunt for Ciri, but for some reason the game doesnt really touch on them despite them being not only the big bad of this game but all the games really. The last act of the game felt quite rushed, I dont know if there was some push from production to finisht he game quickly but a longer third act that fleshed out the big members of the Wild Hunt more would have gone a very long way. As it stands I often forget Eredin is the main villain and primarily remember more minor villains from the game such as the Barron and the Witches of the Bog.
Another weaker aspect of the game is some of its gameplay mechanics. It is all still passable but for a game where you play as a monster slayer for hire, I wish the game had some more in depth combat mechanics and gone deeper with learning about what monster you are hunting and how to combat it. I do appriciate the different build routes you can take Geralt, but overall the combat is very simple and one dimensional. As for the monster hunting part, there really isnt a need to learn what monster you are hunting and prepare as your specialized potions get refilled for free as long as you have alcohol in your inventory which is extremely easy to get. Even if there was a set of side quest missions for bigger more dangerous foes would have gone a long way. Where the monster you are hunting is more dangerous or a mystery and so you can go out and do some research and some bigger prep if you want to have an easier time to take on the foe, alongside help build immersion of being a Witcher which use different tools depending on what foe they are hunting.
Despite those flaws, The Witcher 3 is an extremely well made game that is very easy to get lost in due to the more real and adult themes and sheer size and quality of the game.