Very early impressions: (not having played other Witcher games)
The combat doesn't bother me at all. It is unusual and unnecessary, but it doesn't really hamper the experience. It is mechanically shallow, and too easy, but that is offset by other aspects of gameplay which keeps the experience fresh.
The story begins in a bizarre way, as if the game itself is also a sequel, and it doesn't really bother to explain much to the player. The only saving grace is that Geralt himself has amnesia, so he's as confused as the player. Unfortunately, he doesn't ask a lot qu- well... he does ask a lot of questions, but he doesn't ask the important ones, imo. He's too aloof, which doesn't help with the player's confusion in the world.
Thankfully, it doesn't get long for you get your bearings if you can withstand this strange alien world long enough. The game does through off the deep end, but you slowly learn how to swim.
The only thing I could tangibly feel being bad and even annoying to an extent is the voice acting; but... even that is charming to an extent in retrospect. It just clashes with the actually good writing of the dialogues. A lot of the jank clashes with what the game is trying to go for quite often, in fact. Random cut-scenes in middle of a wholly different scene, important things randomly happening without much ceremony, complete lack of facial expressions... they're not deal breakers, but they do induce a couple of "wtf"s here and there.
But it's definitely a good game overall. No reason not to play it and skip over to Witcher 2. Just remember its release date and set your expectations accordingly. And try to get past the awfully boring opening. It'll get better once you're set free into the world.
The combat doesn't bother me at all. It is unusual and unnecessary, but it doesn't really hamper the experience. It is mechanically shallow, and too easy, but that is offset by other aspects of gameplay which keeps the experience fresh.
The story begins in a bizarre way, as if the game itself is also a sequel, and it doesn't really bother to explain much to the player. The only saving grace is that Geralt himself has amnesia, so he's as confused as the player. Unfortunately, he doesn't ask a lot qu- well... he does ask a lot of questions, but he doesn't ask the important ones, imo. He's too aloof, which doesn't help with the player's confusion in the world.
Thankfully, it doesn't get long for you get your bearings if you can withstand this strange alien world long enough. The game does through off the deep end, but you slowly learn how to swim.
The only thing I could tangibly feel being bad and even annoying to an extent is the voice acting; but... even that is charming to an extent in retrospect. It just clashes with the actually good writing of the dialogues. A lot of the jank clashes with what the game is trying to go for quite often, in fact. Random cut-scenes in middle of a wholly different scene, important things randomly happening without much ceremony, complete lack of facial expressions... they're not deal breakers, but they do induce a couple of "wtf"s here and there.
But it's definitely a good game overall. No reason not to play it and skip over to Witcher 2. Just remember its release date and set your expectations accordingly. And try to get past the awfully boring opening. It'll get better once you're set free into the world.