When the original Witcher game arrived on PC in 2007 it received positive praise as critics considered it one of the deeper and more immersive RPG’s of that time. In 2011 The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings arrived again on PC and it also did well with critics as well as in the sales department, not to mention it contained a fantastically well written storyline. A little less than a year later, The Witcher franchise finally makes its way onto the Xbox 360 in the form of an “enhanced edition”. Titled The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings – Enhanced Edition, this game not only delivers the experience PC gamers had the opportunity to play last year but it also includes over four hours of new content, gameplay and story elements. So how does the Xbox 360 version of the popular PC RPG game from last year play out on the Xbox 360? Read on to find out.
In The Witcher 2 you take on the role of Geralt, a professional monster slayer known as a Witcher. He is one of the few remaining Witchers who, at a very young age, was genetically enhanced and trained to fight monsters. He also has special powers, but more on this later. In terms of the plotline, Geralt finds himself caught in political turmoil in the Kingdom of Temeria. Much of this turmoil is due to his helping squash the rebellion undertaken by the Order of the Flaming Rose. Complicating things further Geralt also helped protect the Kings life from a Witcher-like assassin. Someone in this land of chaos and war is hunting for crowned heads and Geralt is caught in the middle. There is much more to it than that but that is the story in a nutshell.
Overall, this is certainly one of the better RPG storylines I have had the opportunity to play. It is not so much how the story is told but it is the sheer amount of depth and attention to detail. It is a well-written tale that leaves you wanting more. There is a connection with the main character unlike I have experienced in an RPG before. I also found that it is a game where I did not want to skip any of the character dialogue I encountered in this gigantic world. As you play you are forced to make decisions but none of the decisions come easy as you start to care for the characters and the surrounding world. You will be torn as you face serious dilemmas time after time. It is these moral decisions that really add to the experience, but none of this would be important if it not for the wonderfully written storyline.
One of the things that really impressed me about the game is the opening four-minute CGI intro. It is simply stunning and it is hard to take your eyes off the screen. The visuals are remarkable and the production value is top notch. This intro partially explains a good chunk of the game’s main plotline while delivering a four-minute unforgettable experience. It is raw and brutal but at the same time is very artistic and stylish. I certainly won’t forget this intro anytime soon as it sets the perfect mood and atmosphere as you embark on your journey.
One of the fantastic little aspects of the Witcher 2, which is exclusive to the Enhanced Edition, is the slick little tutorial that gradually introduces you to the games story, controls, and gameplay elements. This is perfect not only for fans of the franchise but also for those who are new to RPG games. It is one of the more involved and deeper tutorials I have experienced in a game. Right off the hop you are introduced to the game’s basic controls, attacks, inventory panels, quick selection menu, game interface, quest tab, meditation and map panel. You are also intro introduced to the character traits, gameplay dialogues, magic, bombs, traps, potions, character advancement, etc. Yes, it is that overwhelming and I was simply stunned by the level of depth to the tutorial mode. The game does not gradually introduce you to all the elements either. In other words, you are not introduced to the games meditation aspects after 1 or 2-hours into the game but rather you are introduced quite quickly. Once you have completed the game’s tutorial you are good to go as the game will have introduced you to nearly all aspects that you will need for your adventure. Now it is just a matter of collecting, battling baddies, chatting with other characters and taking the unforgettable journey that is Witcher 2.
Right away you can tell Witcher 2 is geared for the more hardcore RPG gamer. It is certainly much more involved than Skyrim. Granted, it does not have the same open world concept as Skyrim, nor is Witcher 2 accessible to a wider audience of gamers. Rather, Witcher 2 is deep, unforgiving, and makes no apologies for its depth and complexity. For instance, you not only have to use potions in the game but also know what ingredients you need to mix the “perfect” potion. The attention to detail in unreal and something Xbox 360 have yet to experience. I was simply amazed with how much developers were able to jam pack into this game given the limitations of the Xbox 360 hardware. Granted it comes in 2 disks, and it is highly recommended that you install the game to your hard drive, but regardless it is impressive nonetheless.
After you have completed the game’s tutorial mode, the game actually recommends the level of difficulty you should play. This is determined with how well you completed the game’s several objectives that are completed in the tutorial mode. In addition to your standard level of difficulties, this Xbox 360 version also includes a “Dark Mode”, which is an extreme difficulty level. This is clearly geared for the true hardcore fans of the series as well for those gamers looking for a punishing experience. I lasted all of about 10-minutes in this mode before I had to bump the difficulty back down.
Much like other RPG’s on the market, Witcher 2’s gameplay consists of your standard combat with heavy and light attacks. The combat system is fairly smooth as the game utilized a lock on targeting system. The controls are relatively easy to pick up and taking down opponents is rewarding. This being said, it is critical that you become familiar with the quick selection menu, your inventory panel, and employing the basic signs. Geralt uses five basic signs that perform a variety of functions. For instance, the Aard Sign sends a telekinetic wave that can throw back, knock down or stun an opponent. The Axil Sign is a charm that is placed on your opponent, and if successful the enemy will become your ally for a short while. Apart from the Signs, Geralt also has access to bombs and daggers that allow him to attack at a distance great then what a sword’s blade allows. He can also place traps on the ground. Needless to say, Witcher 2 offers up a good amount of variety when it comes to attacking all the enemies you will encounter in this world.
In addition to the game’s varied combat, you also have to perform a number of other functions in the game. Whether it be tracking down an item, finding some ingredients to mix a health potion, or hunting down a beast in stealth-like fashion, Witcher 2 offers up a massive amount of variety making this world feel real and the characters feel very human.
Overall, the games visuals are fantastic. The world in Witcher 2 is rich and wonderfully detailed. The game’s cut-scenes truly shine and rival any other triple A title already on the market. Not much is lost when transitioning from cut-scene to in-game play either. Everything from the character animations to the impressively detailed environments, Witcher 2 is a game that pays very close attention to every last detail in the visuals department. Sound wise, Witcher 2 is a fantastic sounding game, and much like the visuals not much is overlooked. Everything from owls hooting in the midst of a forest to Geralt’s dialogue, the sounds in the game are quite good. The sound effects are particularly noteworthy as the attention to detail is remarkable and brilliant.
Overall, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings – Enhanced Edition for the Xbox 360 is a must own title for any serious RPG fan looking for an experience that rivals any of the best RPG’s that have come before it. The timing its release is perfect as those gamers who have had enough of Skyrim or Kingdoms of Amalur should not even hesitate to pick this one up. Witcher 2 is a game that is unforgiving at times but in the end is a game that is hard to put down as the wonderfully told story keeps you coming back for more.
