The world, exquisitely detailed in the books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski that The Witcher is based on, hangs together well enough to make the plotting of the various factions and nations fascinating. The tale is a thick web of politics, magic, love, and revenge that weaves interesting characters around historic events that could be medieval Europe with different names but for all the monsters and magic. It doesn’t hurt that the middle section of the game is radically different depending on one particular decision. Furthermore, the situations (treatment of minority groups, occupation by a foreign power, abuse of authority, etc.) have obvious real-world analogs that have far more emotional resonance than your typical save-the-world video game plot. More importantly, the witcher has logical reasons for each action or response and the player simply decides which of his motivations has priority. Depending entirely on the player, Geralt can be a beacon of hope to the common people, a whimsical drunkard, a terrifying avatar of vengeance, or a selfish smartass.
It’s helping a fanatical anti-human terrorist or an amoral spymaster, chasing down a murderer or saving (ahem) brothel employees, and punishing or profiting from ancient war crimes. Tearing apart foes with Geralt’s acrobatic blade work and magical signs is fun, but taking on the role of a hated and feared inhuman adventurer in this rich world is so much more than that.Ĭhoice and consequence in The Witcher 2 isn’t the kind of moral absolutism that most RPGs featuring choice typically descend into. Main character Geralt, the eponymous witcher, is in his own words “a mutant created for swordsmanship.” As I look back on the game, I’m surprised to find that the “mutant” part of that statement is the most important. It’s actually better than it was at launch thanks to the year of patching, refinement, and additional DLC content that this version benefits from. I can no longer lord it over the console masses with this one, though, because this long-in-development Xbox 360 port is just as amazing as the original. Its weighty combat, difficult choices with real consequences, and fascinating storylines are some of the best gaming has ever seen. I’ve spent the last year holding up The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings as a compelling reason to make the investment in a gaming PC.
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