[vonGraudenz]

The plot was very well thought out, and the gameplay was quite good. I enjoyed the fact that were consequences to your decisions, and that the NPC reactions changed based upon your decisions. A thoroughly enjoyable game. I appreciate games that have some complexity to them, ones that aren't just hack 'n' slash. I also like the fact that you can develop Geralt in different directions and that there isn't any one build that must be followed in order to be successful. The array of combat options made for a bit of a learning curve at first but is easy to get used to and become effective with, in any development scheme, whether as a Swordsman, Alchemist or "Magician". The active pause is definitively a plus, especially for those of use older players who don't quite have the finger dexterity any more. The fact that there isn't really the right path to take in the story is another thing I find quite well done. The choice of siding with terrorists, religious zealots, or neutrality is brilliant, each has it's effect on the game and makes for good re-playability. I also like that grinding is not neccessary in order to advance the character enough to win the "End Game".

There are a couple of little things though that I didn't like. Getting put into a large melee right after a cinematic can be annoying when there is no clue of what is about to happen for you to be able to prepare, then having to watch the cinematic all over again after being killed. I do wish we could customize the appearance of Geralt, I do like that in other games. The fight against the Zeugl in the sewer would have a bit less tedious, if there was any indication of progress against it. It is almost impossible to make out it's health indicator while in the fight.

[IceEpicX]

No,No,No,No,No customizing Geralt,This isn't skyrim,this isn't about customizing Geralt.It's about enjoying his story and shaping it.I don't want to make geralt have blond hair,young face and a Scoia'tel armor.He is the white wolf,Geralt,it is HIS appearance.

[ReptilePZ]

The problem with changing Geralt's appearance is that he's already a defined character in Sapkowski's books (which I highly recommend if they're available in your language). He's not a blank character that has no personality. While I certainly appreciate the ability to create your own character, this just wouldn't work with Geralt.

Anyway, I'm happy that you enjoyed the game, you should definitely play the second one as well (although it lacks that special atmosphere the original offers, in terms of mechanics and overall production value - The Witcher 2 is the better game).

You might not like the combat as much because it's more action-oriented than the battle system in The Witcher 1 though.

[Lurtz_Of_Orthanc]

There's a happy medium here. One of the patches for Witcher 2 was a step in the right direction, but we need more. Geralt is the White Wolf, and he shouldn't be young or elflike. But we should be able to choose from a dozen or so beard and hair styles - which gives the character a new look without compromising his White Wolf identity. Goatee, mustache, full beard, long beard, sideburns, soul patch, chinstrap; short hair, crew cut, fully shaven, mohawk...CDPR, let us mix and match!

[the Fixer]

Lurtz_Of_Orthanc said:

There's a happy medium here. One of the patches for Witcher 2 was a step in the right direction, but we need more. Geralt is the White Wolf, and he shouldn't be young or elflike. But we should be able to choose from a dozen or so beard and hair styles - which gives the character a new look without compromising his White Wolf identity. Goatee, mustache, full beard, long beard, sideburns, soul patch, chinstrap; short hair, crew cut, fully shaven, mohawk...CDPR, let us mix and match! ›››

I think that should be left for mods. The pack of options they added in The Withcer 2 was about the right balance for me: Geralt has long hair, he can keep them loose or in a ponytail, in a braid or something similar, but not short or shaven, and no beard. That's just his style, a part of his personality that I don't feel the need to change.

[Corylea]

You can skip the cutscenes by pressing the Esc key.

[Lurtz_Of_Orthanc]

the Fixer said:

I think that should be left for mods. The pack of options they added in The Withcer 2 was about the right balance for me: Geralt has long hair, he can keep them loose or in a ponytail, in a braid or something similar, but not short or shaven, and no beard. That's just his style, a part of his personality that I don't feel the need to change. ›››

We shape Geralt's personality in the game to a large extent. We should be able to change things like that as well - Geralt's core identity as a sarcastic, world-weary Witcher is essential, but his hairstyle is most certainly not. We can choose to make our Geralt a judgmental butcher or a merciful benefactor - no reason we can't have some tweaking power over things that he could realistically alter about his appearance. Height, weight, age, voice, facial structure - those are set in stone - but the rest should be ours to control.

[thelostdunmer]

Don't alter Geralt's appearance, he's already badass and anything that may nerf him would be just awful, plain awful!

[Glaroug]

<p>

Quote

There'sa happy medium here. One of the patches for Witcher 2 was a step in the rightdirection, but we need more. Geralt is the White Wolf, and he shouldn't beyoung or elflike. But we should be able to choose from a dozen or so beard andhair styles - which gives the character a new look without compromising hisWhite Wolfidentity. Goatee, mustache, full beard, long beard, sideburns, soulpatch, chinstrap; short hair, crew cut, fully shaven, mohawk...CDPR, let us mixand match!

Quote

Weshape Geralt's personality in the game to a large extent. We should be able tochange things like that as well - Geralt's core identity as a sarcastic,world-weary Witcher is essential, but his hairstyle is most certainly not. Wecan choose to make our Geralt a judgmental butcher or a merciful benefactor -no reason we can't have some tweaking power over things that he couldrealistically alter about his appearance. Height, weight, age, voice, facialstructure - those are set in stone - but the rest should be ours tocontrol.

These are some truly excellent points my good Uruk-hai. As long as it is to cannon, why not have some various styles of facial hair? Its not like where tearing the beard off Gandalf. If Geralt is already at liberty to customize his hair and armor, why not one more step, I mean, he can already to sport around in this which is, at least in my eyes, a very not-so-witchery dress:





I think the armour is cool,but its not to my tastes, not to say I don't support the art and armour design.Those guys and gals absolutely brilliant in my book, seriously.

If I am allowed to let my Geralt hand over a Abigal to a bunch of would-be-witch burners, watch asThaler is slaughtered by Order Knights, Sale to Vegen with Bandits, let Sile go BOOM! I hardly see the evil in doing it witha beard or soul patch.

I think Geralt wouldlook rather nice with a great manly beard. Sure he has scruff in the right two games, buta true beard could be mighty fine. Who has time to shave when there aremonsters to catch? Its also a handy windcatcher...and the ladies just love it, am I right. Course I am. Don't like it? Then don't use the option. I know Geralt has "scruff" in both games but a nice beard...yes. Indeed.

</p><p>EDIT: I apologize for the enormous image</p>

[the Fixer]

Glaroug said:

I think the armour is cool,but its not to my tastes, not to say I don't support the art and armour design.Those guys and gals absolutely brilliant in my book, seriously.

If I am allowed to let my Geralt hand over a Abigal to a bunch of would-be-witch burners, watch asThaler is slaughtered by Order Knights, Sale to Vegen with Bandits, let Sile go BOOM! I hardly see the evil in doing it witha beard or soul patch.

I think Geralt wouldlook rather nice with a great manly beard. Sure he has scruff in the right two games, buta true beard could be mighty fine. Who has time to shave when there aremonsters to catch? Its also a handy windcatcher...and the ladies just love it, am I right. Course I am. Don't like it? Then don't use the option. I know Geralt has "scruff" in both games but a nice beard...yes. Indeed. ›››

Perhaps a beard like in that artwork, or just a hint of it like he supposedly already has, would be adequate. Like you said, he can't always find the time to shave. But a moustache? Sideburns? A mohawk? Come on, that's just not Geralt, he'd look more like a Crinfrid Reaver than a witcher. And if I have to make him do something questionable, I don't want nor need the "Bioware evil guy" look on him. On the contrary, Geralt's forced default appearance contributes to the feeling of moral ambiguity, in my opinion.

About those armours, you could say he'd choose the best one regardless of its looks, if it's "froofy" but enchanted or whatever can protect him best, than he should use it.

But again, mods. You can do (almost) whatever you want with them without forcing Fable customization in The Witcher.

[Glaroug]

I think you missed some excellent points here.

Quote

We shape Geralt's personality in the game to a large extent. Weshould be able to change things like that as well - Geralt's core identity as asarcastic, world-weary Witcher is essential, but his hairstyle is mostcertainly not. We can choose to make our Geralt a judgmental butcher or amerciful benefactor - no reason we can't have some tweaking power over thingsthat he could realistically alter about his appearance. Height, weight, age,voice, facial structure - those are set in stone - but the rest should be oursto control.

No, I am not making camp in from the production studio, waving my picket anddemanding Mo-hawks, afros and a character creation screen. In a gamebuilt around our choices in Geralts life, marking off something like hair styleas out of the question is, well, silly. For me, Geralt would sooner marrya drowner before aiding the Squirrels out right. When I hear this I feelthe same way you do with mo-hawks.

While I agree a mo-hawk is far fetched, I also wager Geralt would rock manystyles at the command of his woman. We haveto keep Geralt looking good to show off to the other sorceresses, am I right? Furthermore, who would have thought Geraltwould ever get a tattoo? Yet, there itis, a naked lady on his neck, acquired after a night of trying to ride whoresacross the sea no less.

The game could have been a linearseries of points with no choice whatsoever. I could have chosen some armor with nice statsthat looks like it belongs on a French Duke. The barber had a hair style in theWitcher 2 that looked like White Rayla's(a non gelled mo-hawk), that would be suitable for some of my play throughs,but not all. Perhaps Geralt took a likening to the getups of either the Elvesor the Blue Strips. Looking like themcould be a mark of fraternity or respect.

My point is choices are regarding Geralt's personality and moral code are sowell done in this game, why is his outward appearance tabboo? I recall only hearing praise at the implementof the barbers in the Witcher 2. Whatswrong with adding things like Redanian mustaches? I can hear Ciri giggling now at the sight,and see Triss blushing at that speciman. Tend end, I think the honorable Uruk-HaiLurtz's wrods should be read again.

Quote

We shape Geralt's personality in the game to a large extent. Weshould be able to change things like that as well - Geralt's core identity as asarcastic, world-weary Witcher is essential, but his hairstyle is mostcertainly not. We can choose to make our Geralt a judgmental butcher or amerciful benefactor - no reason we can't have some tweaking power over thingsthat he could realistically alter about his appearance. Height, weight, age,voice, facial structure - those are set in stone - but the rest should be oursto control.

[the Fixer]

Glaroug said:

I recall only hearing praise at the implementof the barbers in the Witcher 2. ›››

That's because it was a variation on a set style: long hair in a ponytail or loose. Also, as I said, and as it's looking like to be, some kind of "unshaven" beard would be a nice variation, but nothing excessively out of character such as short hair or a moustache or sideburns, to be faithful to both the original author and the "White Wolf" character. I don't think he would wake up one day and decide to grow a moustache or whatnot even if he was in peace, let alone in a "hunting the Wild Hunt" scenario.

However, I see your points and they're good ones, but for me, customization isn't always necessary. Even if I could still play with the default appearance and not care about the rest, it'd feel as if the developers went a little too far away with character freedom. An important part of what I like about The Withcer is playing a somewhat defined character like Geralt, and the more customization we're allowed to apply, the farthest from Geralt I'd personally feel. The farthest I'd feel the developers wanted me to be. But hey, that's just my opinion.

[Lurtz_Of_Orthanc]

HA! I am vindicated. Witcher 3 Geralt has a beard. Argument over.

[Glaroug]

&nbsp;

Quote

That's because it was a variation on a set style:long hair in a ponytail or loose. Also, as I said, and as it's looking like tobe, some kind of "unshaven" beard would be a nice variation, butnothing excessively out of character such as short hair or a moustache orsideburns, to be faithful to both the original author and the "WhiteWolf" character. I don't think he would wake up one day and decide to growa moustache or whatnot even if he was in peace, let alone in a "huntingthe Wild Hunt" scenario.

Sculpting, precision, mirrors, etc. Such are the toolsrequired for mustaches and foxy scruff. Witchersdon't have time for such nonsense. Assuch, you are quite correct about 'staches and soul patches. Yen is likely the only one "man"enough to slap a 'stache on a grumbling a Geralt, and even then he'd likelytear it off the first chance he got. Thoughtsof Perrin Aybara's beard come to mind, from Robert Jordan's a Wheel of TimeSeries. And I just know Ciri would laugh her head off. Such things are probably best left to modsunless there is a very good reason for them.

Admittedly I got a little carried with thoughts of liberty,freedom and choice with my notions of Redian mustaches, Temerian side burns andwhat not. Must be channeling my innerSquirrel or uprising peasant.

I stand by my remarks toward the armor more fitting a ballroomthat a hostile forest, as well as the various hair styles, so long as they arejust a variance on Geralt's set style. ButI must say I would like to see a bandana option, like when Geralt set off toduel Istredd.

I agree, customization is not always necessary as Geralt is,well Geralt. We are not thrown into thefray and told to make something from scratch. We are given a concept, themes, an outline, arough cut slab of stone. Its our job tochisel out the finer points, the details, the scars. We don't construct him, but neither do wefollow behind him and watch.

But! to shine somelight on the original poster, this is a excellent time to come into the Witcherseries. With the third one on the way,you can take part in the rebirth of the community, the very likely soon to be"Grow a Beard for the Witcher 3!" and so on and so forth. /&gt;&nbsp;

[vonGraudenz]

I really didn't mean for my comment to turn into such a discussion point. Of course there should be limits to what you could have done with him, since his hair colour is such a big part of his identity. It is just a bit of my non-conformity coming through, as it seems the non-conformist long haired, pony tailed hero seems to be de rigueur these days.