[Emann538]

The Witcher 2 lacked the atmosphere the first one had. I bought the Witcher 1 last year thinking I was buying the second one because I had no idea there were two and holy shit this is the greatest rpg of all time! no best game of all time! In the The Witcher I actually felt like a Witcher, the world was dark and dirty and I think the story and the all the side quests where better then the second one. The soundtrack from the first game was fucking beautiful, really got me immersed. Please CD hire those people who worked on the soundtrack in the first game and put it in the third!

[cmdr_silverbolt]

I agree that the monster related quests in TW1 had more body than those in TW2. The story quests in both games were similar in terms of depth and impact, but the TW1 did have more epic moments.

But we know from news and such that the monster hunting is getting a major revamp in TW3, so that's great!

I also agree that the soundtrack in TW1 was more memorable; the only track I remember from TW2 is the "theme" of Vergen.

I don't like the idea of making things "dark and dirty" because my feeling was that things were "dark and dirty" in TW1 because of limitations to graphics.

I would appreciate each environment to have a believable and authentic feeling as opposed to imposing a certain aesthetic for the sake of doing it. The real world is really pretty and clean as well, so no need to make the game too dark and dirty

[gregski]

It has been already confirmed by CDPR that the atmosphere will have more in common with TW1 than with TW2 />

[Emann538]

gregski said:

It has been already confirmed by CDPR that the atmosphere will have more in common with TW1 than with TW2 />/> ›››

Woooo!! good to hear cant wait for the witcher 3!

[FoggyFishburne]

TW1 had more of a slavic feel to it, right? While TW2 was a bit more "modern" and westerny in its presentation, right? Just wanna get that straight.

Personally, either style is fine. TW1 sombre nature really drew me in. It had an unmatched atmosphere and soundtrack. While TW2 was a bit more modern and adventury. It played out like a real triple A video game, with great pacing and fantastic aesthetics. Like I said, whether they choose one style over the other or mix 'em up a bit to create something fresh and unique, I'm on board. I love both games equally much, though not necessarily for the same reasons. That said, it won't matter that much to me anyway. I'm getting the game regardless. Bring it on RED! My body is ready!!

[cmdr_silverbolt]

The slavic feel came from the content of the monster quests and the music. Just because a game has nice visuals doesn't make it less culturally authentic, and TW2 was culturally authentic in its own ways. It's possible to have beautiful scenery, but still have a "dark and dirty" story; this happens IRL all the time. Maybe one's story is "dark and dirty", but the world is indifferently not.

[Geralt_of_bsas]

I agree OP, i think the same of the two witcher games and want the same you want.

[Gibb_Geralt]

More like Witcher 1 in atmosphere? Definitely.. More like Witcher 1 in anything else? Nooooo thankyou.

[ReptilePZ]

cmdr_flashheart said:

I agree that the monster related quests in TW1 had more body than those in TW2. The story quests in both games were similar in terms of depth and impact, but the TW1 did have more epic moments ›››

Monster quests in The Witcher 2 were better than the ones on TW1 since they weren't about killing x amount of monster y. In The Witcher 2 they were more fleshed out, each monster having a different mechanic as to how you can get rid of it. So you had to find out what you're supposed to do and then do that rather than read a book to learn where a monster's jaw is ( >_> ) and then kill enough of them to get the parts you need while on your way to a different quest. Looks like they're adding even more layers to Monster Hunting in TW3 which is always a good thing.

In terms of epic moments in the games, I wouldn't say TW1 had more of them. The Witcher games in general aren't so much about epic events as they are about a more personal adventure that matters only to the main character. Him getting caught up in politics and intrigues is just an obstacle for Geralt, not his main goal.

SPOILERS for The Witcher 1 and 2 follow

I assume the epic moment you're referring to is the Grand Master unleashing mutants. I'd argue that's on the same level as the mages causing chaos by controlling a dragon.

[Maerd]

ReptilePZ said:

Looks like they're adding even more layers to Monster Hunting in TW3 which is always a good thing. ›››

Nah, they're currently making it a cookie cutter disappointment. They've just confirmed that they do it with Batman senses, which means you press one button to solve the problem. So, every time you'll get to the monster's victim you'll have to press an awesome 'X' button to learn everything about the monster. Then you might need to press 'X' a couple more times and all world problems are solved for you automagically. And you'll have around 20-30 quests of pressing the 'X' button. Isn't it exciting?

TW1 monster hunting was stupid fetching, no need to get back to it, but TW1 atmosphere in general was definitely better than TW2 therefore I like TW1 better than TW2.

[Kallelinski]

Was TW2 different in this matter? You activated the witcher senses and looked for the highlighted blood or whatever, run to it, press another button and Geralt says something.

[cmdr_silverbolt]

ReptilePZ said:

Monster quests in The Witcher 2 were better than the ones on TW1 since they weren't about killing x amount of monster y. In The Witcher 2 they were more fleshed out, each monster having a different mechanic as to how you can get rid of it. ›››

That's true. But what I meant in terms of "body" was that some monster quests in TW were tied in with Slavic mythology. I can only think of the Kayran quest as being similar in that respect.

Since TW3 promises more monster related scenarios from the books, I hope those scenarios will maintain the authenticity of each account, especially concerning any culturally specific mythology.

[Maerd]

Kallelinski said:

Was TW2 different in this matter? You activated the witcher senses and looked for the highlighted blood or whatever, run to it, press another button and Geralt says something. ›››

It was different in a sense that you could see blood anyway and you didn't have to press Z to see the evidence. I didn't use Z to search for blood. Did can potion shown blood as well? That's a way better solution than Z. But the Z button in TW2 was an abomination together with whole UI/UX in general, I agree, especially when you have to press it all the time you need to loot disappearing corpses. BTW, it was suggested by somebody from this forum (the old one). I remember that very well.

[ReptilePZ]

Maerd said:

Nah, they're currently making it a cookie cutter disappointment. They've just confirmed that they do it with Batman senses, which means you press one button to solve the problem. So, every time you'll get to the monster's victim you'll have to press an awesome 'X' button to learn everything about the monster. Then you might need to press 'X' a couple more times and all world problems are solved for you automagically. And you'll have around 20-30 quests of pressing the 'X' button. Isn't it exciting?

I never said it's the most complex system ever, all I'm saying is it's an improvement over the systems in the previous titles. It certainly sounds more xciting to learn more detailed information about a single monster and then deal with it using that, rather than locating where the monster's tongue is and then killing 10 of the bastards. And in the witcher 2, all you had to do was kill a few monsters of a certain type in order to learn howto deal with them. At least in TW3 it looks like you're going to have to talk to people, investigate the place of the accident (even if it's done with a Batman-style vision), and then locate the creature and deal with it. Certainly a more advanced, even if it still is not the MOST advanced system it could be.

Also, as long as the context of pressing that "X" button is compelling enough, I'd be fine with it.

Might be disappointing to you, I see it as a step in the right direction. A part of a gradual improvement of the mechanic.

Maerd said:

TW1 monster hunting was stupid fetching, no need to get back to it, but TW1 atmosphere in general was definitely better than TW2 therefore I like TW1 better than TW2. ›››

Yes, monster side quests in TW1 were very basic, which is why TW2 was an improvement and it is also why TW3's system is going to be an improvement.

The atmosphere is a very subjective thing so it's hard to discuss. Some people like TW1's feel more - I am one of those people. So I welcome the fact that TW3 is going to have more of that. But saying TW1's atmosphere is "better" than the one in the second game isn't really fair - you just prefer one setting over the other, something that may be different for other people. What's important is to look at how the 2 games conveyed their atmosphere and take the best of both and combine it to make TW3 a better and richer experience for everyone.

They've already said that they'll be exploring different themes depending on the region Geralt's in and that's very encouraging to hear.

[ReptilePZ]

cmdr_flashheart said:

That's true. But what I meant in terms of "body" was that some monster quests in TW were tied in with Slavic mythology. I can only think of the Kayran quest as being similar in that respect.

Since TW3 promises more monster related scenarios from the books, I hope those scenarios will maintain the authenticity of each account, especially concerning any culturally specific mythology. ›››

I see we're talking about completely different things here. I was referring to the "filler" monsters that you encounter, not the unique main monsters of each chapter.

In terms of standard monster hunting, the only thing The Witcher 1 did better was the variety of monsters but the mechanics of the side quests connected to dealing with them weren't as fleshed out as they were in the second game. Quality over quantity I guess, but it would still be nice to see a bigger variety of enemies in the third game, especially considering the fact that you'll be switching between so many different regions of the world.

[Cryocore]

I think that the "open world" nature of TW3 will almost certainly mean that we'll get a more TW1 experience with side quests and monster contracts. I am uber excited about this aspect assuming the Multiplayer doesnt mess with the whole thing

[Emann538]

What I meant was that the witcher 1 had more quest that made me care about the choices I made. Like early in the chapter with the whole Witch situation in the outskirts or my favorite, chapter 4 had quest that where more memorable then the second one. Im not saying I dont like the second one, because I do, It was a good game but the choices in the first one really made me question my morals.

[ReptilePZ]

Emann538 said:

What I meant was that the witcher 1 had more quest that made me care about the choices I made. Like early in the chapter with the whole Witch situation in the outskirts or my favorite, chapter 4 had quest that where more memorable then the second one. Im not saying I dont like the second one, because I do, It was a good game but the choices in the first one really made me question my morals. ›››

There were some really good moral dilemmas in TW1 and I have to agree that the number of those type of "leser evil" choices definitely was reduced in TW2. However, the devs seemed to focus more on the consequence of the decisions you make (to the point where you don't witness half the game if you play through it just once). Not saying TW1 lacked any consequence, far from it, but they really pushed this in the second game. Hopefully, in The Witcher 3 we can get a good fusion of both games' C&C systems.

[RSIK4]

after seeing some images posted on this forum
lookslike TW3 looks like TW1

[Kallelinski]

Maerd said:

It was different in a sense that you could see blood anyway and you didn't have to press Z to see the evidence. I didn't use Z to search for blood. Did can potion shown blood as well? That's a way better solution than Z. But the Z button in TW2 was an abomination together with whole UI/UX in general, I agree, especially when you have to press it all the time you need to loot disappearing corpses. BTW, it was suggested by somebody from this forum (the old one). I remember that very well. ›››

Who said you can't see it anymore without pressing this allmighty button?

Recently i played Tomb Raider and that "show me everyting" aka "cheat" button was really annoying, because i wanted to think for myself, so i didn't use it.

Just let me think for myself and i don't care, if i can find the evidence right away with a button or not, just don't tell me the resolution of that riddle.

The autopsy in TW1 was a perfect example for this, Shani showed you the evidences, but you had to think for yourself and solve the riddle.