The GWJ CRPG Club - Game 9: The Witcher 3 (In Progress)

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For more information on the GWJ CRPG Club, go here.

The Witcher 3 is the GWJ CRPG's Club's ninth winner, a slim winner in a wild election that went 6 rounds. A massive third-person action RPG, this game is our most adventurous undertaking yet.

The game is playable on Windows, Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

We'll be playing this game until June 30, 2020. This thread is for friendly discussion as we play through the game. Share your reflections, successes, defeats, tactics, wishes, impressions, and whatever here! The more conversation the better, so post away.

For BIG spoilers, please use the spoiler tag. (No! I am your father!) Tactics, strategies, general story progression likely won't need them.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate, and can start at any time, so join the fun! One quick favor: If you decide to play, make a post here along the lines of "I'm in!" to let us know. If you start and finish the game before the end, you'll level up your GWJ CRPG Membership.

Helpful Links (Coming Soon)
Steam ($14.99 - Winter Sale)
GOG ($14.99 - Winter Sale)
Playstation Store ($14.99 - Winter Sale)
Xbox Store ($14.99 - $19.99 - Winter Sale)
Nintendo Switch ($59.99)
How Long to Beat (52-191 hours)
Wikipedia Page
Mods
Achievements
Metacritic (93 metascore, 9.4 user score)
Walkthrough
Girlfriend Reviews
Netflix Series
Witcher 1 Recap
Witcher 2 Recap
Game History by gewy

Members Completed
Clumber
Sorbicol
Alien Love Gardener
JLS
Stengah
ubrakto
imbiginjapan
brokenclavicle
fuzzyslug
Math
Sundown
Redherring
merphle
Cronox

Members Playing
Sundown
Tboon
Godzilla Blitz
*Legion*
Maclintok
ruhk
jdzappa
beanman101283
sonny615
halfwaywrong
pyxistyx
JeffreyLSmith
Math
SillyRabbit
ComfortZone
imbiginjapan
Bubblefuzz
Agathos
Sydhart
ccesarano
RnRClown
Tanglebones
Spikeout
blackanchor
garion333
Hardek
mrlogical
fuzzyslug

I’m in.

This works out perfectly for me. I’ve never played any of the Witcher games before, but I picked up the switch version in a recent sale and was planning to start it up early in the year.

And now I have the perfect excuse!

I'm in! Maybe I will finish it this time (probably not...).

Mods for those so inclined.

Merry Christmas!

I've added helpful links to the main post. If anyone knows of others, or better ones than the ones I've got for walkthroughs, etc., let me know and I'll post them up there.

I'm curious, are there any must-have mods for this? I don't recall modding being that big for this game, but maybe I'm wrong?

Sundown wrote:

I’m in.

This works out perfectly for me. I’ve never played any of the Witcher games before, but I picked up the switch version in a recent sale and was planning to start it up early in the year.

And now I have the perfect excuse!

Most excellent! I'm in as well. I've yet to play any Witcher game either, but I've started them all for an hour or so. I'm excited to jump in and give this a go.

*gulp*

The download is 42gb.

tboon wrote:

I'm in! Maybe I will finish it this time (probably not...).

Mods for those so inclined.

Merry Christmas!

Excellent, thanks, and you answered my question before I even posted it. Damn, you're smart.

EDIT: Poking about on the Nexus mods site, I don't see anything that feels critical to me. All Quest Objectives on Map does look fairly helpful. I'm inclined to start vanilla and see how things go.

Alright let's do this triple-A mainstream blockbuster console-centric RPG thing

*Legion* wrote:

Alright let's do this triple-A mainstream blockbuster console-centric RPG thing

There is even a Switch version for you!

EDIT: Still downloading... one third done.

The whole "I'm going to start RIGHT NOW idea" was a bit naive.

IMAGE(http://art.penny-arcade.com/photos/i-58HjNcX/0/O/i-58HjNcX.jpg)

Godzilla Blitz wrote:

There is even a Switch version for you! :)

I picked it up on Steam instead. I think 20fps gameplay in a big 3D game would drive me up the wall. Though if it had cross platform cloud saves with the PC version, I would consider the double dip for portable play.

*Legion* wrote:
Godzilla Blitz wrote:

There is even a Switch version for you! :)

I picked it up on Steam instead. I think 20fps gameplay in a big 3D game would drive me up the wall. Though if it had cross platform cloud saves with the PC version, I would consider the double dip for portable play.

Switch is limited to 20fps, or the game is just too demanding to run better than that on Switch? The Amazon reviews of the port seem highly positive.

By the way, if you're one of the 5 people left in gaming who haven't seen this, it's pretty funny. And if you've watched it 17 times, like me, it's still funny.

I just came off the Netflix series so the timing of this couldn't be better. I'm feeling pretty darn witchy now.

It's a beefy download so need to check my December data cap before committing to the 50 some odd gigs (DLC included). But the group's playing until June of next year? Do you guys usually block out this much time for a game of this size?

For the Netflix series, does it have spoilers that would make it better to play the game first? Or does it just not matter than much?

Maclintok wrote:

I just came off the Netflix series so the timing of this couldn't be better. I'm feeling pretty darn witchy now.

It's a beefy download so need to check my December data cap before committing to the 50 some odd gigs (DLC included). But the group's playing until June of next year? Do you guys usually block out this much time for a game of this size?

Welcome!

We start new games every three months, so the general idea is to finish in that time frame. But with life, jobs, family, other games, etc., we keep each game open for six months. It's all pretty low key.

Godzilla Blitz wrote:

For the Netflix series, does it have spoilers that would make it better to play the game first? Or does it just not matter than much?

The show is based on the books, and the games take place several years after those events. It’s not necessary to watch the show or read the books first, but they would add context and both are good pieces of media. I played the games first and then read the novels, and frankly they made me less appreciative of the games in hindsight. The games basically ignore all the character growth in the books and retcon the ending.

Godzilla Blitz wrote:

Switch is limited to 20fps, or the game is just too demanding to run better than that on Switch?

The game is heavily compromised (technically) to run on the Switch. Framerates seem to run in the 20-30 range, in 720p when docked and less than that when in handheld mode.

I'm sure it's playable and enjoyable, but I'm a 165hz monitor kind of PC gamer. High end 3D types of games, I have to play on my PC.

Just got it on both Steam and the Switch! It looks great mobile btw and the Switch controls are very intuitive. If you can get over not having the best graphics it’s a good choice.

I downloaded the game (took about as long as college), and fired it up to get my feet wet. I played through the tutorial and then started out for just a bit. The combat tutorial felt like a lot of stuff really fast, but I suppose it'll sort itself out over time. Rolling seems particularly useful already.

I forgot how good the game looks. It's gorgeous.

So far so good. Combat seems pretty fun, but I feel like I'm going to need to learn a lot to be any good at it. I was pretty much able to swing and roll like crazy to win the initial fight in the wild, but I don't suppose that'll work for the whole game.

ruhk wrote:
Godzilla Blitz wrote:

For the Netflix series, does it have spoilers that would make it better to play the game first? Or does it just not matter than much?

The show is based on the books, and the games take place several years after those events. It’s not necessary to watch the show or read the books first, but they would add context and both are good pieces of media. I played the games first and then read the novels, and frankly they made me less appreciative of the games in hindsight. The games basically ignore all the character growth in the books and retcon the ending.

Thanks much! I think I'll start with the show and maybe drift into the books. I could use a bit of context, not having played the first two games more than an hour or so.

I had kind of hoped to replay both Witcher 1 and 2 before replaying 3, but that was always a tall order with the length of those games. Still, count me in, even if it may be a bit before I get to it.

There is a dodge button separate from rolling. This is helpful especially against human enemies to conserve stamina.

Some random tips:
The introductory area, White Orchard, is the one area in the game I’d make a point of 100% clearing before continuing the story. You can get some good Witcher gear if you do, along with a decent amount of ability points, as I recall. Searching out the Places of Power will get you those ability points. Most of your xp will come from completing quests, so don’t try to grind enemies.

You’ll pretty quickly out level the main story if you do monster contracts and side quests, and since the combat isn’t too deep or compelling, I wouldn’t stress about it. I think when I played originally I did one notch above the default difficulty, and I rarely had issues. I’ll probably stick with default this time around.

Once you first craft a potion or bomb, meditating will automatically refill them. You don’t need those materials every time you need to refill your stock. A potion/bomb build is pretty overpowered.

I’m in. This has been on my “maybe” list for a while, so I guess it’s time to go shopping.

I’m in. Just need to finish Mass Effect: Andromeda first.

Edit: I wouldn’t say you need to have played either Witcher 1 & 2 before playing this one - and I’d think long and hard about replaying Witcher 1 regardless, some of it concepts (both gaming and socially) are a bit dated now. Not that normally stops us but still. At least on the gaming side!

It’s a fantastic game though. I’m looking forward to checking the DLC out, haven’t played that yet.

Edit edit: if I remember correctly, it works better with a controller. That’s probably a little subjective though.

Edit edit edit:

Tips for what they are worth, feel free to contradict / ignore / pay vague attention too as you deem necessary!

1. I thought the game worked better with a controller. Personal preference though of course

2. As mentioned above, if you not played the game before then do the tutorial space, then max out the starting area. It’ll help. A lot.

3. When you leave the starting area, I vaguely remember the space around the hanging tree to be quite hard. You might want to roam a bit further afield before you get too bogged down in random encounters.

4. Don’t sweat about swordplay / potion building / magic too much. Try to focus on one area though - you don’t really get enough ability points to spread across all 3. All are serviceable and useful skill trees.

5. Towards the mid game you probably won’t tackle much you can’t handle though. You start a weak Witcher and end a God amongst Men.

6. The Bloody Baron remains probably the most effecting computer game quest line I’ve ever played. He’s a loathsome character the baron, but you’ll be feeling for him a little by the end.

7. Explore. And don’t get side tracked by Gwent.

8. Some of the boss battles are a bit of a difficulty spike. Save often and don’t be afraid to reload and get yourself ready - potions, bombs at the ready etc. It’ll make things go a lot smoother. The game sort of expects you to do this anyway, it’s just not always good at signposting what’s about to happen.

Tagging.

Count me in. I loved and completed both Witcher 1 and 2, and I stuck a good 40 hours into 3 and loved it but fell off.

I always intended to give it another go and this and the TV show are just the right incentive.

Also that girlfriend review is fantastic and perfectly sums up my feeling on the game.

Turns out I recently deleted this from my PS4 hard drive. I was relatively sure I wouldn't be returning for the foreseeable future. Humbug! Damnation! Doh!

I'll give it a bit of thought. I like to join in with each game. I believe Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines has been my only absence. (Gutted about that. It was solely because I've moved away from PC.) I have a low completion rate, anyway, but giving each selection a go feels in the spirit of the club. This would also reinvigorate my desire to return and perhaps stick with Witcher 3. Hmm.

Tagging. I'll watch the Netflix series. That counts, right?

It is a great game. Gwent, that is.

What have I done?

My nomination, so naturally, I'm in. Two episodes into the netflix series. I kinda hope to catch the whole season before starting the game (I know the series takes place before the 1st game even), although I should probably just start while the witchy feeling lasts.

For those like me who haven't played the first two games, here's a nice recap:

tboon wrote:

Mods for those so inclined.

As far as mods go, are there any must have out there?
I usually prefer to play vanilla for first playthrough and install only mods in extreme cases where a QOL improvement is needed (like, solve something annoying with the inventory or something).

Merry Chanu-christmas

IMAGE(https://i.postimg.cc/3wnNPS8w/rick-and-morty.jpg)

Recently I've been really wanting to dive back into this and with the TV series that feeling has probably been at its peak. So I'm checking in here mostly as a casual observer I suppose, but with intentions of playing through it too. I'm in a real comfort-gaming zone at the moment and this game is perfect for that.

Usually I rate Witcher 3 as my 'second-best game of all time', so it'll be interesting if a replay actually changes my mind on that one.

halfwaywrong wrote:

Recently I've been really wanting to dive back into this and with the TV series that feeling has probably been at its peak. So I'm checking in here mostly as a casual observer I suppose, but with intentions of playing through it too. I'm in a real comfort-gaming zone at the moment and this game is perfect for that.

Usually I rate Witcher 3 as my 'second-best game of all time', so it'll be interesting if a replay actually changes my mind on that one.

Don't be a tease, what is the first?

I'm in. I installed and started Witcher 3 a couple weeks ago after completing a new PC build. Then the Netflix series was released. And now a GWJ CRPG club vote. It must be fate.

Merry Witchermas everyone!

- Our numbers grow! I've gone through posts and added people to the first post if it seemed like your post was indicating you'll be playing along. Let me know if I've missed anyone or if I've interpreted your post incorrectly.

- sonny615 - Thanks for sharing the video recap links. I've added them to the first post as well.

- And thanks for the tips everyone! Many of them answered questions that I had as I was messing with the game last night.

Sorbicol wrote:

1. I thought the game worked better with a controller. Personal preference though of course

I wondered about this. I might switch over to a controller. I thought the "Alt" keystroke in particular for dodging was an awkward press for me on a keyboard. I suppose I could remap things, but I might just try an Xbox controller and see how the game plays that way.

beanman101283 wrote:

You’ll pretty quickly out level the main story if you do monster contracts and side quests, and since the combat isn’t too deep or compelling, I wouldn’t stress about it. I think when I played originally I did one notch above the default difficulty, and I rarely had issues. I’ll probably stick with default this time around.

I'm curious, which level are you thinking is default? think my game defaulted to the first of four difficulty levels, but the description made it seem like it was "story mode". I switched to the second of four levels, but wondered if maybe that was too easy too. I suppose I can look this up, but can you switch levels mid-game?

yeesh. Dare i attempt this a third time? I guess I dare. *shrugs*

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