10/10
Jul 18, 2018·✓ Recommended
Beat·Xbox One
Expansive, intriguing, and expertly crafted, The Witcher 3 set the bar for open-world games and RPGs alike. Despite my lofty expectations going in, it blew me away, offering an impeccable and massive experience.
We are Geralt of Rivia, a witcher, or a kind of mutated superhuman monster-hunter-for-hire. Set in the war-ravaged fantasy world of Temeria, Geralt has to navigate a deadly civil war and deeply-held prejudices as he searches for his lost ward, Ciri. Unfortunately for her, she's being chased by the mystical Wild Hunt, making Geralt's quest that much harder. The writing is phenomenal; characters are nuanced and intelligent, and questlines branch out with impactful player choices.
I've seen some grumbles about the gameplay, but I don't personally share them. Melee combat is reasonably simple, with a neat attack-and-parry system, while magic is a little more complex with a few key spells for Geralt to use. Mastering them - not to mention the extensive upgrade and crafting mechanics - is key to beating the game. Rarely do I find an RPG I can't just strongarm through, but The Witcher 3 can sometimes be challenging and becomes far more fluid when you engage with its tricks.
Check out my full review! The Almighty Backlog, review #19:
https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/2018/07/26/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt/
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