The Witcher gameplay

Perspective
The game can be played from either an over the shoulder (OTS) or one of two isometric perspectives. The OTS perspective was designed for exploration and questing, whereas the isometric perspectives were designed to give a better tactical view in combat. Many players stay in OTS mode all the time as Geralt almost always fights solo and this view mode, in addition to being more immersive, gives a more cinematic experience in combat.

Here are screenshots of the three view modes (isometric mode can either be close to Geralt or a bit further away).

Character development


Unlike most computer role playing games, in The Witcher players don't get to create their own characters, but instead take the role of Geralt, the character from Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher series of books. However, Geralt's skills can be developed throughout the game in various ways.

As Geralt proceeds about his various quests, he acquires bronze, silver and ultimately gold talents which can then be allocated to enhance his Attributes, Signs, Steel and Silver sword skills. Attributes include:


 * Strength
 * Dexterity
 * Stamina
 * Intelligence

The five magical signs are: Aard, Axii, Igni, Quen and Yrden. There are also three fighting styles: strong, fast and group, for both sword types.

Inventory


This inventory is quite different from most RPG orientated games. Because it doesn't allow you to store any weapons, armor or other overly large random items. Instead, it revolves around the fact that you carry a satchel in which you can merely place smaller odds and ends like potion ingredients, food, drinks, books, scrolls, etc... and also just a limited number of these items, though that limit is reasonably large.

The inventory is divided up in general sections each consisting of small compartments, or slots in which a single item can be stored. They are:


 * the quest items pocket, where quest items are kept. This seemingly small section is actually contains an unlimited number of slots.
 * the satchel, where everyday items are kept. This section is divided into four sub-sections, each has 14 slots, for a total of 42 slots. This may seem like alot, but it fills up fast!
 * the alchemy sack has another three compartments the same size as the satchel, making for a further 42 slots. It also has a sort button and a very handy basic substance identifying button.
 * the trophy slot, where Geralt can keep one trophy head at a time.
 * Geralt's body, where weapons, armour and jewelery are kept or worn.

Journal


The in-game journal tracks information from a variety of sources. As Geralt learns about formulae, monsters, characters, places and so on, new journal entries are added for future reference. Some of these entries contain clues to help devise an effective strategy, for example detailing a monster's strengths and weaknesses.

The quest portion of the journal tracks Geralt's progress as he takes on and progresses through the many quests in game. Quests can be broken into subsections based on which act they occur in, whether they are active or not, and the current phase of multi-part quests can be selected as well. To aid the player there is also an option to track the selected quest, which puts a marker on the in-game map and provides a directional arrow to the next objective in the mini-map.

Combat system


The combat system in The Witcher represents a departure from most RPGs. Players choose one of three fighting styles. The quick style allows for faster, less-damaging attacks with a greater chance of hitting faster enemies; the heavy style deals more damage in exchange for a slow attack speed, and a lower chance to hit faster enemies; and the group style, which features sweeping attacks best used if the player is surrounded.

Each of these stances has its own unique combat style. Both of Geralt's main swords - the steel and silver ones - have distinctively different combat styles from the rest of weaponry, and serve very distinct purposes: where the steel blade is used to fight humans and other flesh-and-blood beings, the silver one is more effective against supernatural monsters and beasts (against some of which steel may have no effect whatsoever).

Alchemy


Alchemy is a major part of gameplay. The player can create potions that increase health or endurance regeneration, allow Geralt to see in the dark, or provide other beneficial effects. The recipes for these potions can be learned through scrolls, or by experimentation. Once the player creates an unknown potion he can choose to drink it, but if the potion is a failure it will poison the character. Each time Geralt drinks potions they increase the toxicity level of his body. This can be reduced by drinking a special potion or by meditating at an inn or fireplace.

In addition to potions, the player can also create oils and bombs, respectively used to augment the damage done by weapons, or as weapons in combat. Neither can be created until talent points have been allocated into the corresponding skills.

Character interaction
As Geralt explores Vizima, he meets a huge variety of characters, many of whom have quite a bit to say. Some of them also offer services or opportunities to explore activities beyond simple dialogue. These options are explored through the use of character interaction icons.


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The above icons all appear during dialogue sequences with other game characters. They allow Geralt to interact with the various game characters he meets along his Path.

Choices and consequences
An innovative, time delayed decision-consequence system means that the repercussions of players decisions will make themselves apparent up to 10 -15 hours later in the game. This prompts the players to put more critical thinking into making each decision, and circumvents a save-reload approach to decision making. It also allows the game to have a unique approach to replay value, as the consequences resulting from the player's decisions can lead to great difference in the events that take place later, and ultimately a very different gameplay experience than in the prior play-throughs.

The nature of the options faced when playing the game rarely falls into the typical black-and-white morality present in most regular computer RPGs, and the players often find themselves choosing from the lesser of two evils rather than making a clear choice between good and evil, a situation more reflective of real life morality.

Controls
In the game, the player will usually use a combination of both the mouse and keyboard commands. Using one or the other exclusively is nearly impossible.

Mouse
In this game, mouse movement follows generally uses the left-click. For more information, see the Controls main article.

Movement

 * Left click when the arrow is your icon to move to a particular spot
 * Left click and hold to keep running in a particular direction while the cursor is farther from Geralt
 * Left click and hold to keep walking in a particular direction while the cursor is on or near Geralt
 * Right click to dodge or duck, and when a sign is selected, cast a sign
 * Double left click when the arrow is your icon to perform an evasive maneuver

Keyboard commands
In this game, keyboard movement follows the standard W A S D setup. For more information, see the Controls main article.

Movement

 * W - Forward
 * S - Backwards
 * A - Step left in OTS and isometric combat mode, turn left in isometric non-combat mode
 * D - Step right in OTS and isometric combat mode, turn right in isometric non-combat mode

In-game tutorials

 * Journal Tutorial Entries

International versions

 * complete nudity for non-human females like dryads and naiads, and humanoid monsters like the alps, bruxae and devourers
 * breasts and buttocks evident in sex cards (some cards are no different)
 * more complex finishing moves (difficult to tell, but possibly)
 * bloodier combat scenes and aftermath (possibly)

North American version

 * Modified sex cards (breasts and buttocks covered where applicable)
 * Modified Morenn's model skin (covered nudity -- breasts covered by longer hairstyle, loincloth added)
 * Blood and finishing moves toned down?

North American users: Restore Edited sex cards, game models (Morenn), and Blood/Finshing moves here.

Spoilers
Gameplay