The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

Anyone who had to endure the first game just for the story should definitely not skip this one. The gameplay is more fluid and feels closer to a modern style, similar to The Witcher 3. If you want to properly follow the story, you shouldn't jump straight to the third game - The Witcher 2 is an important part of the narrative.

The story quality is solid, and choices carry over into The Witcher 3. Just don't expect 3-5 major different endings; the choices mostly lead to smaller variations. Enjoy the story, immerse yourself in the world. You can try the side quests, but don't bother doing all the monster-hunting ones - they're not really worth it. There aren't enough surprises, and the rewards are minimal: little XP and a small amount of money.

Right after playing Witcher 1, I played Witcher 2. I was so into the story of the game, that it made me excited to play the second one right away. In my opinion, the story of Witcher 2 is better than the first game. The game references a lot of things from the books, and explains more of the characters and their personalities. It not only makes you choose who to kill and who to spare, and with all those small decisions you make, it all adds up in the end.

Game play wise, I'm not a big fan of it. Starting with the potions, I already hate how you can't drink or make them whenever you want. Especially at times you needed them the most, such as during battle. Unlike on the first game, where you can drink potions during battle, here you have to go to a safe place, meditate, to create or drink a potion. I get that you have to do that to improve your character, but with potions, it's just a waste of time. The map doesn't really tell much, and it's hard to navigate. Aside from the fact that the map is small, the legends and markings are very difficult to navigate and understand. I find myself always getting lost, or have to constantly look at the map whenever I have to go places. Quests can be time consuming because of this. Unlike in the first game, the map always guides you where you have to go during such quests. Here, you just have to explore more. I also don't like how the game feels laggy. Like, you have to stop for a moment and do your signs for them to activate. I think the only thing I like is how you can swing your sword and kill your enemy faster compared to the first game.

Background music is eh. I feel like they recycle what they have in Witcher 1. I'm not saying that it's bad, I just think that they could have done better. Although there's a lot of things I don't like about the game, there are still things that make me want to continue playing it because of the characters. Monsters here are amazing. You get to see new kinds of monsters and different techniques on how to kill them, or if you're being nice, spare their lives. The characters I like the most are Letho and Saskia. Their beliefs and opinions matter the most throughout the game. Knowing their side of the story and understanding what they want to achieve makes you want to root for them. In the end, it matters what you choose to believe, and act on it.

The ending of the game was really good. Not only because of the last fight, and the last decision you have to make, but also what happened after that. The ending will make your heart excited for what the next game has to offer. I will still recommend to play this game because you'll miss out on the good stuff that the game has to offer.

A good game nearly ruined by inconsistent difficulty and frustrating or unreliable mechanics. It has sadly contracted Xbox consolitis (on top of the first game's already mediocre controls). You may have to mash a button 5 times before it registers. Many quests and scripted sequences are convoluted and confusing, leading to excessive trial and error gameplay. Often I had to trawl forums and wikis for help. Combat is more difficult & realistic but some fights seem far too difficult, as if the difficulty setting randomly changes. At least TW1 was consistently too easy. But despite its flaws, this is an atmospheric game set in a detailed believable world, that continues the great story of Geralt of Rivia. Absolutely worth getting in a steam sale, but you may want to play it on 'easy' even if you are an experienced gamer.

Finally, I'm not feeling like a mature woman playing with her children's toys! This game treats you like an adult, sentient being unlike Bethesda's works. Amazing immersing non-linear story where your choices MATTER. Highest re-playability since there are two totally different main scenarios in which you can still do things in a very different way. Thankfully European countries are not sexuophobic *clears throat* and sex is treated as it should be: a part of life. The game has technical issues, a messy inventory and an almost useless map on the xbox 360 version, but I don't care, I'm finally feeling like my intelligence is RESPECTED. Many don't like the combat system but I enjoyed it, a good mix of strategy and action.

the game is full of bugs and I don't understand how it is possible that the game has lag if it is not an online and/or multiplayer game. for example the game does not charge or gets very slow... it is not may computer as I actually can run withcer 3 properly. aslso the action start before you have the posibilty to use the comands.The camera and controls in general, are just unbelievably bad. It is clumsy and unprecisly, makes it a little difficult to loot sometimes, some fight combats looks a bit ugly because of it, and it is just enoying that you run around/running into things and people like a confused animal or something. don't waste money better just go to see the movie