Just finished my second playthrough of the base game and first time through the DLCs. The base game is largely about as great as I remember it—quality drops off somewhat towards the end, and you can tell when something was meant to be expanded upon but had to be cut down and shipped for time reasons (cough cough Reason of State cough cough) but overall engrossing and thoughtfully conceived.
Hearts of Stone is my favorite of the two DLCs purely based on vibes. It's that Brothers Grimm style bleak folk tale energy amped up to 11, with great character building and atmosphere.
Blood and Wine was also cool. Toussaint's storybook beauty is certainly a change of pace from bleak Velen, seedy Novigrad, and ruggedly scenic Skellige. Main quest is interesting, love my boy Regis, and even knowing he's a fictional character it makes me happy that Geralt gets to retire and hang out in beautiful wine country with his partner (team Yen btw). Even went and watched the 10 year anniversary video after finishing and it was very :bloomer:
Now I'm gonna replay Thronebreaker since I've got it on steam now and am thoroughly gwent pilled again. Then maybe perfecting my Fallout Tale of Two Wastelands modlist and finally experiencing Fallout 3??
I've never been able to 'get' the witcher games. I've heard it said that the beginning is boring, and I should just plow through it, but its not just boring, it frustrating. And, I dunno, I think after the second try of playing it for a few hours and just hating it, I decided it wasn't really worth it. I've tried the other too (since I am not averse to 'old games' at all), and they similarly just, lack any real appeal to me.
I feel like its the same thing with Skyrim. This game that is rated so highly by so many people, that is so similar to games I do love, but I just don't 'get it', for whatever vague reasons it is to no be gripped by a piece of media.
I guess it doesn't help that I find the books pretty mid. Like, they are enjoyable, but also don't really feel all the special or unique to me.
If your more into gameplay, witchers gameplay isnt so great. Its more of the narrtive. Witchers combat is soo bad that basically all of the mainline titles have combat overhaul mods to make the experience more bearable.
You me, the same.
To each their own! White Orchard is definitely a slow start. I think the game really comes into its own with the Bloody Baron questline
Yeah, that's exactly what I've heard before, but I've just never been able to stick with it that far.
Bloody Baron is when everything clicked for me