The Witcher 2 - Combat Overhauled But Not Dumbed Down

[Thrasher]

I actually had to spice it up using the trickier to master Yrden sign. At least it required some careful placement and positioning. Aard and Igni became boring quickly...

 

[Moriendor]

I really like the idea of fast on one button and hard on another…

I don't. Sounds like an (even more) awful click-fest to me but will have to wait and see for the implementation before any final judgement is made.
Oh well, not going to play this game for the combat anyway but more for the story and quests so it's sort of OK in a way if the combat system continues to suck .

 

[Sin]

If TW2 was going to use the exact same combat system as TW, I possibly wouldn't bother buying it. It was a functional system, a bit different from the norm, but simple and repetitive once you got used to it.

IMO, the combat system's evolution is a necessary step to progress the series. I just hope it doesn't become a click-fest. Also, I hope they loosely stick to one handed weapon types, the thought of Geralt swinging a massive two handed axe or polearm just doesn't seem right.

Still optimistic and moderately excited.

 

[rune_74]

Come on guys they have a great track record, their one and only game was good.

 

[Thrasher]

1 for 1. Only a 50% chance of getting it right.

 

[Zloth]

Come on guys they have a great track record, their one and only game was good.

AFTER some serious patching.

"...weapons other than the steel and silver Witcher swords will actually have a use..."

Well that's good. Bringing an axe along with you in the first game was extremely pointless.

As for the combat not getting dumbed down... well, yeah. That's like saying the next version of Minecraft will not be dumbing down the graphics.

 

[JDR13]

As for the combat not getting dumbed down… well, yeah. That's like saying the next version of Minecraft will not be dumbing down the graphics.

I don't know about that. If it boils down to simply being LMB=weak attack, RMB=strong attack, which is what it's starting to sound like, then I'm going to be a little disappointed.

 

[Nerevarine]

The LMB=weak, RMB=strong seems like a good enough set-up to me, so I'm not sure why this is being strongly criticized - other than the fact that (gasp!) it has real-time combat, so it must not be a true RPG! . So long as fights require some strategy and well-timed dodge/block/defensive maneuvers, it could end up being a pretty solid combat system. My only complaint would be if it ended up being a click-fest.

 

[guenthar]

I don't really see this as becoming a click-fest since having weak and strong attacks like that and comparing it too what they did with the previous game means you won't be able to just "click click click...he's dead" and it will be more like click click click...this attack isn't doing anything" or "click...ugh he got me" and you will probably end up dead.

 

[Grandor Dragon]

Combat in the Witcher was mildly entertaining, and remained so throughout the game. But this was not due to the timed clicking, but because of the tactical decisions. If they remain the same, I have no problems with them changing the controls.

 

[DoctorNarrative]

Combat in the Witcher was mildly entertaining, and remained so throughout the game. But this was not due to the timed clicking, but because of the tactical decisions. If they remain the same, I have no problems with them changing the controls.

Tactical decisions? I just clicked when the sword was red and then everything died.

 

[Tragos]

I love combat in TW , too bad they change it .

 

[KasperFauerby]

I don't know about that. If it boils down to simply being LMB=weak attack, RMB=strong attack, which is what it's starting to sound like, then I'm going to be a little disappointed.

Well, the control changes alone doesn't say much? I mean, in TW1 you used a keyboard button to change style, and then had to "keep the rhythm" with LB. In theory the new system could do the same, but by cutting away one combat style there is no longer any need for the keyboard.

Combat in "The Witcher" has always been more about action than about tactics. What made the combat somewhat different from a pure ARPG was:
1) you had to choose the right weapon (material)
2) You had to choose the right type of attack for the opponent (fast, strong, group)
3) You had to keep the combo going, using a timing system.

If they keep the timing aspect in combat, I think it will be a much more fluent experience just using the mouse… LB, LB, LB .. he's down… RB to finish off

I don't know if they'll do that though. Without the timing system, combat *could* become much more of a click fest, and that would annoy me too …

However, The Witcher remains one of my favourite RPGs of all times, for all the other things it did right, and I'm sure I'll like the second one as well - even with an entirely new combat system. Still an instant-buy for me!

 

[Pessimeister]

On higher difficulties, you could actually disable the sword going red and rely upon your own instincts and memory for timings instead. It was more gratifying that way and saved combat from being a timed clicked response to visual stimuli.

I really liked the journal and the ability to prepare for monsters in fights with alchemy. Hopefully this has been maintained or perhaps deepened.
Inasmuch as there weren't that many difficult tactical choices, you could combine signs abilities with your chosen specialisations quite nicely.

Not sure if I'll have the time to replay the Witcher before this finally comes out. I still need to playthrough the neutral path...

 

[Soulman]

I'm one of the (apparently few) people who actually liked the combat in first game, but it's no big deal if they change it. I really wish they wouldn't do QTE in boss fights (or at all), though. It won't ruin the whole game for me or anything, but I still hate it.

 

[DoctorNarrative]

I liked the kooky rhythm game combat in the original as well, but frankly making it a more responsive and visceral system makes a lot of sense and has me pumped. I don't see how it could be dumbing down, since the original didn't really require tactics or thought, just timing.

 

[JDR13]

The Witcher definitely required some tactics if you played on Hard.

Not sure if I'll have the time to replay the Witcher before this finally comes out. I still need to playthrough the neutral path…

There was a neutral path?

 

[Couchpotato]

There was a neutral path?

Yeah it had you declining to help either side. You play how it should of ended if you read the books. Geralt sides with neither the Elves nor the Order, but does what he feels is right.

Can anybody confirm the QTE's are still in the game like in force unleashed? I seem to recall it being mentioned in an interview.

 

[JDR13]

I definitely need to play it again before the sequel comes out. I honestly don't recall having a choice to not help either side. The way I remember it, every critical plot point had me choosing between the Elves or the Flaming Rose.

 

[kalniel]

I definitely need to play it again before the sequel comes out. I honestly don't recall having a choice to not help either side. The way I remember it, every critical plot point had me choosing between the Elves or the Flaming Rose.

You don't really chose to be neutral, you just sort of ignore various quests. I didn't spot it on my first play through despite wanting to be neutral. Going back through it now you have to make a concious effort to avoid helping either side, rather than it being a clear dialogue option.