If the excellent Skyrim somewhat monopolized the attention of gamers at the end of last year, they certainly have not forgotten that another exception to the adventure had long occupied a few months ago. Proposed by The Witcher 2. Taking advantage of a particular writing, worked in a tone refreshingly mature and breathtaking graphics, title, designed by Polish studio CD Projekt won a significant number of PC gamers. Nearly a year after its first appearance, The Witcher 2 will be released on April 17 on Xbox 360. The opportunity for developers to reach a wider audience. However, the console version is not, however, similar to a port on the cheap. It wants rich in content and especially calibrated gameplay level for its new target. A promise that we could actually see the game by trying…
By way of introduction, it should be noted that CD Projekt did not rush to start the development of the Xbox 360 version of The Witcher 2. Unlike most of its competitors, the Polish studio has taken the time to first offer PC gamers a solid experience before mobilizing his troops to implement the case on console. And since these developers based in Warsaw never neglect their work, porting this great RPG on the Microsoft machine also has benefited from special care. Evidenced by its release date, wedged almost a year after that of the PC version and additions which benefits the opportunity to change the platform. Starting with a completely new opening cinematic spanning just over three minutes, conducted by renowned Tomasz Baginski. The scene showing the brutal murder of Demavend king of Aedirn on its own ship, is absolutely sublime. A perfect introduction to the unique experience that awaits you.
Obviously, the first issue on which teams of CDProjekt have long floored to checks. While the PC version is already showing the practical pad but all proved laborious. Making the combat system dynamics, Witcher 2, fully playable on Xbox 360, was therefore not an easy task. On the contrary, many studios have broken teeth trying out this conversion exercise which can be dangerous at times. This time, Polish developer seems he found the right formula, including making a lot of work on the placement of the camera. It is to be found almost never exceeded by the action. It follows Geralt deftly, even when the friend Witcher splits a pirouette the most beautiful effect to go plant a monster.
In case of concern, the right stick allows anyway to pan the camera manually. Classic but it works perfectly in the clashes. The targeting system is also very effective. The player can locker easily the enemy he wants with a trigger or switch between at any time if he wishes. A perfect fluid ever caught out at our party.
Otherwise, the controls also showed very natural. The developers have taken mechanics who worked in other RPGs. There is the possibility of moving the game to pause to select the active sign, the sword or the bomb to use. The back button opens for its menus, giving access to the inventory, equipment and the competence of Geralt trees at different sheets detailing the background of the game and the map. Admittedly, CD Projekt had in mind the idea of porting console when it designed the menus of the RPG on the PC. This has caused some deserved remonstrances on the part of the community beyond.
Also, we do not show surprised that the navigation within the different sections is that simple. Similarly, dynamic battles are particularly suitable for this operation “consolization.” We thus find the clashes that require a sense of rhythm. Patience is required since it does not hesitate to jump to avoid attacks of an enemy, to ward off blows before throwing alternately fast and powerful. While all this calls for skill, we still felt that the fighting was even more powerful before. Too? Nags? It will take more time to decide.
The Witcher 2 on PC, it was also a successful art direction served by a realization of the highest order. We knew that CD Projekt would fail to reproduce such high quality video on Xbox 360. Just because Microsoft’s machine does not have the capacity. Not surprisingly, the confirmation came during the first presentation of the game technically, Witcher 2 console sauce is therefore much less successful than what we had right in May 2011.
However, apart from a clipping a bit too far, some textures not quite exemplary and modeling of faces less clean – details that developers still have time to refine – the game was still shown convincing. It is already clearly part of the upper basket on Xbox 360. The depth of field is amazing such as the effects of light are of rare beauty. The Gold Award is for environments that are full of details. Impressive, just, especially since CD Projekt had to edit in-depth the engine – the same as that used on PC – to achieve this result.
Content either side, the Polish studio decided not to let go. In itself, with its many scriptwriting branches, its multiple choice dialogues, its side quests and forty hours of gameplay, The Witcher 2 already offered a life interesting PC. But obviously that was not enough. Of 360, players will get the same story featuring Geralt and a cast of characters just as tasty, but embellished with four hours of additional gameplay. Specifically, this means the emergence of new places but also the arrival of new characters.
For example, we met the bold Brigida, little lady blonde formidable in battle. She asked for our help on a mission that was to accompany him near a river in defending against the onslaught of monsters and bandits. If the main plot does not probably change, these supplements densify the content of a game that did not need yet. To all this will add a big bonus of thirty minutes of additional cinematics but also all the DLC on PC distributed since the release of The Witcher 2 in May 2011. At the same time, not to frustrate its fan base, CD Projekt plans to provide new content for free to console owners of PC gaming. In short, everyone will be happy.
Conclusion: Very diligent as usual, CD Projekt had to put into a lot of work to adapt The Witcher 2 on Xbox 360. The primary pitfalls specific to this type of exercise appear to have been avoided. And, for the simple reason that the Polish studio has sought to rethink his game in depth to satisfy the public of the Xbox 360. The new controls will show particularly compelling, the problems of camera and targeting being managed wisely. Visually to the point, the game features bonus content of rare density. After conquering the heart of PC gamers, the RPG of CD Projekt has every chance to steal the interest of Xbox 360 owners.
ABOUT THIS GAME: The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Also on: PC
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
Genre: RPG
Publisher: Atari
Developer/Co-Developer: CD Projekt / Metropolis Software House
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