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The Witcher, the beginning of one of the best RPG trilogies ever created, based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski. This title will undoubtedly be appreciated most by fans of the series and those who want to dive deeper into the story of Geralt of Rivia due to its rich storyline, faithful depiction of the medieval and Slavic atmosphere through audiovisual elements, and excellent dialogues. However, I am aware that this is a game that has been somewhat aged by time, and there are a few outdated mechanics and elements that might cause some players to skip this part.


The storyline in The Witcher is undoubtedly the strongest aspect of the game, serving as the main reason players will keep returning. Some want to learn more about the continuation of Geralt's adventures from the books, while for others, it marks the beginning of their journey towards The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Both groups will not be disappointed. The beginning of the game can feel a bit tedious, with a lot of walking from point A to point B and back, but as the story progresses, it becomes increasingly engaging. In the game, we experience a dark and brutal world, dominated by dangerous monsters, simple but interesting political intrigues, constant wars, and inter-racial conflicts. We also learn the story of Geralt of Rivia, a unique witcher struggling with his past. The game offers plenty of choices, each with consequences that impact the world and the characters around us. What I’ve always loved about this universe is that there is never a clearly "good" decision. There is only the lesser evil, and even if we try to remain neutral, sooner or later, fate will drag us into the world’s events. Our choices make us think and reflect on how we would act in certain situations or what Geralt would do.


The most attention should be paid to Geralt himself, and if by some chance someone doesn't know him well enough, let me briefly explain why I adore him and why he's one of the best-written and most badass characters ever. First and foremost, he is an exceptional warrior and a professional in what he does. Intelligent, moral, full of irony, tough yet sensitive. An outsider, but with deep bonds and many friends, who cares not only for them but also for anyone in need of help. Along the way, we meet both familiar characters from the books and new, interesting, funny, or irritating ones that stay with us long after we part ways. They significantly impact how the story unfolds. The game is also filled with humor, irony, sharp retorts, and funny lines, emphasizing the character of the heroes. None of them are one-dimensional: they have their own stories and motivations. You can overhear their conversations as you pass by, regardless of our interactions, and even see them seeking shelter during a heavy rain. The dialogues are superb and natural, with Polish voice actors delivering performances that bring the characters to life. Every conversation reveals something interesting or gives us a good laugh.


Visually, the environments, terrains, and buildings don’t look bad. However, it’s more the atmosphere that stands out. You can really feel the medieval vibe; the cities and villages have both rich and poor districts, where in some places, you sense cleanliness and order, while in others, you encounter dirt, stench, and crime. You’ll need to get used to the character models, as some of them look a bit cursed (sorry, Zoltan XD). But the monsters stand out, as they were created with care and creativity. The world, with its villages and cities, feels alive. Heralds proclaim decrees, guards patrol the city, ladies of the night tempt passersby, and ordinary citizens walk around chatting or commenting on our actions and choices throughout the game. Now, when it comes to the soundtrack and sound design: From the moment the main menu opens, we’re greeted with music that sends shivers down our spine. In-game, the soundtrack is pleasant to listen to while exploring cities or the world, and during combat, it serves to hype us up even more.


Now we arrive at the weakest link in The Witcher. The combat system, while offering the use of signs and bombs, revolves around swordplay. However, it is executed in quite an unusual way... To strike an opponent and perform a combo of attacks, you have to click the left mouse button at the right moment, and that’s it. This doesn’t provide any satisfaction from defeating the opponent, as we don’t really get to show any skill. The only thing that helps us get used to the system are the flashy attack animations and finishing blows.


I have a slight issue with the exploration in this title. On one hand, the world does hide some locations that we can discover on our own. On the other hand, there are very few of these locations, and often, we’re only directed to them through quests, with the rewards usually not being all that exciting.


As a fan of the series, I had a very enjoyable time. Despite some imperfections, I wanted to fully immerse myself in this world, read about it, the monsters, the kingdoms, the characters, check every corner, and talk to every person I met to experience the many interesting and well-developed quests and find references to the books. In the game, I encountered many funny, surprising, and intriguing moments that only fueled my curiosity about what would happen next. The only thing that bothered me a bit was that, as an RPG, the exploration wasn’t as rewarding as I had hoped.

The game gets better over chapters.
My rating,
Prologue: 1/5
Chapter 1: 1.5/5
Chapter 2: 2/5
Chapter 3: 5/5
Chapter 4: 4.5/5
Chapter 5: 5/5
Epilogue: 5/5

Maybe is time for a remake? CD Projekt, what do you think about it?