The Witcher is a dark fantasy world created by Andrzej Sapkowski, gaining popularity with the Netflix series. The game series started in 2007 with CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher, featuring a non-linear story with multiple possible endings, mature themes, and character development. Geralt of Rivia leads players in a medieval-inspired world where Witchers – professional monster hunters – are created through mutations and magical potions. The game combines RPG and action elements, and its vast world encourages exploration, side quests, and contracts for extra coin and experience. The Witcher’s expanding universe includes books, sequels, and spin-offs, making it a must-play game for fans of dark fantasy.
Diving Into the Dark Fantasy World of The Witcher: A Review of the Game and Its Expanding Universe
Introduction
The highly anticipated Netflix series “The Witcher” has rekindled interest in the dark fantasy world created by Andrzej Sapkowski. With its mature storytelling, complex characters, and beautifully crafted landscapes, the world of The Witcher is a fascinating place to explore. The success of the show has led to a plethora of new fans discovering the original source material, the books, and of course, the critically acclaimed games. In this review, we will dive into the world of The Witcher and explore the game that started it all, as well as its expanding universe.
The Game – The Witcher (2007)
The first entry in The Witcher game series was released in 2007 by Polish game developer, CD Projekt Red. The game puts players in the boots of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter, or “Witcher” in the world of The Witcher. It features a non-linear story with multiple possible endings, made possible by player choice, and has become known for its mature themes and character development.
Story
The story of The Witcher takes place in a medieval-inspired world, where humans live alongside various non-human species such as elves and dwarves. Witchers are skilled monster hunters, created through a dangerous and painful process that involves mutations and magical potions. Geralt himself is a complex character, a man of few words, with a dry sense of humor, but a fierce sense of justice. Throughout the game, players will encounter various NPCs, all with their own unique stories, and the choices they make will have consequences, determining the eventual outcome of the game.
Gameplay
The gameplay in The Witcher features a combination of RPG and action elements, with players able to level up Geralt’s skills and equipment as they progress. Combat is a mix of timing-based attacks and blocking, combined with magic spells, and can be challenging but rewarding. The game also features a trading card mini-game, called Gwent, which has since become a full-fledged game in its own right. The world of The Witcher is vast, and exploration is greatly encouraged, with players able to take on side quests and contracts for extra coin and experience.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in The Witcher still hold up today, with a detailed game world filled with lush forests, snowy mountains, and dark swamps. The character models are expertly crafted, and the magical spells are a sight to behold. The sound design is also impressive, with a fantastic soundtrack and voice acting that adds to the game’s immersive feel.
Expanding Universe – Books, Sequels, and Spin-Offs
The success of The Witcher game series led to a demand for more content in the world of The Witcher, and fans were not left disappointed. Here are a few of the most notable additions:
Books
The Witcher was originally a series of short stories and novels, written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The books follow Geralt on various adventures, as he journeys across the Continent, encountering various supernatural creatures, and dealing with the political intrigue of the world around him. The books have been translated into multiple languages and have been a huge success, with Sapkowski later inspired to create the game series in collaboration with CD Projekt Red.
Game Sequels
The success of the first game led to two more sequels – The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Both games received critical acclaim, with The Witcher 3 often cited as one of the best games of all time. The sequels improved on many aspects of the first game, with enhanced graphics, more complex combat systems, and even more NPC interactions and choices.
Spin-Offs
CD Projekt Red has also developed spin-off games set in The Witcher universe. Gwent, as mentioned earlier, was a mini-game in the original Witcher game that became extremely popular. CD Projekt Red turned it into a standalone game, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, which has its own thriving player base. They have also released Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, a single-player game set in the world of The Witcher, using Gwent as the main gameplay mechanic.
Conclusion
The Witcher is a fantastic example of a dark fantasy world, with complex characters and storylines, and a world that feels alive and full of wonder. The game series and its expanding universe have something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of RPGs, card games, or even books. With The Witcher’s future looking bright, with a second season of the Netflix series in the works, and rumors of another Witcher game on the horizon, there has never been a better time to jump into this fantastic world.