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The Witcher (computer game)

The Witcher
The Witcher EU box.jpg
Developer(s) CD Projekt RED
Publisher(s) Atari
Director(s) Jacek Brzeziński
Producer(s) Maciej Miąsik
Designer(s) Michał Madej
Programmer(s) Maciej Siniło
Artist(s) Adam Badowski
Writer(s) Artur Ganszyniec
Sebastian Stępień
Marcin Blacha
Composer(s) Adam Skorupa
Pawel Blaszczak
Series The Witcher
Engine Aurora Engine
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, OS X
Release
Genre(s) Action role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player
Aggregate score
Aggregator Score
Metacritic 81/100
Review scores
Publication Score
1UP.com B-
Eurogamer 7/10
GamePro 4.5/5
GameSpot 8.5/10
GameSpy 4.5/5 stars
GameZone 8.8/10
IGN 8.5/10
Awards
Publication Award
GameSpy PC RPG of the Year
IGN Best of 2007, Best RPG

The Witcher (Polish: Wiedźmin [ˈvʲjɛ̇ʥ̑mʲĩn]) is an action role-playing video game developed by CD Projekt RED and published by Atari. The game is based on the novel series of The Witcher by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The story takes place in a medieval fantasy world and follows Geralt, one of a few remaining Witchers – traveling monster hunters for hire who have supernatural powers. The game's system of "moral choices" as part of the storyline was noted for its time-delayed consequences and lack of black-and-white morality.

The game utilizes BioWare's proprietary Aurora Engine. A console version using an entirely new engine and combat system, titled The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf, was to be released in late 2009 but was suspended due to payment problems with the console developers, Widescreen Games. Two sequels were released, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released respectively in 2011 and 2015.

There are three camera styles available in The Witcher: two top-down perspectives, where the mouse is used to control most functions, and an over-the-shoulder view, which brings the player closer to the in-game combat, but limits visibility. In all three views the controls can be changed to be primarily mouse focused or a combined keyboard and mouse approach.

The combat system in The Witcher represents a different gaming experience from most RPGs. Players can choose one of three fighting styles to use in different situations and against different foes. The fast style allows for faster, less-damaging attacks with a greater chance of hitting faster enemies; the strong style deals more damage in exchange for a slow attack speed, and a lower chance to hit faster enemies; and the group style features sweeping attacks best used if Geralt is surrounded. The player can switch between the styles at any point. Both of Geralt's main swords also have distinctively different combat styles from other weaponry, and serve specific purposes. The steel blade is used to fight humans and other flesh-and-blood beings, while the silver sword is more effective against supernatural monsters and beasts (against some of which steel may have no effect whatsoever). With precise timing, the player can link Geralt's attacks into combos to more effectively damage enemies.


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