The Rise of the White Wolf
I love this game and frankly, I was told about it before I got it and it fully deserved the hype.
Although, technically a linear game, it felt very open in terms of the space and environment. It does encourage exploration as there was no area that I could truly see as empty. It's games like these that have just enough things to do in the space that they have that feel fulfilling to complete instead of big open spaces with little to nothing to do.
This game in particular, along with its surprisingly open environment, which even has the beginnings of a live environment (monkeys and other animals crawling around, ambient voices in towns, hisses in the night and maybe howling) has a story that draws you in as well. Admittedly, the game is dark but it is also fairly scary. The music and the darkness in the environment of some areas truly give you goosebumps.
Your main quest is to unravel a mystery or mysteries rather, the main one being of where exactly did the items taken from the laboratory go. Like others have said, this game truly stands out because you have decisions that matter. That's all I will say about the story.
Combat:
Primarily, your character is strongly focused on swordplay with no shield. With incredibly agile and offensive attacks rather than stealth or magic. Stealth is virtually non-existent in this game and magic is limited, so playing primarily as a mage is very difficult, however that comes as a huge part of what makes the character and as you will see, most Witchers are heavily warrior class.
Therefore, the RPG elements of this game are solely focused on the warrior class. That is really a non-issue for me. I'm just pointing out the specific RPG factors of the game, however, who knows who it might turn off.
Equipment:
The game does equip you properly enough throughout its phases and that's saying a lot, as there are plently of games out there where you find good equipment only too late for you made up for your equipment deficits with grinding and leveling up combat, with this game, it seems like CD ProjektRED spent their time wisely by making a very well thought out game.
Controls:
The controls are great, I love them and prefer them over the Witcher 2 controls. There are no quick time events and I love that as well. Yes, they did take some learning but actually no more learning than other games with a slightly different control layout.
I was using a Dualshock 4 controller with InputMapper and it worked great. It did limit my keys but only because my knowledge of creating macros is non-existent
Conclusion:
The gameplay, combat and story alone in this game rivals many, even by today's standards and in fact this game balances so many minute details and yet seems to draw the big picture just as well that most games of today can learn a lot of things from this game.
On a personal note, primarily because of this game, has Geralt of Rivia become my second favorite character of all time. Maybe even rivaling my first, Solid Snake. Both, I would say bring something to the table that inspire me.
I'm in fact going to play it again because I want to have the entire story of the Witcher series before I play the third one but from the experience I had, it will be worth it. Very well worth it.
Enjoy your gaming.
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