From Atari, The Witcher is a PC-only RPG that is not only trying to redefine the hack-and-slash generation of role-playing games, but also bring a truly engaging story to a truly generic genre. From the mind of Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher is looking to do what every new game does, standout. I spoke with one of the game’s producers here at PAX and got a personal demo to find out just what this title is trying to deliver.
When asked how this game plays or what it could be compared to, Witcher producer Larry Liberty said it was like Diablo, but without the simple combat that it and its clones have pushed out. Essentially, he said this is not just a dumbed-down point and click RPG.
Boasting an original story and about 120 hours of total gameplay, what The Witcher really tries to do differently from everyone else is in its combo and stance gameplay. Instead of just one click and auto-attack, the game actually tries to draw in the player by making him/her click at different points during the attack to unleash progressively impressive combo chains.
As you progress through the game, you’ll be able to upgrade those chains to become more and more powerful. Liberty said the evolution of your character is more about leveling up his combos rather than leveling up specific physical attributes.
The world itself is your standard fantasy-RPG setting. You play as one single character type and move through environments such as castles, forests and graveyards. While the graphics aren’t the most stunning thing I’ve seen in my life, they were most definitely serviceable. The animations were quite average as well — there’s even a Keanu Reeves/Matrix moment when your character moves to one of the three stances available (strong, fast, and group).
When asked what else sets The Witcher apart from the rest of the cookie-cutter RPGs out there, Liberty said they have approached potions in a whole different way. Instead of drinking them as liberally as water, he said the health potions your character makes are actually toxic which result in only about three being ingested at any one time — alchemy is also a big part of the game. Liberty says the potions used would actually kill a normal human.
Slated to be released around Halloween, whether The Witcher really can deliver a unique experience remains to be seen. But, at least they’re trying. While Diablo and the like are just fine, they’re getting real old, real fast.
