The game as it should have been when released, an amazing and complete RPG experience.
The buyers of the new version from stores will additionally enjoy : two CDs with the music soundtrack and "inspired of" music, a "making of" DVD, a high quality printed map and a strategy guide!
It is worth to mention that older save games are compatible with the new Enhanced Edition.
The game is coming with a 18+ sticker and not without reason. The mature world, of Temeria, in which our adventure take place, is a decayed medieval world. Forget the elves that dance in the forests and the funny talking dwarfs. Here the dwarfs/elves are rebels, live in ghettos, fighting for their freedom in a racist world; and as usual they considered terrorists from those who oppose. The NPCs are swear and curse and don't like you. Well except the women of course. There's times when you walk around and hear people on the road saying "a witcher ... hide your women"! That sounds funny, but there's a kind of minigame in game where our hero sleeps with numerous women, from waitresses to princess! The game unlocks some spicy art pictures of those women.
A note on this, i saw some pictures on the net and apparently the US version of the game is censored! Unbelievable crap. If you can find the EU version is recommended by me. End of note!
The witcher is based on the books of Polish writer, Andrzej Sapkowski, but the particular story is original and don't come from any book. Our hero is the well known Geralt Of Rivia, a witcher also known as The White Wolf. Witchers are professional monster slayers, once respected for the deeds, now infamous and feared for their abilities from the volunteered mutation.
The story is great, the character makes decisions that affect the plot progression and the game's ending, as long as the personal relations with others. There's no clear good/evil path to follow and sometimes the player found himself to choose the "lesser of two evils". The freedom on player's choices is something amazing and offers great replay value to the game.
Responsible for the game is a highly modified Aurora Engine from Bioware. So modified that seems unbelievable! All eye candy goodies are present, from motion captured animation to dynamic weather effects and blurs. Sound is equally good and supports EAX technology.
The game offers three camera's to choose how to play, two "top down" somehow classic-RPG; and one "over the shoulder" for more closer to action perspective. The combat system is also different from other RPGs, the player choose (this can be done anytime during the fight) one of three styles to fight:
a) fast,quick for dexterous and fast opponents
b) strong/heavy for armored, heavy and slow opponents and
c) group for lots of opponents or mob control
Another thing is the sword that Geralt uses, silver for magical beasts and monsters but useless on living beings and a steel sword for humans which is not suitable for fighting unnatural (or supernatural) enemies. In combat the main feature is the precise timing in hits which creates combos that inflict additional damage.
Another part of gameplay is Alchemy, which is not just useful but essential in normal and hard game modes. Geralt can learn the formulas from books and characters or can experiment on its own (drink it) and observe the effects. Potions increase the toxicity level on the body and on a certain level can be fatal. To reduce toxicity our hero must either rest/meditate or drink a specific potion. Alchemy is used also on temporary weapon enhancement, in the form of oil coatings and in making of bombs.
For either fight or alchemy and resource gathering the player must put talent points on corresponding skills.
The polish studio, CD Project RED did an amazing job in this game. This is a complete and mature gaming experience that every respectable gamer should play! Especially the Enhanced Edition is a diamond and offers a nice pack of goodies, not only for the collector.