Video Game Review: The Witcher 2

2011 is the year of RPG, and also the year of AAA title squeals. Major RPG titles such as; Dragon Age 2, Fable 3, The Elder Scroll V: Skyrim, Dungeon Siege 3 and of course, The Witcher 2 are all due in 2011.

Earlier this year in March, Bioware released Dragon Age 2. While the game was good, but several major flaws ultimately disqualifies Dragon Age 2 to be considered "game of the year", and will probably not be remembered as a classic. Actually, criticisms on Dragon Age 2 has caused Bioware to delay the release of another AAA RPG title, Mass Effect 3 which was originally due for release in December 2011.

In the meantime, the Polish video game studio CD Projekt RED has worked on a sequel to the well received 2007 RPG "The Witcher". The Withcer 2 was released on 17th May worldwide. For months prior to its release, The Witcher 2 has already caused major disturbance in the world of video gaming. The initial game play videos and previews has lead to rumors circulating that "The Witcher 2", might just be the only contender for RPG of the year next to TESV: Skyrim. From what we can see, it seems that The Witcher 2 actually has better graphics than TES V: Skyrim.

After some 40 hours of gameplay, I have finally finished The Witcher 2. After finishing the game, I feel compelled to do a review on this game, so here it goes.

Introduction:

The Witcher RPG series, is based on a series of Polish fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapowski. Apparently in Poland, Sapowski's "Witcher" novels are as big as Harry Potter is in the English speaking world. The first 2 Witcher novels, "The Last Wish", and "Blood of the Elves" have both been translated into English. I have read them and I have to say, they are pretty good. So if you like reading fantasy novels, I highly recommend that you pick up "The Last Wish" from your nearby bookstore.

But let us not get distracted by books... The first Withcer game was well received by critics alike due to its complex story intended for more mature audiences. Personally, I really enjoyed the first Witcher game despite some of its flaws, such as the slightly too easy combat mechanics and the lack of armors choices in the game.

In "The Witcher" series, it is set in a medieval European styled world. With elves, dawrves, strange monsters and creatures. It is also an ugly world, with political conspiracies and conflicts of interests, where the elves and dawrves suffer from racism from humans, and some have taken the path of becoming freedom fighters (or terrorists in another sense). The main protaganist is "Geralt of Rivia", a mutant human who is trained from birth as a monster slayer.

Story:

The story of "The Witcher 2" picked up from the first Witcher game. After the events in The Witcher 1, Geralt of Rivia found himself to be the King's favourite subject. In a war to reclaim the king's royal bastards, an assassin managed to kill the king while he was under Geralt's guard. Therefore, Geralt became the prime suspect of the assassination and needed to clear his own name. As Geralt investigated and attempted to catch the assassin responsible for the king's death. A series of political conspiracies began to unveil, which led to a major change in the cause of history depending on Geralt's choice and his role in the story.

The developer CD Projekt Red boasted that "The Witcher 2" would have the most non-linear storyline ever seen in the history of RPG. Apparently, there are 16 different endings to "The Witcher 2". It all depends on the choices player make during the game. What I like most about the story is, unlike most traditional RPGs, when it comes to make decisions and choices in The Witcher 2. There are no obvious "right' or "wrong" choices to make. In other words, none of your choices are absolute good or absolute evil. As in the game you will be able to see both sides of the story, and see that all the clashes are simply conflicts of interests, and often both sides believe that they are doing the right thing. As a result, almost all the quests in The Witcher 2 are morally ambiguous. Most of the time, you will feel like you are making choices to choose the lesser of two evils, and often you will really have to pause to think about the choices you are going to make.

Another great factor of The Witcher 2 story is that, in this game. The story really evolves around your choices. The game will punish you for stuipd decisions you made earlier, while the story in the later chapters will be results of your choices earlier in the game. While many modern RPG often boast non-linear storyline, they are never really well implemented. However, it is not the same with The Witcher 2. As this game definitely has the MOST non-linear storyline I have ever seen in any RPG, and it's great.

As a Christian, my biggest problem against the story of "The Witcher 2" is probably the amount of sexual contents in this game. I was quite hopeful when I heard that the Australian version of the game was going to be censored for MA15+ rating. However, within the first few minutes of the game, scenes of full frontal nudity came into view and I was totally unprepared for that. So here is my warning: if you cannot handle strong sexual contents in video games, then don't play it... YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Otherwise, I really liked the overall story of "The Witcher 2", as it was full of surprises, twists and it really made me think about the choices I was making.

Gameplay and design:

The first thing you would notice about The Witcher 2 is the amazing graphics. I think this is the best looking RPG ever made. CD Projekt has made their own game engine for this game. Although the graphics look amazing, but it is also extremely taxing on your computer. I have a Nivida Geforce GTX 570 (which is the 2nd fastest single GPU card on the market in the 1st quarter of 2011), with Intel Core 2 quad 9300 CPU and 4 gigs of RAM. Yet I cannot run this game at maximum graphics setting.

The stunning graphics is not only coming from the good looking lighting and shadow effects, but also from the artist design and great use of color contrasts and building architectures. It's almost as if the developer went all out to make sure that The Witcher 2 is going to look good even in a few years time.

The gameplay in The Witcher 2 has been completely renovated. The combat mechanics is really simple and fun. The left mouse botton is fast attack, the right mouse button is heavy, slow attack. While "E" is blocking, and "Q" is for casting signs (magic). This combat mechanics has made The Witcher 2 play like a 3rd person action game in combats and is extremely engaging.

Unlike its predecessor, The Witcher 2 has hordes of items. The player can equip Geralt with many armors, and also have the abilites to craft your own armors and weapons, which added to a lot of funs to the RPG element.

However, here comes another flaw in this otherwise amazing game. The Witcher 2, has a very bizzare difficulty curve. In the beginning of the game, it is unbelievably HARD! However, as the game progresses and your character gains level and gets better equipments. The game becomes too easy. The reversed difficulty curve is quite strange in video games. But the good thing is, you can adjust the difficulty setting anytime you want. Still, it doesn't help with my annoyance in the prologue part of the game when I died 30 times...

The "reversed difficulty curve" also eliminated some fun aspects to the game. Not only do you die so often in the beginning of the game, but become untouchable towards the end of the game. With this problem also caused the elimination of some of the fun aspects of the game. For example, in the beginning of the game, because it is so difficult. You are forced to use all of Geralt's abilities, from sword fighting, magic skills to throwing bombs and drinking potions. However, as the game progress it becomes easier, and at the end you only have to use sword fighting, while using magic, bombs and potions are no longer needed. So I think CD Projekt should have balanced the difficulty of the game a bit more.

The world of The Witcher 2 is massive, besides the main quest line. There are numerous side quests to do as well, and even the side quests have good storyline to it. If you still want more, there are many mini games you can play as well and help Geralt to earn more money. From arm wrestling match, dice games to bar fights.

Another great thing about The Witcher 2 is the memorable characters. Although you will only get to play Geralt in the game, but you will meet a huge cast of characters. All of these characters are very interesting, and very memorable indeed. The characters really brought the story of The Witcher 2 to life, and you will definitely want to play this game several times to experiment with how making different decisions in the game will lead to different story and endings.

Final conclusion:

Story (9/10): This is the most non-linear RPG I've ever encountered. The complexity of the storyline is further enhanced by the morally ambiguous choices the player will have to make. All of these features makes the story one of the most compelling tale to ever embrace the world of RPG, and one of the most re-playable game as well.

Gameplay and design (9.8/10): The Witcher 2 is one of the prettiest RPG I've ever seen. The graphics and the environments are simply stunning. The combat mechanics is solid and exciting. However, the reverse difficulty curve is really bizzare. Which makes the first 5 hours of the game a most frustrating experience.

Violence/gore - medium: There are a lot of violence in this game, as Geralt not only kills monsters but also kill humans as he investigates the political consipracies. However, the violence scenes are not very gory. Unlike Dragon Age 2, people don't explode when they die, and no limbs or heads are chopped off and flying around.

Sex/nudity - very strong: I would strongly caution those who want to play this game about the strong sexual contents. Once again, if you have problem handling strong sexual contents in video games, then don't play it. If the Australian version is being censored, I wonder what the uncensored version looks like... There are about 5 scenes of frontal nudity, and 2 optional sex scenes.

Final verdict: 9.6/10

The Witcher 2, is a true AAA title and an instant RPG classic. It is in every way superior to Dragon Age 2, and as good as Mass Effect 2. Until TES V: Skyrim is released, I can see The Witcher 2 being a strong contender for game of the year 2011.

Book Review: Epic of Gilgamesh - Penguin Classics

Epic of Gilgamesh, is the earliest known literature in the world. The earlies version of this ancient Sumerian legend is believed to be composed at approximately 2100BC. It is a series of poems and Sumerian legends, the most complete version we have today, preserved on 12 clay tablets from the library of the Assyrian king from 7BC. The entire epic is composed as a series of poems.

Needless to say, this is indeed an extremely valuable piece of literature. This fascinating and bizzare story is centred on Gilgamesh, king of Uruk. He is a demi-god whose strength is unmatched, with impressive physical build and handsome features. Gilgamesh oppressed the citizens of Uruk in two ways: in the form of claiming the right to the first night of any newly wedded bride. The second form of oppression is by taxing young men's strength in all sorts of useless physical activities and labors. The citizens of Uruk cried out to their gods for help, the gods responded by creating Enkidu. A primitive and wild man whose strength can match that of Gilgamesh's to be his rival. He was spotted by a hunter, who informed Gilgamesh of the pending threat. In response to the threat, Gilgamesh sent a seductress to Enkidu, who was seduced and became civilized. However, Enkidu made a journey into the city, and fought a great battle against Gilgamesh, only to acknowledge Gilgamesh's superiority in strength. The two became close friends, and made a perilous journey to slay Hambaba, the deadly orge of the Cedar Forest. They succeed, but before the orge died, he cursed Enkidu to die a horrible death. The duo returned to the city of Uruk, where the Goddess Ishtar (sounds familiar? King Nebuchadnezzar II build the Gate of Ishtar, dedicated to the Goddess Ishtar in 575BC, the gate is indirectly mentioned in the Book of Daniel from OT) attempted to seduce Gilgamesh. After Gilgamesh refused her advancement, Ishtar became furious, and stormed to her father, borrowed the Bull of Heaven in attempt to kill Gilgamesh. The bull wrcked havoc in Uruk, but Gilgamesh and Enkidu, with their combined efforts they manged to kill the bull.

As the heroic duo celebrated, the gods became angry with them for killing Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. As a punishment, one of them had to die. Enkidu was then struck with illness that eventually took his life. Seeing his friend's death, Gilgamesh was saddened about his friend, and at the same time became greatly distressed about his own, future death. After a great lamentation, Gilgamesh left Uruk, dressed in animal skins and wandered the wild in search of eternal life. He searched for Utnapishtim, who knew the secret of immortality and was amongst the few survivors who survived a "great flood" (sounds familiar? Let's talk about this later). On his journey, Gilgamesh killed a few lions and took the skins for cloth. After a dangerous journey, Gilgamesh arrived at the end of the earth, where the entrance was guarded by two horrible scorpion men. He convinced the scorpion men to reveal the location of Utnapishtim, and braved the trial of the Path of Sun in complete darkness, and completed the path before the sun caught up with him. At the other end, Gilgamesh finally arrived at the garden of paradise, and found the ferry man Urshanabi to help him to cross the sea to see Utnapishtim. Urshanabi was accompanied by stone giants. Gilgamesh thought the stone giants were hostile and killed the giants, the only creatures that can help him cross the Water of Death (deadly to touch).

Urshanabi came up with an alternative plan, and after following Urshanabi's instructions. Gilgamesh crossed the sea and finally found Utnapishtim. Utnapishtim told Gilgamesh that, an obsession to avoid the natural death of human will only take away his joy in life. However, he also told Gilgamesh in order to obtain immorality, Gilgamesh must first pass a trial of no sleeping for 6 days and 7 nights. Due to weariness from long travels, Gilgamesh fell asleep, therefore failing the test. Utnapishtim asked his wife to bake one bread a day while Gilgamesh is asleep, so he cannot deny his failure. Gilgamesh woke, and realizing that he will never be able to defeat death, because he cannot even defeat sleep. Utnapishtim told the ferryman to take Gilgamesh back. However, as a parting gift, Utnapishtim told Gilgamesh that there is a special plant at the bottom of the sea, that will replenish his youth. Gilgamesh was overjoyed, dived into the water and retreived the plant. However, as he emerge from the water, a serpent stole the plant and shed its skin as it departs (strange isn't it? Does that sound familiar to you?). After the magical plant was stolen, Gilgamesh wept as all hopes for immortality was gone and his efforts were ultimately futile. He then returned to Uruk, where he realized that he will only be remembered as long as the massive walls of Uruk shall stand.

So there you have it, a summary of Epic of Gilgamesh. As a Christian, the element of the story that struck me the most is how fearful human beings are of death. By reading Epic of Gilgamesh, I realized that people today are no different to people who lived 4500 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. All are fearful and dreadful of our own eventual, inevitable death. In the epic, Gilgamesh used his mighty power, and braved dangerous roads and perilous tasks in attempt to gain immortality. Only to fail miserably despite his great efforts,

In modern-day atheist belief, they said we can come to peace with death if we can acknowledge that life is but an accident, and has no purpose. But I think the biggest problem with the atheist belief is that it means ultimately, there is just no point to life. So if life really is just an accident, then what difference does it make if we die now or later? Why not die now and make it easier for ourselves? Actually, why not just destroy the world and put life out of existence, I mean, it's not like the world is an awesome place to be anyway right?

However, as a Christian, the Bible has confirmed that through accepting the grace of God, through accepting that Jesus Christ is my lord and savior. His death and resurrection has ensured me an eternal life with the author of life, God. Also, salvation does not come through works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but through having faith in Jesus Christ. Any good works we do are responses and expressions of our love to the grace of God who had mercy on us, with the intention to love others. See, how good is that? If Gilgamesh was a real person and is standing in front of me, I wonder how he would react if I tell him the good news of Jesus Christ.

In this ancient Sumerian legend, the mighty king of Uruk Gilgamesh, embarked a perilous journey and braved dangerous trials all for the sake of obtaining eternal life. He exerted great efforts by using his unparalleled strength and courage. Yet, ultimately his efforts were all futile and he lamented that he shall "live" only as long as his mighty deeds are remembered by the people. However, Jesus Christ, is standing at our doorways right now, knocking at our doors calling us to let him in. He wants to give us eternal life, and we don't even have to slay lions, fight stone giants and cross the deadly, poisonous water to get it. Because salvation in Jesus Christ is a gift! All we need to do is, open the door, admit that we are sinners, accept Jesus as our lord and savior, and invite Him inside into our hearts and trust Him! How good is that? Has there ever been a better news than the Gospel?

After reading Epic of Gilgamesh, I have several interesting questions in mind, and I think it would be a fascinating research to do:

1) I wonder if there is a co-relation between the "Great Flood" mentioned in Gilgamesh and the flood mentioned in the book of Genesis. Because in Gilgamesh, Utnapishtim (the immortal dude who survived the flood) received a vision with instructions from the gods to build a giant ship, therefore survived the flood. In the Bible, Noah built the ark according to the instruction from God. I wonder if the flood in both Gilgamesh and Genesis are referencing to the same event, a flood that took place in the Mesopotamian region 4500 years ago?

2) In Genesis, the serpent tempted Adam and Eve to sin, which is to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge in the garden of Eden. In Epic of Gilgamesh, a serpent stole the magical plant that could have replenished Gilgamesh's youth. It seems there is a common theme where serpents somehow caused people to loose their eternal life. I wonder if Epic of Gilgamesh drew inspiration from Genesis, or if both Epic of Gilgamesh and Gensis are inspired by an earlier and more ancient account, probably passed down through oral tradition?

Anyway, I am really glad that I have read Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient classic that carries great historical significance as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Morte d'Arthur and Beowulf. It is a fantastic story and now I can say that I've read the oldest piece of written literature in all human history!