The Witcher 2 Patch 2.0 Review

Preface

The Witcher 2 has set a bar amongst RPG’s for some of the best graphics and gameplay. With tens of hours of gameplay and numerous patches, the development team hasn’t stopped. Recently released was The Witcher 2 Patch 2.0, which brings over 40+ game corrections, along with 3 big new features. Continue reading to find out!

The New Features

First up we’ll start with the smallest addition, Tutorial mode. This mode brings new players through a small step by step tutorial in game to get you acquainted with the basic controls and all the necessary steps to get you battle ready immediately. Experienced users may find this useful, but it’s generally pretty basic and you probably know most of the stuff in it if you’ve already played the game. You can access the tutorial by either going to the main menu and then to Tutorial, or when starting a new game you will be asked if you’d like to visit the tutorial first. A nice addition that should have been there at launch, but were happy it’s there now.

Next is a completely new game mode, called Arena. If you’re familiar with “Horde mode” from Gears of War then you’re going to be right at home with this. The mode is selected from the main menu and your taken to a room right outside the arena. You’ll be introduced by an annoying old guy each time you start but thankfully you can skip all the talk and get straight into action. Before entering the arena you can do a few things; buy equipment and items, spend your skill points, and or recruit a mercenary to fight alongside you for a fee. Once you’re done checking things out and doing what you need to do, you ready to start your first match. Beforehand you choose a difficulty, there are 4 difficulties to choose from and the harder you go the most points you’ll be awarded, these points tie into the leaderboard which I’ll get too later. So after all that you approach the arena gate and left click, a window comes up and displays your next match, these details include your prizes, what enemies are present, and what number you’re on. This is useful in case you want to check out your enemies and equip / modify your character accordingly. Finally pressing fight, you are thrown into a gladiator style arena surrounded by that rounds foe. Once you’ve hacked and slashed your way to the finish your character will do his fancy sword dance, prompt for which one of the three reward items you want, and then back to the tavern you go. Forget to parry or dodge an attack and receive a fatal blow? Your current score will be saved but any further progress is untracked. Fairly simple and fun but he had a few suggestions. Honestly we would never make it that far but a common request in the forums was the ability to save your arena progress from the pub. It makes sense they didn’t include these for anyone attempting mischievous foul play, but it’s unfortunate for the really skilled who are far along, competing for that #1 spot to have to leave the game running if they need a break. Granted the rules apply to all contenders frankly some people have a lot more time than others. Lastly we wanted an arena where we could just go and fight through waves of enemies and just progress our “arena” character. Rather than his progress being wiped every time you exit it would have been nice to have a separate arena mode to just build a character and continually come back and challenge yourself in the arena. Overall an awesome addition that could of easily been a $5 or $10 DLC but props for keeping it free!

Finally we reach the addition we found had the most impact on true Witcher enthusiast, Dark Mode. Picture playing through your favorite game on the hardest difficulty and then making it almost double has hard. This mode is not meant to be taken lightly and their description could not have been more perfect. No longer will you be able to just hack and slash your way through enemies but “each and every foe represents a significant challenge”. We could of imagine how many more hours it will take to get through this mode but should you have the patience and courage to do so, you will be rewarded generously. CD Projekt Red has put in more armor and weapons to help compensate for the now ridiculously tough enemies. The Blasphemer, Oathbreaker and Kinslayer, are the new all new outfits that you’ll want to get your hands on a.s.a.p.!

Conclusion

Over the last year it seems publishers and developers have been pushing to get every cent out of gamers; like EA’s online pass, and Gears of War weapon skins that cost Microsoft points. When CD Projekt Red announced it would be including all of this in a free patch, we were shocked. I mentioned it before and I’ll say it again, this patch could have easily been a DLC regardless whether the Tutorial should have been there at launch or not, we not only welcome the addition but send out a big thanks to The Witcher team for caring about its fans.