Witcher II detail explosion, "engrossing, mature storyline" promised
CD Projekt Red was in Barcelona two weeks ago to show off The Witcher II at Namco's pre-E3 event, spilling tons of new details.
Spoilers within. Just adding some new shots for you now.
The RPG sequel sees players return to the role of Geralt, who defeated the uprising by the Order of Flaming Rose in the first game, as well as saving King Foltest from a witcher-like assassin.
Geralt's new quest sits alongside a personal mission of attempting to discover the identity of the king's would-be assassin from the original game. Geralt must try to discover a group of killers responsible for the murders of rulers across Northern Kingdom, as well as try to connect the link between the group and the witchers, and whatever their end-game could be.
CD Projekt Red has promised an "epic, intense, emotionally charged adventure," with three independent plots to have "several alternative events" depending on the player's actions.
Cut-scenes will also be presented via the game's brand new engine.
Sex and eroticism will also be key to The Witcher II, with CDP Red promising the subject will be "introduced in a much more realistic, involving and mature way, thanks to which sexual relationships are presented more credibly than in TW1."
As for gameplay itself, CDP promises that it will contain "no FedEx missions" - going from point A to B to pick up package and back again - with the promise of more story-connected quests. It'll also feature "extensive non-linearity within advanced gameplay mechanics," meaning any allies you meet during the main plot will show "new and diverse possibilities and threads".
The game will also have enhanced character development, with customisation decisions affecting the different types of gameplay experiences, as well as allowing players to battle enemies that have "a fixed difficulty level".
Other new stuff includes "highly varied, breathtaking locations" throughout the game's world, and a "unique, intuitive combat system" which brings together a massive list of "tactical elements". What that means is to be announced in the future, apparently.
The developer promises the game will be the "best-looking RPG to date". Big talk.
CDP is sticking with the Q1 2011 date it previously gave the game after the release of its debut trailer back in March.
So far, only a PC release is in the pipeline, despite previous confirmation that the game would be coming to the consoles.