From Strategyinformer.com: "We’re big fans of CD Projekt’s The Witcher series here at Strategy Informer. While the original had a few problems it showed a lot of promise that was realised with the release of an Enhanced Edition, and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings was so great I awarded it 9/10. Twice.
That also got an Enhanced Edition and a console release for the first time. Now the final part of Geralt’s saga, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, has finally been announced – but what do we want from it? The previous game scraped within touching distance of being the best RPG ever made, what things does CD Projekt need to do with The Witcher 3 to get that full 10/10? 11 things, in fact, so we better get right to it. How about...".
RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.
"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!
How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera
And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.
Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.
Pity.
Given the medium's wild diversity, this primer of the essential video games everyone should try is a good place to start.
I can't fk with this list. They missed on alot of games probably before the writers times. Also I know people loved some portal but I was never a fan.
Tomb Raider 1
Driver 1
Abe’s Odyssey
FF6
King of Fighters 94
Mortal Kombat OG
LINK 2 the past
Street Fighter 2
Resident Evil 1
Infinite but not the first two games? Witcher 3 but not the first two games?? GTA V but not literally any of the games before it??? Portal 2 but not the first? Also if you're going to play Shadow of The Colossus play the remaster and not the remake. Can't say I disagree with the list but my man it's all over the place.
I mean some sequels are objectively better and you don’t need to play the whole series.
But most of these games have a story to follow, sure you can catch up with a YouTube vid but where's the fun in that?
A list like this isn't telling you not to play the previous games if you want to. It's just giving you legendary games to play.
But tbh, you don't always have to force yourself to play every entry in a franchise to get to the better ones.
- The vast majority of Witcher 3 players never played the first 2 and had a great time. The first 2 games aren't in the same league.
- The GTA games are self-contained with the odd fun reference. You can easily jump into any of them.
- The Shadow Of The Colossus remake looks and controls better than the original (plus it has a 60fps option while the remaster is just 30fps). New players will enjoy it more.
- Portal 2 is a lot better than Portal 1 and takes the concept much further gameplay-wise. Storywise, Portal 1 is fairly light too. Not that you shouldn't play it but realistically ... you'd love Portal 2 whether you play it or not (at lot of Portal 2 players have never played 1).
Bioshock 1 is the only one I agree with you on simply because it's one the best games of all time and arguably better than Infinite. No other setting like Rapture.
Looking at the list, I'd recommend playing Uncharted 1 before 2 but no doubt, 2 is the legendary one you have to play.
I get it, but that's just my opinion on his opinion. I just think that before you play a sequel you should still play what came before it. Maybe it's just me but i find it fascinating playing through the first game in a series and seeing how it has evolved through its sequels. Like I said I don't disagree with the list, other than SoTC which I strongly believe the remaster of the original should be played above the remake.
Awesome list! Hot take on Fear (and it's hard af expansion Persaus Mandate!) Bioshock Infinite is stellar, so is the Witcher 3 and you nailed it by having Ocarina of Time. So many fantastic games! Gotta play 'em all! Next one on my list is Prey after I beat Dead Space 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction.
Wealth of Geeks explores some of the best gaming romances that have stolen our hearts over the years.
"if I was to pick the biggest flaw the series has so far it’s that the overall plot of both games doesn’t really feel involving"
That's a strange thing to say considering all the hard choices you have to make throughout the games, and how their consequences impact the whole plot. Personnaly, I've rarely felt so engaged in a story like I was in the Witcher 2.
Anyway, I'm sure CD Projekt knows exactly what to do. Just look at the insanely huge step they made between The Witcher and Assassins of Kings. I have no doubt The Witcher 3 is going to set the bar even higher.
I actually disagree with number 1. No game is perfect right out of the gate. Providing a free update addressing issues was one of the main reasons they engendered so much goodwill.
But I will acknowledge that the console crowd may not be okay with it. PC gamers have long been used to games having issues from the start and have always been more willing to give the developers time to fix things post launch. Consoles intentionally limit that sort of thing and expect high quality from the start. This isn't a bad thing but CDPR isn't accustomed to that and so might take heat for it from the start, thus hurting their reputation on the consoles. Skyrim illustrates this very well.
They would be far better off releasing on PC first then the enhanced edition on consoles.
Have you played the series at all? The Wild Hunt is pretty deeply integrated into the Lore.
I would love a Witcher 1 remake on the Red Engine 3.