The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

[Vulgar Monkey]

By the sounds of reddit it might help with stability, and to some degree in smoothing out any framerate hitches, but not much difference re performance.

 

Good news is that that dx11-in-12 thing isnt actually relevant (turns out it's only there for some monitoring stuff to hook into and is otherwise unused) so at least that means that an improved dx12 implementation might not be quite as unfeasible as first thought.

[amc]

Seems to have done something?  I've been running in DLSS balanced for 4K as that gave me a solid 60fps. Quality was dropping frames, just ran around in quality for 10 minutes after the patch and it's a locked 60 now. 

 

Gonna try RT in a bit, probably still a no go but like I say, something has been done for frames.

 

Still thoroughly engrossed in the story and enjoying myself.

 

EDIT* Just tried RT, 4K, everything to max in the menu, hair works on. It's jumping from 49 to 59, in balanced mode. With VRR it's actually playable but fuck that. I want a locked 60. Patch has deffo improved performance.

 

Tell you what, my arl 2080TI seems to push well beyond it's supposed limit, it's not supposed to be getting even the above but it is, nice OC, mind. Still can't wait for my 4090. Soon.

[amc]

Ooer! Didn't expect to get a stiffy* whilst playing this. Very saucy.

 

*Nah, not enough polygons.

 

EDIT*

Spoiler

Jesus. I've just killed her. Thought I'd met my soul mate but offed her instead. Need a cuppa.

 

[Festoon]

6 hours ago, amc said:

Ooer! Didn't expect to get a stiffy* whilst playing this. Very saucy.

 

*Nah, not enough polygons.

 

EDIT*

  Hide contents

Jesus. I've just killed her. Thought I'd met my soul mate but offed her instead. Need a cuppa.

 

 

Eh? Who?

[amc]

25 minutes ago, Festoon said:

 

Eh? Who?

Spoiler

Keira. She wanted to go trade a plague or something. I fluffed the reply where she would see the error of her ways and so instead she wanted a barny, had no choice, had to stove her head in. Was beautiful whilst it lasted, mind.

 

[Festoon]

34 minutes ago, amc said:

  Hide contents

Keira. She wanted to go trade a plague or something. I fluffed the reply where she would see the error of her ways and so instead she wanted a barny, had no choice, had to stove her head in. Was beautiful whilst it lasted, mind.

 

 

Ah, yes, there's real variety with her.

[Talk Show Host]

Did the console versions get any updates? It was pretty bad on Series X on RTX mode.

[KartoffelKopf]

tl;dw 

 

RT is nice but only really makes a difference in low light situations where global Illumination has been implemented very well. 
RT mode though is a slideshow (mid 20s) in the cities and is basically not a very nice way to play the game overall. 
Reflections are not RT but a much improved SSR because consoles just couldn’t handle all the different RT tech all at once. 
PS5 has a slightly better foliage density and shadow draw distance (my experience however is that XB has more foliage in other areas so not much in it)
PS5 and XBSX are both a solid 4K(ish)/60 in the open world areas. 
PS5 is around 1440p in the cities where XB bottoms out at about 1800p

However PS5 maintains a much more stable frame rate when moving through a busy Novigrad (lowest I spotted was 56 vs 51) but it’s variable and XB can be similar depending on the time of day/ crowd density. 
Legendarily janky areas like Crookback Bog are now butter smooth on both. 
There is a new patch coming to fix some of the less than desirable console glitches so this could all be moot very soon. 

 

I’m having a great time (again) and despite having a pretty complete 200 hour save file just at the beginning of B&W, I’m just playing through the whole thing again anyway. 

[grounded_dreams]

Wanted to try this update on my PS5, so re-purchased the disc version months ago waiting for the update, but having issues transferring my save to the PS5.

So I played the game back in 2015 on my PS4 and the save file is stored in the PS+ cloud, don't have the PS4 anymore. But went through the process as listed here on how I thought I would be able to get the previous save onto the PS5 with this latest update.

 

But when I load the PS4 version (via disc) on my PS5 it is not showing the old save files, just the option to start a new game. If I look on my storage section of the PS5 I see the save from 2015 and it is also on the PS+ cloud. But can not see an option to load it or anything within the PS4 version, to then sync it to allow me to carry on with the PS5 version I have.

Both PS4 and PS5 are on the latest version 4 patch.

 

Only issue I see, is the PS4 save is listed as The Witcher 3, but when I created a new save via the PS4 version (on my PS5) and look at the save file listed in the storage area, it shows as The Witcher: Game of the Year, version.

 

Any help of guidance on how I can get around this? Just want to puck up from where I left off back in 2015 n my PS5 version of the game somewhere.

[KartoffelKopf]

19 minutes ago, grounded_dreams said:

Wanted to try this update on my PS5, so re-purchased the disc version months ago waiting for the update, but having issues transferring my save to the PS5.

So I played the game back in 2015 on my PS4 and the save file is stored in the PS+ cloud, don't have the PS4 anymore. But went through the process as listed here on how I thought I would be able to get the previous save onto the PS5 with this latest update.

 

But when I load the PS4 version (via disc) on my PS5 it is not showing the old save files, just the option to start a new game. If I look on my storage section of the PS5 I see the save from 2015 and it is also on the PS+ cloud. But can not see an option to load it or anything within the PS4 version, to then sync it to allow me to carry on with the PS5 version I have.

Both PS4 and PS5 are on the latest version 4 patch.

 

Only issue I see, is the PS4 save is listed as The Witcher 3, but when I created a new save via the PS4 version (on my PS5) and look at the save file listed in the storage area, it shows as The Witcher: Game of the Year, version.

 

Any help of guidance on how I can get around this? Just want to puck up from where I left off back in 2015 n my PS5 version of the game somewhere.

If the original save is from the vanilla Witcher 3 (without DLC) it won’t work with the GOTY edition. 

 

Any saves from the original release of the game were not compatible with the later released GOTY version. Mainly due to the way the the DLC was integrated in to that version. 
 

So yeah, unless you buy a disc version of the original vanilla game and then the DLC separately you’ll not be able to pick up where you left off. 
 

7 years though mate, just start again, it’s worth it 😁

[grounded_dreams]

4 minutes ago, KartoffelKopf said:

If the original save is from the vanilla Witcher 3 (without DLC) it won’t work with the GOTY edition. 

 

Any saves from the original release of the game were not compatible with the later released GOTY version. Mainly due to the way the the DLC was integrated in to that version. 
 

So yeah, unless you buy a disc version of the original vanilla game and then the DLC separately you’ll not be able to pick up where you left off. 
 

7 years though mate, just start again, it’s worth it 😁

 

I had a feeling it maybe due to that. OK thanks

[PikaStu]

Christ, two lockups tonight at the same bit of a cutscene

Spoiler

In the swamp, you pick the voodoo doll relating to Anna and you go outside to find she’s human again.

 

Third time lucky tho, managed to progress after that.

 

I’m just riding around, doing side quests here and there, stealing everything that isn’t locked down and selling it. 
 

Was anyone else sad when

Spoiler

You find the Bloody Baron hanging from a tree. I know he’d been a prick most of his married life, but he’d also been good to Ciri and Geralt, and seemed to be mending his ways.

?

[df0]

@PikaStuSpoiler to your question.

Spoiler

Initially yeah but it is arguably the "best" ending. His marriage was a toxic one, both sides were awful. There is a way to not have him commit suicide which I always considered the best ending (because yay everybody lives) but on my third play through... it's best if he dies.

 

[PikaStu]

Reloaded a save file last night after an unfortunate death. Geralt was stuck in a crouch position, hovering above the ground. When he ran, his feet came out his arse cheeks?!

 

Lasted a few minutes then corrected itself 😂

 

Running around the large town at the top of the map, frame rate is ok (RT mode) but every so often there’s a long pause, with a one in five chance of a crash to the dashboard. Reminds me of Skyrim on the PS3 😂
 

Still loving the game though, just have to save regularly. 

[Vulgar Monkey]

Heh, classic, I cant remember which but I'm sure I've seen that bug in other games before.

 

Also, I have replaced the original dlss dll file that comes with the update with the 2.5.0 file from the recent Portal upgrade as it is reportedly a pretty good implementation. Seems to make a slight difference.

 

I've seen it said to be helping a bit with other games too so I'm not sure if theyre getting past the point of relying solely on training the ai on each individual game and starting to get compounding interest, or what...

[Jamin]

I'm hella deep into this again now, on the hardest difficulty which I find is the only way to get a decent challenge. The game does throw a few surprises in the way of unskippable tough fights (particularly Novigrad in the main story) so heartily recommend keeping your Swallow potions etc topped up. I just had a 20minute slog where I was potionless and up against 10 guys in a pub, took me several attempts and a bit of White Raffards decoction to get me through. 

 

I am quite a stickler for giving up on games with 'rubbish combat' and those higher up this thread proclaiming this has bad combat are really rather wrong imo. It's above average, a 6/7 out of ten. I'm not saying it's brilliant mind, but it's definitely not bad. And it gets a lot better, smoother and more effective as you upgrade your abilities, as you would expect.

I don't think the game helps itself in that the first 'beast' battle you have with the Griffin (I think?) feels and looks janky as hell, as indeed does using the slingshot full stop for that matter. 

 

Amazing game, and even this on my 3rd playthrough (not done the Blood and Wine dlc before so exciting for this) it's still throwing up surprises - it's amazing what your brain forgets. 

Also, finally, have a decent Gwent deck at the moment. I highly recommend seeking out the Gwent obsessed merchant found near the horse race track on the East of Novigrad if you're looking to upgrade yours. He sells 3 or 4 useful cards and another if you beat him. I did this first before returning to Velen and beating those 'big shot' players (suck it Haddy!). 

[Talk Show Host]

16 hours ago, Jamin said:

I'm hella deep into this again now, on the hardest difficulty which I find is the only way to get a decent challenge. The game does throw a few surprises in the way of unskippable tough fights (particularly Novigrad in the main story) so heartily recommend keeping your Swallow potions etc topped up. I just had a 20minute slog where I was potionless and up against 10 guys in a pub, took me several attempts and a bit of White Raffards decoction to get me through. 

 

I am quite a stickler for giving up on games with 'rubbish combat' and those higher up this thread proclaiming this has bad combat are really rather wrong imo. It's above average, a 6/7 out of ten. I'm not saying it's brilliant mind, but it's definitely not bad. And it gets a lot better, smoother and more effective as you upgrade your abilities, as you would expect.

I don't think the game helps itself in that the first 'beast' battle you have with the Griffin (I think?) feels and looks janky as hell, as indeed does using the slingshot full stop for that matter. 

 

Amazing game, and even this on my 3rd playthrough (not done the Blood and Wine dlc before so exciting for this) it's still throwing up surprises - it's amazing what your brain forgets. 

Also, finally, have a decent Gwent deck at the moment. I highly recommend seeking out the Gwent obsessed merchant found near the horse race track on the East of Novigrad if you're looking to upgrade yours. He sells 3 or 4 useful cards and another if you beat him. I did this first before returning to Velen and beating those 'big shot' players (suck it Haddy!). 

 

People who talk about this having shit combat are quite wrong imo. The combat is good enough to support the game for 100+ hours and it becomes quite tactical in the higher difficulties. Are there really many other modern RPGs out with better combat? And no, Elder Ring is not a fair answer - or God of War.

 

Isi t great or even really really good? No, ok. But It is certainly much more enjoyable than Skyrim's, if we are talking about all time classics.

 

Anyways, starting a new game on Series X and the quality difference is so evident. The vegetation, the textures, shadows and RTX really make such a huge difference to the world, bringing so much weight and atmosphere. I really want to fully replay this but I am not sure I have the time anymore. I have already played it three times, the last one fully modded on PC. 

 

But man, some minutes back and it draws you in. It is one of the best games ever made.

[Naysonymous]

I’ve finally started playing this. It’s a game I meant to pick up back when it first launched and for some reason never did so the next gen update and the fire sale prices (I think I got it for £6.99 from the Xbox store) gave me the kick up the arse I needed.   It’s not perfect, I’ll agree that sometimes the combat is clunky but not to the point where it’s putting me off but I feel like I’m missing something as levelling is painfully slow.  
 

 

 

Im a dozen hours in and I’m only level 4.  I spent a good long time in the first area, White Orchard, and then I had a quick run through some palace and now I’m two or three hours into Velen (I think it’s called Velen) and I’ve found myself having to follow the main quest as if I try to look for side stuff I just get battered.  I’ve got some gear from a chest which apparently came with the complete edition but I can’t wear it until I’m level 7 and I kinda feel like I should be running around Velen in it. Did I miss something? 

[JoeK]

I'm scared. I just looked at how many hours I've actually spent with this game...

 

Over 700 hours all told.

 

Jeepers.

[Talk Show Host]

4 hours ago, Naysonymous said:

I’ve finally started playing this. It’s a game I meant to pick up back when it first launched and for some reason never did so the next gen update and the fire sale prices (I think I got it for £6.99 from the Xbox store) gave me the kick up the arse I needed.   It’s not perfect, I’ll agree that sometimes the combat is clunky but not to the point where it’s putting me off but I feel like I’m missing something as levelling is painfully slow.  
 

 

 

Im a dozen hours in and I’m only level 4.  I spent a good long time in the first area, White Orchard, and then I had a quick run through some palace and now I’m two or three hours into Velen (I think it’s called Velen) and I’ve found myself having to follow the main quest as if I try to look for side stuff I just get battered.  I’ve got some gear from a chest which apparently came with the complete edition but I can’t wear it until I’m level 7 and I kinda feel like I should be running around Velen in it. Did I miss something? 

 

Are you using potions? Are you studying your enemies weaknesses in the journal before fighting them? Are you using the right sword? Are you utilizing your signs properly? Invest in Quen in the beginning and Ard, its a great combination for giving you space until you master movement, parrying and dodging. I remember playing in the hardest difficulty and when I mastered all these moves it was really like a lethal ballet. Very, very satisfying. Also, if you explore everything in White Orchard you will leave with some good equipment. 

 

Still, if something is too difficult, just move on for now. 

[Naysonymous]

I'm not using potions really, I've got a shitload of ingredients but I've still got "missing ingredients" in most of the recipes I know, I'm guessing I might need to visit a vendor or something.   

 

Fights are fine, I kept getting battered by a bunch of bandits who were all level 7-10 and I was determined to kill the fuckers as they were blocking a road and aggroing every time I passed nearby.  Got them in the end but it took a few attempts.  The combat there felt particularly janky as there were a ton of horses nearby and a lot of obstacles in the scenery (like fences) and I'd either get caught on the environment or mount a horse that was running around aimlessly.   I've spent points in fast attacks and I'm happy with that, especially as I can roll and parry relatively easily but lets not pretend the combat is what we are here for.  

 

My question is just about the levelling curve.  I've done quests where I've got 10XP for completing them and it feels like an insult given that it's 1000XP between levels at the moment.  I feel like I've been level 4 for four or five hours and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.    I know sometimes you just hit plateaus in RPGs where nothing seems to move for a while and I'm definitely in this game for the long haul but it just feels slow at the moment.  

[ChewMagma]

It does have notoriously slow levelling iirc.

[BitterToad]

1 hour ago, Naysonymous said:

I'm not using potions really, I've got a shitload of ingredients but I've still got "missing ingredients" in most of the recipes I know, I'm guessing I might need to visit a vendor or something.   

 

Fights are fine, I kept getting battered by a bunch of bandits who were all level 7-10 and I was determined to kill the fuckers as they were blocking a road and aggroing every time I passed nearby.  Got them in the end but it took a few attempts.  The combat there felt particularly janky as there were a ton of horses nearby and a lot of obstacles in the scenery (like fences) and I'd either get caught on the environment or mount a horse that was running around aimlessly.   I've spent points in fast attacks and I'm happy with that, especially as I can roll and parry relatively easily but lets not pretend the combat is what we are here for.  

 

My question is just about the levelling curve.  I've done quests where I've got 10XP for completing them and it feels like an insult given that it's 1000XP between levels at the moment.  I feel like I've been level 4 for four or five hours and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.    I know sometimes you just hit plateaus in RPGs where nothing seems to move for a while and I'm definitely in this game for the long haul but it just feels slow at the moment.  

The game gets by the whole “side quests making you too strong for the main quest” by basically having them give you no XP. All the XP gains are saved for the main quest. If you’re feeling under levelled in an area do a story mission or two and it’ll drop a boat load of XP on you. 

[Jamin]

Main quests give more xp if you need it.

 

But as above, do not underestimate the potions, they can give a good damage buff. I always have my finger on the Inventory screen button ready to check the bestiary and assign the relevant potion. 

All of the signs are worth considering. How I think of them are as follows:

-Quen is great against a single tough hard hitting enemy 

-Igni and Aard are really good against crowds as it does a bit of damage and staggers them

-Axii very useful against a single tough human or enemy in confined spaces where you need time to move around 

-Yrden for wraiths/specters, absolutely essential

 

I'm level 16 at the moment and have heavily invested in Axii (helps with conversations) and Yrden (as I personally find that higher level wraiths & specters some of the tougher enemies). 

[KartoffelKopf]

5 hours ago, Naysonymous said:

I'm not using potions really, I've got a shitload of ingredients but I've still got "missing ingredients" in most of the recipes I know, I'm guessing I might need to visit a vendor or something.   

 

Fights are fine, I kept getting battered by a bunch of bandits who were all level 7-10 and I was determined to kill the fuckers as they were blocking a road and aggroing every time I passed nearby.  Got them in the end but it took a few attempts.  The combat there felt particularly janky as there were a ton of horses nearby and a lot of obstacles in the scenery (like fences) and I'd either get caught on the environment or mount a horse that was running around aimlessly.   I've spent points in fast attacks and I'm happy with that, especially as I can roll and parry relatively easily but lets not pretend the combat is what we are here for.  

 

My question is just about the levelling curve.  I've done quests where I've got 10XP for completing them and it feels like an insult given that it's 1000XP between levels at the moment.  I feel like I've been level 4 for four or five hours and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.    I know sometimes you just hit plateaus in RPGs where nothing seems to move for a while and I'm definitely in this game for the long haul but it just feels slow at the moment.  

Make sure you hunt down the Places of Power as they give you a skill point each. There are 6 in White Orchard, just do all the question marks and you’ll stumble across them. 

 

[JoeK]

Yeah, if you do as much as possible in White Orchard it’ll really set you in good stead for the next act to come. 
 

Also: make a Viper sword or two!

[df0]

4 hours ago, BitterToad said:

The game gets by the whole “side quests making you too strong for the main quest” by basically having them give you no XP. All the XP gains are saved for the main quest. If you’re feeling under levelled in an area do a story mission or two and it’ll drop a boat load of XP on you. 

After hundreds of hours I just learnt why I’m given like 2 experience points for completing a level 12 quest as a level 23 🙈

[Naysonymous]

I got all the Places of Power in White Orchard.  Feel like I crested a hump too as I broke into some castle, met the infamous Bloody Baron and got an absolute ton of XP for walking around a bit.  Hit level 5 and then used a potion I had in my inventory (Wolven Hour) to equip the full “of a thousand flowers” item set, which is four pieces of armour and both a steel and silver sword. 
 

 

(Loving the photo mode but holy last gen character models Batman!)

 

I think as long as I don’t I unequip this gear before level 7 then I’m golden.  I also just realised that you have to equip talents and just because you put points into them when you level up doesn’t mean you can actually benefit from them.  I think that’s quite an interesting take on a talent tree. 

[JessieJim]

I love the Witcher so much! 

[df0]

Do know that the numbers indicating a quest’s difficulty are rough estimates at best. At level 13 or so I killed a level 34 basilisk with ease yet a level 10 wraith ruins my life.

 

Am 25 now and just set foot in Skellige. Hello you poor little level 16 enemies.