Replaying Witcher 2 after a long time and Geralts role in the story
My original experience
Witcher 2 was my first Witcher game and my introduction to the series. I didn't know anything about the lore but I was intrigued by the story, the characters and the world. I remember struggling with the combat at first but I eventually "got" it. But most importantly I was completely captured by the story, the maturity, the politics. I think not knowing anything about the series was in some ways beneficial because I felt just as confused and out of my depth as Geralt must have felt.
This is actually one of the reasons why I loved the game so much. For most of the game, but especially chapter 2 and 3, Geralt doesn't drive the story. Of course he influences the story to some extent but there are much bigger forces at work that he has absolutely no power over. There are many conspiracies and dealings with powerful people and Geralt is mostly observing and reacting. When we talk to characters like Philippa and Sile they don't see you as someone important. There are many things you won't even learn in one playthrough which makes Geralt seem even more like a very small part of a large story. You are not a main character, you are a monster hunter who are out of your depth. And I loved it. I fell in love with the game.
And when I replayed the game I was blown away because there was essentially a second game depending on who you went with in chapter 1. I think I played the game three or four times.
Playing it now
Starting Witcher 2 again felt like meeting an old friend. I got a smile on my face when I saw Roche and Ves at the start. Foltests battle speech at the la valette castle is still legendary and the opening cinematic is still the best cinematic of all time.
I had some initial problems with the controls and combat. In fact it shocked me a bit because it was far worse than I remembered. But after awhile I got used to it and after unlocking the skills it's not too bad. I was also quite shocked about the inventory system. I remember having to manage it quite a lot before but now it felt like I was always at the 300 limit which was a shame. The next time I'm playing the game I'm getting a mod for that.
But the story is still fantastic, and the characters and lore. All in all I still love the game.
But I noticed something about the game this time. I didn't feel like Geralt was as insignificant to the story this time. Maybe it was because I chose to go Roches path and I played Iorveths path in my very first playthrough. I don't really remember the details there but as I remember it Philippa and others looked at you like you were an ant. They did things behind the scenes, then they were gone and captured and other characters finished their stories.
But now Geralt was consulting with Henselt and Dethmold. Saved the region by removing the curse, had Henselts life in his hands. You were told how much people feared Geralt. The kingslayers, even the sorceresses. I felt a lot more important this time than before. And of course Geralt is important, and the conspiracies are still there but it's still interesting that I interpreted the story a bit differently this time.
So in conclusion. Witcher 2, this I like.
