I'm having a really hard time staying alive when being mobbed, which I definitely approve after pretty much waltzing through the Arkham series and Assassin's Creed IV.

TW3's combat system gets criticized quite a bit. I get it, I suppose, but I feel like it's people that played on easier difficulties where it is all too easy to just button-mash through any encounter. Once I took the time to really learn and engage with all the systems, I thought it was a really good combat system. Maybe not perfect, but still very good.

What does Alternate Movement actually do, btw? I'm having a hard time fine-tuning Geralt's movements when walking (he seems overly eager to move), but it seems turning it off just makes harder.

I guess I don't know exactly what it does, but it feels like it kills his momentum more drastically. Without Alternate Movement turned on, Geralt lumbers and takes a few more steps even after you left off the analog stick. Alternate Movement makes that less severe. It's still not perfect, though--even with Alternate Movement turned on, you have to get used to a certain amount of momentum and learn to compensate. Quick, jerky movements just don't feel good in that game. I got used to it after a few hours.

I'm having a really hard time staying alive when being mobbed, which I definitely approve after pretty much waltzing through the Arkham series and Assassin's Creed IV.

Yeh, my big issue with most of those games is that once you're really good, it's all just a matter of going through the motions in combat. In Witcher 3, even the simplest Drowner can take you out if you drop your guard.

What does Alternate Movement actually do, btw? I'm having a hard time fine-tuning Geralt's movements when walking (he seems overly eager to move), but it seems turning it off just makes harder.

He's more responsive, which makes movement (turning, more than anything) faster, and less frustrating. It's all examined here, with video even!
Sure, it's slightly less immersive, but functionality over flair!

What does Alternate Movement actually do, btw? I'm having a hard time fine-tuning Geralt's movements when walking (he seems overly eager to move), but it seems turning it off just makes harder.

This game is one of the big reasons I really want to build a PC. TW3 at max at 1440p is incredible. I can't imagine what 4K looks like, but it'd probably take an absurdly expensive rig to even come close to accomplishing that.

Also... Do you play Gwent?

I really enjoyed collecting cards and winning the tournaments in TW3, but I've not played the standalone game yet. I signed up for the first beta and have received a few e-mails with access, but I've never downloaded it. I'm just not really into card games that much, unless they're embedded into huge RPGs. (:

That learning curve through. Geez. Keep in mind I've only really had a few elapsed hours to play this sucker, but yea... I can see it's potential for being amazeballs.

Yeah, I had an easier time getting into Bloodborne than Witcher 3, and every time that I come back to it, I die to the lowest-tiered enemies a couple of times before I get back into the groove. That's why I recommend knocking the difficulty down a notch or two if you're not used to unforgiving RPGs, at least until you've got a good grip on the layers of combat.

The combat feels really awkward and almost sloppy at first, but it's really not once you really get into the groove. I also recommend playing on Story and Sword difficulty for a bit to get the hang of it. But once you do, go for at least Blood and Broken Bones. It forces you to really engage with all aspects of the combat and really heightens the experience for me. Especially if you like to sort of role play. On lesser difficulties you can just hack your way through, but that's not going to happen on higher difficulties. You have to get good with signs, sword, and bombs and make liberal use of potions and oils.

Yeah. Unlike Dark Souls or Bloodborne, combat in The Witcher is all about adapting and juggling the right tools for the job (assuming that you're playing at higher difficulties; lower difficulty is more "traditional" and forgiving). You get enough hotkeys at your disposal for any situation, but you have the chance to tilt things in your favor if you organize and prepare beforehand. Are you hunting a werewolf? Check your Silver gear, coat your sword with Beast oil (unless you've been patient enough to procure some Cursed Oil), and hotkey some bombs. They move fast and heal fast, but your Igni spell can mitigate the amount of healing. Or should you focus on hitting them with Axii to interrupt the healing ability entirely? Maybe if you pop a Quen spell, you can just get in there and hack away with your poisoned sword before dropping a Dancing Star. How fast can they be?

Lots of great options, little room for error. Play smart, win big.

The worst part of The Witcher 3 is it's half-baked crafting system. They just put a whole bunch of junk into the game, and stuff that seems special (unique monster loot) really just ends up getting broken down into lesser components to use in crafting. But the game isn't smart enough to do that automatically, and it's a real pain in the ass. Luckily the special Witcher gear sets are the only things really worth crafting and use pretty common materials.

It's not so bad once you really look into it (you can tag items for search, and you're shown what items can be broken down). But yeah, you're better off finding loot than crafting it (plus, you can just win some great stuff if you do things like horse races and such).

Overall, as far as leaps go... looking good so far.

It starts a little slow (which is a blessing, since there's so dang much to take in), but don't worry. You'll be bringing down dragons, deciding the fates of succubi and trolls, and bedding sorceresses while uncovering apocalyptic conspiracies in due time.

I love the start of the game so much. I'll never forget waking up from the dream sequence tutorial and doing all the stuff in White Orchard, which is a large map, and then finally getting to Velen after like six hours and realizing White Orchard was just a tiny tutorial area.

I had the same feeling. I was five or six hours into White Orchard before I checked out the next area's map, then I saw the world map... I had to pause for a moment. And the regions have so much variety...

Damn. This is why my backlog is so huge. I really want to just play The Witcher again. I wish I could get the Platinum trophy, but, despite how good the game is, it's got quite a few bullshit trophies that I'll just never commit to getting.

Also... Do you play Gwent?

That learning curve through. Geez. Keep in mind I've only really had a few elapsed hours to play this sucker, but yea... I can see it's potential for being amazeballs.

Yeah, I had an easier time getting into Bloodborne than Witcher 3, and every time that I come back to it, I die to the lowest-tiered enemies a couple of times before I get back into the groove. That's why I recommend knocking the difficulty down a notch or two if you're not used to unforgiving RPGs, at least until you've got a good grip on the layers of combat.

The combat feels really awkward and almost sloppy at first, but it's really not once you really get into the groove. I also recommend playing on Story and Sword difficulty for a bit to get the hang of it. But once you do, go for at least Blood and Broken Bones. It forces you to really engage with all aspects of the combat and really heightens the experience for me. Especially if you like to sort of role play. On lesser difficulties you can just hack your way through, but that's not going to happen on higher difficulties. You have to get good with signs, sword, and bombs and make liberal use of potions and oils.

The worst part of The Witcher 3 is it's half-baked crafting system. They just put a whole bunch of junk into the game, and stuff that seems special (unique monster loot) really just ends up getting broken down into lesser components to use in crafting. But the game isn't smart enough to do that automatically, and it's a real pain in the ass. Luckily the special Witcher gear sets are the only things really worth crafting and use pretty common materials.

Overall, as far as leaps go... looking good so far.

It starts a little slow (which is a blessing, since there's so dang much to take in), but don't worry. You'll be bringing down dragons, deciding the fates of succubi and trolls, and bedding sorceresses while uncovering apocalyptic conspiracies in due time.

I love the start of the game so much. I'll never forget waking up from the dream sequence tutorial and doing all the stuff in White Orchard, which is a large map, and then finally getting to Velen after like six hours and realizing White Orchard was just a tiny tutorial area.

Damn. This is why my backlog is so huge. I really want to just play The Witcher again. I wish I could get the Platinum trophy, but, despite how good the game is, it's got quite a few bullshit trophies that I'll just never commit to getting.

That learning curve through. Geez. Keep in mind I've only really had a few elapsed hours to play this sucker, but yea... I can see it's potential for being amazeballs.

Yeah, I had an easier time getting into Bloodborne than Witcher 3, and every time that I come back to it, I die to the lowest-tiered enemies a couple of times before I get back into the groove. That's why I recommend knocking the difficulty down a notch or two if you're not used to unforgiving RPGs, at least until you've got a good grip on the layers of combat.

And cheapLEY is right. Alternate Movement is 100% the way to go. Definitely gives those settings a lookover before you hop into the game.

Overall, as far as leaps go... looking good so far.

It starts a little slow (which is a blessing, since there's so dang much to take in), but don't worry. You'll be bringing down dragons, deciding the fates of succubi and trolls, and bedding sorceresses while uncovering apocalyptic conspiracies in due time.

Overall, as far as leaps go... looking good so far.

I have not. Ten bucks is usually my limit for buying a game I'm only slightly interested in, but hearing your input, I might break that rule for this.

Be sure to watch some gameplay videos before you do (or at least the review that I posted). It's very light-hearted anime stuff, which may not be to your liking...

You're right. I like my anime Death Notey. Too late, already bought it. Might even play it someday. :)

Seriously, it looks good. Thanks for the advice.

I have not. Ten bucks is usually my limit for buying a game I'm only slightly interested in, but hearing your input, I might break that rule for this.

Be sure to watch some gameplay videos before you do (or at least the review that I posted). It's very light-hearted anime stuff, which may not be to your liking, and it might be easy to get disoriented at first when manipulating gravity, but you get better at it (and you can always click R3 to level the camera).

Like I said, the gameplay can seem simplistic at first, but the challenges put your skills to the test for sure. I haven't been able to put it down, and while the game is significantly longer than you'd think, there are gameplay twists and curveballs thrown at you at a steady pace, and exploration is well-rewarded (including a few hidden bosses and side-stories).

There aren't many games that I Platinum, but I'm only four Trophies or so from doing just that with this one.

I kind of feel like making a trailer for it too...

Linking an interesting video where I have to stop watching after I hear "On Playstation 4"

And on a XBox One game deal thread! Shame on you sir! Go back to your corner! :-D

This thread may be relevant...

And on a XBox One game deal thread! Shame on you sir! Go back to your corner! :-D

Black Friday Xbox Digital Game Deals And More | - majornelson.com
https://majornelson.com/2016/11/18/black-friday-xbox-digital-game-deals-and-more/

If you prefer quick game switching to resellability now is the time.
Starts today for gold members. Titanfall and BF1 in some sort of bundle I can't determine to be a good deal or not…

Metro Redux Bundle for $6 is a no-brainer. Two great post-apocalyptic shooters that allow many different ways to play (a dozen or so different difficulty/realism combinations), they're very character-driven (which makes sense, as they're based on a series of books), and require brains and resource management over twitch reflexes.

In that same vein, if you haven't played Wolfenstein: The New Order, it's on sale for $6.60, and was definitely one of the biggest surprises of 2014 for me. I was completely prepared to dislike the game, and ended up playing through the campaign several times. Real good stuff.