Should You Play The Witcher 2 or 3 First? A Seasoned Witcher’s Guide
The burning question for any prospective monster slayer: should you dive into The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings or leap straight into the sprawling open world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? The short answer, steeped in the wisdom of countless contracts and potion brewing sessions, is this: play The Witcher 2 first.
While The Witcher 3 is designed to be accessible to newcomers, experiencing The Witcher 2 first provides invaluable context, deepens your appreciation for the characters and lore, and ultimately enhances your overall Witcher 3 experience. Think of it as the rigorous training montage before the ultimate showdown. You can skip it, but you’ll be stronger, more prepared, and more invested if you don’t.
Why The Witcher 2 Before 3 Matters
The Witcher games, while each telling a relatively self-contained story, are deeply interconnected. The Witcher 3 is a direct sequel to The Witcher 2, picking up roughly six months after the events of Assassins of Kings. Many characters, plot threads, and political landscapes introduced in The Witcher 2 play significant roles in The Witcher 3.
Imagine starting a captivating novel halfway through. You might grasp the general plot, but you’d miss nuances, character motivations, and the emotional weight of past events. The Witcher 3, while excellently explaining the basics, relies heavily on your prior understanding of the Witcher universe.
Character Connections & Emotional Resonance
One of the biggest benefits of playing The Witcher 2 first is the enhanced emotional resonance. You’ll forge relationships with key characters like Roche, Philippa Eilhart, and Letho. Understanding their histories, motivations, and the choices you made in The Witcher 2 profoundly impacts your interactions with them in The Witcher 3.
For example, the fate of Aryan La Valette in The Witcher 2 directly affects a questline in The Witcher 3. Similarly, your choices regarding Letho, the Kingslayer, will determine whether he appears in The Witcher 3 and what role he plays. These choices aren’t just minor footnotes; they can significantly alter storylines and character arcs.
Furthermore, experiencing the character development of Triss Merigold in The Witcher 2 provides a deeper understanding of her complex relationship with Geralt and the events that shaped her into the character we see in The Witcher 3.
Understanding the Political Landscape
The Witcher 2 is a masterclass in political intrigue. It throws you headfirst into a world of warring kingdoms, treacherous alliances, and hidden agendas. Experiencing these events firsthand provides a crucial understanding of the political landscape in The Witcher 3.
You’ll gain a far greater appreciation for the conflicts between the Northern Kingdoms, the Nilfgaardian Empire, and the Scoia’tael. The political tensions that simmer beneath the surface of The Witcher 3 become far more palpable when you’ve witnessed the events that led to them.
Improved Immersion and Decision-Making
When you enter The Witcher 3 knowing the background of the characters and the political landscape, you will make more informed choices and become more invested in the narrative. Decisions become less about blindly choosing an option and more about understanding the implications of your actions based on your past experiences.
Combat System Evolution
The Witcher 2 and 3’s combat are significantly different. Many feel that the combat system in The Witcher 3 is more forgiving and fluid than its predecessor.
The combat system in Witcher 2 is often described as more challenging and tactical than that of The Witcher 3, requiring more precise timing, skillful parrying, and strategic use of signs and potions. You’ll have to be more intentional and careful with your moves.
The advantage of playing The Witcher 2 first is that it allows players to gradually adapt to the nuances of the combat mechanics and build a solid foundation before transitioning to the more forgiving, open-world battles of The Witcher 3.
Linear vs. Open World
Witcher 2’s linear story contrasts with the main questline of the third game, where you have to run back and forth with little advancement. Some argue that this makes it more focused and to the point, having quests and side quests that don’t deviate too much from the base plot.
What if I Really Don’t Want to Play The Witcher 2?
Alright, alright, I get it. Some Witchers are impatient for the hunt, or maybe the gameplay of The Witcher 2 doesn’t appeal to you. If you absolutely refuse to play The Witcher 2, here are a few tips:
- Watch a comprehensive story recap: There are plenty of excellent videos on YouTube that summarize the plot, characters, and key decisions of The Witcher 2. This is the bare minimum.
- Simulate a Witcher 2 save: When starting The Witcher 3, you’ll be given the option to simulate a Witcher 2 save. This allows you to answer questions that will determine the outcome of key events from the previous game. Be sure to research the consequences of each choice!
- Read the Witcher books: The games are based on a series of novels by Andrzej Sapkowski. Reading the books will provide even more context and depth to the Witcher universe.
- Be prepared to be confused: Even with the above steps, you’ll likely miss some references and nuances. Don’t be afraid to consult the Witcher wiki or ask questions online.
Conclusion
While it’s possible to enjoy The Witcher 3 without playing The Witcher 2, you’ll gain a far richer and more rewarding experience by tackling Assassins of Kings first. You’ll forge stronger connections with the characters, better understand the political landscape, and be more invested in the narrative.
So, grab your silver sword, brew some potions, and prepare for a challenging but rewarding journey through Temeria. Your destiny awaits, Witcher!
If you’re interested in learning more about the educational impact of video games, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it necessary to play The Witcher 1 before The Witcher 2?
Not necessarily. The two games are fairly self-contained, with only minor connections. While The Witcher 1 provides a solid foundation in the lore and introduces key characters, the story of The Witcher 2 stands on its own. Skipping the first game won’t significantly impact your understanding of The Witcher 2, as the second game barely mentions the events of the first.
2. Is The Witcher 2 worth playing in 2024 (and beyond)?
Absolutely! Despite its age, The Witcher 2 holds up remarkably well. It has a compelling story, engaging characters, and challenging gameplay. It is definitely worth considering and a must-play for any fan of The Witcher series.
3. How long does it take to beat The Witcher 2?
The Witcher 2’s main story is roughly 24 hours long. 100% completion should take around 56 hours.
4. What happens if I skip The Witcher 2?
If you skip The Witcher 2, you’ll miss plot that carries into The Witcher 3 and be unaware of the story and how things happened.
5. How is combat different in The Witcher 2 compared to The Witcher 3?
The Witcher 3 has smoother and faster combat. Witcher 2 is considered harder to play and get used to.
6. What if I find The Witcher 2 too difficult?
The Witcher 2 does have a steeper learning curve than The Witcher 3. Start on an easier difficulty setting, experiment with different combat styles, and don’t be afraid to use potions and bombs.
7. Can I import my save from The Witcher 2 into The Witcher 3?
Yes, but not directly. The Witcher 3 simulates a save import through a series of questions at the start of the game. Your answers will determine the consequences of your choices in The Witcher 2.
8. Is The Witcher 2 open-world like The Witcher 3?
No, The Witcher 2 is not a fully open-world game. It features large, interconnected areas that you can explore, but it’s not as vast and free-roaming as The Witcher 3.
9. Does The Witcher 2 play like The Witcher 1?
No. The gameplay in TW2 is COMPLETELY different than in TW1. The gameplay is more like Arkham Asylum in TW2, according to some people.
10. What are the major differences between The Witcher 2 and The Witcher 3?
The Witcher 2 is linear, while the Witcher 3 is more focused on an open world and a more forgiving and fluid combat system.
11. What order should I play the Witcher games in?
Ideally, you would start with Witcher 1, but if you want to skip it you could go with Witcher 2.
12. Is it okay to play The Witcher 2 before The Witcher 1?
Yes, it is okay to play Witcher 2 first, as they have almost mutually exclusive stories.
13. What is the timeline between The Witcher 2 and The Witcher 3?
The Witcher 3 takes place about six months after the events of The Witcher 2.
14. What does simulating a Witcher 2 save mean?
You will answer some questions and the answers will determine the consequences of your choices in The Witcher 2.
15. What are the biggest choices in The Witcher 2 that affect The Witcher 3?
Some of the biggest choices include your actions involving Letho, and Aryan La Valette. These decisions will dictate which characters appear in The Witcher 3 and what role they play.