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Should I Turn On Simulate Witcher 2 Save in The Witcher 3? A Definitive Guide

Alright, fellow Witcher enthusiasts, let’s cut straight to the chase. Should you turn on the “Simulate Witcher 2 Save” option in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? The short answer is: Yes, absolutely, especially if it’s your first playthrough. It allows you to shape Geralt’s past choices and directly influence the world state of The Witcher 3. Failing to do so defaults to a pre-determined world state, which might not align with the outcomes you would have preferred. So, for maximum agency and a personalized experience, simulate that Witcher 2 save!

Diving Deeper: Why Simulate is Superior

The “Simulate Witcher 2 Save” feature appears early in The Witcher 3, specifically during an interrogation by Nilfgaardian officers. Instead of importing an actual save file (as you could in previous games), you’re presented with a series of questions directly referencing pivotal decisions from The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. These aren’t just cosmetic choices; they have tangible consequences that ripple through the narrative of The Witcher 3.

Imagine missing out on the chance to impact the fates of characters you cared about or seeing the political landscape shaped in a way you vehemently opposed. Choosing to simulate allows you to dictate these outcomes, adding layers of depth and reactivity to the already sprawling world.

The Alternative: A Default World State

If you skip the simulation, the game defaults to a pre-determined set of choices for The Witcher 2. While these defaults aren’t inherently bad, they’re not your choices. They represent a specific, singular path through the events of the second game, potentially conflicting with the story you created in your own mind. It’s like reading a book where someone else wrote the crucial chapters!

Furthermore, some questlines and character interactions are entirely dependent on decisions made in The Witcher 2. Without simulating, you could inadvertently lock yourself out of content, losing valuable experience, gear, and lore.

Impactful Choices and Their Consequences

The questions posed during the simulation focus on a few key areas:

Letho: Whether you killed or spared Letho, the Kingslayer. This impacts Letho’s presence (or absence) in The Witcher 3, potentially unlocking a side quest and offering valuable insights into the political machinations of the Northern Kingdoms.
Aryan La Valette: Whether Aryan La Valette lived or died. This has minor impacts on dialogue and potential mentions throughout the game, demonstrating the long-lasting consequences of your actions.
Roche or Iorveth: Who you sided with in The Witcher 2. This choice is perhaps the most impactful, influencing the fate of key characters and even opening or closing off certain questlines within The Witcher 3. Siding with Roche typically leads to encounters with Temerian partisans, while siding with Iorveth might involve interactions with Scoia’tael elves.

These decisions aren’t presented as black-and-white good versus evil choices. Each path has its own merits and drawbacks, forcing you to grapple with complex moral dilemmas and shaping the world according to your own code.

New Game Plus and Simulation

Even if you’ve already played The Witcher 3 without simulating a save, it’s worth considering on a New Game Plus (NG+) playthrough. By simulating a different set of choices, you can experience entirely new content and perspectives, adding replay value to an already massive game. It’s a fantastic way to see how drastically your decisions can alter the game’s narrative.

You may want to check out the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more about the narratives in games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions concerning the “Simulate Witcher 2 Save” feature in The Witcher 3, to help you further understand the ramifications of your choices:

What happens if I don’t remember my choices in The Witcher 2? Don’t worry! The interrogation presents the choices clearly. You can even look up summaries of The Witcher 2‘s plot online to refresh your memory before making your decisions.
Can I change my answers during the simulation? No, once you answer a question, you’re locked into that choice. Think carefully before committing!
Does simulating a save affect the main story of The Witcher 3? While it doesn’t fundamentally alter the core narrative, it significantly impacts side quests, character interactions, and the overall world state.
Is it possible to miss out on important quests if I don’t simulate? Yes, it is possible to miss out on certain quests, particularly those involving Letho or specific factions.
Does the difficulty level affect the simulation? No, the difficulty level has no bearing on the simulation or its consequences.
Can I simulate a save after I’ve already started the game? No, the simulation occurs very early in the game, during the interrogation scene. You can’t go back and change your decision later.
I never played The Witcher 2. Should I still simulate? Absolutely! Even without prior knowledge, simulating gives you agency over the world state. Just choose the options that align with your Geralt’s personality and values.
Does the simulation affect the ending of The Witcher 3? Indirectly, yes. The choices you make during the simulation can influence which characters are available to help you during the final battles, and therefore, can influence the available ending scenarios.
Are the changes from simulating purely cosmetic? Definitely not. The consequences are tangible and can impact gameplay, quest availability, and character interactions.
Is there a “best” choice to make during the simulation? No, there’s no objectively “best” choice. It depends on your personal preferences and how you want to shape the world.
Will simulating a save make the game harder or easier? It doesn’t directly affect the difficulty. However, the choices you make can influence the resources and allies available to you, which could indirectly impact the difficulty of certain quests.
Does the simulation affect the DLCs (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine)? While the primary narrative of the DLCs remains consistent, some minor dialogue and references might change based on your Witcher 2 choices.
If I choose to kill Letho, will he still appear in Gwent cards? Yes, even if you choose to kill Letho during the simulation, his Gwent card will still be available in the game.
Is there a guide that details all the consequences of each choice? Yes, many online guides and wikis provide detailed information on the consequences of each choice during the simulation. Search for “Witcher 3 simulate Witcher 2 save consequences” to find them.
Can I use a mod to alter the simulated choices after starting the game? Yes, various mods are available that allow you to change the simulated choices even after you’ve begun playing. However, using mods might disable achievements and can potentially introduce instability to the game.

In conclusion, embracing the “Simulate Witcher 2 Save” feature in The Witcher 3 unlocks a deeper, more personalized experience. It allows you to carry the weight of your past decisions into the new game, adding layers of complexity and reactivity to the world. Don’t settle for a pre-determined fate; take control of Geralt’s history and shape the Continent to your liking! Happy hunting, Witchers!

Should I turn on simulate Witcher 2 save?