$20 Game of the Week: The Witcher Enhanced Edition (PC)

The Witcher is based on Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s collection of short stories. When the original version of the Witcher was released in 2007, it showed a lot of promise. However, a number of in-game issues bought it down. This enhanced edition of the game, released in 2008, fixes most of these issues, and includes new content. For people who already own the original version of the game, these enhancements are available as a free download on the website. For those who haven’t played the original version of the game, this is the perfect package, and it’s an amped-up version of one of the best PC role playing games in recent years. In the game, players take the role of Geralt of Rivia. Geralt is a Witcher, who is a traveling monster hunter for hire. Geralt is one of the few remaining witchers left in the world, and he is stricken with amnesia. When a group of assassins attacks the witcher strong hold, Geralt travels throughout the world to find out why, get revenge, and hopefully find out the truth behind his amnesia.

The combat system is unique, you’ll switch between three different swordsman styles depending on your situation. You can also use magic. Everything is done using the mouse, although there are plenty of keyboard shortcuts. As in most RPGs, you can earn points to develop Geralt and unlock new abilities. Geralt’s world isn’t your typical fantasy material. The game deals with political issues, racism, sex, and other subject matter that you wouldn’t find in a Final Fantasy or even in an Oblivion. You might say that the world of the witcher is kinda like a fantasy version of HBO’s The Wire. Morality isn’t in black and white as in most games. You’ll often make decisions based on the lesser of two evils, and unlike most games featuring morality systems (Mass Effect, jade Empire) you won’t see the effects of your actions until later in the game. This is definitely a game you want to keep away from kids, as there is profanity, and a side portion of the game involves romancing several women you’ll meet during your travels.

The Enhanced edition includes overhauled graphics, re-recorded English dialogue, new voice tracks and dialogue in ten different languages, new animations, fixed glitches, improved visual effects, two new adventures, and the Djinn editor for players to create their own adventures. The box includes soundtrack CDs, a ‘making of’ DVD, a map, a mini-strategy guide, and a book called ‘The Last Story’. The Witcher is already a solid RPG, and the extras make it a perfect package for PC RPG fans.