We’re still putting the finishing touches on our own review of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but in the meantime I thought I’d round up a significant number of reviews that have been published over the past few weeks.
PC Gamer gives it a 92/100:
For a game boasting all of the political treachery and turmoil common in the genre, The Witcher 3 succeeds because it puts people first. More compelling than Geralt’s lofty, heroic journey are the stories about the humdrum, circumstantial horrors of the helpless as they watch their world crumble. I’m looking forward to returning to The Northern Realms and visiting all of its villages and ruins. That’s where the heart of The Witcher 3 lies: not in its hero, but in the complicated world it brings to life.
IGN gives it a 9.3/10:
Though the straightforward and fetch-quest-heavy main story overstays its welcome, the option of joyfully adventuring through a rich, expansive open world was always there for me when I’d start to burn out. Even if the plot isn’t terribly interesting, the many characters who play a part in it are, and along with the excellent combat and RPG gameplay, they elevate The Witcher 3 to a plane few other RPGs inhabit.
Polygon gives it an 8/10:
The result is still a game that often feels like a stunningly confident, competent shot across the bow of the open world genre, folding in an incredibly strong narrative and a good sense of consequence to the decisions that present themselves throughout, presenting a fun bit of combat creativity into a genre that desperately needs it. With that going for it, The Witcher 3 is a great game though it isn’t a classic and it can carry a somewhat qualified recommendation.
ZTGD gives it a perfect 10/10:
I could spend pages raving about how good The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is. Rarely do I hand out this score, and I think that speaks volumes about this game. This is easily one of the best games of 2015, but beyond that it is the best fantasy RPG I have played to date, alongside being the best open-world game since Rockstar’s phenomenal Red Dead Redemption. This game is a must own, it is worth buying one of these new consoles (or a hefty PC if you have the cash). It will take something special to replace this game for years to come.
Kotaku gives it a “Yes” recommendation:
Wild Hunt is a grand adventure that feels distinctly of its time. It manages to set new standards for video game technology while accentuating the fleeting nature of technological achievement as an end unto itself. It is a worthy exploration of friendship and family, mixing scenes of great sorrow with scenes of ridiculous lustiness, tempering its melancholy with bright splashes of joy and merry monster guts. Come for the epic showdown between good and evil; stay for the unicorn sex.
Shacknews gives it a 9/10:
The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt is a masterfully written rollercoaster, and though there is a lot to do in the game, I never felt overwhelmed by the Side Quests and optional tasks. CD Projekt Red has done a great job of bringing this saga to a close. The best part about all of this, however, is the fact that CD Projekt RED stayed true to its word. Every choice you make will determine how the story unfolds, and what the world becomes at the end of it all.
HardcoreGamer gives it a perfect 5/5:
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is equal parts daunting, accessible, beautiful and hideous, but every aspect combines in such a remarkable way that it’s nearly impossible to not give it a sweeping recommendation. Geralt’s story and his interactions with the world provide both an immediately gripping experience for newcomes and enjoyable fanservice to those who have stuck around since the beginning. 2015’s largest game to date is its best so far, as the marriage of seemingly endless open-world content and engaging storytelling make The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt a superlative experience. From rounds of the in-game card game Gwent to its robust crafting and alchemy systems, those who are looking for the all of the minutia that comes from a deep western role-playing experience will find it here in droves.
Hooked Gamers gives it a perfect 10/10:
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an RPG, but some of its RPG elements feel somewhat simplified in a good way. The game is simple enough for newcomers to the series to gradually work their way into the game without needing to know the value of every character stat. Much of Geralt’s progression comes through upgrading and crafting weapons, using blueprints and the correct materials which are normally found in the field. Potions can be brewed with the appropriate ingredients which are relatively simple to find with the mini map highlighting areas where ingredients can be collected. Of course, Geralt’s Witcher abilities can be improved whenever he levels up too.
AusGamers gives it a perfect 10/10:
It’s that very profession that ties him and the player to the land in Wild Hunt though, despite the larger-than-life story that finishes out CD Projekt RED’s epic run with the White Wolf, and, as cold as they might be, it’s the monsters and the would-be monsters that lurk that keep Geralt of Rivia on the trail — tracking, listening, watching and slaying.
Rock, Paper, Shotgun doesn’t score it:
To finish, a random thought. I think it was about 20 hours in that it really started to hit me how unlikely all this was, and just how much there is to be grateful for. Really, how did we get here, from a first game released in such a terrible state that it took a whole new re-release to salvage it, to one that shows up much of the RPG industry and makes it look so damn easy? I wonder if, in another world, separated from ours only by a thin sliver of dimensional fabric and probably some zeppelins in the sky, there’s a pleasantly surprised review waxing lyrical about the revolutionary FPS genius of Daikatana 3.
Ars Technica doesn’t score it either:
“Uncompromising” is a good word to describe The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in general. Nothing feels half-baked, with the possible exception of a few technical worries like long load times on the consoles. The world is huge, yes, but more importantly it justifies its size by taking its time. Every speaking character and side quest feels rooted in the mud, blood, and tears, even as they bring you face to face with creatures that would be more at home in Silent Hill than the nation of Temeria.
Den of Geek! gives it a 4/5:
Mechanically, it doesn’t quite keep up with its ambitions, and the combat sluggishness, as well as an occasionally choppy frame rate and poorly designed menu do hamper it, but if you look past these problems, you’ll find one of the best RPGs of this generation, and a definite must have title, regardless of your chosen platform.
VideoGamer gives it a 9/10:
The sub-par combat can be compensated for, the cumbersome world navigation at times forgiven, but the frustrating and ever-present framerate and other performance issues become a hindrance on the overall experience, to the point where it became as big a talking point as any storyline. Still, at only 25 hours in, I remain desperate to discover more, and whatever comes next, I am sure that it’ll be thoroughly entertaining. It’s just enormously disappointing that, technically, The Witcher 3’s reach exceeds its grasp.
LazyGamer gives it a 9.5/10:
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an impeccable role-playing game, and one of the finest games ever created. Whether it’s as large as tracking the Wild Hunt or as small as delivering a love letter, The Witcher 3 makes Geralt’s actions count in the most incredible ways – creating a world begging to be explored for countless hours on end.
GameRant gives it a 4.5/5:
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt doesn’t deserve a perfect score there are just too many technical problems but that doesn’t take away from what CD Projekt Red has accomplished. The Witcher 3 is messy, highly emotional, and incredibly addictive. Barring any huge surprises this fall, The Witcher 3 should be a shoo-in for the game of the year it’s not just one of 2015’s best games, but for many players, it’s the only one they’ll need.
Forbes is doing an ongoing review:
I simply can’t shake, no matter how much I enjoy and admire and respect The Witcher 3, the feeling that bigger is not necessarily better. More open is not necessarily better game design. And that developers should focus not on the size or scope of a game or the time it takes to finish it, but in making each piece of the game sturdy, playable, memorable, and mechanically sound. The Witcher 3 is a lovely game. But it’s not every bit the game I hoped it would be based on its predecessor.
Yahoo gives it a 4.5/5:
The good news is that you’ll calibrate to these nuances within a few hours, which means you’ll be pretty comfy for the remaining 195 or so. But The Witchers 3’²s size isn’t the reason you should play it. Play it for its world, its craftsmanship, its startling ambition, and its tremendous delivery. Play it because games of this quality and scope don’t come along often. Just play it.
GamePur gives it a perfect 10/10:
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a “Best Open World RPG Till Now”, CD Projekt Red once again showed why they are one of the best in the business. PC version of the game is very well optimized, on my PC (i7-4790k, Single GTX 970, 8GB RAM, Windows 8), it was a smooth, flawless and constant 55-60 FPS in 1080p resolution (Nvidia Hair Setting: Off, Foliage Range: High). If you still haven’t bought The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you are really missing out something very special from CDPR, the last adventure of Geralt won’t let you down even for a second.
TrustedReviews gives it a perfect 10/10:
With commiserations to Bioware and Bethesda, Wild Hunt is the new RPG by which all other RPGs should be judged. Not only has CD Projekt Red deliverered the largest and most convincing fantasy open-world we’ve ever seen, but a storyline, quests and systems that make it an incredibly compelling place to run, ride and sail around in. It’s the GTA 5 or Red Dead Redemption of sword and sorcery sagas and the biggest, most breathtaking time sink you’re likely to play this year.
Attack of the Fanboy gives it a 4.5/5:
It’s a sprawling, ambitious, beautiful representation of a dark fantasy world, and games like this don’t come along often. By no means perfect, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt still one of the year’s biggest and best releases.
Xbox Achievements gives it a 92/100:
I’ll return to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt eventually, possibly on a higher difficulty setting (Wild Hunt is far easier than Assassins of Kings), but not before I tell you this: you should buy The Witcher 3. It’s one of the most unique, distinctive, vast and varied western RPGs I’ve played in years and it contains hundreds of brilliant stories that you simply must experience. Buy it, stick it in your disc tray, pull the curtains and prepare to be transported. You won’t want to leave the house for weeks.
The Telegraph gives it a perfect 5/5:
None of this is to mention the depth of the story telling, the beautiful moral ambiguity of the choices you’re faced with again and again, or the wonderful lack of trying to frame Geralt as anything other than the protagonist of his story. There is no saving the world, here, no great evil force pervading the landscape, or a doomsday clock ticking down to inevitable destruction, with only you to stand in its way. The story of Wild Hunt is a personal one, set in a huge and unrelentingly beautiful world. And moving through it in that way makes you feel like a part of it, rather than an honoured guest, all eyes swung expectantly towards you.
Games Radar gives it a 4/5:
I dearly hope that the ‘day zero’ patch eliminates The Witcher 3’s technical issues. They’re the main blemish on an otherwise rich and lengthy RPG. Even so, The Witcher 3 represents a generational leap in world design and fidelity, and is a spectacle that deserves to be savoured at its very best.
GameRevolution gives it a 3.5/5:
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a colossal game rich with story, content, and landmass. But it’s a case of bigger isn’t always better. It spends a great deal of its energy trying to impress the audience with unparalleled scope. The result is an experience that succeeds in its mission of being a grand experience, but commonly missteps when it comes to fundamentals such as combat, leveling systems, and user interface design. Early on in the adventure it’s easy to feel captivated by the sheer scale of it all, but as its shortcomings come to light the attention that it worked so hard to capture can become lost.
Terminal Gamer gives it a 9.5/10:
Your horse can be upgraded to make him more efficient as you progress along. Blinders are available to keep your horse calmer if you encounter enemies along your path and there are saddle upgrades to allow your horse to sprint farther without getting tired. The saddlebag upgrades are very important since your inventory max is determined by their size. Shop owners can take items off of your hands if you reach your max, and as long as they have the coin on hand, they’ll keep buying up stuff you have picked up along the way. Armorers and Blacksmiths can disassemble items for a price, or buy your swords and armor outright, so picking up everything in sight is generally a good idea. We have found ourselves playing for an hour, and then making a trip to an armorer to unload our bags so we can go pick up more stuff. This is a great way to make more coins as well as gathering the necessary items to have better armor crafted.
Victory Point gives it a 9/10:
While gameplay is an important part of the game it really isn’t the focus and its not what makes this game special. Getting lost in and exploring is where the game is at its best. It is also difficult to find an experience that has better more compelling characters. So I encourage you to jump in and lose yourself in The Witcher 3 because there has never been an open world game that feels quite as alive.
Metro gives it a 9/10:
As much as it can be said for any story-based video game, the world of The Witcher 3 seems indifferent to your existence and machinations. You must simply try to survive it the best way you can, in the manner which suits you best. But perhaps The Witcher 3’s greatest feat is that it feels like everyone else in the game is doing the same thing too, whether they’re a lowly peasant, feudal lord, or a grey-haired, monster-hunter.
And The Guardian gives it a perfect 5/5:
The world, in other words, nobly upholds its rules. This much is expected of every open world game in what is now, undeniably, the medium’s most competitive genre. What is also expected is a technical proficiency that the game is unable to deliver with consistence. Less expected, perhaps, is the fact that most players will turn a blind eye to these shortcomings. While Geralt may live in video games, he was born in literature and, as such, carries literature’s essential appeal. We simply must know what happens next.
