As I get further into story of The Witcher 3, there are times when I just can’t reconcile the piss-taking, pop culture references, and inside jokes with the depth and darkness of it.
On the one hand, the writers take an opportunity to poke fun at DRM, but then at the end of it Geralt has to have a heartfelt conversation with townsfolk about loved ones who died trying to do the same quest.
Similarly: the seven dwarfs reference (you’ll know it when you get to it). There are some beautifully dark and funny moments, but I can’t help but feel that the reference actually detracts from the story.
It’s made worse for me by the fact that Sapkowski’s books already contain a retelling of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Quite a few of his short stories are like that: retellings of classic fairy tales in a darker, “closer to reality” fantasy world.
Anyway, the short story in which Sapkowski turns the Snow White tale on its head is “The Lesser Evil”.
This even gets a mention in the random sound bites you hear as you run around Novigrad. Dwarves would say something like: “Now we’re being blamed for popping Snow White’s cherry too!”
[SPOILER for the first episode of The Witcher series and The Lesser Evil in Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski]: Renfri is Snow White.
As per my previous post, the world of The Witcher 3 is littered with environmental storytelling that can tug on your heartstrings if you let it.
Case in point: A Witcher Contract that takes you through the ruins of a town in Skellige.
If you take the time to loot around, you will find a chest that is half-buried with a shovel next to it. A bit further away is a corpse on which you will find this letter:
Sadly, I don’t think I’m going to get to this in time. Will save for before Witcher season 2 comes out. I’m STILL busy with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
For what it is worth, the game looks, feels and sounds a lot like Witcher 3, just without monsters or Gwent .
Im wrapping things up in Novigrad, think im around level 23 now. Then off to Skellige for the first time (and back to Novigrad/Velen to tackle the missions im still too low level for as i get levelled). Need to stop faffing about though or I won’t finish this in time
Damn you guys for telling me about the gwent achievement…that takes up way too much of my time now.
If you don’t get distracted by all the shiny sidequests, Witcher Contracts, and other question marks on the map it is completely possible to get through the game without hitting level 30.
I’m close to level 34 (my next big Witcher Gear upgrade milestone) and while it is awesome feeling so powerful… I sometimes feel like I’m too overpowered for the big boss battles now.
Oh wow. I’ve probably blown tens of thousands of Orens crafting and upgrading Witcher Gear, and greater glyphs and runes.
I had a stockpile of Relic weapons that I’d dump in my stash for sentimental reasons, and I’ve had to liquidate that to afford all the stuff I wanted as I approach level 34 and my first mastercrafted set.
Currently I only have around 9000 coin left over
On a different note: Putting the game down is getting increasingly difficult as the main quests push you towards the final showdown.
I’m taking this as a really good sign because last time I got to this stage I was skipping Witcher Contracts and armour upgrades to just get done.
This time round I’m stopping to smell the roses, experiment with builds and gear, and finish all the little side missions. Last time I didn’t even finish the Fists of Fury side quest and I’m so glad I took the time to do it this time.
Here’s a random screenshot of an easel and canvas that I discovered while exploring the grounds around Kaer Morhen:
I’ll admit, something i haven’t been doing is scavenger hunts, contracts and many side quests. As a result, any stuff I find now is so far below my level it’s not even funny, but I persist as the narritive and world building is so well thought out and designed it’s actually a treat to go through.
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