A masterpiece that has set a new standard for the industry // Recommended for absolutely everyone, but especially RPG veterans

LockeProposal's Big Day Out

Steam Review Showcase:+ Visuals are unbelievable; everything appears unique, well-designed, and is absolutely jaw-dropping in detail and overall presentation+ Engine runs very well, even on AMD machines; overall, the game feels extremely optimized+ Written dialog and voice-acting ranks among the best in the industry, bar none+ Combat is responsive, fluid and quite cinematic; takes everything Witcher 2 did, and greatly improves on it+ The auto-pathing feature (hold SHIFT on horseback to auto-path to the selected objective) is a QoL feature that further demonstrates the attention to detail pervasive in every facet of the game+ NPCs match one's pace when moving along during escort/follow missions, and generally have much improved behavior compared to Witcher 2+ Sound effects are mesmerizing, particularly when using the "Witcher's Senses;" the overall quality and range of the sound design is absolutely superb+ Weather effects are uniquely immersive and realistic+ Every character, even minor supporting characters, are interesting; the player will certainly become intensely invested in virtually the entire (expansive) cast+ Between alternate endings, the vast amount of potential conclusions to the myriad character arcs, and the sheer quantity and quality of content available, the game has absolutely astonishing replay value+ Lore is rich and is all readily accessible in-game; this includes character bios, lore-friendly books, and nearly endless interesting items and locations scattered off the beaten path+ The quality of the quests, even minor side-quests, all measure up to the highest standard; many of the side-quests rival the main narrative in emotional impact and overall depth+ Animations feel organic and realistic+ Pacing is managed expertly throughout; the game never feels grindy or linear, and never feels as though it's being so content heavy that the player cannot find time to relax and enjoy more casual activities within the game's world+ The world is absolutely brimming with activities and locations to discover+ This game has the most picturesque and realistic terrain design that I've every witnessed+ Witcher contracts often require elaborate preparations to prove successful; this does a fantastic job of showcasing the various approaches to combat, such as potions, oils, and a well-developed skill-tree+ Enemy mob variation is impressive, boasting intricate and creative designs+ Levelling system is well-rounded, easy to use, and very open to customization+ Gwent is a game in and of itself, and is nearly as addicting as anything else included in the title+ Crafting system is superb and, true to immersion, weapons and armor must be physically contracted to smiths for crafting+ The game boasts consistent content updates and developer support+ A nearly flawless level of immersion at every level+ Minute choices in dialog or action often have earth-shattering implications; choices matter, virtually every one, to some degree- Movement can be awkward in tight corners, either on foot or while on horseback- The game has glitches aplenty, though they are constantly being patched out; this will certainly become less a problem as time rolls on- Roach (Geralt's horse) suffers some unfortunate pathing and AI behavior flaws; summoning him, also, often spawns him in inaccessible locations