14 DAY TRIAL // The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has received some more details straight from its E3 2014 behind-closed-doors presentation, confirming the importance of settlements, the fluidity of combat, as well as the day and night cycle and how it can affect the monsters and quests players will need to defeat or complete.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the most anticipated role-playing games of next year, and at E3 2014 it received a special gameplay demonstration during the Microsoft press conference, showing off the Xbox One build in action and how protagonist Geralt of Rivia took down a mythical griffon.
Now, on the Xbox Wire, Microsoft has relayed more gameplay details from another presentation organized by developer CD Projekt Red for certain members of the press.
The demo picked up from where the public one left, with Geralt going to turn in the griffon head to a merchant in the city of Novigrad.
"Novigrad is the biggest city in The Witcher 3," a CD Projekt Red representative said, "a living, breathing community of thousands. The fishermen get up in the morning to catch fish, the merchants haggle over prices, and it’s a great place to get lots of quests."
Players will have an impact on the game's world in different ways, including through the quests they accept, how they're completed, and even when they're fulfilled.
The game's world is a huge one and lots of quests emphasize exploration besides combat and other such things. The studio has pointed out that Geralt's abilities in regards to traveling have been improved and he can reach any point on the map without worrying about tough to climb cliffs or invisible walls.
Some areas can even be accessed through underwater tunnels and caves, meaning players will need to take the famous Witcher through all sorts of adventures.
As with previous games in the series, combat is a complex endeavor, with Geralt once again using his trademark swords (a steel one for human enemies and a silver one for monsters). He can also use the wide array of magic signs, from Igni and Aard to Axii, Quen, and Yrden, all in different flavors.
The movement system is fluid, as Geralt can easily swing his swords, cast magic signs, or dodge and riposte against foes.
Meditation is also important, just like in previous games, as during it players can craft new potions, use mutagens to gain advantages and disadvantages, and much more.
Meditating also causes time to pass more quickly, as the day and night cycle has an impact on the power of certain monsters and even on the presence of different beasts, which only come out during the night.
Crafting new armor and accessories improve Geralt's stats, while using the environment against foes is important, especially against groups of enemies or imposing monsters.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt launches in February for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.