Welcome to the world of The Witcher Adventure Game from developer CD Project RED, a virtual tabletop experience based on Fantasy Flight Games' board game of the same name. This game might not be what you expect from a Witcher game, as it is more of a faithful translation of the board game than an adventure game with sword fights and puzzle solving.
Tutorial and game modes
Getting into the game can be challenging for newcomers to the tabletop space. Luckily, the game offers a collection of tutorial videos that show you how to play, as well as a glossary that defines the rules. However, an interactive tutorial would have been more helpful in understanding the nuances of the gameplay and the differences between the four playable characters: Geralt, Triss Merigold, Yarpen Zigrin, and Dandelion. The game supports up to four players in online play, but it also allows CPU-controlled opponents to fill in the extra slots online or offline, which is a much-needed feature when online player numbers are low.
The tutorial
The Tutorial in The Witcher Adventure Game is a special game mode intended for beginners that will guide you through the basics of the game. It consists of a series of videos that explain the game's various game mechanics, as well as a glossary that defines the most important terms and rules.
First it starts with an introduction to the game board and the different locations that can be found on it. It also explains the meaning of the different colors and symbols on the board and how to travel between locations.
Then it goes into the different types of cards, including Quest, Event, Trait, and Combat cards. Each card type is explained in detail, including their functions and how they are used in the game.
Also, an important part of the tutorial is the explanation of the various skills and traits of the playable characters, including their special abilities and how they can be used in the game.
The tutorial ends with a brief overview of the rules and game objectives. You're encouraged to apply what you've learned in a short practice mode to hone your skills before jumping into regular game mode.
Overall, The Witcher Adventure Game tutorial provides a thorough introduction to the game and is a great way for beginners to learn the basics of the game. It is also useful for players who want to resume the game after a break or want to brush up on their skills.
the story
The Witcher Adventure Game is based on the world of The Witcher novels by Andrzej Sapkowski and set in the same universe as them Witcher video games. The game's story focuses on the adventures of the four playable characters: Geralt of Rivia, Triss Merigold, Yarpen Zigrin and Dandelion.
The characters each come with their own quests and stories to help them complete their main quest. The main quests differ depending on the game mode and can consist of a certain number of quests that the player must complete in order to win. These main quests are often associated with specific towns that you players must visit in order to complete the quest.
During the game you have to make decisions that can affect your journey. These choices can affect your quests, your character traits, or your relationships with other characters. The game has an extensive card system that allows you to improve your dice rolls, weaken your opponents or strengthen your own properties.
However, the story of the game is not as pronounced as in the Witchervideo games or novels. Instead, the game focuses on the characters' quests and adventures, leaving you room for your own decisions and strategies. Still, it's an interesting addition for fans of the Witcher series, allowing them to delve deeper into the world of witchers.
Simple gameplay and repetitive main quests
At the start of a match, each player chooses their main quest from two randomly selected quest cards. The winner is the one who is the first to complete either one, three or five main quests, depending on the setting chosen. Although there is story text describing the main quest and the optional help and side quests, completing a main quest always boils down to having a certain number of red, blue, or purple dots and traveling to a specific city. These simple main quests are usually interchangeable; they differ only in the city and the number and color of the dots.
Strategy lies in the choice of cards
The strategy lies in the choice of how you earn points, whether it's by choosing to investigate or to develop. Drawing an investigation card can assign tasks, traits, combat scenarios, or bonuses/returns. Drawing a development card usually gives a card that improves your dice rolls in combat. However, it feels more like you're playing with the other characters than actually against them. Most maps only affect the other players, and mostly you, through luck rather than conscious effort, so winning a match is little more than a race to complete quests as quickly as possible.
The characters
There are four playable characters in The Witcher Adventure Game, each endowed with unique abilities and attributes. Here are the playable characters in detail:
- Geralt of Rivia: Geralt is a witcher and the main protagonist of the Witcher novels and games. His in-game skills are focused on combat and survival, with the ability to heal wounds and block attacks. He's a good all-rounder and a good choice for players who want to focus on the game's combat system.
- Triss Merigold: Triss is a powerful sorceress and a close ally of Geralt. Her in-game abilities focus on supporting other characters, with the ability to heal wounds and buff other characters. She's a good choice for players who want to focus on supporting their teammates.
- Yarpen Zigrin: Yarpen is a dwarven warrior and a loyal friend of Geralt. His in-game skills are focused on combat and survival, with the ability to deflect attacks and weaken enemies. It's a good choice for players who want to focus on the game's combat system.
- Dandelion: Dandelion is a bard and a close friend of Geralt. His in-game abilities focus on gathering information and persuading characters, with the ability to complete quests faster and influence other characters. It's a good choice for players who want to focus on the game's dialogue and story.
The game modes
- Quick Game: A quick game with few quests, intended for beginners or for players who don't have much time.
- Standard Game: A standard game with a medium number of quests, intended for players who are already familiar with the game.
- Long Game: A long game with many quests, intended for experienced players looking for a challenge.
- Prologue: A special game mode intended for beginners that serves as a tutorial. In this mode, players are taken through the basics of the game before switching to the regular game mode.
- Solo Game: A game mode that allows a player to play alone against CPU-controlled opponents. This mode is useful when there are not enough players available or when a player wants to play alone.
- Online Multiplayer: A game mode that allows players to compete against other players online. Up to four players can compete against each other in this mode.
Extensions
Besides the mentioned game modes, there are also some expansions for The Witcher Adventure Game that offer additional game modes and content. Here are some of the extensions:
- The River of the White Gull: An expansion that introduces new maps, quests, and game mechanics. There is also a new game mode called "River Trip" where players travel along the river on a boat and experience various adventures.
- Hearts of Stone: An expansion based on the Witcher 3 expansion of the same name. It adds new quests, characters and game mechanics, including the new game mode "Wedding Night", which presents players with a series of challenges.
- Character Expansion: An expansion that introduces new characters that offer players new abilities and traits. This expansion also features new quests and gameplay mechanics.
These expansions must be purchased separately and are not part of the main game.
The quest cards
In The Witcher Adventure Game, quest cards are the key to progress and achieve the goal of the game. Players select one main quest card from two randomly selected quest cards at the beginning of the game, and their goal is to complete this quest to win the game. There are also optional help and side quests that provide players with additional points and rewards.
Quest cards are color-coded, and each color corresponds to a specific location on the game board. For example, red dots are connected to the city of Oxenfurt, while blue dots are connected to Novigrad. Each quest map has a certain number of points needed to complete the quest, as well as specific requirements, such as collecting certain items or defeating monsters.
Some quest cards also have special events or conditions that must be met in order to complete the quest. For example, a quest may require the player to own a specific map or win a specific number of battles.
The quest cards are an important part of the game as they give you clear goals and guidelines. You must carefully choose which quests you want to complete in order to maximize your score and win the game. It's important to strategize and keep track of the quest cards to get the best possible gameplay experience.
Graphics and Soundtrack
The digital version of The Witcher Adventure Game is strikingly faithful to the board game, which is admirable in a puristic way. However, the game board itself features some nice visual animations that you won't see in the tabletop version, like rain and snow effects, smoking chimneys, and rustling leaves. However, the game lacks graphic representations of battle scenes or victories or defeats against monsters. For example, when you are confronted with a monster at the end of a turn, you only see the monster appearing as a drawing on the map, and there is no graphical representation of triumph or defeat in its clutches. Click on the map and all that happens is a handful of dice fall across the screen revealing your fate.
The game board itself is beautifully designed and features a detailed map of the world of The Witcher, including the different locations and cities to explore in the game. The game board also features some nice visual animations, like rain and snow effects, smoking chimneys, and rustling leaves.
The in-game maps are also well-designed, featuring detailed illustrations of characters, locations, and events from the world of The Witcher. Each card also has a description text that informs the player what happened or what will happen next.
The game also features a graphical representation of characters and events on the game board, but this representation is relatively simple and there are few animations or effects.
sounds and music
The soundtrack, on the other hand, is suitably rousing and conveys the epic fantasy grace of the setting. The grandiose sound that concludes each round indicates that something big has just happened - even if you were just resting to heal your wounds.
The Witcher Adventure Game has an impressive sound and music design that makes the game even more exciting and atmospheric. The game's music was composed by the Polish composer Marcin Przybyłowicz, who is also responsible for the music in the Witcher video games.
The music in The Witcher Adventure Game is epic and immersive, capturing the mood and atmosphere of the world of The Witcher. The music varies by location on the game board to reflect the mood and atmosphere at the time. For example, the music in the city of Novigrad is full of life and movement, while the music in the dark forests is somber and menacing.
The in-game sound effects are also excellent. Every action and event on the game board has its own sound effect that makes the game more lively and realistic. The sound effects include everything from dice rolls and battles to events and developments.
Another highlight of the sound design in The Witcher Adventure Game is the voice-overs, performed by professional speakers and actors. The voice-overs give the characters their own personality and add an extra layer of immersion and realism to the game.
Overall, the sound and music design in The Witcher Adventure Game is superbly done and contributes significantly to the overall experience of the game. The music and sound effects perfectly capture the atmosphere and mood of the world The Witcher and make the game a truly immersive and immersive experience.
The CPU opponents
The Witcher Adventure Game offers the option to play against CPU controlled opponents when no human opponents are available or if you prefer to play the game alone. These CPU opponents can provide players with a challenge and allow them to improve their skills and strategies.
There are four different CPU opponents in the game, each with different play styles and strategies. These characters are:
- Albrich - A powerful mage who uses his magical powers to defeat his opponents.
- Tridam - A dangerous bandit that specializes in ambushing its opponents and stealing their resources.
- Yarpen - A brave dwarven warrior who has strong defense and resilience.
- Dandelion - A charming bard who conquers his opponents with his ability to manipulate people.
Each CPU opponent also has a unique personality and backstory detailed in the game guide. The game also features three different difficulty levels for CPU opponents to allow players to face off against characters that match their skills and experience.
The CPU opponents can be a great way to play the game alone or with friends when no human opponents are available. However, it should be noted that the game mechanics of The Witcher Adventure Game do not change significantly when playing against a CPU opponent and the game still has the same repetitive gameplay and objectives.
The online mode
The Witcher Adventure Game offers an online mode that allows you to compete against other players from all over the world. Online mode supports up to four players and allows you to play against either human opponents or CPU-controlled characters.
In online mode you can either create a public or private game or join a game that has already been created. Public games are open to everyone, while private games can only be entered by players who know the access code.
Online mode offers the same gameplay options as offline mode, including choosing quest maps and playable characters. You can also adjust the game's difficulty and setting level to suit your needs.
Online mode in The Witcher Adventure Game is a great way to experience the game with other players and test your skills against human opponents. It also offers the opportunity to play the game with friends and family who may not live in the same city or country.
However, online mode can sometimes be unpredictable due to connection issues and lag. It's also important to note that playing against human opponents is a different experience than playing against CPU-controlled characters, as human players can be more unpredictable and may employ different strategies and tactics.
Conclusion
Overall, The Witcher Adventure Game is from CD Project RED a virtual tabletop experience peppered with simple, repetitive tasks. The fun lies in learning the strategies for each of the four heroes, although it often feels like you're only playing with other players - not against them. It also doesn't try to be anything more than a digital board game. So if you're hoping for outrageous fight scenes and visual splendor, grab it The Witcher 3 return. However, if you're a board game fan and looking for a faithful digital adaptation of the Witcher board game, The Witcher Adventure Game is a fun option.
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