A time of untold chaos has come. Mighty forces clash behind the scenes in a struggle for power and influence.
How to install?
The game launcher will automatically update any new installation of the game
to version 2.0. This is also true for installations previously patched to
version 1.35.
Installations previously patched to version 1.1 must be updated manually to
include patches 1.2 and
1.3, after which the game
launcher will automatically update the game to versions 1.35 and 2.0.
Installations previously patched to version 1.2 must be updated manually to
include patch 1.3, after which
the game launcher will automatically update the game to versions 1.35 and 2.0.
If you encounter any difficulties while the game is updating automatically,
please go to our technical support
site and manually download the relevant patch(es). To patch your installed
game copy, run the downloaded .exe file(s). Make sure to install the patches in
the order indicated by patch numbers.
What's New:
New Game Modes
Arena - is a new gameplay mode that is separate from the main
adventure and narrative of The Witcher 2. In this mode, Geralt of Rivia duels a
variety of foes to the death in a gladiatorial arena located in an unnamed town
somewhere in the Northern Kingdoms. In addition to winning gold and valuable
items, players also receive points for their wins. They can then post their
point totals on-line to compare their achievements against those of other blood
sport enthusiasts around the world. Geralt can encounter both foes and allies in
the arena. He can recruit the latter for a fee to assist him during his most
challenging clashes.
To post your point totals to the forum, you must be registered and have a
forum account! Register and establish your account directly through the game
launcher or go to www.thewitcher.com.
You can then log in to your account via the launcher.
Important: Players using mods to alter their character attributes and
statistics will not be able to post their point totals from the arena to the
server. This is a necessary precaution to prevent any attempts at distorting
competition or misrepresenting player achievements.
Tutorial - The game tutorial takes the form of a brief adventure
during which players learn how to use a range of game mechanics and
functionalities. Assuming the role of game protagonist Geralt of Rivia, players
save a wounded knight named Bolton of Ironford while learning game controls as
well as the basics of combat and alchemy. This transpires step by step as the
tutorial guides players through a series of minor missions. Upon completion,
based on demonstrated abilities, the tutorial recommends the difficulty level
which the player should choose in embarking on the main adventure of The Witcher
2.
Dark Difficulty - The ‘Dark’ difficulty setting is the most demanding
difficulty level in gameplay terms. Under this setting, each and every foe
represents a significant challenge. In addition to raising the difficulty bar,
the module includes several new sets of equipment/items that are linked through
a dark legend detailed in the Journal. Once all their components have been
collected and donned, the Blasphemer’s, Oathbreaker’s and Kinslayer’s outfits
provide great advantages in combat. The swords included in the outfits strip
opponents of Vitality while supplementing the witcher’s. However, given that
they are cursed, the swords provide no benefit and harm Geralt by sapping him of
Vitality as long as the outfits to which they belong remain incomplete.
Corrections and improvements to combat:
- Numerous improvements have been made in the targeting system.
- Parrying is now unlimited (even when Vigor is completely depleted),
though parries no longer cancel all damage (maximum 50% reduction once the
relevant ability has been acquired).
- Responsiveness of game controls has been improved. This includes but is
not limited to casting Signs, parrying, and attacking immediately after
evading an opponent’s assault.
- Geralt’s attacks are no longer interrupted by attacking opponents.
Attacks are now contiguous and foes cannot interrupt Geralt’s attacks by
landing a blow.
- Assorted fixes now prevent opponents from incessantly attacking Geralt
after he has been knocked down. Geralt can no longer be knocked down
repeatedly in quick succession. Also, he rises quickly while evading
subsequent attacks.
- Geralt no longer attacks opponents located behind other opponents
positioned nearer to him.
- The target locking system has been improved. Preference is now given to
previously highlighted targets.
- Target selection has been improved. Priority is now given to foes
affected by a critical effect facilitating the completion of a finishing
move.
- The additional two steps Geralt took after mounting an attack with the
W, S, A or D key depressed have been eliminated.
- Attacks can now be continued even when a key controlling Geralt’s
movement (e.g. W, S, A, D) is depressed.
- Attacks can now be continued if the attack key is depressed immediately
after the final strike of an attack animation sequence.
- Geralt can now pivot 180 degrees immediately after completing an attack.
- Assorted problems with key responsiveness have been resolved. Keys no
longer need to be depressed twice or more to trigger a given action.
- A distance attack problem has been resolved. Geralt now mounts distance
attacks (lunge with sword in hand in the Fast style) when opponents were
located at a suitable distance from him.
Other corrections and amendments:
- Casting several bombs no longer blocks further inputs.
- An option has been added to the configuration tool enabling aspect ratio
to be set independently of resolution.
- The amount of disk space required for game patching has been reduced.
- The loading of selected Witcher 1 game saves no longer causes the game
to crash.
- A greater number of monsters now appear in the cave leading to Loc
Muinne.
- Improvements have been made in the manner in which monsters are spawned
in the mist in Chapter 2.
- The visual effect accompanying Adrenaline use no longer disappears
prematurely.
- Archers now draw their swords more quickly when Geralt approaches.
- Mages no longer automatically cast shield spells when Geralt casts
daggers at them.
- The game is now paused when Geralt executes a finishing move in combat.
- The troll in Chapter 2 has been corrected. Previously, in some
circumstances he could not be attacked.
- Physics on cast daggers have been improved.
- The site for aiming daggers is now more visible.
- Geralt’s animation when he dies while casting the Axii Sign has been
corrected.
- An exploit in the fight against Letho has been eliminated. Previously,
this foe could be killed by casting bombs in quick succession.
- An exploit related to the ‘Insane’ difficulty setting has been
eliminated. Previously, game saves could be loaded with difficulty set to
this level, which was contrary to design intentions.
- Camera positioning/operation has been corrected during the boss fight
against the kayran.
- Camera control via gamepads has been improved.
- Assorted adjustments have been made in mutagen statistics.
- The ‘Junk’ filter in the Inventory has been adjusted to provide for
correct item filtering.
- In the Inventory, the dialogue window warning of prohibited actions has
been corrected.
- Assorted corrections have been introduced to the mini-map in Chapter 1.
- Audio balance throughout the game has been adjusted.
- Erratic character teleportation in mini–games has been eliminated.
- Assorted adjustments have been made in animations applying to nekkers.
- A minor bug in the “Scent of Incense” quest has been resolved.
- Numerous minor fixes have been introduced in character lip-sync
throughout the game.
TechSpot on: