170°

Witcher 3 - In The Shadow Of Dark Souls

"I just completed the Witcher 3.

"200 hours of magnificence. 200 hours of lush forests, dank dungeons, bloodthirsty monsters, and tyrannical kings.

"What an experience. What a game. So why am I not writing this article to sing its praises? Why is this article not entitled ‘Witcher 3: How I love thine gorgeous frosty beard’?

"Because Dark Souls, that’s why."

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ArchangelMike3239d ago (Edited 3239d ago )

I completed The Witcher 3 and returned to trying to 100% MGS:Ground Zeroes. Does that mean that The Withcer 3 is not as good as Ground Zeroes? Hell No! It just means that I moved on, or rather returned to my previous gaming challenge.

It seems the author has done the same, but instead relegates The Witcher 3 to the 'shadow of Dark souls' - a place that is wholly unfair for it to be. The two games are different enough to be able stand side by side as examples of excellent RPG's.

shodan743239d ago

I actually had a very similar experience to the author, only with Bloodborne instead.

After spending 60+ hours in Yharnam, Witcher 3's combat and gameworld just felt that little bit underwhelming by comparison - though its excellent characters, side-stories and quests have kept me interested.

I'd say that From's universes are so all-encompassing when they pull you in, that everything else suffers slightly by comparison. It's part of the reason why they have such a fanatical fanbase.

I don't think the article's saying Witcher 3 isn't a great RPG. It's just that it doesn't quite stick in the mind and, ahem, the soul, quite as much afterward.

smolinsk3239d ago

Thw witchers game world underwhelming...WHAT??? its the best and most beautiful game world ever.

shodan743239d ago

While the world itself is packed with amazing characters and stories, the landscape as a whole just doesn't feel as special to me. It's vast, sure, but the forests, swamps and settlements don't quite pack the distinctive atmosphere, architecture and evocative tone that I got from Bloodborne.

Just my opinion - I know that many disagree!

Bimkoblerutso3239d ago (Edited 3239d ago )

I'm with you 100%

I love the Witcher 3, but I've always felt like the setting of the series is a bit too..."generic-medieval-f antasy." It's basically medieval times with Tolkien monsters.

Which is fine. I don't mind that setting, but the "horror-fantasy" setting of Bloodborne (and the Souls games in general) feels ridiculously creative and unique by comparison.

And I just have to say, it may be buried much deeper than the Witcher (and the Witcher certainly has Bloodborne beat with characterization, hands down), but if one takes the time to read item descriptions, listen to NPC's, and observe the environment, the story and lore in Bloodborne and the Souls games is every bit as rewarding as it's gameplay.

Grap3239d ago (Edited 3239d ago )

Comparing Bloodborne world and Witcher world is just too ridiculous the first is shallow and the second have depth to it, just because you love fighting madmen with forks in it doesn't mean it's better.
Bloodborne gameplay is hands down better than witcher 3 gameplay other than that bloodborne got nothing on witcher.

Bimkoblerutso3239d ago (Edited 3239d ago )

^Here, watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

There's close to nothing in Bloodborne that is not rich with backstory if you take the time to read, listen, and look around.

Again, I agree that the Witcher trumps Bloodborne in traditional characterization and storytelling (in fact, it is easily some of the best in the industry), but there is some absolutely top notch lore and story underneath all the challenging gameplay in Bloodborne and Souls. Most people just don't know how to absorb it because it is not presented in the same way that 99% of narrative is presented in the industry.

diehardmetallicafans3239d ago

Yeah buying the witcher reminds me of when i blew 100 bucks on gta 5. im kickin myself for jumping in straight away and giving in to hype. ive done probably 10 quests (story and side) and ive spent probably 6 hours playing the witcher and far out those load times after dying. ive not touched it in days since rocket racers came out and i dont feel guilty at all for not playing it. the witcher 3 is no where near game of the year for me. especially with all the bugs.

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Juegaloo3239d ago

And Dark Souls is in the shadow of the Witcher 3 when it comes to story, dialogue, characters, world building and so on.

Bimkoblerutso3239d ago (Edited 3239d ago )

Character-wise, I agree 100%. The Witcher is pretty much all about the characters and it shows. But story and lore wise, I think it's much closer than people give Dark Souls (and Bloodborne) credit for.

Back-to-Back3239d ago

Funny you left off the most important aspect to any game.....THE GAMEPLAY.

Dark113239d ago

No one play Witcher for the combat and no one play souls for the story characters, world building etc..

Different games have different priorities. simple as that.

Str8Chaos743238d ago (Edited 3238d ago )

Well said, totally agree. However, I enjoy the Witcher's combat. They are two totally different style of games and both are great.

Grap3239d ago

One of the most idiotic article i have ever read.

guyman3239d ago

The witcher 3 is better than dark souls in almost every way. That open world, lore, story, quests, content, graphics (yes, graphics) and in my opinion, has better gameplay. It's the most well rounded rpg i've ever played.

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240°

The best PS5 exclusives 2024

With so many PS5 exclusives to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming to pick which one to play. This is especially true for a new PlayStation gamer who has yet to experience the wonder of PlayStation-exclusive storytelling. So, here's KnowTechie's take on the best PS5 exclusives in 2024 and beyond

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Hereandthere41d ago

PlayStation is killing it with the exclusives this year. Exclusive wise, what has xbox released this year?

VersusDMC41d ago

They won't complain about Microsoft not releasing games here but put all their effort into saying that only first party counts. Games like Rebirth and Grandblue Relink don't count. Games published by Sony like Helldivers 2, Stellar Blade and Rise of the Ronin don't count because Sony don't own the studios.

It's some narrative building so for when Hellblade 2 come out they can say, seemingly without shame, that Microsoft is actually releasing first party games this year. And claim victory.🙃

Chevalier41d ago

Weird 1st party games didn't matter when Xbox had so little, but, now they're important again? Guess Ark 3, Stalker 2 don't count any more?

KyRo41d ago (Edited 41d ago )

ARK 3 doesn't exist and it's just a timed exclusive. It's also a game that a majority of the ARK player base doesn't want as it's a massive deviation from what people like about the original game

Abnor_Mal41d ago (Edited 41d ago )

Honestly to me it doesn’t matter what they say, they are just finally getting a chance to say all the things PS fan(boy)s were saying to them for the past few years. Let them get that, they deserve a “win” for a change.

The new narrative is that suddenly first party games matter again when awhile ago they didn’t, but that was because they were struggling with the same three games with the occasional fourth or fifth. That games should be everywhere on all platforms since that’s whats happening to theirs. The consoles don’t matter just the ability to play anywhere. Whatever Xbox is doing Sony will soon follow.

They’re not moving the goalpost anymore, but rather just moving the whole damn stadium.

jwillj2k441d ago

Only a incel would care about who published what and who owns who.

If it’s not on the other consoles it’s an exclusive.

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Cacabunga41d ago

Killing what? Where are the 1st party games??
Stellar Blade and FF7 is what I’m seeing this year.. so shallow!!!!

andy8541d ago

Doesn't really matter as long as they're great games. Baffles me why people put an emphasis on 1st party. They're still games you can't play anywhere else this year

Cacabunga40d ago

Andy

PS brand is my favorite because of their stellar first party software.. currently I see absolutely nothing to go crazy for..

CS740d ago

Nonsense.

PS1 and PS2 was built on great third party exclusives like FF, MGS, GTA & Tekken.

41d ago Replies(2)
raWfodog41d ago

Of course I love the games I’ve played from PS but I don’t believe we need to limit it to ‘exclusive’ to acknowledge that Xbox will be releasing some good games this year also. In that same vein, I believe that Xbox diehards shouldn’t limit their acknowledgment of good PS games to 1st party. There are plenty of good games to go around for everybody.

Tacoboto40d ago

This is a Playstation article about Playstation games and your comment is about Xbox. Can't you just celebrate what PS has without dragging this into console war BS?

ChasterMies40d ago

I don’t think Microsoft is releasing games exclusively on Xbox anymore. They have some timed exclusives that release on Xbox first.

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Abear2140d ago (Edited 40d ago )

Returnal, Astro Bot, and Ratchet made having it since day one worth it.

GT7 free updates and Spiderman 2 and others at 60fps have made this last year more than okay.

But yeah, it’s been dry lately. BG3 and third party have made great filler, but we ready for that SOCOM or Killzone announcement and some more 1st party goodness. Crossing fingers for Ghost of Tsushima 2 announcement this summer.

Didn’t know Helldivers was exclusive! Wtf is going on at Xbox that they can’t get these games, series s strikes again.

SonyStyled40d ago (Edited 40d ago )

Sony owns the Helldivers IP. The first was a PS3/Vita/PC game. It was never an Xbox game that they could ‘get’ a decade ago. I’m not sure what the upset is with Xbox here

CS740d ago

Lol, how do you ignore Rebirth one of the best games ever made?

anast40d ago

Looks like they are on par with the previous gens. Solid games all around. Interestingly enough, we can't say they released a bad game yet this gen. Unlike the Quiet Man dustup.

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DefenderOfDoom240d ago

I actually do not mind if Marathon releases on multiple platforms . I just wish that Marathon has a dedicated single player campaign.

DaniMacYo40d ago

Helldivers 2 is exactly what gaming needed. I’m loving it.

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110°

The 7 Best Western RPGs: Immersive Adventures

RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.

SimpleSlave50d ago

"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!

How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera

And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

DustMan50d ago

Loved Alpha Protocol in all it's glorious jank. Great game.

SimpleSlave49d ago (Edited 49d ago )

Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.

Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.

Pity.

70°

Dark Souls: Archthrones Reaffirms Modding Is The Best Thing To Happen To Games

"Dark Souls: Archthrones is like playing a brand new FromSoftware game, and that speaks volumes about just how much good modding can do," says Hanzala from eXputer.