Dyre Straits

I've been playing it one notch below the most difficult. I don't like to have to rely on Alchemy to succeed...although I DO use some alchemy.

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mkey

"Some" alchemy? Then I guess I'm the only one here being anal about collecting ingredients. Just like in Oblivion. By far the first skill I mastered (and made a ton of money on) - alchemy. Kinda sad when you think about it

Aren't there only three difficulty settings?

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Dyre Straits

In almost all the RPG games I play, I really like playing as a Battlemage. So, the 'middle' [of the "three difficulty settings" ] is the type of play that fits my style the best. As for Geralt, I like leveling up the Aard and Igni Signs as quickly as possible. And, of course, the Sword styles for the Steel and Silver swords.

One other thing I try to manage as quickly as possible is the armor upgrade. So, I do collect plenty of items to sell in order to get the 5000 orens needed for the armor upgrade.

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mkey

Yeah, Aard and Igni kick ass. I like the yellow force field (forgot the name, was it queen or something) thingy too (just for kicks and to rest for a second or two while chanting "bwahaahha you can't touch me!").

Among the sword skills, I deem the group silver and strong steel to be the most important as monsters usually come in packs while with the humans it can get nasty when encountering those big mofos. Obviously, later on you need group steel as well. Hmm, just recollecting those nice fights makes me wanna play again. Like, encountering a number of drowners with group silver jacked up - like stealing a candy from a child. Art, pure and simple.

IDK, the next time I'll try the hard level, the normal seems to be a bit on the easy side. The only two times I had major difficulties was on the very beginning when fighting that hell hound and protecting that silly girl (why is there always some stupid bitch to protect?) at he same time. And later on, near the end when dealing with that giant crab or spider (not in the mines, later on). Anyway, a few potions fixed those situations.

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Dyre Straits

Yes, Quen, the shield sign.

You're referring to the summoned Kotchkey, right? My first time through it gave me fits, too. But, Igni, and occasionally, Aard, were the keys to its downfall, too. You need to also have the potion to stanch bleeding in case it does get you. After playing through a few times, I stocked up as much as possible on Swallow and Tawny Owl. Of course, I had several others on hand after some play time, too. But, those two I wanted to make sure I had plenty of at all times and as much as possible.

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mkey

Exactly. My tactic was simple - knock him down, set him on fire and run away while your endurance restores. Tough little bastard.

The only things I felt were off in the game

1) item variation - this is kinda the game's weak point. At one hand, the game is not that long that it should constantly give you new items, but three different armors is kind of weak. There are a lot of weapons, plus those stones for forging new ones (IMO every RPG should have a forgery) so they should have included a bit more in the armor department.

2) with the potions it's always the same - you have a number of them, but end up using just a few - White gull, Swallow, Cat (that nighteye potion) and that's basically it. And I always end up dragging like 200 potions with me (you never know when you're going to need them) while I run out of few of them I actually need and use.

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IModIntel

I finished the game about a week ago. I sided with the Flaming Rose. Pretty fucked up ending. An awesome game overall.

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Dyre Straits

You need to play it again and this time side with the Scoi'tel. It's a very interesting development.

It's also quite interesting, and a little more difficult, to play it without taking sides at all.

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witek

It was fun when you were neutral. Then you have to fight both sides the squirrels and the Flaming Rose and some other bonuses.

IModIntel

Yeah, after I've finished FEAR 2, I'll replay the game siding the Scoia'tael, then neutral.

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