Control system ruins game for me.

[docremo]

Control system ruins game for me.

I find it puzzling that a Dev chose to "improve" gameplay controls from the easy, intuitive, logical mouse controls used in The Witcher 1, to the clumsy archaic keyboard inputs of Witcher 2, using WASD keys for movement. It's enough of a challenge learning how to defeat new opponents without worrying if your fingers are properly placed on the keyboard to execute movement. Why was this necessary except to make the upcoming console version easier to port? What can you do with the new system that you couldn't do with Witcher 1 control methods? This ruined the game for me. Please don't defend Witcher 2's control system unless you can point out a specific game play situation that wouldn't work using Witcher 1's control methods. Game Devs don't know when to leave a thing alone; a new story, new characters, better graphics are fine, but for me, I'm getting tired of learning new contol systems for every sequel that comes out just because the programmer in charge feels his job is in jeopardy if he doesn't introduce a "new" system.

 

[mdarwin]

I find it puzzling that a Dev chose to "improve" gameplay controls from the easy, intuitive, logical mouse controls used in The Witcher 1, to the clumsy archaic keyboard inputs of Witcher 2, using WASD keys for movement. It's enough of a challenge learning how to defeat new opponents without worrying if your fingers are properly placed on the keyboard to execute movement. Why was this necessary except to make the upcoming console version easier to port? What can you do with the new system that you couldn't do with Witcher 1 control methods? This ruined the game for me. Please don't defend Witcher 2's control system unless you can point out a specific game play situation that wouldn't work using Witcher 1's control methods. Game Devs don't know when to leave a thing alone; a new story, new characters, better graphics are fine, but for me, I'm getting tired of learning new contol systems for every sequel that comes out just because the programmer in charge feels his job is in jeopardy if he doesn't introduce a "new" system.

It would have been good to see an option "Mouse Control" like in The Witcher 1, I agree. Keyboard control is to clumsy/unwanted on a PC. Or maybe I am clumsy?!

 

[c69]

I never played the first game, but WASD is a staple in computer games. If you haven't encountered WASD, then you haven't played many games.

 

[Bowmangr]

I never played the first game, but WASD is a staple in computer games. If you haven't encountered WASD, then you haven't played many games.

This.

 

[Zanderat]

i never played the first game, but wasd is a staple in computer games. If you haven't encountered wasd, then you haven't played many games.

qtf.

 

[phamvan94]

I never played the first game, but WASD is a staple in computer games. If you haven't encountered WASD, then you haven't played many games.

QFT

I guess you are talking about the overhead view used in older RPGs.
WASD is very easy to use, I don't understand all the complaints about it. I actually prefer it over mouse only controls. I always played TW1 in the over-the-shoulder view, so I used WASD even there.

For me its actually faster, I don't have to move the mouse around and click to move, I can move and turn at the same time. Also your fingers natural position on the keyboard is very similar to WASD, so you should almost never hit the wrong key on accident. (natural is ESDF, just one button away from WASD)

 

[secondchildren]

I never played the first game, but WASD is a staple in computer games. If you haven't encountered WASD, then you haven't played many games.

Can't agree more
You can play WASD in W1 too, however. I always do.

 

[docremo]

QFT

I guess you are talking about the overhead view used in older RPGs.
WASD is very easy to use, I don't understand all the complaints about it. I actually prefer it over mouse only controls. I always played TW1 in the over-the-shoulder view, so I used WASD even there.

For me its actually faster, I don't have to move the mouse around and click to move, I can move and turn at the same time. Also your fingers natural position on the keyboard is very similar to WASD, so you should almost never hit the wrong key on accident. (natural is ESDF, just one button away from WASD)

The point I was trying to make was that The Witcher 1's control system was more than adequate, AND you still had the WASD option in the 1st person mode if desired. Witcher 2 gives you no choice. Why change an efficient system simply "to change something" with no apparent improvement in gameplay?

 

[phamvan94]

The point I was trying to make was that The Witcher 1's control system was more than adequate, AND you still had the WASD option in the 1st person mode if desired. Witcher 2 gives you no choice. Why change an efficient system simply "to change something" with no apparent improvement in gameplay?

Time and resources that could be spent polishing the game and adding new features. Also it would be much easier to port to consoles like you said.

 

[DownyTif]

Can't agree more
You can play WASD in W1 too, however. I always do.

I second that!

 

[DelighfulMcCoy]

Not everybody can use WASD.
I'm glad there's gamepad support this time, since mouse doesn't work anymore.
Btw., you can play for example Oblivion very comfortably with the mouse, that doesn't only work for old top down RPG's.

 

[nmargot]

Instead of griping, why don't you just play the game and enjoy it.

Witcher 1 controls were somewhat difficult at first, but you learn to love it.

Witcher 2 controls also quickly become second nature. WASD along with mouse control makes gameplay simple in both games.

 

[secondchildren]

Instead of griping, why don't you just play the game and enjoy it.

Witcher 1 controls were somewhat difficult at first, but you learn to love it.

Witcher 2 controls also quickly become second nature. WASD along with mouse control makes gameplay simple in both games.

Well maybe he can't enjoy the game becoz of W2 control. I warmly hope that the Devs will add the chance to customize the command keys sooner or later.

 

[numbnumb]

One note. WASD works if you are right handed. For left handers and for those who have no choice but to use their left hand for the mouse it becomes a twister. The saving grace is that the game does allow you to reassign the WASD keys to the up/down/left/right arrows.

 

[mdarwin]

I never played the first game, but WASD is a staple in computer games. If you haven't encountered WASD, then you haven't played many games.

I played many games without WASD. I "prefer" games with Mouse control. It would have been nice to see a "Choice of Control" for it, in the Witcher 2. It was done before.

 

[MMAMickey]

I never played the first game, but WASD is a staple in computer games. If you haven't encountered WASD, then you haven't played many games.

Exactly.

The reason point and click can't work in TW2 is that the combat now requires more user input; you're responsible for your own sword strikes and evasions, and you die pretty quick on dark mode.

I don't think the TW1 option would work here at all.

 

[blakeocity]

A mouse only control system would be detrimental and get in the way of the more faster paced action orientated style of input required from the user for the hack and slash direction of the 2nd game. It's always a shame to lose a useful feature , but I just don't see how it would work with the way combat was developed.

Still, not encountering WASD and getting used to standard PC game controls for the past decade baffles me.

 

[Szoreny]

I was under the impression that most folks played TW1 primarily in OTS view. OTS in TW1 was almost identical to TW2's controls.

I wasn't happy about the elimination of the isometric views, but they made more sense in TW1 where you might want to see the entire crowd while fighting with the group style.

The one thing I REALLY miss is the ability to free the mouse cursor and click on interactive elements. Having to spin the camera into the perfect spot to access a container in TW2 can get ridiculous, especially when you're interested in a specific corpse or box that's surrounded by other lootables...

But then in TW1 CDPR used the 'shift' key to free the cursor in OTS. Which meant they couldn't figure out where to put a 'walk' key. So Geralt could walk in isometric views but not OTS view.

I wouldn't be surprised if they made the same decision if TW2 had included a free cursor mode. Sometimes the synapses don't seem 100% aligned with these guys...

 

[Vindrytter]

I've never played TW1 using an isometric view even when using the group style in combat.
I like the control in the second game.
Only one thing.
I'm ready to kill the man who made ​​such an idiotic targeting system.
Why I can't select the target manually as in Darksiders?
Why camera doesn't focus on the chosen target?
The problem is that the target is chosen somewhere behind Geralt, and where most enemies, and where I can not see it. When Geralt begins an attack, he jumps into the center of a group of enemies, who surround him instantly, and killed him.
Fighting in the dark mode itself is not complicated, but a bad targetings system corrupts every battle.

 

[docremo]

Is there any reason The Witcher 2 didn't have The witcher 1's U.I.? PC games traditionally use the MOUSE for movement and combat... (recall how smooth and effortless was the U.I. configuration for Dragon Age: Origins). The Witcher 2's user interface is TERRIBLE! There was No logical reason to change from the format used in Witcher 1. (Before you gamers rush to defend this miserable control system please state if you are playing with a mouse or gamepad.) Remapping the important key bindings is not possible (why?)... another sad oversight. Overall, I find this game unplayable with keyboard and mouse. Even the Tutorial is unplayable without the ability to "save" and practice the cumbersome keyboard/mouse system. This game was written for an XBOX. The port to PC is embarrassing and regretful by all standards.