So whats all this about companions?

[captbigbeard]

So whats all this about companions?

I noticed in the FAQ and Gamespot preview companions were brought up... companions you can "pick from."What does this mean, is is it referring to friendships like in the witcher (sometimes they fight by your side)? Or is it referring to a companion that follows you around and watches your back the majority of the game, like companions in a bioware game? It certainly sounds like the latter... which personally I would love as my favorite part of any bioware game is the companions. If it is the case Zoltan and Dandelion better be two of the options!

 

[pluum]

Yeah, in W2 other characters can accompany you like in Bioware games or something similiar to it.You can see it on gamplay presentation, where Triss acompanies Geralt in forest.

 

[zoltanchivay]

I hope not ;D I hate it on DAOIt would be nice if they follow us in some missions and we don´t choose them just like in W1 - Triss, Yaevinn, Siegfried at the end of game

 

[secondchildren]

Nope, not like in DAO. You can pick them but you cannot control them They will act by themself. Read here: http://witcher.wikia.com/wiki/The_Witcher_2:_Assassins_of_Kings

 

[frontl1ne]

Good, party systems make me cringe.

 

[tymon88]

Also, what I understood is that you can pick only one at a time. So it seems like you will have Triss, Dandelion, Shani etc. partying in a tavern and when you feel like going on a monster-slaying mission you can pick ONE friend to accompany you.

 

[petra_silie]

I think you can only have one companion at the time instead of a whole party :hmmm:I really would like to know which persons Geralt can choose and how this influences the game and opens quests. When I think of Dandelion I have no idea (except he will get more sex opportunities ;D ) but if it's Zoltan Geralt will get in trouble / disagreement with Vernon Roche... if it's Triss he may get more benefits from Foltest.

 

[illusivespatula]

I think you can only have one companion at the time instead of a whole party :hmmm:I really would like to know which persons Geralt can choose and how this influences the game and opens quests. When I think of Dandelion I have no idea (except he will get more sex opportunities ;D ) but if it's Zoltan Geralt will get in trouble / disagreement with Vernon Roche... if it's Triss he may get more benefits from Foltest.

Nice insights Miss Petra!

 

[secondchildren]

I think you can only have one companion at the time instead of a whole party :hmmm:I really would like to know which persons Geralt can choose and how this influences the game and opens quests. When I think of Dandelion I have no idea (except he will get more sex opportunities ;D ) but if it's Zoltan Geralt will get in trouble / disagreement with Vernon Roche... if it's Triss he may get more benefits from Foltest.

Also, consider if one of them would die, like in other RPGs. What will be of the plotline if Dandelion or Zoltan would fall in the fight?

 

[illusivespatula]

Also, consider if one of them would die, like in other RPGs. What will be of the plotline if Dandelion or Zoltan would fall in the fight?

Unless they just pass out like Abigail does during the Beast fight, or similar.

 

[captbigbeard]

I think you can only have one companion at the time instead of a whole party :hmmm:I really would like to know which persons Geralt can choose and how this influences the game and opens quests. When I think of Dandelion I have no idea (except he will get more sex opportunities ;D ) but if it's Zoltan Geralt will get in trouble / disagreement with Vernon Roche... if it's Triss he may get more benefits from Foltest.

Also, consider if one of them would die, like in other RPGs. What will be of the plotline if Dandelion or Zoltan would fall in the fight?

It's pretty safe to say it will be the same as the Witcher 1 (and most RPG's for that matter.) When a companion and/or important plot character goes down in a fight, they are just temporarily knocked out.

 

[Demut]

When a companion and/or important plot character goes down in a fight, they are just temporarily knocked out.

I hate this approach so much. If they find no other solution I'd rather you would get a "Game Over" message instead of this ...And I really do hope you can chose not to have any companions. Every time I played an RPG with companions I got so frustrated. Their AI is always unbelievably crappy, they don't do what they are supposed to do and ruin the whole part where they appear. But if CDP thinks they can master what pretty much every developer failed at in the past I am willing to give it a chance.

 

[cassandra31eee]

Yes, i don't like this either. Every time i watch out for my companions, instead of receive help from them. But i think CPR can make stronger (and more intelligent ) companions.

 

[petra_silie]

Maybe Geralt's companions aren't that stupid and indeed a support in that moment when it's necessary. We need to know more about this feature I can't imagine CDPR just implement a copy which doesn't work very well in other games.

 

[GSoda.43]

On the flip side though, traveling with a party also could introduce party-banter. Shani's party in TW1 was always one of my favorite parts of the game. Getting to know key-NPCs like Triss or Dandelion better through party-banter is a huge plus in my book....of course I don't care much about the fighting part in RPGs anyways, so thats probably another reason why I actually wouldn't mind having a party in TW2.

 

[Daedros.334]

Yeah party banter would be a major plus And having an uncontrollable companion if nothing else is at least another target for the enemies, making things a bit easier for you Hopefully one of them will have some healing or mana regeneration abilities though which would be of great help.

 

[vilgefortze]

And what about experience and leveling up? Do we compete with party for experience, or is it shared? DO we need to level them up as well? Do they get talents? What use is Dandelion in a fight?

 

[themearl]

I love the idea of getting companions - to control or just as a backup, doesn't matter. I just think it would be great if they in some way influence the quests depending on who you're with (well, yeah, like in the Bioware games).Aside from the gameplay opportunities, companions are also fitting for the entire "The Witcher"-framework - in many of the stories I've read so far, Geralt has someone at his side (or get in his way ;-)).

 

[vilgefortze]

I forgot. We did have companions in the epilogue of TW1. Triss was an excellent companion in higher difficulty levels. Couldn't have done it without her.... Actually a tamed beast companion would be nice too.... What about a tamed hunting wolf?

 

[themearl]

I forgot. We did have companions in the epilogue of TW1. Triss was an excellent companion in higher difficulty levels. Couldn't have done it without her....

We did? Wow, I completely forgot that ... gotta play that game again before TW2 comes - looking forward to it already ;-).