So, let's talk about the main story, since I couldn't leave it and played through it first, ignoring most sidequests.
I think it was amazing. If I would rank the storylines in Witcher 3, I would rank it the second best story after Hearts of Stone, and think it could have been better if worked on more and if it were longer.
I got the "worst" ending, where both sisters die, since I went to see the Unseen One. I did not read the books.
What I loved:
- Vampire theme: I think the vampire theme was spectacular, their history and lore extremely interesting. Loved the symbolism of the country of wine awash with blood, loved the attack on the city, their powers, all of it. Sapkowski wrote vampires very well, one of the best representation of vampires I've ever seen in modern fantasy.
- Regis: Probably the only character in the expansion that had been done justice. He's interesting, seems extremely intelligent but still likeable, has a great character arc with strong moral dilemmas. You really pity him for what he's gone through at the end. You really believe the friendship he and Geralt has.
- The dark parts of the story: While I liked some of the jokes and more easier scenes, the story really shines at its darkest, when it pits you before hard dilemmas and makes you really think about your decisions. I had that easier, since I got the "worst" ending, but from what I've heard about other endings, this one has probably the biggest emotional impact. It also creates a beautiful contrast between the idyllic Touissant and the horrors that lie within. Really kind of reminded me of Witcher 1 in some parts (the investigation, attack on the city).
- Meeting with Regis, Spoon wight, Tesham Mutna, Dining with vampires, Attack on the city, The Unseen One, Fight with Detlaff, Final drink with Regis: Nuff said. Amazing stuff, great writing. These will be the moments I'll look for while viewing Youtuber's playthroughs to see their reaction.
What I didn't love:
- The underdevelopment of some characters:
- Annarieta: It's true I didn't read the books, but I couldn't really feel invested in her, and I feel it's partly because of her "detachment" from Geralt, the fact that she almost (except the time with the nude painting) never lets down her guard and seems cold and unapproachable. Would be really interesting to see her as a romance, but I know that the more hardcore Witcher fans wouldn't like that, since she was with Dandelion. But just a fun conversation over a glass of wine would be great to give her more likeability.
- Detlaff: I think, that if we had actually been given the chance to properly know the guy, the end would have much higher emotional impact than it already had. He seemed like a generic villain with his only interesting quality being that Regis really likes him. Would like to see conversations with him written more into the story.
- Syanna: Basically same as with Detlaff, didn't have any time to actually get to know her and start to like her except for one conversation at the end. She seemed very black and white, very simplistic. I wasn't really sold on her being a big mastermind behind everything, partly because of very little foreshadowing. True, didn't play the Syanna branch, so I might be proven wrong, and I'd love to be.
- The whole "wine" part: I felt the wine investigation was just filler to prolong the story and broke the pacing a little bit for me. Partly because I couldn't get over the "magical" wine connosieur. Was just bored with that quest.
TLDR: I really loved the story for its haunting storyline, great ideas, mostly great writing and interesting lore. Still felt it was slightly short of its true potential, mostly just because it seemed rushed in some parts, not giving enough time to get to know most characters. But it still gets a second place in my ranking of Witcher stories, just behind Master Mirror. Amazing job CDPR, but wish you would take more time to polish it more into utter perfection.
I agree with most of your points. Although, I thought both sisters will die in my playthrough they actually reconciled. Sorry for the lengthy post, I don't usually post so had to have it this time.
The most point I agree with you, is the vampire lore. It's something else. I'm not a fan of a story just because it has a vampire it has to be a GOOD story. I'm working on a literary project on vampires for 2/3 years, so seeing them implemented here is like working with pleasure for me. Love the lore behind them, especially the prison of Tesham Mutna. The tribal lore, the kind of ranks (which is classic) is made of good use. It's good they stressed that Higher Vampires have different abilities and talents, it stresses their individuality- again stressing Regis and Dettlaf's differences, although they are same race and type. It's a good point stressing the fact that only a higher vampier could kill another, it made Regis killing Detlaff all the more emotional. I loved the whole quest of Tesham Mutna, although it's emotional torturing Regis. But the notes, the symbols of the tribes, the hints of differences between the tribes (wish it was longer, since the DLC is centered around such a thing) it would have been nice if that point is explored and expressed further. The way the vampires of Tesham Mutna looked at humans, with superiority is ironical looking at how Dettlaf and other lesser vampires are hunted and seen as just "monsters". I remember a note of a vampire interrogating a "lesser being" that is a human and the man said emotions stem from the heart.. and the vampire then talks of investigating the "lesser being" heart -literally, that was dry humor at its best. I've read the whole books (fan translations, and bought the available) but I think the author didn't elaborate on vampires in general just in Regis's part and it was more or less written in a satirical tone. There are no other characters, I think at all despite the obvious Regis. So seeing how CD Project Red have elaborated on such a "thin" basis was amazing to me. I remember a very old thread years ago if CDPR would do another game what would it be, I suggested something Gothic, obviously dark, and I thought of having a vampire but not the classic overused-but-still-entertaining character, something deeper, more sophisticated and an elaborate lore. For example, the level of Ann Rice's vampire-lore richness. I thought they could handle the classic and give it a fresh air, twist it and present something new. Obviously at that time they didn't do much of vampires and the quests tbh were rather simplistic, it's clear it wasn't their focus like in the books. Now with what they did in this DLC, I was convinced and was so happy (still I am) they really did an amazing set-lore (judging by the books and notes you loot, and Regis's comments there). I wished the storyline would have been longer, and wished for other choices if you get to explore the "monstrous" side and see what is like from the vampire's point of view rather than having others talking on his behalf and one or two memories that can't make me judge his or Syanna's fate. I've not done The Unseen quest I tried to free Syanna but knowing her 5th victim I wished I didn't waste time on her (I knwo what wil I do in my 2nd playthough). I really at points sympathized with Detlaff, although at points I was skeptical he proved rather simplisitc in a way that he's emotionally clear, either rage or love. Syanna's character could've been developed further, she would've been great with the start game of her manipulation but the way she is caught and became clear that her even sister didn't need a witcher or anyone to know who was behind the killings and all. It was pointless that she wanted to steal some special wine? and her motivation was "it was my right" and the jewel.."my heirloom". So, why not kill the 5th victim and then enjoy the wine and jewelry after invading the land, by killing/finishing most knights and ruling and powerful families beforehand. These are the only complaints about the story, I enjoyed it immensely tho. I wished it was darker, like HoS, espcially since it's having vampires. All what we encountered are lesser vampires (in fights) and higher (one friend, and the other enemy) and the Unseen. If there were more sophisticated, morally-grey higher vampires it would have been great. Even Oriana's presence was fleeting moments. I wish we could have had more with these characters.
- Meeting with Regis, Spoon wight, Tesham Mutna, Dining with vampires, Attack on the city, The Unseen One, Fight with Detlaff, Final drink with Regis: Nuff said. Amazing stuff, great writing. These will be the moments I'll look for while viewing Youtuber's playthroughs to see their reaction.
Exact same thing I liked, prone to the darkness are we? Meeting Regis was the thing for me!!!! I couldn't even express my emotions. It happened by a surprise didn't know that was the setting. Amazing just like the books and the developments added (although couldn't grasp them at first because I liked the way he was and I didn't want any changes that would ruin the character for me) after end-game thoughts I liked what they added mostly. His lust for blood again, and his bedside thoughts and notes of imagining an infant's blood, made me realize after all my favorite character is not human even if I liked him he still can be a murderer, what made him great is his self-control that he chose not to. At points the dialogue choices they put irritated me, making him stand with Detlaff so much that he would appear mysterious to gamers who didn't read the books so they could still have a "complex" relationship and something to think of, an element of mystery giving he is too a higher vampire, just like the Beast you're seeking. But after all, he proved loyal and still like the books, I would love one day to check youtube videos and forums to see the gamers who didn't read the books reactions to his character. The ending with him is bittersweet, you don't want to part but have to.. the reference to the cold cave and the blizzard from the books and Vilgefortz. The letter he left, sad. I'd love if there is any upcoming update to the main game that they would add an explanation why Regis couldn't/didn't seek out his old friends, although he is independent and a solitary individual but it would be nice to know. We got to know he spent one year weak that he couldn't stand well and had Detlaff's assistance. But later?
What I don't agree with the quouted points, is that I don't want to know Anaritta, I don't feel inclined to. She only hired me to rid her of the beast not as a friend invitation, what is to invest in her could be done with other characters like Detlaff and Syanna since both are arch characters, the people you seek and want to resolve. For example, knowing Olgeird and Iris was vital to the game but here Ana wasn't, the missing are Detlaff and Syanna.
The Spoon Wight quest is amazing, the darkness the sheer pain and disturbing feeling behind it is what I expected to see in contrast to the colorful seemingly bright surface of the land. The HoS references are amazing, the spoon and mirrors along with the music theme.
A Night of Long Fangs wish it was a consequesnce of choices rather than set main event although it is one of my favorite quests, giving the darkness. Along with the Capture the Castle.
The most shocking was Roach's quest. I never expected to find that April fools joke here. It started with a shock then laughed at the entire thing, then I actually teared up. It was the first tear in the dlc. I loved my horse, after that quest I understood her better and smiled when I saw her stuck behind some un-passable tree.
The ending, I can't explain how well-done it is. So witcher like no happy ever after for Geralt but not too dark. It's like the little house he wanted (although I prefer it if it wasn't an entire estate). I liked the way they did the renovating thing, what fans expect of the witcher series's end? That you want to design some house? Geralt to me isn't a man of appearances, he never was even in the books..as in the balls he attended with Yen and in the other events. He simply wanted some quality time with his loved ones, times to rest and get away from all the bloodshed. Especially, if you connect this ending with the one he dreamt to have in the last book, it's amazing that it happend and they did it this way (not overly exaggerated).
A question tho is there an ending where both Detlaff and the sisters live? don't need to know how just yes or no.
I can't express my gratitude in a fair way, so I'll leave it curled up deep inside. What a story!
