And now, a more thoughtful reaction to this announcement -- free of bad jokes:
Honestly, for me, this is an unanticipated extension of
The Witcher III (and, frankly, a rather disappointing one, as an aside). Of all the thousands of suggestions, requests, pleas, demands, laments, rages, and entreaties I've seen posted on the Forums over the years, interest in Switch has been remarkably minuscule (only two small threads). Based upon feedback players voiced here, I'd have expected a release of quite a different kind. However, judging from just one example of the reactions, on
Twitter (with approximately 17K Likes, so far), clearly, this is an innovation which excites gamers, albeit elsewhere.
Although I've no interest in mobile gaming, personally, after watching a
short interview with CDPR's Co-CEO Marcin Iwinski, I begin, dimly, to see the appeal of Switch, for busy gamers, constantly on the go, with little time to sit down in front of a screen at home. It seems a convenient, though very confined, means to keep playing. That said,
Witcher III, given its rich visuals, and often grand, impressive landscapes, seems an awkward choice for a small screen. To my mind, the playing experience of a vast open world seems cramped, when compressed into the Switch's format -- and, even when linked to a larger screen, the graphic fidelity would still be somewhat limited. . . .
But, perhaps these are mere superficial considerations, for there is far, far more to the game than visuals alone. Foremost are the compelling narratives and engrossing characters. These may be appreciated, regardless of resolution -- outshining all else. Although the emotional impacts of Geralt's adventures could be slightly diminished by a smaller tableau, perhaps their considerable force and accomplishments can transcend the presentation. For me, above all, stand the stories.
Therefore, my personal disappointment, and doubts aside, I am genuinely pleased at the prospect of new players engaging in the world of the Witcher, as they experience, and appreciate, the magnitude of
Witcher III's stories! Ultimately, I hope this is achieved by the Switch release: To expand the game's audience, and provide quality entertainment to newcomers and veterans alike. So, welcome to the Path, witchers and witcheresses!
