This game just isn't hard enough.

[TouPoutsou]

I am no my 3rd playthrough, all of them done on death march(except the first 5 hours or so on my first paythrough), so i concider death march pretty much the default difficulty. The game is not particularly hard, but in all seriousness, i think it's ok. The combat is very clunky and the hitboxes are a mess. You can never be 100% sure about your dodging, especially against bigger monsters. As somebody who finished every souls game and bloodborne on max NG, i have to say that the diffculty is OK for the witcher for the most part.
A few things i would like though:
1) Level cap on 30
2) Much more quests at level 35 or so
3) Entire zones with monsters level 30-40, possibly higher on Skellige
4) Quen absorbing 25-50% of total damage received

The first 3 are for me to stop one shotting 90% of the enemies, and the last one because quen feels like cheating. I still cannot beleive that they did not addressed this issue after TW2, where everyone, including CDPR themselves aknowledging it.

As for the reverse difficulty, i have no issue with it. Most RPGs handle the difficulty this way. Even in Souls games, after you form your build and upgrade your equipment, they start to feel much easier. Generally i want to feel stronger in RPGs as i level up and get better gear. I just want to have enough content where i do not one shot everything in the end game.

 

[roizumaaku]

For the forks sake. This is The Witcher 3. It would be too unrealistic if a Witcher can't even kill a god damn monster in one try. He's a Witcher and suppose to kill any monster he meets. That is why you have the Bestriary. It is his stock knowledge and know how.

Play blind folded if you want the game to be really hard.

 

[lucaskelly11]

For the forks sake. This is The Witcher 3. It would be too unrealistic if a Witcher can't even kill a god damn monster in one try. He's a Witcher and suppose to kill any monster he meets. That is why you have the Bestriary. It is his stock knowledge and know how.

Play blind folded if you want the game to be really hard.

Yeah I think you're completely missing the point. You don't deliberately make a game less enjoyable just for the sake of realism. Do you know how boring pretty much all games would be if they limited the game play just for the sake of being realistic?
Secondly, have you read any of the lore? At all? If they were sticking to realism it would be hard, much harder even. Geralt wouldn't just walk into a group of enemies completely unprepared, tanking every opponent in sight. He would prepare, with potions and oils, and skillfully dodge attacks, avoiding getting hit as much as possible, or not getting hit at all. Something which you don't have to do in this game at all.

 

[kissybyc]

How would overpowered abilities/skills be an issue with game balance if you are NOT FORCED to use them? YOU are the one choosing to use them. You are the one making yourself overpowered. Simply don't and problem solved. It's that easy. You are making issues for yourself.

As I said "You have a choice to make the game harder in nearly the same way a new difficulty setting would, yet you choose not to."

I thought it has been well established at this point that a game's mechanic is seriously problematic if it requires the player to deliberately not take advantage of its mechanics in order to find the game hard enough to be enjoyable. As @TheLocoMofo pointed out, it shouldn't be up to us to make the game hard. Or more accurately: it shouldn't be up to Geralt to make the game hard.

For example, say a PC store gives you a one-purchase-only coupon of $2000, but the best option at the store are $400 crappy notebooks, despite a more powerful PC can be assembled. When you are sad for not getting your coupon's worth, the salesperson said "well it's your fault that you want to get the full $2000. If you only throw away $1600, the problem is gone!"

That is why you have the Bestriary. It is his stock knowledge and know how.

But the problem is that mid-late game gets so easy that I don't need the Bestiary to defeat anything anymore.

The game is difficult and punishing if I don't prepare properly - That should be why I have the Bestiary. The "stock knowledge" should be so because it is so important that Geralt remembers it by heart, not because it's so easy as to irrelevant.

 

[dukeandearl]

One of the most boring topics ever.

 

[Black_Iris]

One of the most boring topics ever.

Care to explain why that's so?

I'm sorry but judging from the responses of some people here and the fact that mods like Better Combat are much less popular on Nexus than, for example, the countless presets that simply change the color scheme in the game (and already in Witcher 2 it was not so, as the same mod was much popular then and inspired the changes to the well known "semi-official" combat rebalance), I have the feeling that probably CDPR was, indeed, right on making the game so easy because the audience WANTS an easy game, even on difficulties that are meant to be difficult (as Death March in Witcher 3 that should be, as written in the description fo the difficulty itself, an hardcore mode for EXPERIENCED players when the truth is that you can without any problem use that difficult on the first playthrough and actually if you don't you will not have any challenge whatsoever from the game, either if only in the beginning anyway).

I cannot but have the feeling that the majority of players in this era don't really want a challenge from the combat but they just want to feel "badass" no matter what that implies. Casual play is taking by and by the place of involvement and for the RPG genre this means a slow death. What will remain are niches of games that cather an audience that prefer a difficult challenge, but for the rest all games will by and by become just a matter of "pressing a button and the game does all by itself".

 

[Cindy101]

aaaawww no, being an older player i am so thankful for the story setting to play the game !!! Now I can enjoy playing the game also!!

 

[Black_Iris]

aaaawww no, being an older player i am so thankful for the story setting to play the game !!! Now I can enjoy playing the game also!!

There's a difficulty meant just for that, you know...

But the game on Death March (the highest difficulty) shouldn't be "just watching the story".

 

[Death132]

I thought it has been well established at this point that a game's mechanic is seriously problematic if it requires the player to deliberately not take advantage of its mechanics in order to find the game hard enough to be enjoyable. As @TheLocoMofo pointed out, it shouldn't be up to us to make the game hard. Or more accurately: it shouldn't be up to Geralt to make the game hard.

Demons Souls/Dark Souls are the perfect examples of crafting your own difficulty. Those games are as hard as you make them. It's not a matter of problematic game design when you have the choice not to use it. Doesn't matter if it's strong. The point is you want the game to be harder, so don't use it.

Want to play as a mage in a souls game? The game will be much easier.

Want to use an Ultra Greatsword with high poise, damage buffs, and stamina buffs? The game will be MUCH easier than if you simply used a longsword with no buffs.

But even then this point of Witcher 3 having overpowered abilities is a matter of choice. It doesn't matter if they exist when they are completely optional. Witcher 3 is an RPG. RPGs have ever evolving characters and stats with the primary focus of becoming more powerful. Witcher executes this fine. Don't want to do too much damage? Then simply don't invest into damage buffs. These things are 100% optional. Just because they exist and you choose to use them doesn't mean the game has issues. The balance is perfectly fine. You guys are just being stubborn refusing anything that isn't natively forced through a static difficulty setting. These complaints are pointless and a waste of time.

Many people find Death March and even Blood and Bones too difficult. Some people need more challenge, so what do you do then? You find ways to make the game more challenging. This seems like a foreign concept to some but it's so basic and has always been around.

Your PC analogy is completely wrong. Are you new to RPGs? These are basic RPG mechanics that always exist. In RPGs you shape your character. You choose to shape your character into something strong, then proceed to complain about the game being too easy. Complaining about the game being too easy while using a strong build is one of the most ridiculous and illogical complaints.

 

[Black_Iris]

But even then this point of Witcher 3 having overpowered abilities is a matter of choice. It doesn't matter if they exist when they are completely optional. Witcher 3 is an RPG. RPGs have ever evolving characters and stats with the primary focus of becoming more powerful. Witcher executes this fine. Don't want to do too much damage? Then simply don't invest into damage buffs. These things are 100% optional.

The fact is: they AREN'T optional. If you want to play with a signs build how can you do it without taking Igni upgrades, Yrden or Axii ones? What you say makes no sense whatsover and it seems like you havent' even played the game. Tell me, please, how can you possibly not become overpowered in Witcher 3 while going signs or alchemy route, I would like to know, short of, naturally going that route only platonically (i.e. practically only taking a skill out of the tree and insisting you "invested in alchemy").

Or are you REALLY pretending that one should limit oneself to only play a sword's built without using Whirl, Rend, Crippling Strikes and pass on critical chance? Because this is, practically, what you are suggesting. "Do you want to make the game more difficult? FFS, what's the problem? Play always the same sword build skipping Whirl, Rend, Crippling Strikes and don't use Cat Techniques with light armor and you are perfectly set". Are you kidding me?

The problems in the difficulty in the game are not only tied to certain limited skills or items that one could easily skip, they are tied to COMPLETE set of skills that aren't skippable if you want to play a certain way (even more because EVERY skill you take gives you huge passive bonuses that aren't skippable, as +stamina regeneration, +adrenaline generation and +potion duration. so practically even by just investing in a tree without anything else - i.e. not even the bonuses in the skill itself - you already become too powerful). Why should I not be able to play a sign's build just because elsewhere the game will be a cakewalk? Why should I completely avoid going the alchemy route elsewhere I will become immortal? Why should I force myself to not use critical sword skills like Rend or Whirl or Crippling Strike or not use +critical chance gear and skills if I want to go a sword's build, hence removing completely the point on playing a sword's build to begin with? In little words the ONLY sure way to not become too powerful is to simply not advance. That's the only safe way, but is that really your "solution"?

Practically if one would have to follow your advice I should play the game always in the same exact way to have some challenge, that's the complete antithesis of a RPG, and anyway you will have no challenge in any case if you don't either force yourself to not use certain armors or weapons.

Your concept can be fine when the difficulty is ALREADY balanced and you want more challenge, NOT when the gameplay is completely and utterly unbalanced and so you have to skip on half the content to do the same. The two things are NOT the same even if you cannot seem to comprehend the difference.

 

[LiarOnElmstreet]

You are very good at playing then. But also, you are the one percent. Not everyone is such a hardcore gamer, but everyone has the right to experience the game as well.

Why do you overthink a game, always looking for the meh's, which strengths lie in so many other places than just difficulty? The combats for once are always interesting, because you always need a different approach, even if you've reached the overpowered stage. You've got to approach a shield bearer differently than a Bies or a pack of wolves. Especially so when there is no room to dodge. Granted, if you've reached a specific state of overpowerment you could return to just mashing buttons, but if you do don't blame the game for a lazy gaming style.
And then there are all these strong stories and small details. There are so many different things to do and this huge world to explore. And, to make a lore-wise argument, as somebody said before: You're a witcher. You are that overpowered Warrior (Besides: If I spend my time doing every quest, forging the best armor and weapons and play like 10 levels above the recommended level, I want to feel overpowered, because I am).

And generally: Those calls to make every game harder will never subside. Somebody will always be that one guy who thinks it's too easy. Where should that end? Every enemy perma-deathly one-shoting you?

 

[Black_Iris]

You are very good at playing then. But also, you are the one percent. Not everyone is such a hardcore gamer, but everyone has the right to experience the game as well.

So are you telling me you find the game challenging? Even normal difficulty you don't find it extremely easy? I cannot fathom how that could be possible and I'm not saying it to make fun or nothing similar, I'm just completely unabled to understand how is it possible to die in this game on normal difficulty, especially after White Orchard. I made a test once lowering difficulty to normal when I was level 20 and I remember that I practically just clicked the attack button without even watching what I was doing and I didn't lose a single hit point (I'm not joking).

Moreover there are difficulties appositely in games. Nobody is asking for ALL difficulties to have a challenge. If you want to play only for the story it's obvious that you don't want a challenge and so the game should not throw one at you, but on the highest difficulty (that the game itself describes as an hardcore mode) you shouldn't be able to win practically without dying even if you try to after a certain level.

 

[LiarOnElmstreet]

So are you telling me you find the game challenging? Even normal difficulty you find not extremely easy? I cannot fathom how that could be possible and I'm not saying it to make fun or nothing similar, I'm just completely unabled to understand how is it possible to find this game difficult on normal difficulty, especially after White Orchard.

Moreover there are difficulties appositely in games. Nobody is asking for ALL difficulties to have a challenge. If you want to play only for the story it's obvious that you don't want a challenge and so the game should not throw one at you, but on the highest difficulty (that the game itself describes as an hardcore mode) you shouldn't be able to win practically without dying even if you try to after a certain level.

No, I'm saying there is more to a game than just difficulty. And I'm saying there are worse players than you out there. And I'm saying the hardcore gamers are a very, veeeery small percentage of all the players (Although they are the loudest in the forums).

 

[Death132]

but on the highest difficulty (that the game itself describes as an hardcore mode) you shouldn't be able to win practically without dying even if you try to after a certain level.

You realize you are in a VERY VERY VERY small minority with this statement? I said several times that many people even find Blood and Bones too difficult.

If you can play Death March half assed without any deaths then congrats you are in the 1 percent of pro gamers. You don't speak for anyone other than yourself and the small vocal minority in your same boat. This is when you find other ways to make the game harder. Nothing other than stubbornness is keeping you from doing such.

 

[Black_Iris]

No, I'm saying there is more to a game than just difficulty. And I'm saying there are worse players than you out there. And I'm saying the hardcore gamers are a very, veeeery small percentage of all the players (Although they are the loudest in the forums).

I know that there is more to a game that its difficulty, but combat IS a factor of an RPG and it has always been so. While combat is not the only part of an RPG, so it's for the story, BOTH are important.

Then, if Witcher had always been an easy game from the beginning you could ever expect that but Witcher 2 (before the nerf) was actually pretty challenging and so finding the sequel so easy is a surprise and for this most complain.

As for the difference in skill of players: I repeat, difficulties in a game should be done exactly for that, to tailor the experience to different needs. The problem arise when this doesn't happen and all difficulties, no matter the kind, are a cakewalk (especially, as I said, in a game that before didn't have this problematic).

 

[LiarOnElmstreet]

I know that there is more to a game that its difficulty, but combat IS a factor of an RPG and it has always been so. While combat is not the only part of an RPG, so it's for the story, BOTH are important.

Then, if Witcher had always been an easy game from the beginning you could ever expect that but Witcher 2 (before the nerf) was actually pretty challenging and so finding the sequel so easy is a surprise and for this most complain.

As for the difference in skill of players: I repeat, difficulties in a game should be done exactly for that, to tailor the experience to different needs. The problem arise when this doesn't happen and all difficulties, no matter the kind, are a cakewalk (especially, as I said, in a game that before didn't have this problematic).

As stated before:

The combats for once are always interesting, because you always need a different approach, even if you've reached the overpowered stage. You've got to approach a shield bearer differently than a Bies or a pack of wolves. Especially so when there is no room to dodge. Granted, if you've reached a specific state of overpowerment you could return to just mashing buttons, but if you do don't blame the game for a lazy gaming style.

...

And generally: Those calls to make every game harder will never subside. Somebody will always be that one guy who thinks it's too easy. Where should that end? Every enemy perma-deathly one-shoting you?

 

[Black_Iris]

You realize you are in a VERY VERY VERY small minority with this statement? I said several times that many people even find Blood and Bones too difficult.

People that never played a Witcher game and should not play Broken Bones to begin with since they don't either know how the combat works yet. Those people, for how I see it, should not find Broken Bones just "difficult" but simply impossible because an hard mode should not be made for those that don't yet know the game. For Witcher 2 it was in this way. Hard mode without knowing the combat a little was a suicide and that was perfectly fine.

If you can play Death March half assed without any deaths then congrats you are in the 1 percent. You don't speak for anyone other than yourself and the small vocal minority in your same boat. This is when you find other ways to make the game harder.

Death March is moderately difficult in the beginning. After level 20 I challenge ANYONE with a not-forced-gimped-build to die in Death March if not by acting in "kamikaze mode" or simply being completely uncaring. If you play normally it's practically impossible and it is just a math reality btw. Have you ever calculated yourself the bonuses only taking skills give and how much of them you get by level 20? Do it, then you will see what I mean and I'm not even talking here about what the skills themselves do or items etc. For example if you go a signs build and you invest on even just 6 slots out of 12 you will have about +30s stamina regeneration (meaning you regenerate ALL stamina in about 2 seconds given the 10s base one, enabling you to spam all signs one after the other) just for slotting those 6 skills.

Hell, even just taking all medium armor and investing in Griffin school (taking a single slot) gives you +25s stamina regeneration! It's literally insane, the bonuses given by the game are completely and utterly insane and these DON'T change depending on the difficulty.

 

[Death132]

For example if you go a signs build and you invest on even just 6 slots out of 12 you will have about +30s stamina regeneration (meaning you regenerate ALL stamina in about 2 seconds given the 10s base one, enabling you to spam all signs one after the other) just for slotting those 6 skills.

So are you telling me you are choosing to spam signs when you play the game? If so that is your own responsibility. Sure it's the games fault for enabling such a playstyle, but it's ultimately your fault for consciously doing it.

You can simply not spam signs.

Hell, even just taking all medium armor and investing in Griffin school (taking a single slot) gives you +25s stamina regeneration! It's literally insane, the bonuses given by the game are completely and utterly insane and these DON'T change depending on the difficulty.

Again, you can simply choose not to use such bonuses. If you know these things make you strong and you continue to use them whilst complaining about the game being too easy, you are at fault since you can simply not use them. Youa re making the game easy.

 

[Black_Iris]

As stated before:

A shame that is not true. Factually the strategy (apart very rare cases) don't change depending on the encounter you face. Just a single example: shield enemies aren't easier to beat using Aard (as it should be, theoretically) and actually it's simply much better to use Igni to burn them (as you do with all the rest apart some burning resistant enemies).

The game in the higher difficulties should play exactly like you say: i.e. you should have to plan the combat well, using the appropriate oils/potions for special encounters but this doesn't happen. It is not just a matter of difficulty itself but how that difficulty plays practically. I would not care that much for the game to be overly challenging in Death March if only I would have to use different strategies to win them elsewhere it would be much more difficult to do so. Sadly this DOESN'T happen and it's a shame.

If you think this is not important, even on the highest difficulty, then I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[LiarOnElmstreet]

People that never played a Witcher game and should not play Broken Bones to begin with since they don't either know how the combat works yet. Those people, for how I see it, should not find Broken Bones just "difficult" but simply impossible because an hard mode should not be made for those that don't yet know the game.

That is a very extreme opinion.

For example if you go a signs build and you invest on even just 6 slots out of 12 you will have about +30s stamina regeneration (meaning you regenerate ALL stamina in about 2 seconds given the 10s base one, enabling you to spam all signs one after the other) just for slotting those 6 skills.

Hell, even just taking all medium armor and investing in Griffin school (taking a single slot) gives you +25s stamina regeneration! It's literally insane, the bonuses given by the game are completely and utterly insane and these DON'T change depending on the difficulty.

You know how they say Controllers (Sorry, but I don't know the job title in english) have ruined TV. Munchkins have ruined role play gaming for me. It's always about DPS, counting, calculating and Stats. It think it's horrible.

Edit:

If you think this is not important, even on the highest difficulty, then I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

We sure do. But no reason not to exchange arguments. Although I think we said everything we have to say by now