In Skyrim I never looked for it, but I remember walking along a path in Oblivion until a message came up stating that I had to turn back. Indeed, I could see plain as day that the world continued far into the horizon, but an invisible wall stopped me from going any further.
Gothic and Risen never had these problems. they are based on islands. Really large islands some times but still islands.
Well, I understand the desire to remove with these artificial boundaries (invisible walls, in their worst form) but as you yourself already pointed out, going as far as Skyrim in one’s freedom of movement would lead to silly situations where you could possibly glitch your way along tiny edges etc. and enter areas that you’re not supposed to enter (yet) or get stuck in others.
Obviously, there’s a middle ground between that and the comparatively restrictive movement in The Witcher 2. The one I think would suit the open world of The Witcher 3 is the kind of movement possible in the Assassin’s Creed series where you can’t just hop around nilly-willy like you can in Skyrim but where despite that pretty much every “reasonable” movement is possible. Now before you start stoning me, I’m not suggesting that the game should allow Geralt to parkour around the world as he pleases, climbing houses and running on the roofs or something (although, now that I mention it ...) but rather allow for this type of free running/free climbing in mountainous areas or ruins and the like. Remember the trailer for the first The Witcher game? Geralt displayed some pretty nimble skills in there. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could scale old castle walls in that fashion? That would add another cool layer of exploration to the game, a vertical one.
Obviously, there’s a middle ground between that and the comparatively restrictive movement in The Witcher 2. The one I think would suit the open world of The Witcher 3 is the kind of movement possible in the Assassin’s Creed series where you can’t just hop around nilly-willy like you can in Skyrim but where despite that pretty much every “reasonable” movement is possible. Now before you start stoning me, I’m not suggesting that the game should allow Geralt to parkour around the world as he pleases, climbing houses and running on the roofs or something (although, now that I mention it ...) but rather allow for this type of free running/free climbing in mountainous areas or ruins and the like. Remember the trailer for the first The Witcher game? Geralt displayed some pretty nimble skills in there. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could scale old castle walls in that fashion? That would add another cool layer of exploration to the game, a vertical one.
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If you think about it, Gothic 1 had the best possible limitation, because the barrier was part of the story and
no one really thought of it as an invisible wall.
What does Geralt have to gain by climbing buildings in towns?
He should have the ability to do something like that but maybe reserve it for boss fights to allow for some creative methods to beat a larger or a flying monster.
I really hated the climbing system in the Witcher 2, I think the best solution, odd as this sounds, is to adopt the Legend of Zelda climbing system(specifically Wind Waker)
I played that game when I was a kid and looking back, it may be one of the best systems to climb/jump. This way Geralt can grab on to ledges, jump over gaps, climb ladders, and hop down to lower areas without having to click each ledge prompting a slow and annoying animation. And it also cant be abused like Skyrim's jumping.
That system seems pretty flawless to me, anyone disagree?
Come on, that’s why I specifically said that I do NOT mean for Geralt to be able to climb buildings in towns
!
You're right. I loved what they did there! Did you ever try to break out? It hurt.If you think about it, Gothic 1 had the best possible limitation, because the barrier was part of the story and
no one really thought of it as an invisible wall.
As soon as you entered the barrier it was a world on its own with its own laws. Gold mattered little, and you were so exposed in the world and within the 'safe' walls of Old camp. It was as time stood still as long as the barrier was up. When it fell, all that had mattered within the barrier, hierarchy, groups, and how much magical ore you had accumulated mattered not, and it was back to the world that had forgotten you.
But yeah, the barrier was the means to keep the player in but they tied it to the story as you say.
Loved Gothic 2 when you had access to the rest of Khorinis. Those games were fun! :fun:
This right here has me really curious as to how they plan on implementing world map restrictions and borders. They have said there will not be any invisible walls, from what I remember reading,correct me if I am wrong? Sailing the boat around the Skellige Islands (But not towards the mainland,right?) and exactly where the world map on the main continent begins and ends in particular.
From one of the recent interviews that I came across on the forums,one of the developers alluded to a couple world locations that are presently unknown to the public. Reading that there will be additional areas that we have not seen nor heard about yet brought a huge grin across my face instantaneously!
I am still awful curious about 'No Mans Land' in general. Like How much of the world map this area is going to fill? Will we visit areas from the first Witcher!?My mind craves answers to these and other mysterious enigmas that lay before us,enshrouded in secrecy until the appointed revelation. If only I could be put into Cryo-sleep to awake on release day! :w00t:
On topic: OP, I can only echo your very own sentiments and inquiries myself, We can only hope that W3 is truly open world as many of us are hoping and expecting it to be. With logical,naturally occurring borders and/or restrictions,within reason. I do not think anyone wants to jarringly be ripped out of the game by obtrusive limitations and illogical obstacles.
From what little we have been shown,I cannot wait to wander through some of those dark,ancient looking forests and grimy,dangerous swamps to do some Witcher work! Among every other location I can find,adventure & explore. This game cannot come out soon enough! :thumbsup:
With saying that, I do not expect perfection but I do hope for a fully realized open world setting that is beautifully crafted with the trademark CDPR character & story driven RPG bliss. No pressure or anything
CDPR has the gargantuan task of fusing their character & narrative based RPG game-style with an open world setting. I have faith that they will prevail in their quest to harmoniously meld the two together without losing what makes their games incredible and unique.
If there was one Developer I could think of that has the talent,motivation and integrity to pull this endeavor off,surely it is CDPR!
Anyways,sorry I can be long winded at times lol. I am new to the forums as you can tell but I am a longtime lurker. Hello everyone on the forum.
Here is to hopes & cheers for The Witcher 3 being the best damn modern RPG to ever grace these mortal planes!!! :cheers:
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That was quite the speech Opethian(though I did not quote the entire post as you see), but nonetheless I agree. Welcome to the forum! :welcome:
I too have high expectations of Witcher 3, but I also have a lot of faith in CDPR!
In my experience of Witcher 1 and 2, there are pros and cons regarding the openess of the world.
Witcher 1 has not an 'open world', there are perfectly natural explanations to why Geralt can't go places. A curfew, a locked gate, hell even the wild growth in the swamp never came across as an invisible wall to me. And I truly loved it! Never once did I feel restricted. How come really?
In Witcher 2 we have perhaps more open world, but 'more or less open' is a better description, because the borders are clearly there. And on my second playthrough, knowing what was where and so on, I felt restricted indeed.
So, much like in Witcher 2, I guess in Witcher 3 there will be another 'bridge out' for some reason, stopping us from exploring in that direction. I can accept that, but that reason can't account to every direction of the game map now can it?
So what natural borders do we have? With natural I do not mean from nature, so perhaps 'logical' is a better word?
Well, Nilfgaardian(or pick a nation) patrol guards setting up checkpoints, impassable mountains, dense forests or the mentioned bridges. What else? A swamp?
As for the seas, well I can only come up with two things, the first is a Nilfgaardian/Skelligan fleet.
A Nilfgaardian fleet has been launched to block any free harbour not under the Emperor's will(hell devs, we have a Roche's Blue Stripes mission right there!) and its blocking any ship(and small sailing boat) from entering the high seas to the west and south. Skellige forces amass their ships to the north and yeah, that would solve it. Until Roche single handedly sink all the Nilfgaardian ships, and then we're back at square one.
What do you think? Maybe Skellige forces take over the natural/logical border if Roche has his way with the Nilfgaardians?
And the second solution? Well the Kayran has been in the talks, though sea monsters presents a definite end to Geralt's journey(it either kills him or destroys his boat). Though Geralt fears no monsters, he hunts them for a living, so what prevents him from killing it?
A valid reason to turn around? What is(apart from a big sea monster that Geralt has no interest in fighting) a good reason to turn the boat around?
It's obvious, it's the treacherous waters itself.
The waters either being too rough to traverse and the winds too wild to sail makes the boat turn around(automatically without the player's influence) and set Geralt's boat off towards the(accepted) gaming map again. I'm thinking a buffer zone on a couple of metres before hitting an invisible wall. Of course this action is made with Geralt making a comment on the boat or cursing the weather: "She will not make it/Damn flotsam of a boat" or "Damn these waves/I have to turn back else I drown."
If Geralt is already in the water, swimming, the same mechanic can be applied. With a comment of course.
Wow, that wasn't half bad was it? Maybe not half good either I suppose. :
It beats a *boink* 'you hit an invisible wall'-solution at least. What do you say devs?
It would be nice to get some feedback from you on this forum as well. :laughing:EDIT: I am usually not in favour of player losing control, it might be frustrating, but rather this solution than an insivible wall to 'stare at' and run my head against. :wallbash:
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