I could trace my favorite to a single moment, or scene, but within the wonderful universe and atmosphere created by CD Projekt RED, it would not make due to describe the feeling, the sense of life within the environment. admittedly, the first game had its things to pull you from immersion (the HORDES and HORDES of Drowners, for example.) but the sense of impact, and meaningfulness of Geralt's (your) actions throughout the game entirely overshadows this. My favorite moments in the game are those in which you feel a genuine tear in yourself; a split between doing the 'right' thing, the 'best' thing, and 'most logical' thing. These feelings, and thoughts happen right from the VERY start.
Now, before I start into this, I must admit, I have only played the first game, and am working on the second.
(SPOILERS)
My first encountering this experience of dilemma was the Scoia'tael arms. While this is a minor example, it still made me think, put me in the shoes of the Witcher, and contemplate. 'Who is this man I'm working with now? Selling arms to vigilantes', 'What will these Elves DO with the weapons, should they get them?', 'What will they do if they DON'T get them?' and 'Did Brogg really trade with them, or were they attempting to steal them, and pulling smooth words to avoid a fight they don't need?' All of these thoughts crashed down on me, making me take a considerable amount of time making the decision (likely around 10 minutes, to be truthful.) Being a minor example, this still captures what I love about the story created and laid out before us by CD Projekt.
My next example is when Abigail is assailed by the townsfolk. I thought to myself deeply, reaching so many conclusions, that I felt not unlike the Witcher myself. My thoughts followed the lines of 'This hack again; preaching his nonsense.', though I hadn't liked the Reverend from the start. Immediately following this was 'So... did Abigail actually do this, or is he simply accusing wrongly, or to give the town a scapegoat, something to take their mind off the Beast, and his being incorrect about it.' In the end (again after much internal debate) I decided to take Abigails side, of course only after wondering 'What will the townspeople do when I tell them they can't have her? How will it reflect on me if I slaughter a town of people (If that is what it comes to.); will that have been too extreme? Possibly remove some people from my reach? (Oh no, he's a monster)' though in the end decided to stick by my feeling anyways. Later in the game I felt very proud, and happy with this decision, when Carmen explained her story to us. It was wonderful that I could get SATISFACTION in my choice, simply though something they thoughtfully added later on, and explanation; the depth is incredible.
I could continue to go on with these decisions for another page, certainly, with how many are present (at least a couple every chapter), but I will simply highlight my few favorites, and what about them I appreciated. It is so very difficult to pick one or three even, though.
Scoia'tael or Order
This was a seemingly simple choice throughout the game, that spanned its entirety; most times myself I chose to stay out of the conflict as much as necessary, it seemed a silly shedding of blood, and out of my hands to prevent; later in the game it effectively forces you to make a choice ('A friend to neither, is an enemy of both' or something along those lines) and at first I hated that it did that; forcing you to finally pick one side or another in a conflict you held no emotional value in anyways (I didn't appreciate either side, really. I sympathized with both to some extent, likely the Scoia'tael faintly more, but neither side had any right to create what they did), but later on, I appreciated this for something entirely different; sometimes some choices are out of reach, out of your hand, so to say. We were an important piece in their chess game, filled with self-created importance and selfish morals, but a piece none-the-less, and with a pair of queens locked around, sometimes you have to make a move, and not always the one you want. (And then of course the third player, hidden behind it, trying to get their own agenda finished.) It was an extremely complex feeling for a video game to give me, and brought me to love the game even more.
Alvin to Triss, or Shani.
To me, this seemed a small, and rather insignificant decision in comparison to some of the others, at first. I thought 'Oh, I'll give Alvin to Triss; she is much more learned in magic, and atop that, last time Shani looked after him, Abigail ended up with him. And THAT was fun.' So, following through with that, all of a sudden Triss wants a ring, and Shani hates me; it was like a hurricane of estrogen, which, while slightly confusing, also showed the impact of even what you feel might be a 'small decision'.
I'm certain EVERYONE had different 'small decisions' and, 'given choices' (Choices that simply seemed automatic, rather than a choice) and even choices that they grew to appreciate/regret later through the effect reverberating throughout the universe, but one thing always stays the same. We FEEL that impact, that investment into the Witcher, and his world, through the choices we have to make, and the impact those have upon everything. To describe my favorite part about the Witcher in few words, it would be these; Dilemma, Choice, Impact. These accurately describe what 'The Witcher' brings, that few other video games, movies, or even BOOKS have been able to bring me to. Thank you CD Projekt RED, thank you for all the hard work, dedication, research, and care you have put into your games, and I hope you may continue making them as wonderfully.
PS. After having read the books (the third is on its way to me now) I appreciate your creation even more; fitting in with what already stood as Geralt, and creating those choices while STILL being Geralt.
Apologies for all the parenthesis, and may the Sun ever shine upon your travels.
Marcus/Ren
Witcher.