The Witcher 3 Nintendo Switch Review – Wind’s Howling
The dichotomy of beauty and violence has always been a driving theme in The Witcher series. The Northern Realms' gorgeous vistas are dotted with war-torn battlefields, kindness--no matter how fleeting it may be--is often juxtaposed with savagery, and even the warmest characters have a cold and calculated side to them. That neverending tug-of-war is ever-present in The Witcher 3, even when its stripped-down visuals may obscure some of that beauty.
Everything is here in the Nintendo Switch version--The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, its two expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, and all of its DLC. The main game alone offers dozens of superb quests filled with interesting characters, fantastic twists, and rewarding combat encounters. As Kevin VanOrd said in GameSpot's original review, "Excellence abounds at every turn in this open-world role-playing game." The same is mostly true for the Nintendo Switch version.
As you'd expect, the visuals have been pared down significantly. The textures are muddied, the draw-distances are reined in, and the resolution has taken a hit. These issues are exacerbated during docked play. While it technically runs at a higher frame rate and resolution docked, these visual issues are all the more noticeable when projected onto a larger screen.
The standard Nintendo Switch's 6.2-inch screen does a great job of hiding the blemishes. Even though it's running at a lower resolution, the smaller screen gives it a much crisper look, so the poor textures and pop-in are less apparent. If you do plan on playing it in handheld mode, you can, thankfully, adjust the size of the HUD to make things easier to read.
For returning players, the visual downgrade may require some getting used to. However, focusing solely on The Witcher 3's visuals does this port a disservice. Four years later, the game is still massive in scope, and seeing the battle-scarred swamps of Velen, jagged peaks of Skellige, and sprawling countryside of Toussaint on a technically inferior platform is still a sight to behold.
More importantly, the grittier look of the Switch port doesn't affect The Witcher 3's core gameplay. The combat and exploration may be smoother on a PC, Xbox One X, or PS4 Pro, but I found performance to be consistent throughout a wide variety of combat encounters and locales. After nearly 30 hours, I haven't experienced any significant frame rate dips. Even the swamps in Velen--an area notorious for causing frame rate issues on PS4 and Xbox One--are comparable to the rest of the experience on Switch. According to developer CD Projekt Red, the frame rate should range between 24 and 30 frames per second. In populated areas like Novigrad, the frame rate dipped to the lower end of that range. Given the slower pace of The Witcher 3, I never found these dips to be an issue, even in the heat of combat.
The Witcher 3's visual prowess may have been a selling point for some in 2015, but the Nintendo Switch version is a reminder that there is far more to this adventure than a pretty picture. Even today, there are few games that can rival the storytelling and worldbuilding on display here. Nothing is as simple as it seems, and every thread you pull on reveals enticing new details about this world and its characters.
The Nintendo Switch version is a reminder that there is far more to this adventure than a pretty picture
The vast web of decisions and consequences is just as impressive as it was in 2015. While it may not be apparent on your first playthrough, your actions--both big and small--can have serious repercussions, even if you were trying to do the right thing. What's more impressive is how well fleshed-out each of these paths are and how they ebb and flow through main quests and side quests. While many outcomes are bittersweet by design, none feel underdeveloped.
Where The Witcher 3 continues to shine is in its many deeply human stories. While the political aspects of the main story give context to the world and the characters that inhabit it, it's the interactions Geralt has with its denizens that gives weight to the experience. There are no good guys or bad guys. There are just people fighting to find hope in an oppressive world. Many of the quests provoke questions like: Would you hurt others for those you love? Can even the most vile of men be forgiven? How far can fear drive someone?
The superb storytelling continues in the game's two expansions. Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. While not necessary to the main narrative, these two expansions are thoughtful addendums to Geralt's story. Blood and Wine in particular is a heartfelt send-off for the storied series. If you're jumping back into the game and just want to experience these, you can skip to them right when you load it up for the first time.
Although the Nintendo Switch might not be the best platform to play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it's still a fantastic experience that shouldn't be missed. If you are looking to replay The Witcher 3 and bask in its detail and beauty, the Switch port may not quite scratch that itch. However, what makes this game excellent isn't its graphics, but the powerful stories it tells, and those are as vivid as ever on Switch.
A Marvel Studios Deadpool Movie with Ryan Reynolds Still Could Be R-Rated
The writers of Deadpool are confirming there may be an R-rated future for the famously foul-mouthed superhero.
Speaking to EW, co-writer Paul Wernick said Marvel has given them permission to continue making R-rated films for the Deadpool franchise.
"Marvel has promised to continue to let us play in the R-rated Deadpool universe, and the hope is that they will also let us veer into the MCU a little bit as well and play in that sandbox," Wernick said.
With Disney acquiring Fox, some fans have wondered whether Deadpool would be reined in. Deadpool 2 director David Leitch recently said a future Deadpool sequel would not "necessarily need to be R."
Rogue One Writer Tony Gilroy Joins Cassian Andor Disney+ Series
Disney's upcoming Cassian Andor series is forging another important connection to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, as Variety reports Rogue One co-writer Tony Gilroy has joined the series.
According to Variety, Gilroy will write the pilot episode and direct several episodes. Gilroy will join the previously announced Stephen Schiff, who is serving as showrunner for the prequel series.
Little else is known about the Cassian Andor series, including the official title or a firm release date. We do know Diego Luna will reprise his titular role, along with Alan Tudyk as the voice of sardonic assassin droid K-2SO. The series will take place before the events of Rogue One and explore Cassian's role in the growing Rebel Alliance. The series is exclusive to the Disney+ streaming platform and is expected to debut at some point in 2021.
Google Pixelbook Go Hands-On Impressions
I’ve always wanted one of Google’s Chromebook Pixels or Pixelbook, but they’ve always been out of reach with prices reaching into the thousands if not more. Thankfully Google has decided to start making the Pixelbook Go, it’s cheapest Chrome OS device yet with a starting price of $649.
That’s still damn pricey compared to some of the best premium Chromebooks that retail for closer to $350 and it easy enough to find something decent for $200 or less. But I do have to say the Pixelbook Go feels like a cut above the rest of the competition.
For starters, it’s immaculately thin-and-light at just 0.5-inches thick and 2.3 pounds in weight. It also features a really clean design where the top and bottom of this laptop form an almost unbroken gentle curve around the edge of the notebook.
Lady Gaga Replies to Ninja Perfectly
Update 10/16:
After getting over 860k likes on her Twitter post that simply asks "What's fortnight," Lady Gaga is at it again, now asking ". @Ninja who are you" - because it's 2019, and the internet is an increasingly strange place.
Ninja, of course, is a highly-popular Fortnite streamer and internet personality, who happened to have the most popular comment on Gaga's initial post. Mother Monster is either having some fun with the internet, or was genuinely curious who this Ninja guy was. Regardless, Ninja was soon to reply to Gaga's latest inquiry, writing "ask @Drake."
RDO: Cecil C. Tucker Legendary Bounty, Role-Specific Bonuses This Week
Matrix 4 Adds Neil Patrick Harris in Mystery Role
Neil Patrick Harris is joining the cast of the upcoming Matrix 4.
According to Variety, the Emmy-winning actor is joining the cast in a mystery role. As of yet, no details around Harris' character have been revealed.
Harris joins Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne Moss, who starred in the original Matrix trilogy. Check out the video below for more on the series' original stars coming back for the sequel:
NPH will star alongside Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who starred in Aquaman as Black Manta. Like Harris' role, there are no details about who Abdul-Mateen will play in the new film.
Friends Cast Reunites in Adorable Jennifer Aniston Selfie
A Friends reunion is happening... on Instagram, that is.
Jennifer Aniston joined the social media site with a selfie of herself, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer.
Aniston captioned the photo of her famous Friends with, "And now we're Instagram FRIENDS too. HI INSTAGRAM."
While there is no word on a reunion yet, the show has been making headlines. Netflix reportedly paid $100 million to keep the sitcom on its streaming service through 2020. Check out the video below for more:
Venom 2 Reportedly Adding Carnage Ally Shriek as Additional Villain
Marvel villain Shriek is reportedly joining forces with Woody Harrelson's Carnage for Venom 2.
The studio is looking at unknown actors to fill the part, according to Deadline, but those involved with the process are allegedly keeping their minds open to any actress for the role. Deadline says principal photography is expected to begin early 2020 for a release on Oct. 2, 2020.
Shriek (real name Frances Barrison) is a mutant whose powers were awakened after being shot in the head and exposed to the energy of the Darkforce Dimension. She can manipulate sound waves in various ways, including firing destructive blasts and even preying upon the emotions and fears of her enemies. Oh, and she can fly.
Logan’s James Mangold Still Wants to Direct X-23 Spinoff Movie
The X-Men may be in the process of migrating to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but director James Mangold is still hopeful he'll get the chance to direct a sequel to 2017's Logan.
In an interview with The Playlist, Mangold reaffirms his desire to continue where Logan left off and explore the fate of Dafne Keen's X-23 in a sequel. Though even Mangold admits to being doubtful that sequel will ever materialize, given Disney's recent purchase of 21st Century Fox. That's to say nothing of Keen's current commitment to the HBO series His Dark Materials.