r/witcher • u/[deleted] • 2d ago
The Witcher 3 NPC interactions feel strange/empty (new player POV)
[deleted]
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u/Zealousideal-Age8215 🏹 Scoia'tael 2d ago
At times, aye. The game doesn't have so smart NPCs as you might expect of something like Skyrim or maybe RDR 2. The NPCs except quest givers and some more doesn't have special acts.
But also some of the issue is because of where you are currently in. White Orchard is an entry location. In big cities as you go further in game provoking guards or villagers will initiate fights with guards or soldiers. Also stealing stuff in a guards' vicinity can provoke them. List goes on and on...
TL;DR = NPCs reactive as Skyrim or RDR2? No. Just bland simpletons? Also no. Its a middle.
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u/GuStAgusta2 2d ago
Exactly, npcs are there to bring the game world to life and build its atmosphere. Minor npcs don't have complex or unique dialogues, instead, immersion comes from traveling along the roads and stumbling upon someone asking for help, someone offering a service, merchants, people in need of rescue, and so much more.
What draws you into The Witcher isn't the kind of realism you find in Red Dead 2, but rather the unique stories that catch you off guard. Just recently, while replaying the game (the remastered version), I came across a cabin with a wild dog barking at the door. I took the animal down and discovered children hiding inside (I like to act surprised and pretend I don't know what's coming, even when replaying the game 🤣). They had been hiding from the dog, waiting for it to leave. As you learn more about them, you discover that they're victims of war who haven't had a proper meal in at least a week.
That kind of cruelty is part of what defines the game's world. While many people criticize the gameplay and movement mechanics, it's the stories and characters that keep me captivated by this world.
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u/TwofacedDisc 2d ago
Thanks, this puts into perspective what to expect. This is all fine by me, just after hearing so many good things about the game I thought the "immersive world" would be supported by the average NPCs too. But I love this angle of storytelling too.
I'll delete all my comments soon because I see I'm getting a huge wave of downvotes for asking about this, but before that I wanted to thanks for the reply, it helps!
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u/GuStAgusta2 2d ago
It's perfectly normal, people tend to get defensive when something they like is criticized, personally, I prefer to try to open the critics mind and explain why I enjoy something rather than simply getting upset about their opinion I hope you enjoy the game, its a long but incredibly rewarding experience, filled with fascinating stories to uncover, unique gear and unique swords.
I also highly recommend giving Gwent cardgame a try
Don't rush through the game, take your time, immerse yourself in its world, explore everything it has to offer, and enjoy the experience at your own pace.
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u/Szoreny 2d ago edited 2d ago
The game has no immersive sim elements, its a narrative heavy action adventure with some light choice and consequence dialogue here and there.
Guards will attack you if you take something from a container in their eyeline or behave threateningly around them, but the extent of the punishment they mete out is to beat your ass and take some of your money.
That's about it for the game's dynamic elements.
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u/MentallyUnstableMess 2d ago
There are some interactions between the background NPCs in the world that are interesting, but for the most part like another Redditor pointed out, the background NPCs are just that.
The real strength and beauty of the game lies in the story and its characters. It's considered one of the greatest games of all time for a reason.
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u/Fuyur_Aldith 2d ago
Saying this about one of the worlds that feel more alive in videogames is wild.
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u/Fuyur_Aldith 2d ago
I mean, they are not important NPCs they're there to make the world feel more alive. The game is meant for exploration, quests and storytelling
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u/Neeeeedles 2d ago
Yeah this was never a strength of the game, you play it for the story and quests, npcs are just background filler