Probably everyone can say about a game that it is the best. For me, such a production is the addition to the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt , which is just celebrating its birthday, entitled Hearts of Stone . What is unique about this title that deserves such a distinction?
The third part of the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, created by CD Projekt Red studio, is undoubtedly a global phenomenon. Careful execution and the heart put into its production redefined the seemingly slowly dying cRPG genre to such an extent that other creators repeatedly promised in their works to create side missions similar to those from The Witcher 3 . The world has gone crazy about our white-haired monster killer and even today, five years after its premiere, its popularity remains high. Despite the really solid workmanship, which drew my modest person for long hours, it was only the addition of the Heart of Stone that pushed me into the armchair and dethroned in my (nomen omen) heart the previously comfortable Starcraft. What is it about this expansion that has become the most wonderful gaming experience for me?
You have to be in your shoes at the wedding
It cannot be denied that the first expansion pack to “Wiesio” is incredibly familiar to Poles. The interpretation of the myth about Twardowski keeps winking at us, however, presenting the story in a much more modern, understandable and interesting way for a recipient from outside the center of Europe. Although this story strikes in familiar tones, we discover here an original version that does not reveal its ending in such an obvious way. However, it was not only the story of a nobleman riding a rooster that inspired the plot; We spend much of the game entertaining a certain ghost at a country wedding. Peasant games, dances and songs are certainly an extremely interesting exotic for the Western audience, and for us they are a loose, cheerful episode tickling a sense of extraordinary regional character. In addition, the possessed Geralt, tearing the rail from the fence,
The heart of stone also shows a bit of exoticism, although in part familiar to us. The cheerful gang accompanying Olgierd von Everec is reminiscent of a Cossack gang, prone to not very safe games, jokes, fights and fights. But ArcziNo! After all, the Cossacks are very well known to us! Well, it’s true, but it’s still a culture quite different from ours, which makes it harder for us to identify with them. However, it must be admitted that they are even more alien to Western players than our weddings and gimmicks. The creators also showed that they are able to create a civilization completely separate from what could previously be found in the Northern Kingdoms. The Ophiris are exceptionally different from other independent heroes with their Middle Eastern climates, constituting an exceptionally distinctive freshness.
Red to red, yellow to yellow, white to white
The strength of the first expansion of The Witcher 3there are undoubtedly the characters. The aforementioned Olgierd von Everec is undoubtedly a complex personality, extremely characteristic, at first a bit repulsive, but as the main plot develops, it is impossible not to start cheering for him. Von Everec, sacrificing his own soul to save what was dearest to him, losing himself in the net that Mr. Mirror had thrown on him, is undoubtedly a tragic figure; were it not for the demonic schemes of Glass Man, he probably would not be as bad as when we meet him. One cannot forget about Gauntrze o’Dim himself, an extremely clever and cunning incarnate evil of incredible power, leading naive people with his promises, which he does not break, but interprets them in a rather twisted way. It is not without reason that in the semi-final of the tournament of horror for the bloody mug of the Last Tavern, he sensationally eliminated one of the favorites to win this honorable trophy. It would be a sin not to mention my favorite Shani, a charming and devoted medical doctor educated at the Oxenfurt Academy; uninvolved in major intrigues, devoid of supernatural powers, it definitely differs from the sorceresses surrounding Geralt. So when I get a choice – Triss or Yennefer, I will always answer without thinking: Shani! devoid of supernatural powers, it definitely differs from the sorceresses surrounding Geralt. So when I get a choice – Triss or Yennefer, I will always answer without thinking: Shani! devoid of supernatural powers, it definitely differs from the sorceresses surrounding Geralt. So when I get a choice – Triss or Yennefer, I will always answer without thinking: Shani!
Lich has smooth and flowery speech, devil’s brood with unclean nature
However, it was not the familiarity or even the characters, though created wonderfully, that did not lift the Heart out of stonetop of my personal ranking of the greatest games of all time, and the vibe did. Each part of the main plot, as well as side quests, is an extremely condensed experience, tickling anyone who loves to immerse themselves in the presented world. A skirmish in the sewers with a huge toad, a fight with the extremely talented fencing Olgierd against the background of a burning estate, the fun at the wedding mentioned at the beginning, full of simple, but not boring games – practically at every moment we are bombarded with a different, but unique and solid atmosphere. Collecting the crew to rob the Borsodych auction house is full of interesting stories, and the dialogue with the captain trying to save the hostages is pure poetry, for which the author should receive a pile of all kinds of awards. The authors, however, pass themselves over in the court of von Everec, where the climate becomes so juicy and dense that it can be cut with a knife. A psychedelic atmosphere, a faceless guardian, caring creatures, darkness, the haunting spirit of Iris, visits to painted pictures and visions that show us the tragedy of Olgierd’s story – at this stage, everything works together, creating experiences that push you into your armchair, allowing you to immerse yourself in the presented story. We cannot omit the fantastic song about Mr. Mirror, which accompanies us constantly, introducing uncertainty and terror, especially when at one moment we can meet a group of children singing this song. visits to painted pictures and visions that show us the tragedy of Olgierd’s story – at this stage, everything harmonizes with each other, creating sensations that push you into an armchair, allowing you to immerse yourself in the presented story without end. We cannot omit the fantastic song about Mr. Mirror, which accompanies us constantly, introducing uncertainty and terror, especially when at one moment we can meet a group of children singing this song. visits to painted pictures and visions showing us the tragedy of Olgierd’s story – at this stage, everything works together, creating experiences that push you into the chair, allowing you to immerse yourself in the presented story endlessly. We cannot omit the fantastic song about Mr. Mirror, which accompanies us constantly, introducing uncertainty and terror, especially when at one moment we can meet a group of children singing this song.
Interpreting a story known in Poland in a modern way, mixing familiarity with exoticism, well-written characters and a perfectly condensed atmosphere is a mixture not easy to tame, but CD Projekt RED handled it perfectly, giving us a high-quality product, surpassing what was already successful in the base Witcher 3 . The craftsmanship deserves real recognition here and I do not expect it to be dethroned in my heart any time soon. Most players say that Blood and Wine is the better addition, but not to mention it, because this expansion is also polished and successful, it is a Heart of Stone. offers such a denser experience that after seeing the end credits I felt full and fulfilled, wanting no more and being fully content with the complete story, which does not mean that it ended in one pass.