We just got our hands on our copy of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, one of Game Rant's most anticipated games of 2011, and are feverishly working on our review of the highly-anticipated sequel. Until then, CD Projekt Red has been kind enough to provide five new trailers depicting the world of The Witcher 2 and also announced that fans of the RPG can expect a plethora of free downloadable content over the next few months.
Registered users will be able to take advantage of CD Projekt Red's “DLC 4 FREE,” program that will feature free downloadable content delivered in periodic installments. The first one, which adds a side quest called “Troll Trouble,” is available for download today. Expect the next DLC pack later this month, a third installment in June, and unknown number to follow. However, CD Projekt Red does plan to charge for lengthier "expansion packs" that may be released in the future.
CD Projekt Red also released five original videos: “Hope,” “Disdain & Fear,” “Love & Blood." “How to Kill a Witcher,” and “World of the Witcher 2.” These new trailers provide a sneak peak into the wide range of action, intrigue, and emotions players will likely experience during their adventures as Geralt of Rivia. Each trailer has its own unique style and features a specific scene montage set to music that showcases the title’s vast emotional register, stunning graphics, and fantasy hyperrealism.
Set to Frederic Chopin’s Nocturne No. 15 in F major, the “Hope” trailer achieves maximum dramatic effect by employing slow-motion takes and fade outs. The trailer’s melancholic mood reaches an orchestral crescendo that serves to underline the tension and unnerving moments of the story.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIE_oNJy8Lk
Using a music mix that features Scandinavian band Herdningarna’s “Vargtimmen,” the second trailer “Disdain & Fear” juxtaposes dialog scenes with blasting medieval-style rock music. This trailer focuses on the intense and frequent battle cutscenes.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sac12r9Z5mA
The third trailer, “Love and blood,” concentrates on the plot before sinking into a slow-motion choral sequence that showcases some of the game’s spectacular moments. It appears that Geralt may be forced to take on one of his brothers-in-arms.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh3iD__9sD8
“How to Kill a Witcher” offers some comedy relief as it shows a group of soldiers being questioned by their captain as to which fighting techniques work best to effectively kill a Witcher. Each technique is proven tragically ineffective but serves to illustrate some of the combat mechanics in The Witcher 2.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnvt9PNtKRg
Lastly, “World of the Witcher 2” illustrates the broader conflict brewing among the four kingdoms central to the story. It also puts the player on notice that Geralt's actions will likely have serious and far-reaching political consequences.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JZYJfBREtY
Excited by these trailers? If so, you better have a fairly powerful PC as The Witcher 2 is not currently available on consoles. However, there have been rumblings that the RPG will make its way to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 at some point in the future.
Check back with us in the days ahead to learn whether The Witcher 2 is worth your precious gaming dollars.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is now available exclusively for the PC.