Summary
There’s no question thatThe Witcher 3is a gargantuan experience. The main quest to find Ciri and stop Wild Hunt is already an epic adventure. The rest of the time spent inThe Witcher 3, players can occupy themselves with side quests, usually involving monster-slaying. These are undoubtedly entertaining, but they can get repetitive after a while. Even the most ardent fans may get bored.
Thankfully,The Witcher 3includes otheractivities to mitigate that tedium. While the game definitely doesn’t have as many ways to mess around as aYakuzatitle, for instance, it still sports a plethora of pastimes. Indulging in these mini-games can help Geralt master all manner of odd trades. On top of being amusing at the moment, it means the titular witcher can actually enjoy his time on the Path.
5Horse Races
Upgrade Roach’s Saddle, Or Simply Enjoy The Thrills Of Racing
Like a lot of open-world titles,The Witcher 3mainly usesGeralt’s horse, Roach, as a means of transportation, but that’s not the only outlet for Roach. She can also compete against other equestrians.Horse racesare scattered throughout the game’s regions. These involve the fastest riders from across the land and carry the thrills inherent in any good race. Granted, the contest is easy to cheat, as players can hamper opponents by getting in front of them and slowing to a canter. However, they shouldn’t let that exploit deter them.
Horse races remain a worthy pastime. Finding just the right angle to block the rival requires skill; picking the right moment to do so is equally pivotal. These factors may maximize the stamina that Roach regains. Not to mention, winning can earn the best horse-based equipment in the game, exponentially increasing Roach’s stamina, courage, and storage space. Such items prove invaluable on long adventures.
4Fists Of Fury
Geralt Can Have Sporting Fist Fights Across The Map
Who says Geralt has to do all the fighting with his swords?He can also hold his own with his fists, and the game offers plenty of chances to test that. Much like horse races,The Witcher 3holdsboxing matchesacross Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige. These bouts include the champions of each region. They don’t have much in the way of special rewards, but that’s fine. “Fists of Fury” quests make up for it through sheer amusement. It’s just funny to see Geralt engage in old-fashioned fisticuffs amid a jeering crowd. Plus, it leads to a few ridiculous scenarios down the line.
The top-tier fighters are a bear and a rock troll, both of whom the witcher must take on. The fact that swords are unavailable means players must tackle the fights with more caution and strategy. The final part of the questline also calls for such novelty.The last Skellige arenais haunted by the ghost of an unlucky loser. The only way to help him pass on is to let him win. The scenario is full of the absurdist gallows humor thatThe Witcherexcels at. These laughs are worth every punch to the face.
An Abundance Of Lore To Uncover
Like many of the best RPGs,The Witcher 3has a bunch ofbookslying around. They can contain valuable knowledge about monsters or alchemical recipes. Such info lends an obvious gameplay benefit to flipping through the pages, but the scholarly pursuits shouldn’t stop there.
Books offer an intriguing insight intothe world, its history, and its cultures. For obvious reasons, they go into these subjects with infinitely more depth and detail than casual conversations. In fact, many draw from events in theWitchernovels. The accounts within are not only compelling in themselves, but they offer a great understanding of the characters and their motives. As such, the events in the game carry far more significance. It’s odd to recommend reading in a video game, but the written word still carries immense power.
2Scavenger Hunts
Find Relics Of Witcher Past
Players come across countless pieces of equipment in their travels.Most sets are in the style and palette of the various kingdoms. Donning them makes Geralt look like a soldier, but he’d prefer to look like a witcher. Luckily, the game contains several sets of swords and armor modeled after the different witcher schools. What’s more, is that each one has multiple upgrades. Fans need only find a map and follow the directions. Some players might wonder why it’s worth the hassle.
However, theseScavenger Huntshave a plethora of perks. In terms of appearance, the witcher gear is easilythe coolest in the game. It also boasts the highest stats, especially when upgraded. Most importantly, it takes players on unexpected adventures. The diagrams are usually in remote locations, offering scenic views that fans wouldn’t get otherwise. They can even stumble into other problems or quests. For instance, one Wolf School diagram lies within an abandoned training ground haunted by dead witchers. Better yet, the armor from the Netflix show is in the middle of an infested mine. Here, Geralt meets the ghost of a witcher from centuries prior and finishes his work. In these cases, the treasure hunt and reward are equally fulfilling.
1Gwent
The Famed Card Game That Spawned A Spin-Off
The most involved side activity inThe Witcher 3isGwent. This in-universe card game is basically a modified version ofRisk, simulating battles between the world’s disparate factions. It couldn’t be more different from normal combat. That’s what makes it so addictive. The game containscountless cards with varying strength levels, status effects, and special abilities. Combining them effectively takes strategic thinking.
Fans can test their wits in numerous tournaments. Here, they face competitors who do anything to win. The quests are like a fantasy version ofCasino Royale, making fans feel like high-rollers in a life-or-death situation. The enjoyment doesn’t stop at this game, though. Learning the rules ofGwentopens up the possibilities for further adventures. Several subsequentWitchertitles are based on the cards, such asRogue MageandThronebreaker. These often sport engrossing narratives while evolving the tactics in creative ways. In essence,Gwentunlocksdozens more hours of entertainmentand a deeper dive into this fantasy realm.
