The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6464 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5,355 out of 6464
  2. Mixed: 634 out of 6464
  3. Negative: 475 out of 6464
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  1. TonyAnso
    May 20, 2011
    1
    Terrible and booring game.. i want my money back :( Optimize in this game is not good, typical port from console. Animations and controls is really bad.
  2. phoenix35
    May 20, 2011
    1
    Bad performance bad dialogues tried it for 5 minutes and uninstalled it.
    Had finished the first witcher which was just an okay game.To be honest i didnt expect to be thrilled or excited with this sequel..My curiosity ended I am only suprised to see many to like this game and same people mentioning DA2 as there is a competition or it matters..Maybe the soft porn in witcher series is exciting
  3. BZBuzz
    May 31, 2011
    1
    I have no choice giving a so poor note considering the very poor note i think it deserve technologically talking.
    I was waiting theis game for a long time, having been a witcher 1 fan, but im very disapointed. The game is good looking, and story is well wrten but that about all. Graphicly I think it deserve a 7/10 compared to the actual standarts, but where it really sucks its about the    I have no choice giving a so poor note considering the very poor note i think it deserve technologically talking.
    I was waiting theis game for a long time, having been a witcher 1 fan, but im very disapointed. The game is good looking, and story is well wrten but that about all. Graphicly I think it deserve a 7/10 compared to the actual standarts, but where it really sucks its about the way that the heroe moves and how it have to deal very fast with monsters that he dont have what it takes to defeat them.

    It the very first time so many good critics for an unfinished game, and honestly I would have prefered to say so much better things about this sequel. For 2007-2009 it would have been in standarts, not in 2011-2012    … Expand
  4. ErictheRe0
    Jun 21, 2011
    1
    Most unsatisfying game play EVER. I want to like a cool fantasy rpg, but graphics and a story don't make a game, they make a show. Sluggish and unnatural movement and no combat system turn this cool-vibe-game into a purely frustrating experience. Yuck!
  5. stefanakisgr
    Jun 14, 2011
    1
    Excellent graphics , terrible combat . I was looking forward to this , hoping combat will be better , as I remember the awful witcher 1 controls . There is an illusion of open space , but the game is always played in narrow spaces . I hated the minigames also , they lack purpose , and kill immersion . Atmosphere is ruined by its many flaws , and all that is left is great visuals . NotExcellent graphics , terrible combat . I was looking forward to this , hoping combat will be better , as I remember the awful witcher 1 controls . There is an illusion of open space , but the game is always played in narrow spaces . I hated the minigames also , they lack purpose , and kill immersion . Atmosphere is ruined by its many flaws , and all that is left is great visuals . Not recommended .… Expand
  6. desik
    Jul 28, 2011
    1
    This game features the most spectacular graphics, but the most random, counter-intuitive and meaningless gameplay I ever encountered. Let's put things in categories:
    1. Gerald attach strategy. Sometimes, when fighting 3 opponents at once, gameplay stops and Gerald performs a super-duper move which kill all of them at once. If I load the same save and do the same actions, no super moves    This game features the most spectacular graphics, but the most random, counter-intuitive and meaningless gameplay I ever encountered. Let's put things in categories:
    1. Gerald attach strategy. Sometimes, when fighting 3 opponents at once, gameplay stops and Gerald performs a super-duper move which kill all of them at once. If I load the same save and do the same actions, no super moves will happen and I likely will be killed.
    2. Monster strategy. When fighting endera queens, the queen may use 20 times some simple attacks which Gerald can bloc, and once - another attack with exactly the same animation which blows through block and kills Gerald instantly. I tried the fight around 20 times and failed to figure out how to distinguish of prevent shield-breaking attack.
    3. Random quest givers. You may walk around the whole city and most NPC's won't have anything new to say to you. Instead, while wandering through the forest, an absolutely unexpected NPC will pop up and give you a quest. In most RPG's I expect to approach NPC's myself in most of the time in order to receive quests.
    4. Random quest order. Even if I received quests to fight two different kind of monsters, I have no clue where I should find them. I have no way to plan the order how to complete the quests. The solution is to simply walk the whole forest and to kill any monster you encounter.

    And don't let me start about the menu.    … Expand
  7. RuyKann
    Nov 5, 2011
    1
    Good graphics but very buggy game overall with poor support. Game was basically unplayable and my specs/system are well above min requirements. Have been able to play other games without difficulty but this one was junk. Wait for something with less bugs.
  8. paladinjedi
    Dec 30, 2011
    1
    Huge disappointment......

    I was quite fond of the first The Witcher (2007), and had some expectations from its sequel... But the only good improvement I could find it's the faster saving!!!... Graphics - cartoonish, eye-strayingly tiresome; The main character looked better in Witcher 1, he had more distinct personality Gameplay - completely broken; interface itself makes you wanna throw    Huge disappointment......

    I was quite fond of the first The Witcher (2007), and had some expectations from its sequel... But the only good improvement I could find it's the faster saving!!!...

    Graphics - cartoonish, eye-strayingly tiresome; The main character looked better in Witcher 1, he had more distinct personality Gameplay - completely broken; interface itself makes you wanna throw the game away, unintuitive inventory and skill system... Combat is unsatisfactory and, though real-time, made me prefer a good D&D instead... And considering I hate D&D...

    Story/atmosphere - insipid, been there done that; no real moral choices, only the struggle for political power between different-skins-same-heart cartels... Your main character is no longer the independent, lone wolf hero with a distinct neutral alignment from part 1 in 2007. Now he is no more than the king's lackey. When his boss says : "Witcher, jump in that junk pit!", the "hero", with a placid, resigned, inexpressive countenance, responds: "Yes, Sire. How deep?" ....

    Probably the main aspect that ruins this over-hyped game is its complicated, uninspired, clunky interface: the small fonts, the chaotic convoluted item/skill categories, the bleary tutorial...

    This game is exactly what a true good modern game SHOULD NOT BE...    … Expand
  9. Subterra
    Oct 23, 2012
    1
    Dont go anywhere near this title, awful performance even on high end systems stutter, low flucuating fps, a total and utter shambles and no amount of fixes will help it.
    Keep away from this lazy console port absolute rubbish so sick of developers thinking they can release games in this condition rubbish !!!!!
  10. zmaint
    Dec 31, 2012
    1
    The good: It's pretty.
    The bad: Pretty much the rest of the game. Poor controls (non-customizable, feels like a bad Xbox port) no open world, you can't jump?, interface is bad, NOT an RPG, combat is horribly clunky, no replayability... really, very poorly done. I honestly bet the mod community could write a "witcher" mod and have it done in half the time, on 0 budget, and have it play    The good: It's pretty.
    The bad: Pretty much the rest of the game. Poor controls (non-customizable, feels like a bad Xbox port) no open world, you can't jump?, interface is bad, NOT an RPG, combat is horribly clunky, no replayability... really, very poorly done. I honestly bet the mod community could write a "witcher" mod and have it done in half the time, on 0 budget, and have it play 2000% better.

    It get's 1 pt from me for the graphics, but nothing else.    … Expand
  11. White_Bear
    Jan 29, 2017
    1
    I fell in love with Witcher 3 so I decided to try Witcher 2 and bought on the christmas sale. Good thing about the Witcher 2 that it cost me only 4 eur. This game sucks in so many points but the most disappointing is the combat.
    1) You cannot block - you still receive damage
    2) You cannot dodge - you still got damage 3) The only way to avoid the damage is click your opponent to death    I fell in love with Witcher 3 so I decided to try Witcher 2 and bought on the christmas sale. Good thing about the Witcher 2 that it cost me only 4 eur. This game sucks in so many points but the most disappointing is the combat.
    1) You cannot block - you still receive damage
    2) You cannot dodge - you still got damage
    3) The only way to avoid the damage is click your opponent to death who first hit - wins! But it did not work if you face more than 1 enemy and it is most of the time
    4) Another way to avoid the damage is to run! So the best tactic is hit and run.
    5) You still can manage several opponents but not due to your skills but due to the stupidity of the enemy AI while others are stucked somewhere you can kill 1 enemy using button mashing.
    So if you missed the Witcher 2 and wanted to try after you played Witcher 3 do not do it, you will be dissapointed.    … Expand
  12. TRON666
    Jul 5, 2014
    1
    Overrated game, looks good, and thats about it.
    really decent fighting, and overall exp. if youre looking for it, i suggest you to look elsewhere.
    i do believe youre going to be disappointed.
  13. PatzTatr
    Dec 20, 2021
    1
    The best stories can be run down by the limited imagination and lack of taste. I will not critise the Kaer Morhen because it was the only good part of this series, the majestic fortress set out in snowy mountains. But the rest is so ruined by the choice of actresses playing Ciri and Yennefer. Ciri look like a cute, delicate girl from a movie for teenagers. She lacks character, she isThe best stories can be run down by the limited imagination and lack of taste. I will not critise the Kaer Morhen because it was the only good part of this series, the majestic fortress set out in snowy mountains. But the rest is so ruined by the choice of actresses playing Ciri and Yennefer. Ciri look like a cute, delicate girl from a movie for teenagers. She lacks character, she is boring and not charismatic at all. Her training to be a witcher is so ridiculous that I just couldn't watch it. No stamina, no energy, nothing. Ciri in novels was a badass, warrior, tough woman, not a weakling. The game shows Ciri as she should be. Yennefer looks funny, scared, unsure of herself, and sexless. Where is the powerful, wicked, sarcastic, sexy, mature Yennefer gone? There is no chemistry between her and Geralt. She's not match for Cavil. She is more like a daughter to him. Is this the most powerful sorceress in the world? She looks like a frightened medicine student. Sorry, but this show is so disappoininting in the choice of the cast that ruins it.… Expand
  14. Zarmaly
    Mar 4, 2022
    1
    Adequate and thinking people will never go to the streets just because you are pushing them so diligently and vilely to do so. You use sneaky manipulations, knowing full well that you are influencing ordinary people. In your message, you openly admit that you want to manipulate other people's behavior, urging gamers "to talk" about what is happening in the center of Europe. But we must sayAdequate and thinking people will never go to the streets just because you are pushing them so diligently and vilely to do so. You use sneaky manipulations, knowing full well that you are influencing ordinary people. In your message, you openly admit that you want to manipulate other people's behavior, urging gamers "to talk" about what is happening in the center of Europe. But we must say only whatever you and your Western masters find convenient. It doesn't work like that. All you have achieved is an increase hatred in this World.
    Games are outside of politics, sports are outside of politics. Shame on you, CD PROJEKT RED! How low have you fallen! But not low enough. There is still something to strive for and the bottom to reach through. Like those who decided to humiliate the russian athletes at the 2022 Paralympic Games.    … Expand
  15. Rootly
    Mar 5, 2022
    1
    discrediting and persecution of people by nationality is one of the fundamental principles of nazism and fascism. now it is the russian people, and who are the next, uh CDPR? Jews?
    the gaming industry should be above creating PR for itself on politics, otherwise you are nothing more than piece of ...
  16. Mrr_DOCTOR
    Mar 7, 2022
    1
    Плюсы:
    - Интересный сюжет;
    - Хороший геймплей; Минусы: - QTE; - CD Project Red, который думает, что российский геймер это причина всех проблем во всём мире. Я обычный протагонист, который через /roll заспаунился в локации Россия на уровне hardcore. Я выбрал класс геймер, а не воин. Но report в свою сторону получают обычные геймеры. Press F to Respect российскому геймингу. Итоги:    Плюсы:
    - Интересный сюжет;
    - Хороший геймплей;

    Минусы:
    - QTE;
    - CD Project Red, который думает, что российский геймер это причина всех проблем во всём мире. Я обычный протагонист, который через /roll заспаунился в локации Россия на уровне hardcore. Я выбрал класс геймер, а не воин. Но report в свою сторону получают обычные геймеры. Press F to Respect российскому геймингу.

    Итоги:
    Игра - 10/10;
    Разработчики - националисты.    … Expand
  17. cdpr_pidary
    Apr 23, 2022
    1
    Сюжет тупейший, респавн монстров зашкварный: завалил утопцев у лагеря, отбежал на 100 метров, вернулся - они все опять там. О_о В лесу вообще жёсткий респавн. Доп квесты даже лучше, чем основной днищенский сюжет. Графен норм.Сюжет тупейший, респавн монстров зашкварный: завалил утопцев у лагеря, отбежал на 100 метров, вернулся - они все опять там. О_о В лесу вообще жёсткий респавн. Доп квесты даже лучше, чем основной днищенский сюжет. Графен норм.
  18. velvetmeds
    May 17, 2011
    0
    Poorly optimized, simplistic and straightforward combat, emo story and characters trying to convey something that is nothing at all. I mean really, no matter how good your hardware, sure you can run the game and it's playable, but the performance is simply not acceptable if you're a regular gamer and value your framerate and visual quality. Combat and RPG-wise it's barely anything morePoorly optimized, simplistic and straightforward combat, emo story and characters trying to convey something that is nothing at all. I mean really, no matter how good your hardware, sure you can run the game and it's playable, but the performance is simply not acceptable if you're a regular gamer and value your framerate and visual quality. Combat and RPG-wise it's barely anything more than Assassin's Creed, not deserving the "RPG" label at all. Clearly all the devs cared about was making a game with "wow" graphics and trying to make it mature (failing hard!) so that people would buy the game en masse. Let's hope it doesn't work because it certainly doesn't deserve it.

    Avoid! There are far better RPGs coming this year, no need to waste money on this.    … Expand
  19. Tank25
    May 18, 2011
    0
    Looooooots o f bugs, game crashes to windows, DLC doesnt work. Wait till patch (a big one) before you buy this crappy game. Graphic's are good until game crashes, story is good, fight mechanic is totally arcade just clik fast and jump on left and right.
  20. genetix
    Sep 10, 2013
    0
    This is most likely to be the worst rpg ever made.

    The original concept of witcher is gone game looks like a freak'd up doom 1 and whole combat system destroyed. I wonder how is it that both Bioware and Red managed to screw up their best looking rpg games in the history of gaming. I mean for example Baldur's Gate was a perfect game which then was continued same style to Baldur's Gate 2    This is most likely to be the worst rpg ever made.

    The original concept of witcher is gone game looks like a freak'd up doom 1 and whole combat system destroyed. I wonder how is it that both Bioware and Red managed to screw up their best looking rpg games in the history of gaming. I mean for example Baldur's Gate was a perfect game which then was continued same style to Baldur's Gate 2 and that was MAKING gaming history while same company managed then to screw up both Baldur's Gate franchise and after again making a perfect rpg like Dragon Age they yet again manager to screw it up by the dlc and next Dragon Age 2 which I would rate even less than 0 if I could.

    Exact above happens here Witcher was nearly a perfect role-playing game where as Witcher 2 is complete waste of time with idiotic development decisions made by simply keeping old name story and trying to develop completely new while there was never anything wrong with the old with exception of "We want to sell our product to consoles" which literally means that game sucks 9 ways to sun down every time I hear that. Those words alone means no top down NOT AN RPG.. It's an Gothic with new wrap and we all know how that was.

    I would like to grant this title even 1 point but even the engine optimization is so damn bad I simply don't want to.    … Expand
  21. BradnamBrad
    May 21, 2011
    0
    One of the worst games I have ever played. It only works on the low spec, despite having a really good computer, half of the tips are completely useless since they show up after you have performed the action and the overall game experience is really ****

    Wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
  22. sl24601
    May 25, 2011
    0
    I was really hyped up for this game. I played through Witcher 1 three times when it first came out, because the game was so engaging and the combat so fluid. However, I have to say I am extremely disappointed in Witcher 2. For one, it feels like a console port. Moving with WASD seems more like moving with a D-Pad on a controller, than the smooth FPS style movement of the first game.I was really hyped up for this game. I played through Witcher 1 three times when it first came out, because the game was so engaging and the combat so fluid. However, I have to say I am extremely disappointed in Witcher 2. For one, it feels like a console port. Moving with WASD seems more like moving with a D-Pad on a controller, than the smooth FPS style movement of the first game. The key binds are even setup outside the game in a console port style. The combat has been nerfed to the point of being trivial. In the first game you had three stances with stacking combos. In Witcher 2, you have two attacks. LMB is fast, RMB is slow. Also forget parrying or dodging in a sword fight, if you do not hit the button several seconds before being attacked, expect to be hit. What happened to spontaneous parrying and dodging that was so fun in the first game, and is expected in an action RPG? Only CD Projekt can answer that one. Game play aside, there are many game breaking technical issues. I have an i5 760, 4GB RAM, and an nvidia 460. I should be able to run the game flawlessly on High, or at least Medium settings. However, I barely get 15 FPS in Low settings. This seems to be an issue for many nvidida users, with no current fix from either nvidida or CD Projekt. Another troubling bug is if you have a 7.1 headset. The game is not compatible with these headsets and will result in no game audio. The only suggested fix I found from CD Projekt on the official forums was to disable 7.1 with the headset software, or use on-board audio. Unfortunately the G35 does not have any way to revert to or force stereo or 5.1 audio. Using on-board would be great, if I had it. I would not be concerned with this incompatibility if this was some obscure brand headset. However, this is a Logitech Gaming series headset. It is beyond me how this was not caught in internal testing.

    Buyer Beware. The game is pretty, and from what little I saw, probably has a good story. Hard to tell with no sound though. While the Critical Reviews might be good, I'd strongly advise caution with game stopping bugs like these. In addition if you think it will play anything like the first game, you are in for a disappointment.    … Expand
  23. kujo28
    Aug 3, 2011
    0
    i have to say im very disappointed with this game. it prides itself on lots of choices and plot strands, but thats all there is. the acting is hammy, the fighting is repetitive, and all the bad language and nudity in the world wont make up for that. i really tried to like this game, but it got to the point were i didnt care at all what happend and felt no reason to keep playing...
  24. Allattar
    Aug 14, 2011
    0
    Im sure I would really enjoy this game, I am sure it must be fantastic. All I know however is that after downloading and trying to run, it does absolutely NOTHING. No error message, just doesnt load from the steam launcher. So this game gets a 0. As in its a waste, I cant play it. Ive looked for help on the forums, nothing, nothing works. Sorry guys, but cannot recommend. In fact IIm sure I would really enjoy this game, I am sure it must be fantastic. All I know however is that after downloading and trying to run, it does absolutely NOTHING. No error message, just doesnt load from the steam launcher. So this game gets a 0. As in its a waste, I cant play it. Ive looked for help on the forums, nothing, nothing works. Sorry guys, but cannot recommend. In fact I must suggest avoid, in case you waste your money like I did.… Expand
  25. Enigma
    Sep 25, 2011
    0
    Witcher 2 was a highly anticipated game for me and I was sorely disappointed. The good points are as follows: Amazing graphics, great sounds, immersive game world, wonderful story. However, the bad points make the game unplayable. They are: VERY POOR game play, horrible character controls (movement / interaction) feels very much like the game was designed for consoles first, Combat isWitcher 2 was a highly anticipated game for me and I was sorely disappointed. The good points are as follows: Amazing graphics, great sounds, immersive game world, wonderful story. However, the bad points make the game unplayable. They are: VERY POOR game play, horrible character controls (movement / interaction) feels very much like the game was designed for consoles first, Combat is just simply awful !!!!!! This game is simply hack and slash. Very much an arcade console type game. Combat feels very much like super Mario brothers. I purchased the game at release and attempted to play for about 2 hours after which I turned it off disgusted. Months later I give it another shot and played through the prolog and into chapter 1 a bit before once again stopping. This time I uninstalled the game. I am so disgusted that I sat down and took the time out of my Sunday to write this so others would not waste their money as well. You will notice a large amount of 10 ratings. All I can say is that this must be the younger generation who were raised on arcade, action style games such as God of War. If you are of the younger generation and prefer quick arcade style, button pushing, jumping around, style combat then go for it. However, if you are the older generation and long for true strategy based RPG combat then donâ… Expand
  26. exiter123
    Mar 19, 2022
    0
    CDPR's terrible policy towards Russia. To buy from the game is not to respect yourself.
  27. applenine
    Jan 22, 2012
    0
    I have put more time than I would like into trying to get the game to run. I have downloaded it twice now since buying it. The 2.1 patch supposedly broke the game for many steam users, and the only way to make the game go is a workaround that disables achievements and doesn't always work for everyone. There's no 2.2 patch to fix the game. As old as the issue is there is no official fix,I have put more time than I would like into trying to get the game to run. I have downloaded it twice now since buying it. The 2.1 patch supposedly broke the game for many steam users, and the only way to make the game go is a workaround that disables achievements and doesn't always work for everyone. There's no 2.2 patch to fix the game. As old as the issue is there is no official fix, and so I guess there is no plans for one either. All I can do is say that the game is unplayable and give it an awful rating.… Expand
  28. ItsJustRob
    Dec 13, 2012
    0
    Loved the first witcher, it was a true RPG. This iteration is not an RPG, its a platformer. I hate platformers and hitting all the platformer stages is just annoying.
  29. Talualki
    Mar 3, 2022
    0
    Завышенные системные требования не соответствующие картинке. Плохой дизайн. Не рекомендую.
  30. jonny-goddard
    Jul 14, 2013
    0
    The combat system in this game is absolutely terrible. Far to cumbersome with too many features. Absolute deal breaker with this game, I'm sorry I spent the £3.49 for it on steam. The Witcher 3 will have to be better than this poor design.
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PC Game of 2011
7
#7 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
7
#7 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 76 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 76
  3. Negative: 0 out of 76
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 21, 2011
    93
    Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. A true, polished diamond. Watch and learn Bioware. [May 2011]
  2. GamingTrend
    Sep 14, 2011
    92
    The Witcher 2 easily stands amongst the big boys in the CRPG crowd and is also the best Action RPG to come out since Mass Effect 2.
    Read full review
  3. GamingXP
    Sep 7, 2011
    90
    The Witcher 2 offers awesome sword fights, cool graphics, charming characters, a compelling story, lots of bare skin and a decent shot of vulgar conversations. Damn good.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »