Witcher thoughts
So my absolutely abysmal sleep cycle means I've been spending the long hours playing games when I'm awake at the worst possible time. And that means I've finally finished the primary story of The Witcher 3.
Typically I don't care for most fantasy, but this game and it's setting has been something that resonated more strongly with me than most fantasy setting media. I think because it's not Yet Another Tolkien-like as so much of the main-stream fantasy genre, does a lot in it's favor. It pulls from old Polish and Slavic folklore, instead of it's modernization, and the game itself has designs that are unique, stand out and unafraid to be ugly and monstrous.
But it's not just that.
I have watched the Netflix series and have enjoyed it thus far and I look forward to seeing the additional seasons, but I genuinely think I should spend my time reading the books. Because there are some elements about it that really connect with me on some of my core preferences. And I'm gonna do my best to try to put to words why that is.
This setting, unlike a lot of other media, has managed to hit a very specific niche I don't find much. I've always been drawn to the archetype of the Tireless Guardian, especially of those that are unnaturally long lived. Obviously, Witchers are supposed to be more impartial, their work is a business after all. They're monster killers, not 'protectors' in the typical sense, it's not something like paladins doing it out of a sense of honor and duty, but it meshes well with the kind of stuff I like. I get to play Geralt as generally one of strong morals, both compassionate and benevolent so I get my fix at least in that way. But unlike a lot of other media that uses the trope, it approaches the social/political ramifications of such a person, both the effect they can have for good or ill and effects of being that Involved in society for so long can have on a person.
If you are unware, they're magically bio-engineered monster hunters, all of which are taken as children, sometimes offered, sometimes as payment, and trained. Due to the bio-engineering they live impossibly long lives with great resilience but are not immortal. This means the world's setting broaches the concept of what it means to be that long lived while active taking part in the world. They have rules and codes regarding their impact on the world at large, it's both to protect their place and their 'job' and also protect their own selves from the fatigue of what it means to be invested in politics for that long. The only reason you're able to cross territory
This mindfulness to the combination that comes with power and long life is also shown again in the magic users. Sorceresses/Sorcerers, that have to be trained and sacrifice a great deal for power, are likewise long-lived and resilient. They have organizations that guide and control how these powerful people are divided amongst the different leadership. It's less about trying to achieve perfect balance and more about preventing absolute chaos.
The reason why these are significant to me is that the setting as a whole seems to consider long-term ramifications of these kinds of people, how it echos throughout history. Too often when you have a story about supernatural beings with long lives it's either 'lived forever under everyone's noses and made only one or two blips in history' or 'actually runs the Illuminati'. Genuine, long term impact and overall historical permeation isn't explored. This is significant to me because I've considered this sort of thing a great deal in my own setting and it's nice to see other media go into this. I'm big about figuring out the ramification of one's actions and it's impact on society at large, and moreso what that means when you're capable of persisting through centuries worth of leadership changes. How to wrestle with your idealism in the short term, that it may not translate to the long term. There's a real sense of putting aside your ego in order to see the big picture, at least to me there is when it comes to a figure that wants to work towards overall 'good'.
SO all that being said, I think I need to read the books to see if this sort of thing is just as strong in the books or if it's only accentuated in the media I've consumed thus far.
Now looping back around to the game as a game, and what I liked about it specifically, and it's largely the emotional connection the characters have. It's rare that I find myself really enjoying the 'company' of a leading man character in a game, but Geralt has really been particularly enjoyable to me. It helps that I can play him in a way that is compassionate and empathetic and you don't get a lot with men as leads. (specifically, when it's NOT a make-your-character game). While you can choose your romances (between Yennifer or Triss or none at all), I prefer the connection to Yennifer the most. The chemistry between Geralt and Yennifer has that great meld of raw sexuality and strong independence from both parties. (which is funny considering the whole Last Wish). Yennifer for her part, gets introduced as brash and rude but over time is shown to hold a weight of all her choices that she puts a strong front that leaves her seeming callous. Which of course, is also a character trope I enjoy. They end up being very complementary for one another and have fun dry wit banter. Also, Battle Couple.
With my limited knowledge of Ciri it started with 'yeah she seems pretty cool' to 'She's wonderful and I love her'. The thing I think is the most interesting from the perspective of the game, at the end of the day you feel more like the side supporting character in a main character's quest and that's not a bad thing. All the sort of special chosen one tropes are rested on the shoulders of the character Ciri. And when I think about, it I realize it serves as a sort of deconstruction of the Damsel in Distress. You spend half the game going 'your princess is in another castle', and when you do find her you're still under the impression you have to protect her but as story goes on, you come to realize the 'protection' she needs is not physical, it's emotional.
There is also such a warm connection between Geralt and Ciri, it's rewarding to see it progress and I'm glad it's framed that way. I can't recall the last time I've seen such well portrayed and heartfelt connections between a surrogate parent figure and child in a video game.
Related to this, is this really good video that is full of spoilers for both The Last of Us and Witcher 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pG7Wc5TUTA
Definitely one of those pieces of media that has had a bigger impact than I expected and I'm glad I've been able to dip into it.
Typically I don't care for most fantasy, but this game and it's setting has been something that resonated more strongly with me than most fantasy setting media. I think because it's not Yet Another Tolkien-like as so much of the main-stream fantasy genre, does a lot in it's favor. It pulls from old Polish and Slavic folklore, instead of it's modernization, and the game itself has designs that are unique, stand out and unafraid to be ugly and monstrous.
But it's not just that.
I have watched the Netflix series and have enjoyed it thus far and I look forward to seeing the additional seasons, but I genuinely think I should spend my time reading the books. Because there are some elements about it that really connect with me on some of my core preferences. And I'm gonna do my best to try to put to words why that is.
This setting, unlike a lot of other media, has managed to hit a very specific niche I don't find much. I've always been drawn to the archetype of the Tireless Guardian, especially of those that are unnaturally long lived. Obviously, Witchers are supposed to be more impartial, their work is a business after all. They're monster killers, not 'protectors' in the typical sense, it's not something like paladins doing it out of a sense of honor and duty, but it meshes well with the kind of stuff I like. I get to play Geralt as generally one of strong morals, both compassionate and benevolent so I get my fix at least in that way. But unlike a lot of other media that uses the trope, it approaches the social/political ramifications of such a person, both the effect they can have for good or ill and effects of being that Involved in society for so long can have on a person.
If you are unware, they're magically bio-engineered monster hunters, all of which are taken as children, sometimes offered, sometimes as payment, and trained. Due to the bio-engineering they live impossibly long lives with great resilience but are not immortal. This means the world's setting broaches the concept of what it means to be that long lived while active taking part in the world. They have rules and codes regarding their impact on the world at large, it's both to protect their place and their 'job' and also protect their own selves from the fatigue of what it means to be invested in politics for that long. The only reason you're able to cross territory
This mindfulness to the combination that comes with power and long life is also shown again in the magic users. Sorceresses/Sorcerers, that have to be trained and sacrifice a great deal for power, are likewise long-lived and resilient. They have organizations that guide and control how these powerful people are divided amongst the different leadership. It's less about trying to achieve perfect balance and more about preventing absolute chaos.
The reason why these are significant to me is that the setting as a whole seems to consider long-term ramifications of these kinds of people, how it echos throughout history. Too often when you have a story about supernatural beings with long lives it's either 'lived forever under everyone's noses and made only one or two blips in history' or 'actually runs the Illuminati'. Genuine, long term impact and overall historical permeation isn't explored. This is significant to me because I've considered this sort of thing a great deal in my own setting and it's nice to see other media go into this. I'm big about figuring out the ramification of one's actions and it's impact on society at large, and moreso what that means when you're capable of persisting through centuries worth of leadership changes. How to wrestle with your idealism in the short term, that it may not translate to the long term. There's a real sense of putting aside your ego in order to see the big picture, at least to me there is when it comes to a figure that wants to work towards overall 'good'.
SO all that being said, I think I need to read the books to see if this sort of thing is just as strong in the books or if it's only accentuated in the media I've consumed thus far.
Now looping back around to the game as a game, and what I liked about it specifically, and it's largely the emotional connection the characters have. It's rare that I find myself really enjoying the 'company' of a leading man character in a game, but Geralt has really been particularly enjoyable to me. It helps that I can play him in a way that is compassionate and empathetic and you don't get a lot with men as leads. (specifically, when it's NOT a make-your-character game). While you can choose your romances (between Yennifer or Triss or none at all), I prefer the connection to Yennifer the most. The chemistry between Geralt and Yennifer has that great meld of raw sexuality and strong independence from both parties. (which is funny considering the whole Last Wish). Yennifer for her part, gets introduced as brash and rude but over time is shown to hold a weight of all her choices that she puts a strong front that leaves her seeming callous. Which of course, is also a character trope I enjoy. They end up being very complementary for one another and have fun dry wit banter. Also, Battle Couple.
With my limited knowledge of Ciri it started with 'yeah she seems pretty cool' to 'She's wonderful and I love her'. The thing I think is the most interesting from the perspective of the game, at the end of the day you feel more like the side supporting character in a main character's quest and that's not a bad thing. All the sort of special chosen one tropes are rested on the shoulders of the character Ciri. And when I think about, it I realize it serves as a sort of deconstruction of the Damsel in Distress. You spend half the game going 'your princess is in another castle', and when you do find her you're still under the impression you have to protect her but as story goes on, you come to realize the 'protection' she needs is not physical, it's emotional.
There is also such a warm connection between Geralt and Ciri, it's rewarding to see it progress and I'm glad it's framed that way. I can't recall the last time I've seen such well portrayed and heartfelt connections between a surrogate parent figure and child in a video game.
Related to this, is this really good video that is full of spoilers for both The Last of Us and Witcher 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pG7Wc5TUTA
Definitely one of those pieces of media that has had a bigger impact than I expected and I'm glad I've been able to dip into it.