An Impromptu Witcher Lets Play - now with the Witcher 2!

[BloatedGuppy]

I edited my ini file and the mouse is still laggy.

I tried the Arena combat mini game - sadly, I'm guessing that the four levels I gained there don't carry over. **sigh** It did show, however, that combat is less impossible than I originally assumed. Some of my changes - either the ini or my other adjustments (I went back up to 1024x768; it didn't seem to make a difference) have made combat better.

One reason I know it isn't my computer sucking is this - Mass Effect made my computer overhead. The Witcher 1 made my computer get a little hot. The Witcher 2 is NOT making my computer hot, and is certainly not overheating. My computer is not pushing its limits like it did with ME. It's specifically a mouse issue.

Someone online said "Adjust your mouse DPI" and I'll admit I'm not sure how. I went to Control Panel, Mouse, and clicked on the options, but there wasn't one for DPI (or words that could be abbreviated DPI). Another guide said "invert Mouse DPI" which is even less clear.

FYI, I'm using a Plug-and-Play HP mouse from a different computer. Do I need special Drivers to adjust this "dpi"?

Aside from that, the only other piece of advice I can find for this is, and I quote "running it on highest settings, ubersampling off"

Could the key really be to turn the game settings UP? Could the game be lagging because I'm denying it system resources that I could choose to let it use?

Hey there. Not really sure what's up with your mouse, but here's some stuff to try:

http://witcher.nexusmods.com/mods/181

Well, i've realized that for me disabling ubersampling, motion blur and cutscene DOF and enabling v-sync and triple buffering, makes the game run in smooth 60 solid fps.

well, I disabled in game vsync and enabled adaptive vsync in the nvidia control panel. No more laggy mouse controls. I also disabled cinematic dof and the game runs fine on my overclocked gtx 460.

1 Turn off Vsync
2 Adjust your mouse DPI
3 Go into Documents\Witcher 2\Config (or "C:\Users\(Your User Name)\Documents\Witcher 2\Config") and open User.ini in notepad and set... [MouseInput] SensitivityX=0 SensitivityY=0 Smoothness=0

This thread also suggests some solutions that seem to have worked for a few people:

http://en.thewitcher.com/forum/index.php?/topic/33313-game-still-unbearable-due-to-mouseinput-lag/

It certainly sounds like you're having the dreaded mouse lag issue, and not struggling to meet the requirements.

 

[exxxed]

Hey, glad you got to finish the first game and shared every detail, unfortunately I won't be playing it any time soon, so your ''Let's Play'' felt like me playing it, I appreciate it!

So The Witcher 2, hm... like people already mentioned, it's a VERY demanding game, the reason your mouse pointer isn't lagging in the main menu and some of others is because the graphics aren't rendered behind that particular menu (aka. meditation and alchemy screens), how well did your PC run the first game (I'm referring to the in-game settings), because the same PC that I used to have before The Witcher 2, which ran The Witcher on 1600x900 resolution and all settings maxed, except for shadows, at fairly decent frames per second (didn't feel dips in frames except for the notorious areas like Kaer Morhen exterior, Swamp and Burning Vizima which were fixed by dropping the view distance from maximum to medium), wasn't even close enough to get me playable frames per second (meaning I could actually count the frames when I turned the camera around fast) on the lowest possible settings in The Witcher 2, I distinctly remember me having the same complaints regarding my experience as yourself.

You say you meet the minimum requirements, well if it's a laptop we're talking about then those requirements you think you're meeting, cut them by half (exaggeration for effect of course) and see where you stand.

The only thing I can think of that may help you is for you to try Game Booster software and play the game without anything in the background affecting your performance.

Also for comparison, you mentioned Mass Effect 3 running good, that's not a fair comparison, the engine running the Mass Effect games hasn't changed since the first iteration, the only things that changed were the assets and textures so running it good wouldn't mean anything when it comes to Witcher 2 which runs on a completely new engine developed for newer hardware (as opposed to Mass Effect's who were first and foremost made to be able to run on consoles, as for The Witcher 2 on consoles, they stripped everything down to below minimum and replaced the render engine, lighting in other words so it would become playable on such hardware, like Crytek did with Crysis 1 which was a beast at release and was never supposed to be run on such low hardware).

You can do a simple test, put everything on maximum detail level (except for Ubersampling which requires allot of power to run decently) and see how it runs, then compare it to the lowest settings and see if there's any notable difference.

If there isn't there may be something else wrong other than your hardware specs and if there is (as in, on maximum detail level it runs like you scrolling through your photo album) then on the minimum available settings is probably the best you'll be able to run it.

Best of luck to you, it's a great game and it would be a shame if you missed it because of technical issues (personally never had any after I upgraded my relic).

EDIT:

Are you sure it's just a mouse issue and not a performance one?

If so, then I'm afraid I cannot help you since I haven't experienced a particular mouse lag in the menus other than a few times in the Meditation one when I did it in wide open spaces, but wasn't that bad that I couldn't handle it.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Well, i've realized that for me disabling ubersampling, motion blur and cutscene DOF and enabling v-sync and triple buffering, makes the game run in smooth 60 solid fps.

How does one enable triple buffering? I didn't see an option for that.

Weirdly, enabling v-sync seems to HELP.

I tried turning on ubersampling, but that DID make my game slow to an absolute crawl. Like 1 frame per second or less.

My FPS rate is kinda slow (5 to 10, I think) but my computer isn't huffing at all. I'm used to games that demand a lot overheating my computer at least a little, but the Witcher 2 isn't giving me any heat problems.

I tried running on Medium Spec and things worked fine - that is, no differently than low spec. The loading times might have increased a little.

I tried high spec, and the loading times quadrupled and I got that same 1 FPS issue I did with low spec + uber.

So it seems I can run low or medium spec just fine, but I can't run high. Fair enough.

I did reduce my Mouse Sensitivity to 0 - that seemed to help the mouse going past where I want it to a little bit, but it still moves slowly. I tried adjusting the mouse movement speed (which is apparently what DPI means) but it didn't seem to do much of anything, and having my mouse settings that different makes my regular mouse use incredibly annoying.

Here's something weird too. I went back to Arena with the current settings (lowish + Vsync and Anti ailising turned on) and the fighting was less sticky. I'm actually doing pretty well in the arena.

However, in the game, I still have trouble using the mouse to select dialog options with Triss (I keep asking her about that Dragon as a test).

Is the Arena mini game better at Frame rates than the main game? Or is the camp where Triss is particularly bad? I haven't gone on because I wanted to get the issue with the settings sorted out first.

BTW: In case it isn't obvious, I'm a Console Gamer. I hate messing with settings like this. One thing about a PS3 - you don't have to mess with this shit. You install the game, and then you play it.

If I can't work this out, my spouse has semi-offered another, slightly newer computer to try to play the Witcher 2 on. If that happens, I'll be using that GOG backup I got with the CD key rather than this Steam version.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Hey, glad you got to finish the first game and shared every detail, unfortunately I won't be playing it any time soon, so your ''Let's Play'' felt like me playing it, I appreciate it!

No problem! ^^ I'm glad I could let you live vicariously through me.

So The Witcher 2, hm... like people already mentioned, it's a VERY demanding game, the reason your mouse pointer isn't lagging in the main menu and some of others is because the graphics aren't rendered behind that particular menu (aka. meditation and alchemy screens), how well did your PC run the first game , because the same PC that I used to have before The Witcher 2, which ran The Witcher on 1600x900 resolution and all settings maxed, except for shadows, at fairly decent frames per second, wasn't even close enough to get me playable frames per second (meaning I could actually count the frames when I turned the camera around fast) on the lowest possible settings in The Witcher 2, I distinctly remember me having the same complaints regarding my experience as yourself.

Really?

I'm pretty sure I remember people in this very thread telling me that I'd have no trouble running the Witcher 2. The "minimum" requirements and recommended requirements seemed to reflect this.

However, I will say this - this is NOT a gaming laptop. It's a work laptop. It has a MASSIVE processor for what it does (an Intel core i3) good RAM, but I typically have not played many games on it aside from older ones like Planescape Torment, Temple of Elemental Evil, and Mass Effect 1.

Yes, I wasn't talking ME3 - I played ME2 and ME3 on the PS3. When I said that Mass Effect overheated this laptop, I was talking about Mass Effect 1. On the highest settings, without an external fan. The external fan let me run ME1 on very close to max graphics settings without a problem.

The Witcher 2 is the most recent game I've played on this machine. However, unlike ME1, the Witcher 2 isn't causing any heat. That means my processor isn't running at full capacity. And I have no idea why.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

BTW: In case it isn't obvious, I'm a Console Gamer. I hate messing with settings like this. One thing about a PS3 - you don't have to mess with this shit. You install the game, and then you play it.

If I can't work this out, my spouse has semi-offered another, slightly newer computer to try to play the Witcher 2 on. If that happens, I'll be using that GOG backup I got with the CD key rather than this Steam version.

I was just cut and pasting various suggested options from around the net. No idea if any of them would work.

As I said, it SOUNDS like you're dealing with the fussy/hard to solve mouse issue, so migrating to a new PC is probably your best bet for a resolution at this point, especially if you're not comfortable doing extensive trial and error.

Sorry it's been giving you such a headache so far. When I recommended it I did not anticipate it being this problematic for you.

 

[Norrdicus]

Yes, I wasn't talking ME3 - I played ME2 and ME3 on the PS3. When I said that Mass Effect overheated this laptop, I was talking about Mass Effect 1. On the highest settings, without an external fan. The external fan let me run ME1 on very close to max graphics settings without a problem.

The Witcher 2 is the most recent game I've played on this machine. However, unlike ME1, the Witcher 2 isn't causing any heat. That means my processor isn't running at full capacity. And I have no idea why.

It really is bizarre if Witcher 2 doesn't stress your CPU at all compared to ME1.

I remember using Mass Effect 1 as a benchmark game for my current computer. It had a really crappy video card, Nvidia GT420, though still way better than my former laptop's was. GT420 could run ME1 at full settings. I don't even think ME1 had anti-aliasing.

Then later I got a GTS450, which is 3 times better in most benchmark tests than 420, and yet only lets me play Witcher 2 on medium or medium-high.

Still have to upgrade parts further for Witcher 3, starting from my power supply that I feel is insufficient (300W) even for my current computer

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I was just cut and pasting various suggested options from around the net. No idea if any of them would work.

As I said, it SOUNDS like you're dealing with the fussy/hard to solve mouse issue, so migrating to a new PC is probably your best bet for a resolution at this point, especially if you're not comfortable doing extensive trial and error.

Sorry it's been giving you such a headache so far. When I recommended it I did not anticipate it being this problematic for you.

I realize. I google searched several of those options myself, and tried the ones I didn't mention.

I don't have an Nvidia card, so I have no Nvidia console to open or adjust.

I'm at work, with my laptop, and every so often (when I'm not busy) I mess with the settings and boot the game just long enough to see if there was any change. The results of my messing around I then post, hoping someone spots something.

I'm just saying... as much as I enjoy PC games, this is why I don't consider myself a PC Gamer. I hate dealing with compatibility crap. I'd much rather I could just plug-and-play this. Particularly since the Witcher 2 is no longer top-down isometric. If I wanted to play an over-the-shoulder action game, I'd rather play on the PS3. Like Dragon Age.

 

[The Madman]

I'm surprised you're having troubles with Witcher 2. My computer is still running a Geforce GTX 8800 which for the record is now pushing seven years old and still runs Witcher 2 just fine on medium/low specs, which might not sound like much but even on those setting Witcher 2 is still one of the best looking games I've ever seen. Seriously, even on low/med settings the game is just stunning to behold.

Gameplay feels a bit rough initially but you quickly get used to it and once you've got it figured out plays extremely well. I've tried with both gamepad and keyboard/mouse and found I preferred the keyboard & mouse approach but both work quite well.

Hopefully you'll be able to get into it soon, if you've enjoyed the original Witcher then its sequel is definitely something you'll enjoy.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I realize. I google searched several of those options myself, and tried the ones I didn't mention.

I don't have an Nvidia card, so I have no Nvidia console to open or adjust.

I'm at work, with my laptop, and every so often (when I'm not busy) I mess with the settings and boot the game just long enough to see if there was any change. The results of my messing around I then post, hoping someone spots something.

I'm just saying... as much as I enjoy PC games, this is why I don't consider myself a PC Gamer. I hate dealing with compatibility crap. I'd much rather I could just plug-and-play this. Particularly since the Witcher 2 is no longer top-down isometric. If I wanted to play an over-the-shoulder action game, I'd rather play on the PS3. Like Dragon Age.

It's been quite a while since I had compatibility issues (like, a decade or more), but I can recall how annoying it was, so I sympathize completely.

Witcher 2 *is* available on consoles if you wanted to go that route, although at like...10 times the cost assuming you snapped it up on one of the many Steam/GOG sales. Which is one of several reasons why I'm not a console gamer. =P

I never really saw Witcher 1 as an isometric game. At all. I guess it was an over-the-shoulder that you could pan the camera way up in. I played the entire game over the shoulder, so I view the sequel as a natural extension.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

It's been quite a while since I had compatibility issues (like, a decade or more), but I can recall how annoying it was, so I sympathize completely.

Witcher 2 *is* available on consoles if you wanted to go that route, although at like...10 times the cost assuming you snapped it up on one of the many Steam/GOG sales. Which is one of several reasons why I'm not a console gamer. =P

Indeed. 8 bucks.

However, I believe the Witcher 2 is only available on X-Box. I'm a PS3 girl.

I never really saw Witcher 1 as an isometric game. At all. I guess it was an over-the-shoulder that you could pan the camera way up in. I played the entire game over the shoulder, so I view the sequel as a natural extension.

There's an option in the first Witcher game, after your click on New Game, for over-the-shoulder or isometric. I jumped on isometric because I fucking LOVE isometric RPGs. I've helped Kickstart three different Isometric RPGs this year, including the new Torment game.

On an unrelated point - practicing in the Arena, I really REALLY miss Group Style.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

There's an option in the first Witcher game, after your click on New Game, for over-the-shoulder or isometric. I jumped on isometric because I fucking LOVE isometric RPGs. I've helped Kickstart three different Isometric RPGs this year, including the new Torment game.

On an unrelated point - practicing in the Arena, I really REALLY miss Group Style.

I love isometric too, and also kickstarted...god what haven't I kickstarted...Torment, Eternity, Wasteland 2, Shadowrun...but I have nothing against over the shoulder. There's been excellent over the shoulder games as well. And Witcher 2, frankly, runs circles around the first game regardless of perspective.

However, I believe the Witcher 2 is only available on X-Box. I'm a PS3 girl.

Ah. Bummer.

On an unrelated point - practicing in the Arena, I really REALLY miss Group Style.

Group style was pretty cheesy. I wasn't crazy about the combat in Witcher 2, but I absolutely HATED it in Witcher 1. Witcher 1 was a game I played *in spite* of the voice acting, scripting, and general game play. Which sounds pretty fucking bad, I know, but there were moments here and there that kept me going for a while. Witcher 2 might've been my game of the year.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I'm surprised you're having troubles with Witcher 2. My computer is still running a Geforce GTX 8800 which for the record is now pushing seven years old and still runs Witcher 2 just fine on medium/low specs, which might not sound like much but even on those setting Witcher 2 is still one of the best looking games I've ever seen. Seriously, even on low/med settings the game is just stunning to behold.

Well, as I've said, it's weird. It isn't stressing my computer the way Mass Effect 1 does, but it is giving me a terrible frame rate (around 5 to 10 FPS) aside from the mouse issues. I get the same FPS on low and medium spec (it drops at higher spec) and I've played with the Resolution and can't get it higher.

I can live with 10 FPS if I have to. It's jerky, but playable. However, the mouse control is still pretty awful.

I'd like to get the FPS higher. In Mass Effect, turning off anti-alisaing massively increased my frame rate, but that didn't work in the Witcher, and turning it on seems to help the mouse a little bit (and doesn't seem to lower Frame rate) so I'm really unsure.

My main problem is the input delay. I've realized that the mouse isn't the only issue - when I press the WASD keys, there is a one second delay on Geralt actually doing anything. I thought that was Frame Rate at first, but I'm not sure anymore.

Speaking of which, here's something I found on a Steam forum about this issue. One poster suggested that the OP didn't have the specs, but the OP replied with this:

You know like in any other game that is exactly what happens, you drop the graphics the game play improves. However, the Witcher 2 doesn't improve with anything you do. And the fact that the frame rates are the same at highest compared to lowest suggests it isn't my hardware causing it. If it were I'd be getting 3 fps on highest and just under 30 on lowest or something, not the same on both.

I'm having similar. At the very highest, I get slow down, but from medium-high to low, I get exactly the same Frame rate, no matter how much I lower the resolution or graphic options. That's WEIRD.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I absolutely HATED it in Witcher 1. Witcher 1 was a game I played *in spite* of the voice acting, scripting, and general game play. Which sounds pretty fucking bad, I know, but there were moments here and there that kept me going for a while.

^^;;

I actually enjoyed the combat in the first one. Like I said, I went to Raven's Crypt to kill the respawn monsters because I was having fun just killing monsters. Running around a room to spawn five or six wraiths, baiting them to attack me, Igni to set them on fire, and then group style, group style, group style. ^^

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Here's a quick question.

I'm currently assuming that Steam would have given me a fully updated and patched version of the game, and that Steam would have attempted to patch it for me if it needed it.

However... I'm not sure that's the case. Should I be downloading patches for this thing?

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I'm currently downloading the game onto my spouse's laptop. It's much newer (one year old rather than mine which is three years old now). However, I honestly have no idea what kind of specs it has, so this is a total long-shot.

Edit: This is gonna take a while, so don't hold your breath or anything. I'll probably try it out late tomorrow or this weekend.

 

[The Madman]

Here's a quick question.

I'm currently assuming that Steam would have given me a fully updated and patched version of the game, and that Steam would have attempted to patch it for me if it needed it.

However... I'm not sure that's the case. Should I be downloading patches for this thing?

You have an updated version. The original release of Witcher 2 had neither a tutorial or the arena mode, both were patched in, so you're clearly playing with the 'Enhanced Edition'. And in terms of controls there's always a slight delay between you give a command and Geralt responds, I had that as well although not to the degree you seem to be having it.

I'd say just give the game a bit of a try and play through the prologue at least. Of all the sections in the game the arena and tutorial were probably the two which most brought my older computer to its knees, the main campaign however ran just fine and I quickly got used to the slight delay in actions. Once you get used to the combat its got a great feel to it.

Have you checked to see if your video drivers are up to date? It's a really simple process to update them and if you're running an old driver it could easily explain the framerate issues on a newer game like Witcher 2.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I'd say just give the game a bit of a try and play through the prologue at least. Of all the sections in the game the arena and tutorial were probably the two which most brought my older computer to its knees, the main campaign however ran just fine and I quickly got used to the slight delay in actions. Once you get used to the combat its got a great feel to it.

Wait, you had slowdown in the ARENA?! That's where I get the least lag - the Arena is quite playable. The framerate isn't awesome, but it's FAR better than Triss's tent. Combat isn't exactly smooth, and I can't seem to get those parrys to work even after taking one rank of the skill, but otherwise it's been pretty good.

Although - the dodge seems pretty useless, other than for running away to let my Swallow potion tank damage. I've been shot by an arrow in mid-dodge, which seems to make the dodge seem kinda useless.

I'm asiding - the point is, if the Arena and Camp are the two worst framerates of the game, then I might well be okay further in.

Still, I spent all the time downloading it on my Spouse's computer, so I might as well give that a try. I will copy over my save files from the Witcher and should be able to pick up pretty much right where I left off.

 

[The Madman]

Wait, you had slowdown in the ARENA?! That's where I get the least lag - the Arena is quite playable. The framerate isn't awesome, but it's FAR better than Triss's tent. Combat isn't exactly smooth, and I can't seem to get those parrys to work even after taking one rank of the skill, but otherwise it's been pretty good.

Although - the dodge seems pretty useless, other than for running away to let my Swallow potion tank damage. I've been shot by an arrow in mid-dodge, which seems to make the dodge seem kinda useless.

I'm asiding - the point is, if the Arena and Camp are the two worst framerates of the game, then I might well be okay further in.

Still, I spent all the time downloading it on my Spouse's computer, so I might as well give that a try. I will copy over my save files from the Witcher and should be able to pick up pretty much right where I left off.

Arena was probably the most laggy part of Witcher 2 for me, absolutely no trouble with Triss's tent whatsoever. And bloody hell first time I stepped outside that tent and saw the trebuchet firing away I was awe struck. Maybe it's just my inner history nerd talking but FINALLY a game that got siege weapons right, it's so annoying to watch countless movies and games that get medieval weaponry all messed up. I must have spent ten minutes just standing there watching the crews reload the trebuchet and ballista. And then I saw knights. In armour. That was actually realistic armour. Blew my mind!

Why the hell is a fantasy game with elves and dwarves about mutant monster hunters more realistic than 90% of its competition? Gah!

Anyway dodge is essential so learn to love it, it's so much a part of the game that the devs have deliberately removed it from Witcher 3 since they felt Geralt was spending too much time rolling around instead of fighting. No, seriously. On higher difficulties it's essential as one good hit from the tougher monsters and enemies you'll meet later on can decimate Geralt. His speed and ability to dodge is his best asset... well that and magic. Magic is pretty handy too!

And do check your video drivers if you haven't. An outdated driver would perfectly explain why older games are running fine whereas Witcher 2 is causing trouble.

 

[Norrdicus]

Although - the dodge seems pretty useless, other than for running away to let my Swallow potion tank damage. I've been shot by an arrow in mid-dodge, which seems to make the dodge seem kinda useless.

Because ranged enemies are so rare in the main game, the dodge is generally overly useful. Makes fights look silly with Geralt rolling everywhere the moment he feels a bit surrounded and/or vulnerable.

Anyway dodge is essential so learn to love it, it's so much a part of the game that the devs have deliberately removed it from Witcher 3 since they felt Geralt was spending too much time rolling around instead of fighting. No, seriously. On higher difficulties it's essential as one good hit from the tougher monsters and enemies you'll meet later on can decimate Geralt. His speed and ability to dodge is his best asset... well that and magic. Magic is pretty handy too!

Not necessarily tougher enemies either, a good swipe in the back by a Nekker (a weak agile undead critter that fights in groups) can almost kill you from full health.

It's as if the game knows this so it occasionally spawns enemies far behind you who will dash at your location. You really have to listen to your surroundings at all times. I've had the thought "Shit, someone just dug out of their hole! Better get the fuck out of this cave" too many times to count

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

I just loaded the game on my spouse's laptop. I haven't had time to transfer my saves, so I just loaded the Arena.

IT's FUCKING PERFECT!

I just WRECKED shit. It was smooth, beautiful - the framerate is amazing.

Okay, THAT was fucking fun. Nothing slow or sticky about that.

I just beat the first three levels in less than 20 seconds each.

Okay, so problem solved. I'll be using my spouse's laptop to play the Witcher 2.

Oh... and I DID just update the driver on the graphics card on this computer. Perhaps after my next restart I can see if this oen works better now. But I'm not sure I'm even going to bother because HOLY CRAP it runs beautifully on my spouse's laptop.

Thanks everyone for your attempts to help me make this thing work on my laptop. I guess three years out of date was just a bit too much for this old thing.

Or maybe my spouse just has a better graphics card than I do. I bought this thing for a work and video watching (as in Hulu) laptop originally.

Edit: I should also note - both my spouse and I have two laptops EACH.

I have this laptop, my work/video games laptop. I also have my old laptop which is my "going to a dangerous website to download homebrew game stuff, play flash games, or whatever else I don't want to do on my good work laptop" laptop. My spouse has a "internet/videos... and apparently the Witcher 2" laptop and a "word processing only" laptop.

If it isn't obvious, I fucking love laptops.