ou don’t see “witch” used as a verb often enough, especially considering the sweet array of abilities and responsibilities witching apparently encompasses. Hunting monsters, using magic, and investigating shady characters are all part of a Witcher’s mandate. Fortunately, these duties have vast video game potential, and developer CD Projekt has done a wonderful job turning them into a compelling action/RPG with some pleasant twists.

Geralt of Rivia (the titular Witcher) is an exemplar of high fantasy heroism; he has a grim, unflappable demeanor and carries four weapons at a time. Players will get a chance to use both of those traits extensively, since the gameplay mainly revolves around combat and interacting with beleaguered citizens. Of these elements, combat is by far the most interesting. The decision to go with a timing-based battle system makes the enemy encounters strategic yet action-focused. It continues to open up as you invest talent points into your base stats, magic, and swordsmanship. The quests that inspire you to go out fighting monsters aren’t groundbreaking (“Collect five of these brains…”), but at least the hunt and the kill are thrilling.

The Witcher’s traditional structure is a bit of a weak spot, but it falters more in its overwrought attempts to convince you that you’re in an unconventional fantasy world. You are supposed to feel that Geralt is burdened with decisions that are morally ambiguous, like whether to defend his employer’s medicine crates or let elves take them to treat their ill. It’s nice to get away from the standard good versus evil mechanic, but The Witcher’s method often forces you to select the lesser of two evils; it feels like nothing you choose matters since you can’t effect any kind of desirable outcome. Players should be rewarded in some way for their choices, not given a lesson on the inevitability of failure.

Complaints aside, a much larger portion of your time with this title will be spent enjoying the combat, story, and side tasks than making doomed decisions. The satisfaction of leveling up, expanding your abilities, and unraveling the mystery is enough for The Witcher to pick itself up when it stumbles.