Review in Progress: The Witcher 2

GameSpot reviews editor Justin Calvert detailed last week how the evolving nature of games--and game publishers--makes the reviews process a challenge greater than it typically was in the past. His words stand on their own, so I needn't repeat them, but they do bear on our attempt to provide a timely review of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. While we ideally would have had the game for weeks already, we never did receive a prerelease copy of the game from Atari, even after countless requests. Our UK office was fortunate enough to receive a copy from European publisher Namco Bandai last week, but the game was unplayable using the retail CD key, because the game couldn't yet be activated online. We received a press key to allow us to start playing just yesterday.

So while I have spent a number of hours with The Witcher 2, I am not sure when the review will post. As you know, it is probably a very long and complex game, and while we would ideally have had a review up on the day of release, we won't rush an evaluation of any game--certainly not one as involved and lengthy as a major role-playing game. Until the review is posted, I will post screens and movies galore. My first priority is to play The Witcher 2 thoroughly and write/film a review, but I will do my best to keep you up to date, and hopefully appease your interest with media until the time the review is posted.

I will say this based on my time with the game thus far, however: the visuals are absolutely phenomenal. I look forward to sharing more with you soon!