Simply put, the best RPG I've ever played.
Graphics - 9
When you look at the category of Graphics, you have to compare the game inside its genre. For an RPG to rival those of an FPS is asking a lot. That's not to say that it can't be done, since Oblivion did just that... sort of, but it is to say that when a game does its best to really stand out in its genre, you can appreciate it for what it's worth.
That being said, I have had the luxury of playing The Witcher on Max settings, running at 1900x1200 resolution. How does it look? Well, considering the game runs on the Aurora engine (development on the engine started in 1997 I beleive), for this game to look like it does on what should be considered ancient technology, I would say that even if it doesn't look like Oblivion, it gets an A+ for effort.
How does that translate? Basically, the game gets everything right in this department as far as I'm concerned. The only reason it doesn't get a 10 is because there are some framerate issues, even on the beffiest of machines. However, these aren't really gamebreaking problems.
Sound - 8.5
These days, sound is really overlooked in games. I remember it was a big deal some years back when the whole 5.1 revolution came about, but now, there really isn't a whole lot to it. if the game offers at least 5.1 surround, then you're good to go, since EAX will more or less guarantee that the sound is superb.
In this day and age, however, the sound in a game is really likened unto that in a movie. If you watch a movie, and then realise the sound more or less was satisfying, then that means the sound department did their job. The Star Wars movies are reknowned for this. No one asked questions about how a lightsaber should sound... the sound we heard was pretty much just accepted. Why? Because imagining it any other way would almost be impossible. Job well done.
Music is now more or less formulaic across the board. When the battles start, you get a heavy percussion theme with maybe a loud fan-faire if the battle is somehow important. When you're exploring, the music plays a back seat role, and is turned into more ambience.
The Witcher gets an 8.5 from me because it doesn't stand out as either breathtakingly awesome or eye twitchingly terrible. The only problems are some weird VO's but they aren't that big of a deal since they are at least passable.
Gameply - 10
You'll hear some folks on here talking about how they wish the Combat was more like some other game. Personally, I'm not going to say that sort of thing wouldn't be welcome, but I'm not going to be the guy who says a game isn't worth playing because it doesn't offer the same gameplay as some other game.
What does that mean? It means that CDProject tackled the problem of boring RPG gameplay, and turned it into something that doesn't just work, but is just fun and engaging. Would I have liked to be able to have more control on my attack patterns? Sure. Who doesn't want more control? Does that mean what I do get from the game isn't great? Not in the least.
As far as load times are concerned - I can see how this could really slow the pace of the game down, and honestly, it did get a bit annoying, but I'm used to long load times anyhow. For me, it was a walk in the park on this front.
Also, there is a bit of micro managing concerning the inventory system, but it is functional. Not to mention, the fact that people have be bothered to actually hover over the stuff in their inventory in the first place, says a lot about todays gamers. "This is too hard and takes too long. I wish it were easier and faster." Again, it doesn't bother me so much, but that's just the kind of gamer I am, especially when I understand that the game is meant to take up a lot of your time in the first place.
Value - 10
I'm just in love with this game, I'll be honest. I remember a few weeks ago thinking that I was somewhat interested, but felt like it was going to blow hardcore. i really didn't think I would enjoy the game as much as I have. There is a lot of lore behind this game, and everything is just in it's own realm.
What I particularly like about the scope is how a Witcher is more or less a "Jedi" like entity, but how when you really get into it, it becomes it's own thing. I'll admit, I first thought this was a Star Wars rip off, but then I realised what was going on with the lore.... it's really the fantasy setting I've always thought about. It's a realistic fantasy, where there are real issues in play.
I think mostly what I like about this is how it doesn't really come off as an Epic. It is Epic in it's own sense, but at the end of the day, it's about some group of guys taking something personally. You play as just one of those guys, and you're just a badass, and you don't apologise for it. That whole element shows in the game. In essense, you're the good guy... but you're also a guy who doesn't take someone's **** either.
Tilt - 10
I really liked this game... I can only say that so much.
Overall - 9.5 (average)