For some reason, Witcher fans are now going in droves back to the video games, specifically The Witcher III: Wild Hunt after having binged Netflix’s The Witcher show adaptation. It has gotten so widespread that the game has even enjoyed its highest concurrent player count just recently, which meant a lot more people are playing it compared to when it was first released.
Whether the fans are doing it due to utter disappointment from the mixed Netflix show or by merely wanting more Witcher adventures, you can’t help but make comparisons between the two adaptations. How each handled their source material can’t really be compared directly since they have different plots and stories, however, it’s undeniable that one handled another’s certain aspects better. Here are some of those aspects.
10 LEARN FROM THE GAMES: BUILD-UP
In the very first episode of The Witcher show, fans are immediately treated with a huge (but poorly strategized) battle as a visual spectacle to hook the viewers. However, it’s clear that they shouldn’t have used that ace up their sleeve way too early. As it is, that battle is quite significant to the plot and the problem is that it’s easy for the viewers to dismiss the emotional and narrative weight of such a plot.
Netflix really should have built-up to the fight just like how the video games were always escalating the story. A battle where the viewers better understand the scope, the stakes, and the sides is a lot more impactful than one thrown just for visual impact. The show could use some cues from the video games when it comes to building up tension that needs to explode not just for battles but other story elements too.
9 DID BETTER: EXPLANATION OF MAGIC
One thing that the show does better than the video games is how it came up with its own rules for magic. They called it “chaos” and made it so that casting or utilizing it requires a physically equivalent payment. By comparison, the video games utilized magic more like a plot device that the storytellers can change out of convenience or when the plot necessitates.
This made for a more puzzling rule of magic where one might wonder why sorcerers haven’t taken over everything in the video games. In the show, it’s pretty easy to believe why this is the case. There are times when this rule gets blatantly disobeyed but it does add a touch of lore to the already rich universe of The Witcher.
8 LEARN FROM THE GAMES: BETTER PACING
A valid complaint about the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher is the rushed plot and the rapid introductions and exposition. It can sometimes feel as if the show is cramming in two or three books into one season and wants to get it over fast in order to make Geralt and Ciri’s paths converge.
This can be problematic as the information overload isn’t welcome for non-fans and can make the show boring with more telling and less showing. The video games and more patient way of showing information and letting players/viewers take their time is something that can be appreciated by everyone. It certainly makes the story and the happenings more digestible.
7 DID BETTER: GERALT’S CONFLICTS
One thing the game is at a disadvantage is presenting Geralt’s struggles. After all, the star in the Witcher games is primarily the game world. That’s why the books usually do a better job of presenting Geralt’s thoughts and woes. The show, directly following the books, also puts a spotlight on Geralt’s internal conflicts.
As a result, the viewers can feel a more personal connection with Geralt from the show since we’re quite aware of his struggles from being abandoned by his sorceress mother to getting bullied by most of the humans he’s met. This form of personal storytelling works better in shows than games since they control the narrative instead of the players.
6 LEARN FROM THE GAMES: COSTUME DESIGN
Prior to The Witcher’s release, someone actually leaked the costume/armor of the Nilfgaardians and this caused quite an uproar since the design isn’t exactly conventional or familiar. Sadly, despite the outrage, the showrunners had no choice but to continue with the wrinkled Nilfgaardian armor. Truth is, they need not look far, the games already laid out the foundation for menacing Nilfgaardians.
Not only that, but the games also have better culturally distinct attire in general. Mousesack’s robe comes to mind– it really should have looked more Skelligan instead of something sewn in the Northern Kingdoms. All in all, the games simply have better concepts for armor and clothing.
5 DID BETTER: BIGGER BATTLES
While the Netflix show has a problem building up battles and explaining the repercussions of said battles, it spares no expense in making them grand. You can see this not just in the big metallic human moshpits but also in small lethal skirmishes like the one between Geralt and Renfri’s gang.
Bigger and well-choreographed battles such as this (including the battle of Sodden as well) helps foster a sense of scale and epicness that’s usually hard to achieve in video games due to hardware and graphical limitations. Plus, the A.I. of the games usually isn’t that intelligent.
4 LEARN FROM THE GAMES: INTERESTING MONSTER CONTRACTS
Geralt being a witcher opens him up for some interesting detective and monster-slaying activities. This was something the developers of The Witcher 3 saw and took full advantage of. They fill the third game to the brim with engaging monster contracts that make the Striga of the show look boring in comparison.
Of course, you can’t really blame Netflix for this since it’s just following the path that the books’ author laid out. However, Geralt could use some riveting monster contracts that will test his intellect and skill as a monster hunter, maybe even self-contained monster contract episodes– it just makes for good television formula from time to time.
3 DID BETTER: CIRI’S DEVELOPMENT
Say what you will about Ciri in the games but they did skip quite a lot in her development as a child. If you’re not a fan of the books, Ciri might only be half as interesting for you as a white-haired goddess of time and space– she doesn’t get much background beyond that in the games.
The show adaptation, meanwhile, appears to have taken its sweet time developing Ciri out and turning her from a scared runaway girl to a one-of-a-kind witcher who can travel between realms. We’ve definitely not seen the end of her and she’s yet to get indoctrinated into witcher training. The next seasons of the show will surely provide that.
2 LEARN FROM THE GAMES: BETTER SWORD DESIGN
Despite the action choreography being better for some of the show’s fight scenes compared to the games, you can’t help but notice that the swords look a little too bland. Even Geralt’s iconic witchering swords look like they didn’t get much craftsman love. His swords in the video games, on the other hand, look like the work of artists with an unparalleled experience.
Granted it is easier to make a digital sword than a physical one but certain YouTube channels have already revealed that it’s very much possible to replicate Geralt’s swords in the game. Perhaps Netflix could have hired those guys instead?
1 DID BETTER: YENNEFER’S BACKSTORY
It was easy for the show adaptation of The Witcher to portray Ciri’s development since it’s well-documented in the books, but making up a great backstory for Yennefer (albeit with great help from the books) and turning her into a big a star as Geralt is in the show is just commendable effort on the showrunners’ part.
In fact, one might even argue that the first season of the show appears to be more about Yennefer than Geralt given her development and narrative twists. Of all the main characters, she also received the most creative liberties. This makes Yennefer more fleshed out in the show compared to her digital counterpart in the third game.
NEXT: The Witcher: 10 Worst Things Yennefer Has Done, Ranked
