Posted May 27, 2011
Salutations.
I recently finished the game in a Roche playthrough, and am interesting in discussing just what exactly Geralt accomplishes in the end.
Essentially, it seems to me that for the most part, Geralt's accomplishments are more on a personnal level than "world-shaping" (as it were).
After all, the assasin's ploy actually works: Nilfgaard is on the warpath and the Northern Kingdoms are in disarray due to the Kingslayer's actions. For the most part you are after the Witch's circle (well, Sile at least), which is precisely what Nilfgaard wants.
Just about the only major change effect Geralt might accomplish is that he eventually finds out that Nilfgaard was behind the assassins' work, and so hopefully this will help the Northern Kingdoms unite to oppose the empire, as they realize they were manipulated into fighting one another precisely so the empire can move in.
Beyond that, however, Geralt's achievements are definitely more personnal and more Witcher-specific: you defeat powerful monsters and curses that threatened innocents (and get paid for it), you save Triss (or Foltest's daughter, or something else if you are with Iorveth, I woudln't know), you defeat/cure the dragon and generally go around help people. And, of course, Geralt also unlocks his memories (which ultimately is more important for him).
But ultimately, none of this has any major effect to the actual state of the world as of the end of the game: Nilgaard's plan works out and the invasion has begun. Things would likely not have differed much if Geralt had never gotten involved.
Now, I am not complaining, as this does fit with The Witcher's theme in general: focus on the smaller accomplishment, and where a Witcher should make a difference, Geralt definitely did. And of course his personal quest continues (I imagine the next game will not be about stopping Nilfgaard, but rather finding Yennefer in Nilfgaard... though it is likely THAT will require fighting the empire of Nilgaard at some point *grin*).
I think that this is an interesting topic to discuss, and wanted to share my thoughts on the matter, after spending some time pondering the ending. :)
Thank you.
Itkovian
I recently finished the game in a Roche playthrough, and am interesting in discussing just what exactly Geralt accomplishes in the end.
Essentially, it seems to me that for the most part, Geralt's accomplishments are more on a personnal level than "world-shaping" (as it were).
After all, the assasin's ploy actually works: Nilfgaard is on the warpath and the Northern Kingdoms are in disarray due to the Kingslayer's actions. For the most part you are after the Witch's circle (well, Sile at least), which is precisely what Nilfgaard wants.
Just about the only major change effect Geralt might accomplish is that he eventually finds out that Nilfgaard was behind the assassins' work, and so hopefully this will help the Northern Kingdoms unite to oppose the empire, as they realize they were manipulated into fighting one another precisely so the empire can move in.
Beyond that, however, Geralt's achievements are definitely more personnal and more Witcher-specific: you defeat powerful monsters and curses that threatened innocents (and get paid for it), you save Triss (or Foltest's daughter, or something else if you are with Iorveth, I woudln't know), you defeat/cure the dragon and generally go around help people. And, of course, Geralt also unlocks his memories (which ultimately is more important for him).
But ultimately, none of this has any major effect to the actual state of the world as of the end of the game: Nilgaard's plan works out and the invasion has begun. Things would likely not have differed much if Geralt had never gotten involved.
Now, I am not complaining, as this does fit with The Witcher's theme in general: focus on the smaller accomplishment, and where a Witcher should make a difference, Geralt definitely did. And of course his personal quest continues (I imagine the next game will not be about stopping Nilfgaard, but rather finding Yennefer in Nilfgaard... though it is likely THAT will require fighting the empire of Nilgaard at some point *grin*).
I think that this is an interesting topic to discuss, and wanted to share my thoughts on the matter, after spending some time pondering the ending. :)
Thank you.
Itkovian
Post edited May 27, 2011 by Itkovian
