

It was frustrating, yes, but it worked as a charming wake-up call of sorts, and as a crucial component of the game's mature personality.

The original game had a deadly gauntlet for a tutorial, a misstep which got it lambasted while a dragon roasted players again and again. The Witcher 2 is a gorgeous, thoughtful and brassy adventure with a surprising number of sharp edges.

That isn't to say it's been streamlined to a fault. The "Enhanced Edition" feels authentic and comfortable on the Xbox 360. The PC version remains superior, capable of more clarity and sophisticated effects, but plug in a controller and the Riveting Polish Game transforms into something you'd rather play ensconced in a couch. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings has always been a console game in disguise.
