The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, known in Polish as *Wiedźmin 2: Zabójcy królów*, is an action role-playing game from 2011. It was created by CD Projekt Red and draws from Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novel series. This title follows the 2007 game *The Witcher* and serves as the second major entry in the video game series. It launched on Windows, Xbox 360, OS X, and Linux. Critics and players received it well, and by September 2014, sales had surpassed eight million copies.

In terms of gameplay, this installment differs noticeably from its predecessor. Combat became more involved, adding the ability to set traps and throw ranged weapons. Geralt, the protagonist, gains a broader set of tools for both offense and defense, including melee weapons, armor, bombs, traps, and secondary items like hatchets and shovels. Upgrades follow four separate tracks: a training path that must be completed first and covers basic abilities; swordsmanship, which sharpens Geralt’s blade skills; alchemy, which offers benefits like reducing potion drawbacks; and magic, which enhances his Witcher Signs. Certain sections of the game introduce a stealth mode, where players must avoid detection to reach a goal. They can stun enemies from behind, though a direct fight with guards is also an option.

The story puts players in control of Geralt of Rivia, one of the few remaining witchers—humans trained and enhanced to hunt monsters. The game includes branching paths and multiple endings. It begins with Geralt in prison, suspected of killing King Foltest of Temeria. Vernon Roche, head of Temerian special forces, questions him and learns how Geralt went from being Foltest’s trusted protector to a prisoner. Foltest had a secret affair with Baroness Maria Louisa La Valette, resulting in two children, Anais and Boussy. After Geralt saved Foltest from a witcher assassin, the king tried to claim his children, sparking a war with the baroness. Geralt helped Foltest reach them, but an unknown killer struck down the king and vanished, leaving Geralt as the prime suspect. Roche decides Geralt is innocent and helps him escape. Together with the sorceress Triss Merigold, they hunt for the kingslayer.

In the first chapter, the group arrives in Flotsam and is ambushed by Iorveth, a rebel elf. They suspect a witcher, believed to have killed King Demavend of Aedirn, is working with the rebels.