Hey, Gamers! So, my qualification for this post is that I've read all of the Witcher books. It is my biggest flex, and Doug Cockle himself congratulated me on it (shout out to Josh for getting me the best Cameo ever). I'm currently playing through the first Witcher game, but obviously the Witcher series on Netflix focusses more on the book events so that's the main thing I am going to discuss.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
So, immediately I'm going to be clear: the answer to this question will depend on what you value most about the Witcher series. If you want the exact same experience of the books, just read the books. I'm pretty sure you could get them on audiobook if you're against reading. You're not going to get what's in the books in the Netflix show. While the books are the inspiration for the show, the show is not what the books are like.
I'm going to tell you a story about my childhood now, in order to put into perspective of how different the show is from the books. I promise it's a decent enough analogy. So, way back before 2008, I was in a fairly Christian primary school. Obviously, like most primary schools across the UK, every year around Christmas, we put on a Nativity (although, when I moved to England… we only ever did Christmas Concerts… ). For this one year, however, my school decided to be different. I think it was when it was made obvious that a lot of the kids there didn't like people with differences because it was a small town, looking back on it now. My school decided to do an 'all around the world' themed Nativity. Each class got assigned a country (we got Australia), and there was a Mary, Joseph and Jesus in each class. The base story of the Nativity was still told, but there were multiple characters who put on different accents and costumes to show how diverse my school could be.
Like, if you were really religious then you probably would've hated it. However, if you just had a fair interest in the stories of Jesus from after the Nativity story, you'd probably find this cool. That is, as long as you use good judgment here.
The difference between the regular Nativity play we put on and the 'all around the world' play that we put on reminds me so much of the difference between the Witcher books and the Witcher Netflix show that it reminded me of this play that happened closer to 20 years ago now. If you're super into Geralt's real story, you're going to hate the show (as so many people do). However, if you've just played The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and like the characters but don't know much about them… the show is okay.
I don't want to be too controversial here and actually say the show is good, because it does so much wrong. I did say to Josh, however, that it feels like a lot of the scenes that Geralt is in are more accurate to the books. We also talked about how some scenes are done quite well, both in accuracy to the story in the books, the acting and the scenery. I think if you break this show up into little bits like the acting, the small scenes, the world around them - it's decent. They did okay. What they really messed up with, however, is the plot and the timeline.
This series means so much to so many. I don't want to go on to say that x was meant to be like y because other people might have different interpretations of it and that's okay. However, the creative liberties taken with this show is a bit much. There was no need for some pretty big changes.
Ultimately, my main point is this: If you like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and want to watch the Witcher Netflix show, there's something you need to bear in mind. The story told in that show is not the story that leads to the characters as we know it. It's not our Geralt's story because too much has changed. It's the same characters, but it's like it's happening in an alternate universe. I know whatever I say isn't going to convince or dissuade you from watching the show and that's not what I want, either. I just want you to know the truth and not be confused or argue with those who have read the books on the internet: this isn't the story we know.
But that's it for this post, Gamers! Have you read the books or watched the show on Netflix? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Give this post a 'like' if you liked it, and give this blog a follow for some gaming content. Check out my socials to remain social and I will see you next post!
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