Finished the game a while ago, the main story and plenty of side quests (including all monster contracts.) I have yet to play the expansions, but I hear are pretty massive.

Spoilers will follow, for the ending no less.

In terms of Ciri, I got the witcher ending — Ciri becoming a witcher — which was pretty neat. Would she had been happy as an empress? Possibly, but that’s less certain. Would the land benefit from her leadership? Probably, but tough luck.

One of three endings for Ciri is getting her killed (or at least lost — probably killed). That’s a mighty dark ending. Interestingly enough, it’s relatively subtle decisions that get you there, a lot of people unknowingly get that ending despite wanting and trying their best for her. For example, if you don’t agree to ransack the elf’s room up (long story), that counts against you, and if you’re a borderline case at that point, that decision alone can be the difference between her dying or not dying.

Luckily, I let her have at it. The only apparently bad decision I made was facing the lodge together with her (take notice, if you have yet to face this decision.)

That’s a whole post — or ten — in itself, the way decisions and consequences are linked and implemented in these games.

As for rulership, I got the Nilfgaardian ending. It’s not great, he’s a bit of a tyrant (and worse in the books, I hear), but it might still be the best. Better than Radovid for sure, but maybe northern rule by Dijkstra is worth consideration.

And then there’s romance. Apparently Yen vs Triss is a big topic in the community. I romanced both. Works out well, until it doesn’t. Had a hunch it might not end well, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Not only does it ruin your chances with either, but it also has a deep and somewhat poignant impact on your life ever after — leadning not to a bad life exactly, just a typical witcher life, and just not what you’d get with Yen or Triss — if the ending slide is to be trusted. Which makes sense, clearly those are rare opportunities, and once gone lost forever.

Well, that’s it. I’m currently taking a break from the game, but I’ll be back at least for the expansions. Right now, I’m midway through Metal Gear Solid 5.