The highly anticipated release of the Witch Queen expansion for the popular video game, the Witcher 3, on the PlayStation 4 has gaming enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. The Witch Queen promises to be a game-changer, offering players a new level of gameplay, graphics, and content. Developed by CD Projekt Red, the Witcher 3 has become a cult classic since its initial release in 2015. The game's vast open-world, captivating storyline, and complex characters have earned it numerous awards and critical acclaim. The Witch Queen expansion takes players on a new adventure set in the expansive world of the Witcher 3. The expansion introduces new quests, characters, and locations, giving players even more opportunities to immerse themselves in the rich lore of the game.
And now for the second special of the day, 1979’s The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t. I see this one often on lists of the greatest classic Halloween specials, though I never watched this one myself until last year. Like The Worst Witch, this aired seasonly on the Disney Channel until 1996; on the year of its first airing, it even won an Emmy! It concerns the infamous Count Dracula being jarred by rumors of Halloween potentially coming to an end, after which he bands together a group of the world’s most famous monsters and spooky figures to settle the matter. It soon becomes clear that the Witch had initially sparked the rumor, sick of how demeaned she feels each year, and writes up a list of demands Dracula must follow in order for her to comply and Halloween to continue to exist.
It concerns the infamous Count Dracula being jarred by rumors of Halloween potentially coming to an end, after which he bands together a group of the world s most famous monsters and spooky figures to settle the matter. He isn t in the movie for very long, but he does bring the second of the movie s two musical numbers through what I could only describe as a 70s psychedelia music video.
The expansion introduces new quests, characters, and locations, giving players even more opportunities to immerse themselves in the rich lore of the game. One of the most highly anticipated features of the expansion is the addition of new gameplay mechanics. Players will have new abilities and powers at their disposal, allowing them to tackle challenges in creative and strategic ways.
Fairuza balj the wowst witch
I gotta be real – for the most part in this Halloween TV Party, I intended on covering primarily animated specials. These are the stuff I grew up watching and what I most dearly connect with the holiday all the way into adulthood. I do plan on mixing it up a bit by throwing in a couple of live-action TV specials here and there (as I’m doing right now), but I just want to make this fact a bit more concrete moving forward. Okay, now that we’ve got that settled, here’s what I watched recently!
The Worst Witch is a British made-for-TV film that is based off a successful series of children’s books by Jill Murphy. It aired first on HBO and then on the Disney Channel during the Halloween season, up until around 1996 – which explains how I never saw it as a kid, since I was too young to have discovered TV! As the title alludes, this film is about a young witch-in-training named Mildred (played by Fairuza Balk in only her second role since Return to Oz) who has been deemed the “worst witch” by both her peers and instructors, in a sort of proto-Harry Potter institution. The bulk of the narrative in the first half shows a number of instances wherein she struggles to keep up with other witches – mixing potions, casting spells, flying on her broomstick. To add insult to injury, even her assigned cat is a gray and white tabby instead of a black cat like the rest of her classmates, since her headmaster claims to have run out of black kittens.
Immediately, the cheapness of this film’s aesthetic is clear. While the costumes are just the right amount of garish to be more endearing than anything else, the set design is a tad more painful to look at. The flying scenes are accomplished by a tremendously gaudy green screen effect; in many of the shots, the clipping is so distractingly poor. Even more ridiculous is the decision to add voice-acting for the cats, with numerous scenes given this annoying, “meow, meow, meow” backing noise that doesn’t really work. Still, there is something pretty charming about the cheapness of this production. This is pretty much sealed sometime in the first act of the program where we see a troupe of witches cackling and plotting the downfall of the school, while singing a fun musical number dancing around a bubbling cauldron. It’s this kind of campy goodness that makes the Halloween season so great.
But let’s clear the air by mentioning what has got to be the very best thing about this special – Tim Curry as the Grand Wizard (don’t read too much into that title, please). His character is introduced as a special guest for the school’s annual Halloween fest. He isn’t in the movie for very long, but he does bring the second of the movie’s two musical numbers through what I could only describe as a 70s psychedelia music video. It’s an ungodly amount of green screen and just as cheap-looking as the previous instances of green screen – but even better. Really, this scene just has to be seen to be believed. I’m sure that if I had watched this movie at all as a youngster, I would have eaten up these visuals and the accompanying song as well!
As for the non-campy parts of this special… well, there aren’t too many. But it’s comforting to see that Fairuza Balk demonstrates an impressive amount of vulnerability and range at such a young age. It soon becomes clear that much of Mildred’s failures are actually a result of senseless bullying by fellow classmate Ethel, and the special becomes more of a tale of how Mildred can rise above this while also finding her place in the world. It’s quite a pleasant, wholesome adolescent tale, while having enough of the spooky Halloween aesthetic to keep things interesting. It’s one I’d surely recommend to any young witch who hasn’t yet uncovered this magical treat. Bonus points as well for Charlotte Rae playing two entirely different (twin) witches with unique looks and personalities – and playing them both super convincingly!
And now for the second special of the day, 1979’s The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t. I see this one often on lists of the greatest classic Halloween specials, though I never watched this one myself until last year. Like The Worst Witch, this aired seasonly on the Disney Channel until 1996; on the year of its first airing, it even won an Emmy! It concerns the infamous Count Dracula being jarred by rumors of Halloween potentially coming to an end, after which he bands together a group of the world’s most famous monsters and spooky figures to settle the matter. It soon becomes clear that the Witch had initially sparked the rumor, sick of how demeaned she feels each year, and writes up a list of demands Dracula must follow in order for her to comply and Halloween to continue to exist.
I gotta be honest: although I know this special is beloved by many, it’s really hard for me to get into. First of all, these costumes and sets are hilariously cheap – yes, even cheaper than The Worst Witch! Although seeing that this is a comedy and there are few things funnier than grown adults acting completely earnestly in garish Halloween costumes… I guess it succeeds there. Secondly, though, the humor of this special relies primarily on flimsy one-liners and slapstick gags – including the ol’ Scooby-Doo doors effect. I think there’s something to be made of the fact that these monsters feel that the new generation no longer fears them and the ridiculous humor sort of plays upon this… but I just don’t find much of it very funny. And I’m sure that this itself is the way time has aged such humor, but on its own it tends to move at a snail’s pace.
Overall, not a whole lot happens in this special. Just a bunch of shenanigans, with a final, heartwarming resolution that conveniently ties everything up. I will admit that I enjoyed this special more with this second viewing than I did with the first last year, so maybe that means I’ll come around to it with subsequent viewings? Bah, who knows. Oh, by the way, this particular Halloween special ends with a totally random disco party over the end credits, which is the most 1979 thing about it! That alone makes it well worth your time, I think.
As for the non-campy parts of this special… well, there aren’t too many. But it’s comforting to see that Fairuza Balk demonstrates an impressive amount of vulnerability and range at such a young age. It soon becomes clear that much of Mildred’s failures are actually a result of senseless bullying by fellow classmate Ethel, and the special becomes more of a tale of how Mildred can rise above this while also finding her place in the world. It’s quite a pleasant, wholesome adolescent tale, while having enough of the spooky Halloween aesthetic to keep things interesting. It’s one I’d surely recommend to any young witch who hasn’t yet uncovered this magical treat. Bonus points as well for Charlotte Rae playing two entirely different (twin) witches with unique looks and personalities – and playing them both super convincingly!
This adds a refreshing layer of depth to the already immersive gameplay experience. Furthermore, the Witch Queen expansion is expected to push the boundaries of graphics on the PlayStation 4. CD Projekt Red has a reputation for delivering visually stunning games, and the Witch Queen is no exception. The game's graphics are expected to be even more breathtaking, with improved textures, lighting effects, and character models. The release of the Witch Queen expansion on the PlayStation 4 is a significant milestone for both CD Projekt Red and PlayStation gamers. It provides an opportunity for players who may not have had access to the game on other platforms to experience its magic. Additionally, the PlayStation 4's large and dedicated player base ensures that the Witch Queen will have a thriving community of players to connect and share their experiences with. In conclusion, the release of the Witch Queen expansion on the PlayStation 4 is a momentous occasion for fans of the Witcher 3. It promises to deliver an enhanced gaming experience with new gameplay mechanics, stunning graphics, and an immersive world to explore. Whether you are a long-time fan of the Witcher series or a newcomer to the game, the Witch Queen expansion is definitely worth checking out. Get ready to embark on a thrilling new adventure as the Witch Queen takes the gaming world by storm..
Reviews for "The Witch Queen: A Marvel of Game Design on PS4"
1. Jessica - 2 stars
I was really excited for the release of "The Witch Queen" on PS4, but I have to say I was disappointed. The graphics were underwhelming and the game felt glitchy and unfinished. The storyline was also lacking, with a predictable plot and shallow characters. I was hoping for an immersive and engaging experience, but instead, I found myself bored and frustrated. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this game to other PS4 users.
2. John - 1 star
"The Witch Queen" on PS4 was a huge letdown for me. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay. The loading times were excessive, often leaving me waiting for minutes before being able to progress further. Additionally, the game suffered from constant frame rate drops, making it nearly unplayable at times. I had high hopes for this release, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to expectations.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I've been a fan of the series since the beginning, but the PS4 release of "The Witch Queen" fell short for me. The graphics were subpar, with blurry textures and awkward character animations. The combat system felt repetitive and lacked depth, making it feel like a chore rather than an exciting feature of the game. There were also numerous bugs and glitches, including crashes that forced me to restart the game. It's disappointing to see such a beloved franchise released on PS4 in such a poor state.
4. Michael - 3 stars
As a longtime fan of the series, I have mixed feelings about the PS4 release of "The Witch Queen." While I appreciate the effort put into the storyline and character development, the technical issues overshadowed the overall experience. The game frequently froze and crashed, forcing me to restart multiple times. The graphics, while decent, could have been better, especially considering the capabilities of the PS4. If these issues were addressed, it could have been a fantastic release, but as it stands, it falls short of expectations.