poisonjam7

I did some experiments last night, stopwatch in hand.

While standing in the middle of Novigrad a load from the title screen took 1:45:66 - damn near two minutes.

The next load from the same location, but from the pause/load screen took 1:38:26 - not much better.

Finally, a load in the same spot using the same method just for fun, took a remarkably similar 1:38:19.

Remember, these were all done on a PS4 with version 1.03 of the game. Quite frankly, these times are unacceptable. As @Teddie said, imagine how fun it is dying and having to sit through these every single time. True, the loads in Novigrad are probably the worst, but that doesn't mean the loads aren't terrible everywhere else. There are many quests in Novigrad and many opportunities to die, which means sitting almost two minutes waiting to play again.

Just to be clear, I'm not complaining about the number of quests - quite the opposite actually. There are so many I want to do, but I don't want to outlevel the main quest too much.

And to everyone saying "just don't so them." Clearly you aren't completionists. ;)

So, I've run into a bit of a problem regarding sidequests. It seems like I've outleveled most of them...

Currently I'm level 18 and am ready to move on to Skellige as far as the main quest is concerned, but I'm the kind of person who likes to do everything there is to do before moving to a new area. Some of the Witcher Contracts are in the 20's and I'm fine with coming back to those later - but it seems to me that there are just way too many sidequests and no-one could possibly be at the right level for all of these.

I tend to pick up every quest I can find and do them here and there when I get tired of doing the main quest, or if I happen to be in the right area. My main issue isn't with the number of quests, but rather the fact that they are no longer challenging since I'm such a higher level then what was intended. Plus any gear I'd be finding would be worthless. I'm worried that if I keep going like this I'm going to shoot myself in the foot and run into the same problem in Skellige - but with the main quest, which I'm already two levels above as it is!

What should I do? Forget the low level sidequests and move on to Skellige? Keep doing them and move on after I'm done? Have you guys run in to this issue too? Surely I'm not the only one who is obsessive about finishing side content like this.

Witcher contracts are my favorite quests, and I really enjoy them when they are challenging, so I'm really hoping I haven't already screwed myself for any that are in Skellige. I was actually hoping I'd run in to the quest xp bug so I'd stop leveling so much!

@sterling: hmm...I didn't notice that. I guess it didn't take that long and I missed it. Usually it takes FOREVER to install.

I love the game, but loading times and bugs are my primary complaints.

@cagliostro88: thanks! I figured it would be related to Wraiths in some way.

@zeik: ah, thanks. I haven't gone to Skellige yet. Know anything about Dark Essence?

@mb: I knew there would be some difference in the load times and graphics between PC and PS4, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. I have an SSD too, but my video card is a bit old so I chose PS4. Plus the fact that I have exactly two PS4 games (including this one)

I guess this is the price I pay for convenience over quality....

@zeik: where did you find the formula for enhanced hanged man's oil? I'm also looking for Enhanced Necrophage if anyone knows where to get that.

On topic, were does one find Dark Essence? I found Light Essence on a Wraith I killed, but I've no idea what drops Dark Essence.

Also, that sucks about the Ekimma hides. I just used one and I've killed two, so looks like I'm screwed for getting three. And I'm on PS4, so no console commands. How do you know there are exactly four other hides in chests, @sterling?

@sterling: I would say AT LEAST 30 seconds. Mine usually take over a minute. Is there an option to install to the HD? I don't remember seeing one, and I don't think it does it automatically.

I just did that quest today and was wondering the same thing. I also have a lot of quest items sticking around in my inventory after finishing their respective quests, but I'm chalking those up as bugs. One item is from a quest I did in White Orchard for crying out loud!

Can you get to that switch before going inside the lab? I wondered if it changed something inside, but didn't have the patience to go all the way through again.