As a kid, I loved digging through my parents' DVD collection.
I saw the South Park movie,a regrettable choice, but also classics like Blackadder andThe Matrix.
It was a goldmine of a film library, but one day I stumbled ongoldgold - the good stuff.
They had all threeLord of the Ringsfilms - the extended editions.
When I booted up the first game, I was like a drowner in headlights.
The combat is janky and it has aged like milk in the hot sun, but I didnt care.
Tough, butShani every time.
Naive little James hadnt even encountered Iorveth,the devilishly handsome rogue elf freedom fighter.
My first fantasy love wasSkyrim.
I dont blame you, frankly.
It wasnt a great opener.
I saw my cousin playing as a Vampire Lord, burning down Morthal and killing everyone in sight.
I was sold right there and then.
Fitting then that another game, The Witcher, roped me back into fantasy.
Of course I was hooked!
But it really reminded me of what I love most about the genre.
The Witchers titular charactersblur the line of good and bad.
So do the humans.
So do the elves.
So do the monsters.
People might look good, but their hearts arent always in the right place and they dont alwaysdogood.
Fantasy can be an escape, but I love when it isnt.
The Witcher gave me that, an alternative that I could dig my teeth into.
Next:The Witcher Interview: Anya Chalotra On Bringing Yennefer To Life
