In an interview with Eurogamer, CD Projekt Red's lead designer Mateusz Kanik said The Witcher 2 devs are big fans of FromSoftware's 2009 dark fantasy RPG Demon's Souls -- a title noted for its high difficulty level. It's the type of challenge CD Projekt Red hopes to bring to The Witcher 2.
And for hardcore gamers hoping to earn cred by speed running The Witcher 2 on Insane (like one Japanese gamer did by completing Demon's Souls in a ridiculous 54 minutes), CD Projekt Red has other plans.
"It won't be easy to not fight the monsters. We fixed that by giving all opponents special abilities which allow them to catch the Witcher," Kanik told Eurogamer. "Undead can dig into the ground and get up near the player. So when you run he will dig up in front of you and grab you. It will be harder to just run and avoid the fight."
In addition to adding Insane, Kanik said the studio plans to reward fans of the original Witcher by allowing players to import save files to the sequel. And if you didn't play the first game, CD Projekt Red is even considering a PS3 Mass Effect 2 style story generator that will allow players to make decisions that will impact the game.
"In The Witcher 1 the story was non-linear, like in The Witcher 2. We want to import information about your decisions in The Witcher 1, and to make consequences of those decisions in The Witcher 2 so it will impact the storyline. Of course, not a new story, totally. Only little differences."
"We want to give the possibility to import some items from your inventory," Kanik continued. "Of course, not all because it impacts the game balance. Money, for example, we can't give, because the game economy will be ruined. But for sure there will be an option to import some weapons and armour."
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is being developed for Windows PCs and set to ship in spring 2011. PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions are also in development and are expected to ship in late 2011.
Sharkey says: I like what CD Projekt Red is cooking. In an era of games that hand-hold players from start to finish, it's refreshing to hear a developer actually wants to challenge us. Bring it. 
