Alcohol has been around for decades in RPGs, and yet it's often a useless item meant to fill out the world or serve as something to do for fun. Most often, it ends up as its own form of junk item, doomed to be left behind to lighten inventory or sold for a few bucks. However, CDPR did things differently with the original Witcher game by giving booze a purpose. There is a variety of gameplay tied to alcohol in The Witcher, more so than in later games, and it's surprising that other modern RPGs haven't learned from it.
To be fair, alcohol has a use in all three Witcher games -- as a base for potions. The stronger the alcohol, the more potent the potion's effects. However, the first Witcher game took it even further, giving alcohol use outside of alchemy, like with the option to play as a drunk Geralt for an added challenge. This shows that everything in a game's world can and should be used, and hopefully, this element will remain in the remake or be improved.
The Witcher 1 Shows Drinking Can Have Different Uses in Game Worlds
One of the first encounters with alcohol in The Witcher isn't just brewing a potion; it's actually drinking for a quest. After leaving what is essentially the tutorial area and finishing the catalyst for the plot, Geralt must convince some important locals to help him out. The one nearest to him is a bit of a drinker, which means that Geralt must drink with him. In fact, there are several quests that are essentially drinking contests in the game. Geralt will need to have alcohol on him and the tolerance to out-drink his opponent. Winning often means getting information while losing means passing out for a short period.
This is a great example of how alcohol can better fit into a game's world. There are usually NPCs drinking somewhere and taverns or bars with merchants, and no one uses them because there's no point in buying alcohol. Cyberpunk 2077 is a good example of how useless it usually is. There are bars everywhere, and V sits down with someone and has a drink multiple times, but it does nothing. In Skyrim, it's a little better because, like other food and drinks, alcohol has effects such as curing poison or healing. However, The Witcher shows just how easily this mechanic can be used to complete a quest or get rewards while fostering a sense of immersion.
Drinking-Based Skills Can Serve Different Purposes in Games Like The Witcher
Additionally, skills can be built around drinking. Generally, consuming alcohol lowers attack efficiency by 50%, which means Geralt is more likely to miss his swings, but there is a talent players can take to gain buffs while intoxicated. Buzz increases damage, parry and dodge chances, and it grants immunity to Pain, a debuff that slows movement and attack. This can be useful in certain fights, as players simply have to give Geralt an easy, non-potion buff before a fight. Heavyweight is another talent that helps with drinking since it gives Geralt higher tolerance. This is a must for entering the aforementioned drinking contests as it offers a way to progress.
There are also times when Geralt will encounter friends and have a drink with them just for fun, and having a higher tolerance means he can keep up. This can unlock additional dialogue and scenes in some cases, and it only uses one lower tiered point to do so. The Witcher makes drinking worthwhile and gives the game's alcohol a purpose beyond just existing in the world. It's something many RPGs are missing out on, but hopefully, The Witcher's remake will inspire other developers to come up with interesting ways to finally use these items.