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The great thing about sequels is they’re able to build upon the foundation put in place by their predecessors. The good parts of a game can be refined, the bad parts can be reevaluated, and new ideas can be introduced. The Witcher series has always held great potential as a video game but the execution took some time. The first entry employed a timing-based method of combat which was an interesting concept though poorly received by both players and critics. The second entry made great improvements including enhanced graphics, better dialogue and scripting, as well as a much more accessible combat system. With the Witcher 3 CD Projekt Red struck a nearly perfect balance, combining and refining the successful mechanics from the previous titles while incorporating fresh new ideas that make it one of the gold standards for modern action RPGs.
Based on the works of award-winning author Andrzej Sapkowski The Witcher is a high fantasy series set in an unnamed world. Make no mistake though – the world itself may be nameless, but there is no shortage of lore to delve into; as of now there are six novels, fifteen short stories, three video games, and a Netflix series currently in its third season. If you’re looking for a game with depth, a world that feels alive and lived in, The Witcher series has you covered.
The Witcher 3 casts you into the role of Geralt of Rivia, a seasoned witcher nearing a hundred years of age. Witchers are paid monster hunters and enhanced humans – mutants, who possess preternatural abilities which they’ve acquired through intense training and a strenuous, often deadly, ritual known as The Trial of Grasses. During this trial potential witchers are administered various mutagenic herbs and virus cultures. Those who survive gain superhuman speed, strength, an extended lifespan, and a host of other abilities, both major and minor. Your journey begins with a dream of Kaer Morhen, the traditional home of those that practice the witcher trade.
The main quest sees Geralt traveling the lands in search of his young ward, Ciri, who is on the run from The Wild Hunt, a group of spectral riders that traverse the night sky and are thought to be an omen of war. Alongside the lengthy and engaging main quest, you’ll be tasked with hunting down various entities including, but not limited to, wraiths, wyverns, ghouls, drowners, and werewolves. Each type of enemy is unique, often requiring different combat methods or prerequisite tasks to complete. Battles are not only action oriented but often include tactical elements as well. Side quests aren’t simply relegated to fetch-these-items-and-kill-enemies. Instead you’ll be treated to engaging, thoughtful, story driven adventures that help bring the world to life.
Released in 2015 the game received universal acclaim, earning over 280 Game of the Year awards from various publications. In December of 2022, it received a free Next-Gen update which included greatly improved visuals, alternate camera options, quality of life improvements, additional quests, and optional gear based on the Netflix series. This free update made an already excellent game even better and helped introduce the series to new players who may have missed or overlooked it the first time around.
It took CD Projekt Red some time to perfect the Witcher formula, but the third iteration became more than just a sum of its parts; it set a new standard. If you’re looking for a highly polished, story driven, single player experience, you can find The Witcher 3 on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC.
