To commemorate the release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt GOTY (Game of The Year Edition), we are republishing our review from 2015-06-17.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was one of the most anticipated titles in the gaming world. Could this fantasy role-playing game from a Polish studio, undertaking its first AAA project, truly deliver on the immense expectations?
The anticipation surrounding CD Projekt Red‘s epic The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was palpable. After a delay from the previous year, a common occurrence in the demanding landscape of next-gen console development, the game finally launched on May 19, 2015. Even before release, discussions abounded regarding pre-order numbers (reaching one million, and now surpassing four million) and concerns that the impressive graphics showcased in trade show demos might not translate to the final product (recalling the Watch Dogs controversy). The question loomed: would Witcher 3 be another AAA title that over-promised and under-delivered?
Based on the fantasy book series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the game centers on Geralt of Rivia, a “Witcher” who earns his living by hunting monsters. The story unfolds on an expansive, unnamed continent, as meticulously detailed as Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings or George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. Kingdoms and powerful royal houses clash, the formidable Nilfgaard empire steadily expands its territory, and Redania is ruled by the tyrannical Radovid The Stern. The land of Temeria, familiar from the first two games, has largely vanished, leading players to forge new alliances, such as with the Viking inhabitants of Skellige, in the search for the missing Cirilla. While numerous characters from the previous games reappear, prior knowledge of the world or characters is not essential to fully appreciate Witcher 3 (though it certainly enhances the experience). The three stripes forming the “3” in the logo represent both scratch marks and a subtle reference to the spectral Wild Hunt, the game’s primary antagonists. This title marks a fresh start and, judging by its reception, signifies the beginning of a significant franchise.
The original Witcher was a modest title from a relatively unknown Eastern European studio. While it holds some historical value, it’s not particularly recommended for modern gameplay. The second installment, Assassin of Kings, was significantly improved and offered for free to Xbox 360 users via Gold. It presented a more refined action-RPG experience, although with somewhat clunky combat and a mediocre camera (reminiscent of Fable). The Witcher 3 represents a complete transformation, achieving a new level of quality across all aspects. CD Projekt Red has crafted an expansive open world, boasting exceptional technical achievements in graphics, sound, and writing, and delivering 40-100 hours of engaging content. In many respects, Witcher 3 is comparable to Dragon Age: Inquisition, another top-tier RPG, but surpasses it in visual fidelity, narrative quality, and overall depth. Players familiar with DA: Inquisition will recognize elements such as resource gathering for potion crafting, fast travel between locations, and structured quest progression.
The world within The Witcher 3 is truly massive, offering extensive areas for exploration and approximately 280 quests, along with numerous storylines and the addictive card game Gwent. While open-world games can sometimes feel unfocused, featuring repetitive tasks and generic “fetch quests,” Witcher 3 avoids this pitfall. Although many missions involve familiar mechanics like monster slaying, investigation, or treasure hunting, the exceptional writing provides a unique context for each task. This context fosters engagement and often presents multiple solutions. While combat is always an option, alternative approaches can yield superior outcomes. Certain moments are particularly memorable, such as assisting a flawed baron in confronting his past actions towards his family. Other scenarios involve navigating romantic choices, hunting legendary creatures, and making difficult moral decisions. In these instances, Witcher 3 transcends the typical action-RPG, offering a compelling, cinematic experience where player choices directly influence the narrative.
The game’s graphics are exceptional. The forests feel authentic, the grass realistically sways in the wind, and the atmosphere evokes the scent of pine needles on a crisp morning. The lighting effects are stunning, and the dynamic day-night cycle and weather system create immersive environments. The character animations are fluid, and the facial models are generally well-rendered. While the sheer number of characters necessitates some repetition, CD Projekt Red has successfully created unique faces with expressive features. Some may criticize the final game for lacking the “transparent smoke” or detailed textures seen in pre-release demos. However, such criticisms overlook the overall quality and detail of the game. While The Witcher 3 may not achieve the same visual fidelity on consoles as it does on a high-end PC, this is a result of hardware limitations. CD Projekt Red has committed to releasing patches to improve the game’s graphics and performance. The final product remains remarkably close to the original concept, rendering such complaints insignificant. The Witcher 3 excels through its narrative and gameplay, and minor graphical differences do not detract from the overall experience. It stands as one of the most visually impressive games available.
The sound design is equally impressive. Like a high-budget Hollywood fantasy film, Witcher 3 features outstanding voice acting, expertly mixed sound effects, and a remarkable soundtrack that blends Slavic folk music with Hollywood-style orchestration. Doug Cockle delivers a standout performance as Geralt, portraying the character’s complexity with nuance. Witchers undergo a dangerous ritual as children, receiving magical potions that grant superhuman abilities, such as enhanced hearing, sight, and the capacity to consume performance-enhancing elixirs. However, this process also results in a loss of emotions and sterility, albeit with a heightened libido. Despite these limitations, Geralt remains a relatable and compelling character. He does not moralize, and his actions reflect the player’s choices. Players can choose to portray him as a cold-blooded professional or a more compassionate figure, and all choices have consequences, leading to 36 different endings.
The gameplay and combat mechanics have also undergone significant improvements. While combat is not the game’s strongest aspect, players will learn to effectively combine dodging, attacking, and exploiting enemy weaknesses. Drawing inspiration from Dark Souls, the game presents a challenging but rewarding experience. A head-on approach is often ill-advised, and retreating to reassess the situation is sometimes the best course of action. Players can adjust the difficulty level to prioritize the narrative, but this is not recommended, as it diminishes the satisfaction of overcoming difficult encounters. In addition to the core quests, players can engage in crafting, alchemy, and the card game Gwent. This elven card game offers a deceptively simple yet engaging experience that can consume hours as players seek to collect the best cards and defeat skilled opponents. Gwent involves strategically deploying cards with specific values and abilities to create a powerful army on the playing field.
The Witcher 3 represents a remarkable achievement for a studio of CD Projekt Red’s size. While not a small indie developer, their resources are considerably less than those of industry giants like Ubisoft and EA. Such an ambitious project is inevitably prone to bugs, but Witcher 3 has been remarkably polished since launch. Occasional crashes and graphical glitches have occurred, but the overall stability of the game is impressive, particularly considering the demanding hardware requirements.
Parts of the game you can play as Ciri, your lost protege
For those who have read this far, it should be evident that we are very impressed with The Witcher 3. It is a game that defines a generation, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship in every aspect. Loading times can be lengthy, particularly when transitioning between areas or after dying, making the digital version a worthwhile investment (especially with an upgraded hard drive). The PS4 version offers slightly better visual fidelity than the Xbox One version, although the latter maintains a more stable frame rate. While neither console achieves 60 fps, a consistent 30 fps provides a smoother experience. For the ultimate visual experience, a high-end PC is recommended.
Regardless of your chosen platform, The Witcher 3 is an essential gaming experience. It is a mature, epic fantasy adventure that represents the pinnacle of virtual world design. The engaging gameplay is an added bonus. However, it is important to note that the game contains mature content, including violence, sex, and drug use. After spending over 100 hours on the main adventure, the promise of 16 free DLC additions and two larger expansions with approximately 30 hours of additional content further enhances the value. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an exceptionally well-made game that may very well be the best title of the year, if not the decade.
Despite this, there’s still more to explore and enjoy for a long time.
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