Witcher 4: What do we know about the game so far?

Fans have finally received the announcement of the fourth installment in The Witcher video game series. During the traditional The Game Awards event, the Polish studio CD Projekt RED showcased an atmospheric trailer. What do we know about Witcher 4 so far?

A new protagonist: Ciri

The biggest news is, of course, the "new" protagonist. Ciri replaces Geralt. She will be played by Ciara Berkeley in the new installment. Fans immediately noticed the change in the video, and unfortunately, it wasn't without some grumbling.

Unlike the experienced Geralt, Ciri is just beginning her witcher journey. The developers want to allow players to "define" their own Ciri and create her own code based on how she handles tasks or monsters. Choices will be at the heart of the game. The world of The Witcher is definitely not black and white, and players will often have to choose what they perceive as the lesser evil.

The developers will also explain during the game how Ciri's magical abilities work and how she could have survived the Trial of the Grasses, which women are supposedly not supposed to be able to handle at all.

Geralt's cameo: Yes or no?

Geralt himself will likely appear in the game, although it is not yet clear to what extent. Personally, I would be very surprised if he didn't have some kind of cameo. In general, however, Ciri should be completely different from Geralt. She will have her own goals and motivations.

Connection to the third game and alternative endings

Will the fourth game follow up on the third? The developers claim it will! They are even going so far as to say that the story of the fourth game should account for all the alternative endings of the third one. Including the ending where Geralt likely dies. It will certainly be interesting.

New Unreal Engine 5 and open world

CD Projekt has swapped its own RED Engine for Unreal Engine 5. You can expect plenty of eye candy. It will likely be a third-person RPG again, similar to the previous installments, though that hasn't been confirmed yet. I would be very surprised if it were otherwise. An open world is a given, and we will also look into completely new areas of the Continent. The map will be approximately the same size as in the third game.

The return of Gwent

Gwent? It's coming! At least according to the developers' hints. They love this minigame, which has made its way into our physical world and even appeared as a standalone game outside the original third installment. The creators of The Witcher 4 love Gwent and claim it wouldn't be the same without it.

So when will we see the new Witcher?

Hard to say. The development of the game itself is only at the very beginning. It is certain that we will have to wait at least two more years for it. At the same time, the developers swear they have learned from the not-so-successful launch of Cyberpunk 2077 and will pace their information better instead of promising the moon. It is definitely the right approach, as unmet expectations can easily ruin the reputation of even the best game.

Witcher 4 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated games of the present. I personally spent over 300 beautiful hours in the third game (and maybe as many in Gwent itself), and I can't wait to return to the world of Andrzej Sapkowski.

Are you interested in news from the world of the upcoming The Witcher 4 game? Follow the CD Projekt RED studio YT channel.

author Karel Krajča