Over a decade in the past, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt launched and cemented its place as one of the most acclaimed RPGs of the era. Ever since, gamers have been discovering — and returning — to this darkish fantasy world, immersing themselves in the lands of the Continent. And on September 29, they’ll have one other manner of experiencing Geralt of Rivia’s epic story with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered on XBOX Collection X|S!
Revealed on stage at gamescom Opening Evening Reside, Remastered will carry a variety of enhancements and modernizations to the sport, upgrading the expertise whereas sustaining the coronary heart and soul of the unique. And for those who noticed the announcement trailer, you additionally caught a glimpse of the upcoming Songs of the Past enlargement, releasing in 2027. However we’ll get to that later! First, let’s speak about some of the key upgrades coming with Remastered.
Visually, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered goals to carry the sport as much as extra fashionable, up to date requirements. You’ll be able to see this not solely via the improved textures throughout the setting — in addition to NPC and monsters — but in addition the reworked lighting.
All through the open world, you’ll see extra pure illumination and dramatically improved gentle and shadow. You’ll discover it in the foliage whereas searching monsters in the wilderness, in the streets of Novigrad as the solar units over the bustling market — all throughout the world. Along with enhancements to ray tracing, these modifications will make it really feel such as you’re seeing the world of The Witcher 3 for the first time once more.
In fact, seems to be are one factor, however how does it really feel? Modernization can also be a key consideration right here. Modifications have been made to fight, traversal, and common motion too.
In terms of fight, the motion now feels extra exact and clean than ever earlier than. Revamped animations play a decisive position right here, with Geralt closing the hole in fight rather more fluidly now, for instance. Some brutal new finishers additionally enter the fray, together with the Aard-based finisher that you could see in the trailer. The new adaptive digital camera additionally feeds into the manner the motion is offered; it’s extra dynamic and helps you to really feel extra immersed in the moment-to-moment swordfighting. Relying on what number of foes you’re dealing with, the digital camera will now transfer in tighter or zoom out for a wider view of your enemies. The aim is to make this really feel pure, clean, and hold you engrossed and conscious in battle always.
One of the largest mechanical modifications you’ll discover in Remastered pertains to talent timber and character development. When taking a look at The Witcher 3 holistically, it grew to become clear that there are methods to carry talent timber and character constructing extra in-line with what a contemporary RPG viewers may anticipate or be used to. Naturally, this can be a fairly basic change. The complete system has been reimagined. New perks and skills have been added, many present expertise have been reworked, and with the talent timber themselves utterly redesigned, unlocking and creating your construct turns into extra versatile and intuitive.
There’s a lot, rather more to speak about with the additions in Remastered, however for now let’s simply rapidly shout out a number of extra:
- Transmogrification — Reforge the look of your favourite weapons and armor via the magic of transmogrification! Now you by no means have to sacrifice fashion for stats. Geralt’s fashion is yours to command.
- Cross-platform mod assist — With mods accessible on XBOX Collection X|S, you possibly can create and play a wealth of customized content material. From new quests, weapons, and gear to steadiness modifications and extra, mods create a completely distinctive Witcher 3 expertise.
- Expanded photograph mode — Make recollections and seize thrilling moments with a wide selection of photograph mode choices, together with new poses, digital camera controls, frames, filters, fashions, and extra.
And Remastered additionally helps XBOX Play Wherever! Get pleasure from seamless play throughout your XBOX Collection X|S, PC, or XBOX-supported handheld, and carry in your upgraded journey with out lacking a beat.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered launches on September 29 as a free improve for all homeowners of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on XBOX Collection X|S. What’s extra, gamers who solely personal the The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt base sport will obtain each Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions without cost. This consists of gamers on XBOX One. Digital homeowners will mechanically obtain the expansions in their library, whereas disc-based gamers can declare the expansions without cost from the Retailer.
In fact, Remastered is just not the solely time we noticed Geralt seem at Opening Evening Reside. Geralt returns to the Path in the third enlargement, Songs of the Past, coming in 2027. The trailer gave a small glimpse into the darkish story that awaits gamers after they enter the brand-new realm of Letten — Dandelion’s homeland. Geralt travels alongside his good pal to assist him in a private matter, and collectively they discover a land of peace and prosperity… Not the place for a witcher, proper?
Properly, in true CD PROJEKT RED storytelling vogue, there can’t be gentle with out darkness. And in Letten, there’s a darkness lurking beneath the floor; one thing that wants the experience of a witcher. One thing solely Geralt can remedy.
Songs of the Past additionally options never-before-seen monsters for Geralt to search out and face. To even the odds, the White Wolf might be outfitted with new choices in fight. New mutagens might be accessible in the enlargement in addition to a brand new weapon that some veteran The Witcher followers may acknowledge… That’s proper, the chain! The chain weapon provides Geralt extra selection in battle, particularly with regards to crowd management. The chain itself is a nod again to the intro cinematic for the unique The Witcher sport, and it’s nice to have it change into a full-fledged half of the sport right here in Songs of the Past!
This enlargement will launch in 2027. It’s accessible to wishlist now on XBOX Collection X|S, and advantages from all the upgrades included in Remastered, too! Keep tuned for extra info on Geralt’s subsequent journey in Songs of the Past at a later date. We hope you’re able to return to the Path!