The Witcherseries continues to keep a spotlight on itself even though the most recent game released over six years ago. Thanks to the fantastic experience thatThe Witcher 3provided, the live-action Netflix series, and the addition ofThe Witcher 3 - Game of the Year Editionon PS Now,the franchise continues to gain new fans and keep veterans engaged. With word that CD Projekt Red has started development on the studio’s next big-budget title fans are hopeful that it is some iteration ofThe Witcher 4.
The first three games inThe Witcherprovided a solid foundation for another entry, though there are some caveats. Firstly, it is important to consider Geralt’s story. His goals as a character and the narrative that concluded withThe Witcher 3feels like the end of the franchise’s time with him as a playable character, and that is fine. Then there is the sentiment thatThe Witcher 3was the end of the trilogy. In the past, it has been expressed that while more games will likely be based in theWitcheruniverse they will not beWitchergames as fans have known them.
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The New Witcher Game
While a true-to-heartWitcher 4is not the most likely game on the way, consideringThe Witcherwas Geralt’s trilogy, a game that follows characters other than Geralt is entirely possible.The Witcherfranchise has vast lore and endless possibilities for what can be pulled on from its universe, and there is no shortage of potential protagonists available. This is all great consideringThe Witcher 3solidly closes the book onGeralt of Rivia, especially with theBlood and Wineexpansion.
Because theWitchergames take place after the books and build up a lot of their own story, there is plenty of room for more exploration, encountering legendary beasts, hunting monsters, and the like.
Ciri in The Witcher 4
A newWitchergame that in the vein ofThe Witcher 4could easily find a new story and main character in Ciri. While she was playable in the past, her narrative was heavily tied to Geralt. Her story is full of intrigue and the time she spends away from Geralt sees her develop her power and skills as a fighter. Ciri’s life has also introduced her to many different people, from many different walks of life, allowing a story about her to be just as rich and full as the one about Geralt.
This coupled with the possible endings that players achieved inThe Witcher 3leaves a lot of room for Ciri as the player character in the next game. Such as story could lead Ciri to old allies and new ones while also highlighting how she has grown from her experience with the Wild Hunt. For someone so young compared to the Witchers, sorcerers, and elves of the world, there is a lot of growth that can happen. Ciri also has plenty of people around to train and guide her, like Triss andYennefer, should she need it.
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No Geralt in The Witcher 4
A change from Geralt as the main character might feel sudden but it would likely be beneficial to the series.The Witchergames have been compelling throughThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,but the end of Geralt’s quest to find Ciri felt much like him trying to hold onto what was. Players being able to play as a different character and experience the world through new eyes in the fourthWitchermight provide an experience that fills out some aspects that may have been lacking in previous titles.
A new main character in the nextWitchergame could create room for more emotion and depth. Geralt’s perceived sense of neutrality could be useful but also affected how he interacted with characters and events around him. Though the emotions of players often directly affected certain outcomes in-game there is no denying that Geralt’s inability to fully devote himself outside of the witcher lifestyle had a negative impact on himself and even those he cared about, likeCiri.
How a new main character and game might differ is something that probably will not be known for a while though. With the fourth game hopefully in development, fans may get to see how picking sides can affect the game more than self-serving neutrality in the future but that future could be far off. Still, it would be fantastic for the next major title from CDPR to be another installment inthe ever-growingWitcherfranchise.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis available now on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch, with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions coming in 2021.
