The Witcher Officially Returns Next Week

Initially unveiled during the gamescom Opening Night Live showcase, The Witcher 3 Remastered is slated for launch next week on September 29. This comprehensive remaster will be provided as a complimentary upgrade for existing owners across GOG, Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Alongside the base game enhancements, this upgrade grants immediate access to the acclaimed expansions, “Hearts of Stone” and “Blood and Wine,” while a brand-new expansion titled “Songs of the Past” is officially scheduled to arrive in 2027.

While the original Nintendo Switch will not receive the remaster, the game is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 29. Players who own the title on the first-generation Switch will be eligible for a seamless, free transition to the Switch 2 version. Furthermore, through a newly forged partnership between CD PROJEKT RED and Blizzard Entertainment, the title will now be available on Battle.net. Purchasing the game through this platform will grant players an exclusive Geralt-inspired character skin in Diablo 4.

This definitive edition introduces an extensive array of enhancements, featuring overhauled graphics, refined animations, deeper combat mechanics, smoother locomotion, responsive mount handling, and more sophisticated enemy artificial intelligence. Additional features include a redesigned skill tree, striking visual updates to Witcher Signs, and a vastly expanded photo mode. Moreover, the remaster incorporates cross-platform modding support, streamlined quest tracking, deeper accessibility options, a cleaner user interface, alongside noticeable optimizations for both HDR and ray-tracing.

Crafted in collaboration between CD PROJEKT RED and Fool’s Theory, “Songs_of_the_Past” will serve as a premium, paid expansion for The Witcher 3 Remastered. The debut teaser trailer showcased during Opening Night Live previewed the brand-new region of Letten, fresh weaponry such as a versatile chain, and formidable adversaries to conquer. Billed as Geralt of Rivia’s swan song, this narrative serves as the final chapter for the iconic protagonist before Ciri assumes the mantle in future sequels. According to CD PROJEKT RED, the scope of this expansion will rival the massive scale of “Blood and Wine,” offering plenty of content to keep enthusiasts engaged until the arrival of The Witcher 4.

Source: Polygon