CD Projekt Red has finally shared gameplay footage of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions, also revealing every upgrade coming to the next-gen version of the 2015 RPG.
Revealed during a CD Projekt Red Twitch livestream, a handful of developers outlined the upgraded visuals, brand new quests, cross-progression, and more that’s coming to The Witcher 3 when the update is released on December 14.
CD Projekt Red confirmed that graphics settings will be added to console, letting players choose between 30 frames per second with ray tracing or 60 frames per second without. This will be available on all next-gen consoles including Xbox Series S.
The DLC based on The Witcher Netflix series has also been expanded into its own quest, which rewards the player with the previously announced armour based on Henry Cavill’s version of Geralt. An alternative outfit has also been added for Dandelion, making him look like the Netflix series’ Jaskier.
Multiple quality-of-life-improvements
CD Projekt Red has also announced that cross-progression is coming to The Witcher 3 next-gen version, meaning players will be able to share their save between PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.
Haptic feedback has been added to the PS5 version of the game, vibrating the controller in different ways when players clash swords with enemies or cast magic signs.
Speaking of, quality-of-life improvements have also been made regarding magic wielding. The left bumper activation to switch between different signs can now be changed, so when players hold the button down the face buttons change to represent each one. Though slightly more advanced, this addition is intended to let players remain immersed in combat without having to enter a menu.
Other quality-of-life improvements include changes to the map, as a new filter setting cleans up all the pesky question marks that fill each of The Witcher 3’s worlds. This is also intended to add more immersion to the game as players can encounter different events more naturally instead of treating them as a checklist.
The mini-map has been made more dynamic as well as it and on-screen objectives will now disappear as players explore the world on horseback or fight in combat. It can be brought up again with a single button press, however, keeping Geralt from getting lost as he explores The Continent.
Some minor accessibility features have been added too, including the ability to change the left-stick to auto sprint (instead of it being a face button prompt) and more subtitle settings.
CD Projekt Red has also addressed a number of quest bugs and performance issues alongside improving various models of foliage and other background features.
For PC, the next-gen update adds ray tracing alongside more extensive customisation options and a new photo mode. A new camera angle is also being added for more dramatic and cinematic gameplay. The optional camera sits a little closer to Geralt and off to one side, somewhat akin to The Witcher 3’s original reveal trailer.
The Witcher 3 next-gen update release is happening soon
The next-gen update was originally expected to be released last year before being delayed twice, with third party studio Saber Interactive originally developing the new version. CD Projekt Red took over itself in April 2022, though persisted that the game was “not in development hell”.
A Q4 date was set back in May but many were still worried given the two previous delays, not to mention the impending end of the year, but CD Projekt Red will seemingly meet its target having announced the December date earlier in November.
In our 9/10 review of the original release, IGN said: “Massive in size, and meticulously detailed, The Witcher 3 ends Geralt’s story on a high note,” and it also won our Game of the Year.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
