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, new customisation options, and DLC coming to The Witcher 3 when the update is released on December 14.
CD Projekt Red confirmed that graphics settings will be added, 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.
Haptic feedback has also been added to the PlayStation 5 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 been made regarding signs. 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 sign. 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.
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 option camera sits a little closer to Geralt and off to one side, somewhat akin to The Witcher 3’s original reveal trailer.
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.
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Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
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