The Witcherfranchise has a large fanbase thanks to the books, games, and now TV series that all center on Geralt and the world of the monster-slaying witchers. The previous installment in the series,The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, was an award-winning action RPG that impressed both critics and gamers alike with its in-depth combat systems, fascinating world, beautiful visuals, and gripping tale. But it’s been seven years since the last entry intoThe Witcherwas released, and fans were itching for a new installment. Luckily, in March of this year, CD Projekt Red confirmed thatThe Witcher 4was in development.
While the developer’s announcement was exciting for fans of the franchise, some were left a little worried afterCD Projekt Red’s revelationthat it will be the start of a new saga. As well as the news that the game’s development will be moving to Unreal Engine 5, the developer revealed that the nextWitchergame will be focused on a new school not seen in the games before – the School of the Lynx. With so many potentially tumultuous changes happening inThe Witcher 4, CD Projekt Red has the chance to revisit some other established elements ofTheWitchergames, and maybe even add in some features like the ever-popular character creation mode.
RELATED:The Witcher 4 Should Take One Side Quest Cue From Geralt
Moving Away From Geralt
Having an already established main character with pre-existing relationships, backstories, and personality traits can work really well. Other expansive RPGs likeHorizon Zero Dawnand its sequel draw players into the world because they’re seeing it througha compelling character like Aloy, and the story has emotional resonance because of her.The Witchergames function in a similar way, with Geralt starring front and center in the previous games to provide context to the story and serve as the catalyst for a lot of the action. He’s a popular character, and so far has been an integral part of the games, but some could argue that his story arc is at an end and the series should start to move on from the White Wolf.
It seems as ifThe Witcher 4is heading in this direction anyway with the new focus on the Lynx school and a potential move away from the School of the Wolf. This could mean that CD Projekt Red will present players with another fully formed character,perhaps a witcher from the Lynx school, or it could explore the new story through a previously established character. But many feel like this fresh start forThe Witcherfranchise should give players the chance to create their own characters and craft the witcher they would like to play.
Creating A New Adventure
Geralt is such a striking and well-established character that it seems unlikely the developer will be able to offer up another fully-formed witcher that will have anywhere near the same impact. By giving players the chance to create their own character, it will help with the game’s role-playing and giveThe Witcher 4a new take that could help set it apart from its predecessors. This could also open up the protagonist’s skillset and make it more customizable, especially given the focus on a new witcher school which would feature different combat techniques and philosophies tothe School of the Wolf.
While some players are hoping to have the chance to play a more Ciri-centric game with Geralt’s adopted daughter as the protagonist, a character creation mode just offers so many more opportunities. Geralt and Ciri’s relationships with other characters wereintegral parts of the plot ofThe Witcher 3and gave the game a lot of its heart and humor, but it would also be interesting to see a slightly fresher witcher establishing these kinds of relationships for themselves over the course of the game.
Details of the new game are incredibly thin on the ground, and apart from a few comments about the new school and the shift in focus, fans have mostly been left in the dark. It will bebittersweet to leave Geralt behind, but with the start of the new saga, players should be able to have a hand in shaping the next chapter ofThe Witcherwith a character of their own.
The Witcher 4is currently in development.
MORE:The Witcher 4: What Lynx Mythology Could Say About the New School
