Summary
The Witcher 4is set to be the latest entry in CD Projekt Red’s influential RPG series that has defined much of the last few generations of video games. As Geralt’s story has seemingly drawn to a close after his exploits inThe Witcher 3and its DLCs, many fans are eagerly anticipating the new direction the series will go in. The devs in charge have the opportunity to make sweeping changes never seen before in the series, including introducing a new protagonist or taking the series lore in a new direction.
A core tenet of theWitcherseries thus far is that the titular Witchers, who are essentially highly trained warriors that hunt monsters for contracts and carry two swords with them at all times. This information was first established in the books written by Andrzej Sapkowski and remains consistent in every installment in theWitchertrilogy. However, the upcoming sequel,The Witcher 4, could shake things up by ditching this established rule in favor of newer and fresher mechanics, primarily because the classic dual-wield swords seen throughout theWitchergames are, at this point, strongly associated with Geralt. A new protagonist should ideally establish a unique fighting style and therefore they may have to drop the two-sword formula.
What A Single Sword Could Look Like In The Witcher 4
Ditching this rule could be useful from a stylistic point of view if CDPR chooses to introduce a new protagonist with an entirely different personality and fighting style. This could be achieved by changingthe possible time period inThe Witcher 4, taking the story far in the past when the use of a separate steel and silver sword had not been made popular for Witchers, or far in the future when the traditional teachings of the Witcher school have either been forgotten or developed further.
IntheWitcheruniverse, steel swords work better against humans and animals, while silver swords are effective against monsters.The Witcher 4could introduce a new class of weapons, powered by magic or signs that empower them to fight against monsters and humans alike. In addition to differentiating a potential new protagonist from Geralt, this change could streamline gameplay as well since players would focus on upgrading and refining one powerful weapon instead of two.
Swords Have a Major Impact on the Witcher Franchise’s Gameplay
As an RPG series, games in theWitcherfranchise have always prioritized finding better loot in the form of weapons and armor. Special swords can be found and collected asquest rewards inTheWitcheror hidden items at the end of dungeons, for instance.
Plus, each installment offers upgrades that are integral to the main quest. However, since the player is expected to carry two swords at any time, the process of upgrading and repairing these swords takes double the time. A sequel with just one sword or an emphasis on another singular kind of weapon would not only optimize this mechanic but also add exciting new dynamics to it.
Other Major Changes The Witcher 4 Could Make
As the next installment in the franchise and the start of a new saga in the series,The Witcher 4could blaze its own path by changing the story and gameplay established in prior games in meaningful ways. A prequel story could take a look at important figures in the lore that were never fully explored in the trilogy of games orThe Witcher’s vast source material of books. This way, perhaps, players canlearn more about Witchers inWitcherloreand what makes them tick.
More exciting abilities can be introduced, too, like all-new signs that have never appeared in the preceding games. These signs could have been developed in the years betweenThe Witcher 3’s endingand the start ofThe Witcher 4if the latter takes place far in the future. Whatever the case may be, CD Projekt Red is likely to bring a new take for the established franchise — one that will leave an impact for years to come.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
WHERE TO PLAY
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you can explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRETrained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLDBuilt for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.
