Summary
The Witcherseries, developed by CD Projekt Red, is a cult favorite for a reason: the games in the series have featured some of the most fleshed-out worlds in RPG history.The Witcher’s Geralthas always been at the heart of this series, as the eyes that players see the world of the Northern Kingdoms with. Apart from providing intricate storylines filled with political intrigue, the games in the series have fulfilled power fantasies for millions of fans by providing powerful spells.
WithThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntbringing Geralt’s story to a close,The Witcher 4is primed to take the story away from his point of view. Longtime fans of the series will finally be able to explore new areas and stories, especially those that take place at a different point in the timeline, whether it’s years before the rest of the games, or years afterBlood and Wine, the last entry in the series chronologically. With the new freedom allotted to the sequel,The Witchercould flesh out the combat even more in the fourth installment by introducing new signs without interfering with the pre-established lore.
How The Witcher 4 Can Reimagine Signs
Signs are an integral gameplay element that only got further refined with each sequel to the originalWitcher. Whether it’sthe Igni signthat Geralt uses to spew fire at his enemies, or Aard, which is akin to a force push, signs have always served as a powerful way to shake up the core gameplay and combat system.The Witcher 4can push this further by introducing more signs and tactics to counter enemies — either by using different elements like air and ice that are yet to be used, or using them in dialogue options, something thatThe Witcher 3dabbled in but never committed to.
More Signs Are Slightly Difficult to Incorporate While Staying Religiously True to the Lore
The Witcheroriginated as a series of high-fantasynovels written by Andrzej Sapkowski, and the original books still form a basis for most of the lore. In this universe, Witchers have been around for hundreds of years, with their own code and sets of rules. Signs are important tools that Witchers use, and as a master Witcher, Geralt knew how to use all of the signs that the Witchers before him were able to develop. However, this is exactly what makes it difficult to add more signs to the storyline, at least as long as one stays in line with the lore.
How The Witcher 4 Can Blaze Its Own Path
The Witcher 4doesn’t need to remain beholden to the lore and rules that guided its predecessors. Now that Geralt’s story has been completed, the sequel will bring its story to a new protagonist, and perhaps a new setting too. This is important because the new story could take place in an entirely different time, either before or after the rest of the games, either showing older signs that were discovered and developed by ancient Witchers before being forgotten or by featuring a never-before-seen Witcher creating their own signs to use against enemies. With the latest School of the Lynx teaser image, this has become a complete possibility, as Lynx hails from fan-fiction rather than officialWitchercanon.
This freedom in playing with the setting and the timeline could be a great way to branch out from the other established parts of the franchise, too. The series has largely focused on a few key characters and storylines throughout its history, including that of theNilfgaardian Empire.The Witcher 4could introduce players to new kingdoms, empires, and lands, giving CD Projekt Red the freedom to create a world entirely of their own making that maintains enough of the original lore to branch out without making any major contradictions.
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.
