9.5 /10 21

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition represents the definitive version of CD Projekt Red’s acclaimed open-world action RPG, originally released in 2015 and enhanced with next-generation updates in December 2022. With Metacritic scores of 97 on PlayStation 5 and 95 on Xbox Series X|S, The Witcher 3 ranks among the highest-rated games of all time. This Complete Edition includes the base game featuring over 100 hours of content, both major story expansions (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine adding 50+ hours), all 16 DLC items, and Netflix Witcher-themed cosmetics. Players assume the role of Geralt of Rivia, a monster-slaying witcher navigating a sprawling dark-fantasy world torn by war, political intrigue, and supernatural threats. The game’s revolutionary approach to side quests, character writing, and player choice established new standards for open-world design that influence industry titles today.

How to Play The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3 challenges players to hunt monsters, make morally complex decisions, and navigate political machinations across a vast open world. Combat blends magic signs, alchemy, weapon skill, and tactical positioning while exploration rewards curiosity with hidden quests, treasure, and lore-rich environmental storytelling that enriches the narrative experience.

1. Controls – Responsive third-person action combat with dedicated buttons for signs magic, sword attacks, and item management. Learning curve accommodates newcomers while offering depth for veterans through positioning and sign combinations.
2. Progression – Advance through main story chapters while pursuing hundreds of side quests, contracts, and exploration objectives. Character development through experience points, witcher gear upgrades, and skill trees allows meaningful customization of Geralt’s abilities and playstyle.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Strategic sword combat emphasizing positioning and tactical sign usage over button-mashing. Alchemy system provides consumable buffs, while preparation and enemy knowledge significantly impact combat success rate.
4. Tips – Explore thoroughly between main quests for powerful gear and experience. Use the Witcher Senses to track creatures and locate hidden items. Meditate to regain health when carrying alcohol or alcohest potions.

Who Should Play The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3 appeals to players seeking deep narratives, player agency, and richly realized worlds. The game rewards exploration and careful decision-making while welcoming diverse playstyles and difficulty preferences through customizable settings and quest scaling.

• Open World Enthusiasts – Players who value exploration, discovery, and world-building will find Witcher 3’s Northern Kingdoms endlessly engaging with hidden quests around every corner.
• Story-Driven Gamers – Character writing surpasses most RPGs; every side quest contains narrative depth rarely seen in open-world games, with meaningful character arcs and emotional payoffs.
• RPG Fans – Deep character progression, meaningful choices affecting story outcomes, and dozens of build possibilities satisfy players seeking traditional RPG mechanics in expansive worlds.
• Skip if – You prefer fast-paced action without ability cooldowns, linear storytelling without branching paths, or contemporary fantasy settings over dark medieval atmospheres.

The Witcher 3 Platform Performance

The Witcher 3 Complete Edition delivers impressive visual enhancements across consoles with dual-mode graphics options targeting either maximum resolution or higher frame rates. PC provides unlimited scalability through advanced graphics options and upscaling technology, while Nintendo Switch offers remarkable technical achievement through intelligent compromises.

The Witcher 3 System Requirements

The Witcher 3 features scalable PC requirements spanning from budget gaming setups to high-end gaming rigs. Original specifications remain relevant for base experience, while next-gen optimizations benefit modern hardware through ray tracing and enhanced visual features.

Similar Games to The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3’s influence on modern RPGs runs deep, with numerous titles attempting to capture its open-world magic and narrative excellence. These alternatives offer comparable open-world exploration, character-driven storytelling, or meaningful player choice within expansive fantasy settings.

• Baldur’s Gate 3 – Turn-based RPG with unparalleled player choice, branching narratives, and character-driven storytelling inspired by Witcher 3’s approach to meaningful decisions.
• Elden Ring – Open-world exploration with challenging combat, environmental storytelling, and interconnected world design that respects player agency and discovery.
• Dragon’s Dogma 2 – Action RPG with party-based mechanics, open-world exploration, and dynamic encounters emphasizing tactical combat and character customization.
• Skyrim (with mods) – Elder Scrolls predecessor featuring similar open-world freedom, character immersion, and exploration rewards, enhanced dramatically through community modifications.

The Witcher 3 vs Competitors

The Witcher 3 dominates critical reception among open-world RPGs, earning the highest Metacritic scores on current-generation consoles. Campaign length and narrative ambition exceed most competitors, while pricing has become extremely accessible through regular sales making it among gaming’s best value propositions.

The Witcher 3 Story and World

The Witcher 3 transports players into the Northern Kingdoms, a richly detailed dark-fantasy world ravaged by the Nilfgaardian Empire’s relentless expansion and supernatural threats. Geralt pursues the mysterious Wild Hunt while searching for Ciri, his adopted daughter, leading through morally complex quests that challenge notions of good and evil. The narrative spans political intrigue, personal vendettas, monster hunts, and romantic subplots woven through hundreds of side quests that feel integral to the world rather than disposable content. The game’s storytelling excellence derives from exceptional character writing, branching dialogue shaped by player choices, and environmental narrative design that rewards exploration with hidden stories and lore hidden in documents and NPC conversations throughout the world.

The Witcher 3 Multiplayer and Online

The Witcher 3 remains a pure single-player experience without multiplayer modes or online features. The game focuses entirely on Geralt’s personal journey and narrative, allowing developers to craft intimate character moments and consequential story choices that drive the campaign forward.

• Main Campaign – 100+ hour single-player narrative featuring three possible endings determined by player choices throughout the game.
• Hearts of Stone Expansion – 10-hour story expansion featuring morally complex contract with mysterious merchant.
• Blood and Wine Expansion – 30-hour expansion set in Toussaint, featuring new region with fresh quests, characters, and culminating story arc.
• Cross-Play – Not applicable; single-player focused experience across all platforms.

The Witcher 3 DLC and Expansions

The Witcher 3 Complete Edition includes comprehensive post-launch content spanning cosmetic items, quest additions, and two massive story expansions. Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine rank among gaming’s greatest expansions, adding substantial campaign hours and introducing beloved characters that rival main game content in quality and narrative impact.

• Hearts of Stone Expansion – 10-15 hours of gameplay; introduces fan-favorite character Shani; features complex morality-driven questline involving a merchant’s mysterious contract.
• Blood and Wine Expansion – 30-40 hours of gameplay; new region Toussaint with 30+ quests; introduces Ciri-related story elements and provides emotional campaign conclusion.
• Free DLC Items – 16 cosmetic DLC items including Netflix Witcher series inspired outfits, armor sets, weapons, and side quests like “Missing Miners” contract.
• Free Updates – Ongoing balance patches, bug fixes, performance optimizations, and quality-of-life improvements supporting the game across all platforms.

The Witcher 3 Community and Support

The Witcher 3 boasts one of gaming’s most active communities spanning Reddit, forums, and Discord. CD Projekt Red maintains regular communication with players while community modders have created thousands of enhancements ranging from visual improvements to gameplay overhauls, extending the game’s lifespan indefinitely.

• Official Forums – CD Projekt Red forums host developer discussions, patch notes, and community feedback on balance and feature requests.
• Reddit Community – Subreddit r/witcher with 300k+ members sharing builds, roleplay content, discussion, and fan art celebrating the game and books.
• Mod Support – PC version features extensive Steam Workshop support with thousands of mods adding new quests, outfits, mechanics, and graphics enhancements.
• Updates – Regular patches addressing bugs and performance; December 2022 next-gen update remains the most comprehensive enhancement, with ongoing maintenance ensuring stability.