If you’ve waited for a good reason to get back on Roach’s back and return to White Orchard, Vizima, Novigrad, Skellige, and other places on the Continent, now you’ve got it! The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has just received the long-awaited next-gen update. Let’s talk about new features and content.
Witcher 3 next-gen
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt belongs to the very exclusive group of the best video games ever created. The game was released in May 2015, while its last expansion, Blood and Wine, hit the shelves a year later. Fortunately, it wasn’t the end because modders have still been expanding The Witcher 3 with new content and improvements. CDP Red developers have not been idle either. In October 2019, Geralt finally reached Nintendo Switch, yet everybody was wondering when he would start slaying monsters on the next-gen consoles. Of course, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was available on Xbox Series S|X and PlayStation 5 but only through backward compatibility. Players desired the proper Xbox Series and PS5 Witcher 3 upgrade.
Release date
The long-awaited announcement finally came in May 2022, when CD Projekt Red revealed that the next-gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt would be released by the end of 2022. The exact release date was disclosed in November, when The Witcher 3 next-gen update was scheduled for December 14, 2022. Luckily, everything went according to plan, so the upgrade was released that day.
The Witcher 3 next-gen update is available as a free upgrade for everyone who has the game. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S owners who haven’t befriended Geralt yet, can get The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition, which includes the base game, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, and smaller DLCs.
Features and content
Most of the new features and improvements enhance the visual side of the game. For instance, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X players can enjoy the famous ray tracing. There are also updated models and textures, so the characters and environment look much better than in the original game. We may also experience a new type of weather and try an alternative camera that is closer to Geralt and more dynamic. The Witcher 3 next-gen update also includes numerous modes made by both the developers and the community.
If you want to play The Witcher 3 on different platforms interchangeably, you’ll be able to continue your adventure smoothly, thanks to the cross-progression option. Moreover, everyone who loves spending time taking perfect screenshots will appreciate the Photo Mode.
The update also brings tons of quality-of-life and gameplay improvements and fixes. Unfortunately, owing to some technical problems, not all Geralt fans are making toasts with Toussaint Red. Some Steam Deck and PC players, in particular, experience performance issues. We hope that those problems will be solved shortly.
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On the other hand, we’re sure that everyone appreciates the new content added to the game with the next-gen upgrade. For instance, from now on, we may make Dandelion/Jaskier look like Joey Batey, who plays the bard in the Netflix series. Also, Nilfgaardian armors may look like their counterparts from the show. You may choose the alternative appearances in the options -> gameplay menu. Just bear in mind that you have to do it before loading your saved game. Furthermore, after updating your game or buying the Complete Edition, you’ll be able to claim some additional items, such as a new Gwent card (Roach) and the Thousand Flowers gear set (swords and armor pieces). Nonetheless, a far more important addition is a brand new quest.
The new quest
First of all, the Witcher 3 next-gen update adds a new quest called In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow. It’s excellent news, especially for players who have already finished Geralt’s journey and completed all the side activities.
To start the In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow quest, you have to travel to Devil’s Pit in Velen. On the road just outside the quarry, you’ll meet a young deacon of the Church of the Eternal Flame. Talk to him, and he’ll ask you to get rid of deserters who have taken over an abandoned mine and will inevitably release a plague demon who resides there. Killing the marauders is only the beginning of the quest because Geralt must explore desolated caves, uncover their grim secrets, and examine the case of the alleged specter.
The In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow quest may not be one of the most exciting Witcher 3 missions; however, it combines all the elements we love about the game. There’s some fighting, a piece of exploration and detective work, a compelling mini-story, and a moral choice.
Forgotten Wolf School gear
Finishing the In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow unlocks a new scavenger hunt mission. Unfortunately, the quest is very short and requires only finding some notes in Kaer Morhen. However, the reward is quite satisfying as you’ll get diagrams allowing crafting Forgotten Wolf School gear, including:
- Forgotten Wolven Armor
- Forgotten Wolven Trousers
- Forgotten Wolven Gauntlets
- Forgotten Wolven Boots
- Forgotten Wolven Steel Sword
- Forgotten Wolven Steel Sword – mastercrafted
- Forgotten Wolven Silver Sword
- Forgotten Wolven Silver Sword – mastercrafted
Once you get the diagrams, you’ll only have to visit the best armorer and blacksmith so they can craft your new gear. The Forgotten Wolven pieces are inspired by the Netflix The Witcher series. Hence, if you like Henry Cavill’s appearance as the White Wolf, you’re going to love the new armor.
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