The Highly Anticipated Witcher Game Faces an Epic Battle Against Cyberpunk 2077's Sequel

Highlights

CD Projekt Red plans to release new entries in both The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 IPs, but faces different challenges with each.

The Cyberpunk 2077 sequel offers more flexibility with its ending and protagonist options, allowing for new stories to be explored. In contrast, The Witcher 4 faces the challenge of redefining the franchise without the presence of Geralt, while still maintaining its distinct identity and avoiding living in the shadow of its predecessors.

CD Projekt Red is planning to launch new installments in both The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 series, but the developer may face different challenges with The Witcher compared to Cyberpunk 2077. The main reason behind this is the different context surrounding the sequel of Cyberpunk 2077, as opposed to the next game in The Witcher series. Despite the fact that both franchises are distinct from one another, the sequels for The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 do have one similarity: they will introduce new stories.

This is not to suggest that the upcoming games won't have connections to their predecessors, as it's highly likely that they will. However, it is unlikely that they will continue a pre-established storyline. Not much information is available about the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, but the conclusion of the game doesn't leave much room for a continuation of V and Johnny's story. The next Witcher game is also expected to feature a different protagonist, as CD Projekt Red has referred to it as a "new saga" within the same universe as the earlier games. Therefore, each game will serve as a fresh start, although the concept of a fresh start will differ between The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077.

The Witcher Could Have a Hard Time Re-Establishing Itself After Geralt

The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 both prioritize lore and world-building, but their approaches to character development differ significantly. While Cyberpunk 2077 allows players to define V's gender, background, sexual orientation, and physical appearance, Geralt in The Witcher is a more firmly established character, leaving players with less control.

The Witcher franchise has always revolved around Geralt and his story, which spans across a trilogy of games. Geralt's central role is evident in the game's source material and other adaptations, including the original novels and the Netflix TV show. In contrast, Cyberpunk 2077 takes a different approach, with a TV adaptation featuring a completely different main protagonist and cast. Additionally, Cyberpunk 2077 is based on a tabletop RPG, introducing the original character V in the 2020 video game.

Given this, the world of Cyberpunk 2077 lends itself well to storytelling that doesn't necessarily involve V or other customizable protagonists. In The Witcher 3, Geralt's story comes to a satisfying conclusion. While The Witcher universe is vast and brimming with intriguing lore, Geralt has undeniably become the face of the franchise. Other characters like Ciri, who could potentially take on a leading role in the next game, have also achieved iconic status. However, they will always be compared to Geralt, widely regarded as one of the greatest protagonists in the gaming world. Therefore, The Witcher 4, or Polaris, must redefine the franchise by presenting a world that either lacks Geralt entirely or diminishes his central role.

While Cyberpunk 2077 fans speculate about its sequel, there is less emphasis on V's role, as many are excited about the prospect of a new player character. However, The Witcher 4 faces the challenge of living up to its predecessors, as its main character and storyline will inevitably be compared to the Geralt trilogy. The upcoming game should not bring Geralt back from retirement but should still be set in the same world as the previous stories. CD Projekt Red must delicately balance creating a fresh experience while maintaining the series' distinctive identity.