The Witcher 4: Unleashing the Next Level of Adventure Beyond Wild Hunt's DLC+
The Witcher 4 can elevate post-launch content to new heights by incorporating the best elements from the remarkable DLCs of The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3's post-launch content is widely regarded as the gold standard for single-player expansions, with Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine receiving critical acclaim. Each expansion brought unique enhancements to The Witcher 3, and as CD Projekt Red looks towards future DLC for The Witcher 4, they should strive to capitalize on these strengths.
CD Projekt Red has recently announced several new titles set in The Witcher universe, including a remake of the first game, and The Witcher 4, also known as The Witcher Polaris, which will be the start of an exciting new trilogy. While the studio is currently focused on releasing Phantom Liberty, the sole planned DLC for Cyberpunk 2077, all eyes are eagerly awaiting news on their upcoming projects leading up to 2024. Although it is unlikely that any new The Witcher games will be released next year, CD Projekt Red will undoubtedly provide insights into their planned releases for the franchise.
The Witcher 3 Was a Phenomenal Game Made Better by its DLCs
Blood and Wine, the second expansion for The Witcher 3, introduced players to the captivating Duchy of Toussaint. This enchanting land, filled with fantasy-inspired elements, boasted its own unique culture and intriguing political landscape. Most notably, it offered a plethora of formidable monsters for Geralt to conquer. Players were immediately captivated by the expansive playable area and the abundance of content, as it added approximately 30 hours of fresh quest lines and hidden treasures to discover. Although Hearts of Stone possessed a more profound narrative, Blood and Wine's story was still commendable. However, it was the remarkable volume of new experiences and uncharted territories that led many to consider it as the pinnacle of CD Projekt Red's DLC endeavors.
The Witcher 4 Should Take Post-Launch Content to the Next Level
CD Projekt Red's upcoming game, The Witcher Polaris, is slated to release during a time when post-launch content has become the standard. In today's gaming industry, live-service games have become increasingly prevalent, with studios consistently striving to surpass expectations in terms of both quantity and quality of content provided after the initial release. Despite the concerns surrounding the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 and the lukewarm reception of The Witcher 3's next-gen upgrade, CD Projekt Red's reputation for excellence remains one of the highest in the industry. For their new titles set in The Witcher universe, the studio intends to prioritize DLC almost as much as the initial game launches.
Ideally, the studio aims to create an expansion for The Witcher Polaris that combines the masterful storytelling of Hearts of Stone with the substantial content additions seen in Blood and Wine. If CD Projekt Red can successfully deliver a DLC that captures the same level of depth found in Hearts of Stone and the expansive world-building of Blood and Wine, it has the potential to be regarded as one of the greatest expansions in gaming history—an achievement well within the capabilities of the studio. While it may be too early to speculate, it is reasonable to assume that CD Projekt Red will strive to rectify any past shortcomings and set a new standard with their upcoming DLC.
The Witcher 4 is in development.
