The remastered version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt takes an already phenomenal RPG and enhances it for modern hardware, delivering improved visuals, smoother performance, and new gameplay refinements that make an incredible game even better. As someone who spent countless hours exploring The Continent when the game first launched in 2015, returning to this world with ray tracing, enhanced textures, and gameplay tweaks made the experience feel fresh while retaining everything that made The Witcher 3 one of the greatest RPGs of all time.
From the moment I stepped back into Geralt of Rivia’s boots, the improvements were immediately noticeable. The visuals are significantly upgraded, with ray-traced lighting, improved shadows, and higher-resolution textures making the world look more detailed than ever. The dense forests of Velen, the cobbled streets of Novigrad, and the snowy peaks of Skellige feel more alive, with improved ambient lighting and reflections that add depth to every scene. Character models have also been improved, making Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, and the rest of the cast appear more expressive and lifelike.
The biggest technical upgrade comes in the form of performance improvements. On next-gen consoles, the game now offers two modes: Performance Mode, which runs at a smooth 60 FPS, and Ray Tracing Mode, which prioritizes visual fidelity with enhanced lighting and shadows. On PC, DLSS and FSR support allow for even better performance without sacrificing detail. The result is a game that feels far smoother and more responsive, making both combat and exploration more enjoyable. Speaking of combat, the remastered version introduces gameplay refinements that make fights more fluid. The updated quick sign-casting system allows for seamless spellcasting, removing the need to open a radial menu constantly. This change alone makes combat feel significantly better, allowing for more strategic spell combinations in the heat of battle. Enemy AI has also been slightly improved, making fights feel more dynamic and engaging.
Exploration has also been enhanced, with faster loading times and new quality-of-life improvements, such as an improved map filter that helps declutter unnecessary icons. These changes may seem minor, but they go a long way in making the experience feel smoother and more immersive. Whether galloping through Toussaint’s sunlit vineyards or diving into the murky depths of Crookback Bog, every journey feels more seamless and visually striking.
One of the most exciting additions is the inclusion of new DLC-inspired content, including a new armor set based on Netflix’s Witcher series and a few additional side quests that expand Geralt’s legend even further. While these are minor additions compared to the game’s massive expansions (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine), they serve as nice bonuses for longtime fans looking for new content. Of course, the core experience remains unchanged, which is a testament to how well The Witcher 3 has aged. The deep storytelling, richly developed characters, and expansive world-building are still some of the best the RPG genre has ever seen. The choices you make still carry significant weight, shaping the world around you in meaningful ways. Whether you’re navigating Geralt’s relationship with Yennefer and Triss, hunting monsters for coin, or unraveling Ciri’s fate, the game’s narrative remains one of the best in gaming history.
While the remaster doesn’t fundamentally alter the game, it does enough to modernize it for a new generation. The improvements in visuals, performance, and gameplay refinements make this the definitive way to experience Geralt’s final adventure. If you’ve never played The Witcher 3, this is the best version to dive into. If you’re a returning player, the enhancements make it worth revisiting, offering just enough new polish to make an already legendary game feel even more magical.
