A long-time fan of The Witcher 3 has expressed delight with the newly released remastered version of the game, praising its changes to the skill tree and combat system. The remaster, announced by CD Projekt Red just a month ago, is now available, updating the award-winning 2015 original for modern consoles.
Visual and Mechanical Overhaul
According to the fan, the improvements go beyond graphics, though those are notably enhanced. The original game's murky hues have been replaced with crisper graphics, better ray tracing, and a lighter colour palette. Shadows appear more realistic, textures look better, and both trees and animals have a more lifelike appearance. Velen sunsets are described as more beautiful, and the effects of Witcher Signs look flashier. The remaster also justifies its hefty 45GB file size with deeper changes under the surface.
Streamlined Skill Tree and Improved Combat
The skill tree represents the most obvious change from the original, completely altering how the game can be played, especially in its early stages. Previously, skill progression was unwieldy, forcing players to choose between hundreds of options to curate an ideal build hours into the game. Now, the game allows upgrading Geralt's attack power from the start, eliminating the wait until level 30 to feel like a champion monster hunter. The streamlined redesign offers a smaller selection of options, mostly geared towards generating Adrenaline in combat, which can be upgraded and stacked relatively quickly.
Combat has also seen significant improvements. In the 2015 game, fighting often involved clunky dodging and swordplay with little grace, and switching between enemies was time-consuming and annoying. Now, enemies move faster and respond better, with more fluid and intelligent behaviour. Geralt moves like a whirlwind, especially with new finishers that have a distinctly Red Dead Redemption 2 feel. Responsive targeting makes switching between opponents easier, making combat feel more natural, to the point where the fan forgot they were playing a 10-year-old game.
Quality-of-Life Fixes and Free Update
Improvements extend beyond the battlefield. Previously problematic climbing and mantling are now smoothly integrated with Geralt's movement. Roach's tendency to bug out and do odd things, such as climbing trees or hovering over water, has been fixed. Quest tracking has been updated, allowing tracking via small white diamonds on the world map.
The care put into updating the game extends to small details, such as visuals. For the first time, the developers have added transmogrification, enabling players to keep the stats of one weapon while swapping its visuals for another. This is described as another example of the studio listening to its fans.
The remaster is described as the perfect present for people who love the game, offering the best possible playing experience. Notably, it is entirely free, which the fan calls a treat in an era of expensive games. The update offers more than enough to keep even the most dedicated fan occupied until The Witcher 4 arrives.
