The Witcher 4 has ignited excitement across the gaming world with its recent trailer and gameplay reveal, showcasing a breathtaking leap forward for the beloved franchise. Fans got their first real glimpse of this highly anticipated title during the State of Unreal event on June 3, 2025, where CD Projekt Red pulled back the curtain on a tech demo running smoothly on a base PlayStation 5 at 60 FPS with ray tracing. This isn’t just a game—it’s a promise of an immersive, next-level RPG experience that’s already shaping up to be a landmark release. With Ciri stepping into the spotlight as the protagonist, the series is charting new territory while staying true to its roots. Let’s dive into what makes The Witcher 4 a game to watch.
A New Era for The Witcher 4
The shift to Ciri as the main character marks a bold evolution for The Witcher 4. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that this game kicks off a new trilogy set after the events of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The trailer introduced Kovir, a never-before-seen region, with its winter capital, Lan Exeter, dazzling players with its bustling port city and vibrant markets. The demo showcased Ciri navigating the village of Valdrest on her horse, Kelpie, during a monster contract. This isn’t just a visual treat; it’s a technical marvel, with Unreal Engine 5.6 powering a fully responsive world where every element, from NPCs to foliage, reacts dynamically.
- Key Features Revealed:
- Multi-character motion matching for Ciri and Kelpie.
- Machine learning deformation for realistic horse muscle rendering.
- Nanite Foliage for dense, performance-friendly environments.
The gameplay footage highlighted a market scene with 300 individually animated NPCs, a testament to the game’s ambition to create the most immersive open-world RPG yet.
Technical Brilliance in The Witcher 4
Running on a base PS5 at 60 FPS with ray tracing, The Witcher 4 sets a high bar for visual fidelity. The tech demo showcased Unreal Engine 5.6’s Fast Geometry Streaming Plugin, which ensures seamless open-world loading. This is a big deal for players who hated long load times in previous titles. The demo also tackled performance concerns head-on, proving that stunning visuals don’t have to sacrifice smooth gameplay. CD Projekt Red’s move to Unreal Engine 5 from their proprietary Red Engine has sparked some debate among fans, but the results speak for themselves: crisp 4K visuals, real-time ray-traced reflections, and a world that feels alive.
The developers have promised a “massively responsive” world, where chain reactions between elements—like NPCs reacting to Ciri’s actions—create a living, breathing environment. However, some skepticism remains about whether the final game can maintain this performance on base consoles, especially after the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red has emphasized learning from past mistakes, ensuring a smoother release targeted for 2027 at the earliest.
Ciri’s Journey and Narrative Depth
Ciri’s role as the protagonist has stirred both excitement and controversy. Doug Cockle, the voice actor for Geralt, recently defended the choice, urging critics to “read the damn books” to understand Ciri’s significance in the Witcher saga. Her layered character, forged through trials in the books and The Witcher 3, makes her a natural fit to carry the story forward. The Witcher 4 aims to deliver tough choices that resonate emotionally, with director Sebastian Kalemba emphasizing player freedom and impactful decisions. Whether those choices lead to triumph or sadness, the goal is to make players feel rewarded for their agency.
The trailer hinted at a narrative rich with monster contracts and political intrigue in Kovir, a region known for its wealth and neutrality in the Witcher universe. Fans are eager to see how Ciri’s story unfolds, especially as she navigates a world without Geralt as the central figure. The focus on tough choices suggests branching paths that could rival the complexity of The Witcher 3’s storytelling.
What’s Next for Fans?
With a release window of 2027 or later, The Witcher 4 is still a ways off, but the hype is real. The tech demo has set expectations sky-high, and CD Projekt Red’s commitment to avoiding another Cyberpunk-style launch gives fans hope. The game’s cross-gen potential means it’ll likely shine on both current consoles and the anticipated PS6 and next Xbox. For now, players can pore over the trailer and gameplay footage, marveling at the technical feats and imagining the adventures awaiting Ciri.
Stay in the loop by following CD Projekt Red’s updates and diving into discussions on platforms like X, where fans are buzzing about Ciri’s role and the game’s stunning visuals. Share your thoughts on what you hope to see in The Witcher 4—will it live up to the legacy of its predecessors?