Yes! For those who don’t know, ever since CDProjekt Red released the teaser for their upcoming CyberPunk 2077 game, complete with embedded secret messaging teasing a The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt reveal, the gaming community has been on the edge of their collective seats waiting to see where series protagonist Geralt’s adventures would lead him next. Well, thanks to Game Informer releasing the digital version of their magazine a bit early, we know have some serious details courtesy of a NeoGAF forum post.
I’ll get to the details in a moment, but it’s worth noting that the game is scheduled to release in 2014 for PC and “all high-end platforms available.” Curious, huh?
The details, posted by NeoGAF user Indigo_Cyclops, are as follows:
New for The Witcher 3:
- World supposedly 20% bigger than Skyrim’s, says development team. [Tentative, obviously]
- 30-40 minutes to cross world on Horseback
- New streaming technology (CDRED Engine 3)
- Geralt’s Memory is restored
- No chapters/acts
- Dude is f***ing DONE fighting for everyone else
- Everything from solving MYSTERIES to slaying monsters
- Coming out on “all top-of-the-line” consoles – I’d say that confirms next-gen is in.
Basic Improvements/Enhancements to gameplay
- Enemy AI completely rebuilt, scripted bosses out
- Environmental combat ‘contributions’ (a dozen types of interactive objects)
—> Wasp hive irritated using Aard
- Magical signs retooled
- Igni = new flamethrower effect
The magic tree advancement allows secondary sign forms = ie. Igni and a 360-degree blast
- Yrden = small trap can be modified into a larger field that slows any enemy
- Other trees, Swordsmanship and Alchemy
- New strikes under Swordsmanship, boosts like improved stamina and parrying
- Mutation mechanic under a different development path
- Not much information given about Alchemy path, other than it being based on potions
- Horse could be used to access long term stash, as well as Inns
- Team aware of frustrations of inventory management in The Witcher
Committed to a less tedious process
- Crafting critical to maximize Geralts potential, but weapons and armor can be found in many ways
- Players can customize their crafted weapons with some components, ie, monster scales for leather in armor
- Each armor piece has unique appearance, new cloth simulation tech.
- Barber is in from the get go. Dyeing hair is OUT OF QUESTION, White Wolf.
Narrative Structure:
- Lowest level = free form activities like crafting, monster slaying (seems to be much more extensive this time around) and questing.
- Next level = Political situation of Nilfgaardian invastion is resolved through a core plotline for each area. These areas? -> Skellige, Novigrad and No Mans Land!
- Final level = Geralt’s main plot line, his search for his loved ones, and the chase of the Wild Hunt.
- Sounds like a lot of interwoven plotlines, decision making. You can skip things if you really want, but there will be consequences to your actions if you do so.
New Monster Hunting Mechanic:
- Clues build up information (like a Bestiary perhaps?)
- Books garner information about monsters
- Townsfolk provide information
- Potions and such are important
- Time of day and other conditions affect where monsters appear, and their abilities
Combat Changes:
- Critical strikes in areas that matter depending on how much you learn about said monster
- You can disable a vampires poisoning attack by hitting its venom gland (Vampires are poisonous?) or skewer BOTH ITS HEARTS with a thrust attack (instant kill)
- Monsters drop loot like unobtainable alchemical and crafting ingredients for unique potion, mutagen and item crafting.
- Provides income as well
That’s about everything. Game Informer has also added a trailer/interview with the project’s developers, which can be found below:
Pretty exciting stuff I’d say? I am a big fan of the Witcher series and I’m personally hoping the final game in the trilogy will live up to the hype I’ve built up in my head. What do you think of the new additions/improvements to the game? And who else is excited to see what it will look like running on next-gen consoles? Hopefully CDProjekt Red’s homegrown engine will help the team reach their vision for what the end product should look like.
