The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis five years old now, and getting older every day. And yet,The Witcher 3: Wild Hunthas never had better replay value than it does right now in 2021.
For that matter, it would be in the best interest for RPG lovers who haven’t picked up the game at all to do so, and there are plenty of reasons why a five-year wait doesn’t diminish the quality of the experience. Those who have already playedWild Huntshould also consider picking it back up in the coming weeks and months, because it is undoubtedly one of those games that was built to last.
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It Still Looks Great
WhileThe Witcher 3’s graphics aren’t at the level of games released today in 2021, that doesn’t mean it looksbad. The game’s graphics were pretty stellar for their time, and they still hold up today; the game looks fantastic. And because the quality and specs of consoles (and computers) have been improving,Wild Huntwill run smoother than everon whatever the player’s platform of choice may be.
The Story is Top-Notch
The Witcher 3’s storyis a hard one to beat. The game is frequently recognized as one of, if notthe,greatest RPGs of all time, and with good cause.Wild Huntfollows Geralt of Rivia as he attempts to reunite with his estranged lover Yennefer and long-lost adopted daughter, Ciri. It has impeccable emotional beats and memorable storylines that can tug on anyone’s heartstrings. From the main storyline of following Ciri, to subplots like the Bloody Baron and the Ladies of the Wood, or the search for a ruler in Skellige,The Witcher 3’s plot is suitably epicand incredibly well-done.
Questing Has Never Been Better
The specific quests inThe Witcher 3are also notable in their excellence.Most RPGswith such big, open worlds likeWild Hunt’s tend to struggle with some of their side-quests, making them repetitive and unmemorable. For example,Skyrim’s radiant quests are simple repeat after repeat of the same tasks in different locales, and even more story-heavy games likeDragon Agetend to have just as many fetch-quests as actually engrossing side-quests. That’s whereThe Witcher 3differentiates itself: none of its side-quest feel like repeats or pointless errand and even the monster contracts tend to have some unique element that makes them memorable.
A Great Open World
TheWitcher 3: Wild Hunt’s open worlddeserves a mention too; free-roaming is easy to do and full of interesting finds. Players can easily lose themselves in the world ofThe Witcherby taking the roads less-traveled, and picking up quests that way. With the added bonus of the delightful soundtrack playing in the background, and the scenic views around the Continent that Geralt can find, this is not an open world to be missed.
Play It Anywhere
With the release ofThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntfor the Nintendo Switch, players can now play the game at home or on the go, pretty much anywhere they want. WhenWild Huntlaunched for the Switch last year, it saw a surge in sales, and for good reason. Somehow, despite the Switch’s comparatively low specs to other gaming consoles,Wild Huntstill manages to look great on it, too. All in all, the Switch makes for a great opportunity to experienceWild Hunton a new platform.
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Mastering Gwent
Many mini-games inside of bigger video games have a habit of being annoying at worst, and not really interesting enough to play over and over again at best. In the long list of RPG mini-games, none really stand out or come to mind for many, except for Gwent. So well-loved that CD Projekt Red made a separate game after the fact,Gwent is a ton of fun to learninThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntand positively addicting. From collecting cards to beating Gwent masters across the realm, it’s a mini-game that never really gets old, and that’s an impressive feat indeed as mini-games go.
The Witcher Season 2 is Coming
Then, there’s the matter of Netflix’sThe WitcherTV show. Purchases ofThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntspiked after the first season launched, and with the second season set to release in 2021, it’s possible there will be another spike then. PlayingWild Huntbefore season 2 drops is a great way to get to knowGeralt of Riviaand crew even better for new players, or a great way to get immersed back in the world ofThe Witcherfor seasoned fans of the game. Either way, those looking to get back in the spirit ofThe Witcherbefore season 2 drops should absolutely pick upWild Huntfor a play or replay.
Outstanding Among Its Peers
The fact of the matter is,The Witcher 3: Wild Huntstands out among the crowd of other RPGs and video games. From the setting, to the music, the story, the world, and the characters within that world,Wild Huntembodies all the qualities of a truly great RPG. More than that, it’s also a great game for people who don’t think of themselves as gamers or play video games much, because its cinematic and narrative qualities can be appreciated by just about anyone. With the quality of consoles today, the current NetflixWitchercraze, and the sheer timelessness of the game, there’s never been a better time to pick upThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntthan right now in 2021.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
