Ciri leads The Witcher into its next era.
Following the earlier Unreal Engine 5 trailer, a new confirmation has arrived: the protagonist of the next installment in The Witcher saga will be Cirilla — one of the most iconic characters from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and a central figure in the franchise’s expansive narrative universe, spanning novels, television series, and video games.
The new adventure takes place several years after the so-called “best ending” of the third installment, with a fully grown Ciri, who has fully embraced her path as a Witcher. This fresh beginning marks the start of an entirely new saga — and long-time fans will be pleased to know that Geralt of Rivia is also set to make a return.
In the trailer, Ciri appears remarkably agile, showcasing a combat style that’s entirely distinct from Geralt’s. Signs return in even more spectacular form, though it remains unclear why Ciri’s innate powers have yet to be shown — presumably, all will be revealed closer to the game’s official release.
A First Look at Gameplay
While what was shown during the Unreal-focused event can’t be considered true gameplay, the brief tech demo offers valuable insights into the future of the title.
One of the most noticeable changes is the new camera perspective: it now sits much closer to Ciri’s shoulder, likely tied to a movement system that feels more precise and less frenetic compared to Geralt’s.
Armor sets make a return, and the heavy gear worn by Ciri — reminiscent of the Skellige-style armor — is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. As with Geralt, Ciri will wield two swords: one steel (or iron) for humans, and one silver for monsters and non-human creatures.
The faithful horse Kelpie also returns, now animated using a new technology: multi-character motion matching, which synchronizes the real-time movements between rider and mount from any angle. Additionally, new control systems and an advanced muscle simulation technique have been implemented to deliver a more realistic and immersive riding experience.
Exploration will once again play a central role, and locations such as Kovir are showcased in all their visual splendor. For the first time since the original trilogy, cities truly feel alive.
Thanks to Unreal Engine 5’s new AI technologies, townspeople and merchants interact with each other in a way that feels natural and believable. The scene set in a bustling medieval marketplace, full of chaos and activity, serves as clear evidence of CD Projekt RED’s ambition to push for unprecedented realism.
Witcher contracts are also back, though the material shown so far remains limited. It will be interesting to see how investigations and the negotiation system evolve in this new iteration.
Combat, unfortunately, has yet to be revealed, but it will undoubtedly be one of the most crucial elements to assess in the final version of the game.
Unreal Engine 5: Innovation for Open Worlds — at What Cost?
Since its debut, Unreal Engine 5 has elicited mixed reactions: on one side, awe for its remarkable technical prowess; on the other, concerns over frequent stability and performance issues.
This powerful yet resource-intensive tool is engineered to deliver a faster, more intuitive workflow in theory. However, one of its notable challenges lies in managing open-world environments, especially with the Lumen lighting system, which dynamically simulates lighting without the need for manually placed light sources.
The downside? These advanced technologies demand significant computational resources, resulting in a notable impact on overall performance.
To improve visual fidelity at long range, Nanite Geometry was introduced—a cutting-edge technology that enables detailed handling of vegetation and expansive natural environments. This innovation grants artists greater creative freedom while also enhancing the game’s overall optimization.
When Is The Witcher 4 Coming Out?
No official release date has been announced yet, but development appears to be steadily moving forward without major setbacks. Following the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt RED seems to have taken valuable lessons from its past missteps — as detailed in our in-depth article here.
At the same time, work continues on the highly anticipated remake of the original The Witcher, though its release remains shrouded in mystery.
For now, all we can do is wait for further updates from the Polish developer, hoping that this new chapter will mark the triumphant return of one of the most iconic sagas in gaming history.
