Fans have finally recently received the first official look at The Witcher 4. After the massive success of the third entry in 2015, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, and subsequent media tie-ins like the Netflix series, attention is now firmly on CD Projekt Red’s next entry in its dark fantasy franchise. The new trailer shown at The Game Awards 2024 provided intriguing hints about The Witcher 4‘s direction, and players are now eagerly awaiting to see what the upcoming adventure holds in store for characters familiar and new.
Among some of the information that CDPR has revealed so far was that Gwent, the wildly popular in-universe CCG that later received its own standalone, will be returning in the fourth game. Gwent was a hit with fans both in The Wild Hunt and as a separate experience, but there’s another top-notch series spin-off based on it that flew somewhat more under the radar. With Gwent poised to make a comeback, this could potentially lead to a sequel to Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, which would be most welcome if it happens.
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The Witcher 4 Could Be a Huge Boon for Another CD Projekt Red Game
The Witcher 4 may be a ways off, but the next chapter of CD Projekt Red’s franchise could reignite excitement for another title.
The Witcher 4 Bringing Back Gwent Hopefully Means A Thronebreaker Sequel Could Be in the Cards
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales Was a Much Different But Equally Excellent Experience
Released in 2020, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales departs from expected conventions in a number of ways. Serving as a prequel to the original 2007 Witcher game, Thronebreaker was part isometric RPG and part Gwent, with a compelling story and well-realized new characters connecting its mechanics into a seamless whole. Players take on the part of Queen Meve, who has inherited the rule of Lyria and Rivia following the death of her husband, King Reginald. Thronebreaker follows Meve’s endeavors to cement her rightful place by overcoming political and military opposition to her ascension.
Thronerbreaker stands out in the Witcher franchise by featuring a cel-shaded art style and splitting its gameplay between exploring maps and engaging in both traditional and specialized puzzle Gwent scenarios to proceed and establish Meve’s dominion. Players also need to manage resources, forge alliances by recruiting and upgrading companions, and continually hone their deck to tackle increasingly difficult Gwent matches. The campaign is substantial and provides fantastic world building by telling a unique tale centered around previously unseen history and regions of the Continent. Thronebreaker may have been overlooked and undersold in comparison to other entries, but it stands alongside the best of what The Witcher has offered.
The Witcher 4 Not Giving Up Gwent Gives Hope For a Thronebreaker Followup
Although the studio has previously stated that a sequel to Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is not a consideration, The Witcher 4 keeping Gwent as part of the experience in the next chapter could herald the possibility of CDPR changing its stance. Depending upon fan response and demand, Gwent’s reappearance could open the door for a sequel to happen, as there is a wealth of untapped potential for another game in the style and spirit of Thronebreaker.
Even if it might not be a direct followup, a second spin-off like Thronebreaker could further flesh out the world of The Witcher and give fans a chance to engage with an experience that is noticeably different from the mainline games, but is still on par with them in terms of quality design and narrative impact. While Thronebreaker seems to be lost in the shuffle currently, there is reason to remain optimistic that The Witcher 4 reignites interest in it. This in turn could possibly lead to a second title, which would be a great boon for fans as it absolutely deserves another entry.
The Witcher IV is a single-player, open-world RPG from CD PROJEKT RED. At the start of a new saga, players take on the role of Ciri, a professional monster slayer, and embark on a journey through a brutal dark-fantasy world. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, it aims to be the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game to date.