Summary
- The Witcher 4 introduces new protagonist Ciri, starting a fresh saga for the franchise.
- The game honors its roots by keeping ties to The Witcher 3 while making bold changes.
- The Continent setting remains with new regions, paying homage to the series’ history.
The Witcher 4 certainly has a lot riding on it after the massive success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, especially given the new direction it’s taking the series. Not only is The Witcher 4 introducing a new protagonist in Ciri, but CD Projekt Red has confirmed that it will be the start of a brand-new saga for the franchise — hence the lack of a subtitle, as both The Witcher 2 and The Witcher 3 had. While The Witcher 4 starting an all-new saga for the series is certainly something to be excited about, it also means there are likely going to be some big risks involved with its choices moving forward.
That being said, based on what has been revealed so far, The Witcher 4 isn’t entirely leaving its past behind as it begins its new journey. Instead, it is already showing some compelling signs of preserving its ties to The Witcher 3‘s legacy, which is important both from a continuity standpoint and in the way of honoring the series’ most dedicated fans. In its decision to use Ciri as its protagonist, as well as its choice to remain on the Continent while introducing some new regions, The Witcher 4 is both departing and honoring its Witcher 3 roots.
Related
How The Witcher 4’s Open-World Design Could Rival Elden Ring
By taking some notes from Elden Ring’s open-world design, The Witcher 4 could effectively surpass that with its penchant for memorable storytelling.
How The Witcher 4 Is Innovating While Honoring Its Witcher 3 Roots
The Witcher 4’s New Protagonist Is Both a Departure and a Tie to The Witcher 3
Perhaps one of the more divisive choices The Witcher 4 has made is to replace its longstanding protagonist, Geralt of Rivia, with Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon (otherwise known as Ciri), Geralt’s adopted daughter. One reason this choice has been so controversial involves fans’ attachment to Geralt, as he is both the face of The Witcher and someone many fans have developed a strong bond with over the last 18 years. Another reason it has been so divisive has to do with supposed changes to Ciri’s character model, though that is a far more debatable argument, as there is plenty of evidence there to suggest that she has only aged and that the fundamental characteristics of her model remain the same.
In its decision to use Ciri as its protagonist, as well as its choice to remain on the Continent while introducing some new regions, The Witcher 4 is both departing and honoring its Witcher 3 roots.
Despite the controversy, however, Ciri as The Witcher 4‘s protagonist ultimately represents a departure and a tie to The Witcher 3. Ciri has, more or less, been a secondary protagonist throughout The Witcher series, with The Witcher 3 seeing her role rise to an unprecedented degree of prominence when she finally appeared in the flesh, rather than in mention only as she had previously. Of course, Ciri isn’t the only tie The Witcher 4 is making to its predecessor either, as Geralt has been confirmed to return, despite not filling the role of protagonist. Given how much The Witcher 3 emphasized Geralt and Ciri’s relationship, this is the perfect way to ensure its legacy is honored in The Witcher 4.
The Witcher 4’s Continent Setting Is the Same But Different
The Witcher 4‘s protagonist isn’t the only way it is honoring The Witcher 3, as it will still take place on the series’ primary setting of the Continent as each installment has before it. However, rather than bringing players back to the same environments they explored in The Witcher 3, The Witcher 4 will have entirely new regions for them to set foot in, as confirmed by CD Projekt Red in an interview with Easy Allies. One such area is an isolated village located in the “far North,” which was shown in The Witcher 4‘s trailer.
In introducing new regions but remaining on the Continent, The Witcher 4 is both departing and paying homage to the series’ history.
In a nutshell, The Witcher 4 is shaping up to be both a bold step forward and a respectful nod to its past. While its decision to change protagonists and introduce new regions signals a departure, its commitment to the Continent, Ciri taking the lead, and Geralt’s continued presence in The Witcher 4 ensure that the spirit of The Witcher 3 is still very much alive. Change is inevitable, especially for a series looking to innovate and evolve beyond where it has been, but The Witcher 4 seems to be navigating that transition carefully.
