The Witcher 3 Remastered is out. Here’s what actually changed

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Remastered launches on September 29, and it’s free for everyone who already owns the base game.

It lands on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. That’s a surprise in itself, given that The Witcher 4 is already in development and the game got a next-gen update as recently as 2022.

So is it worth another trip to the Continent? Here’s what’s new.

Both expansions included

The remaster gives owners free access to both expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. For players who stopped after the main story, that alone is a strong reason to jump back in.

Visuals: subtle, not dramatic

Don’t expect a leap like the 2022 update. The changes are smaller, but noticeable:

• Better lighting across the environment
• Considerably more foliage
• More detailed monster textures

There’s a catch. In a GosuGamers preview on an RTX 5080 with ray tracing on ultra and DLSS on performance, the game averaged around 60 FPS, down from roughly 90 before. Stutters were also more common, which could come down to drivers or the preview build.

CD Projekt Red has also raised the minimum PC requirements for the remaster, so older setups should check before updating.

The skill tree has been rebuilt

This is the biggest shake-up for veterans.

When you load an old save, your ability points are reset for free. No 1,000-coin Potion of Clearance needed.

The skill tree itself now branches instead of sitting in rows. Some abilities, such as Igni Intensity and Pyromaniac, appear to be gone, while new ones like Catalyst and Chain Reaction have been added.

That means some familiar builds won’t work anymore. For players who know Geralt inside out, that’s a good excuse to try something new.

A smarter combat camera

The most pleasant change may be the one you notice least.

The camera now reacts during fights. It zooms in when you’re facing one enemy and pulls out when a group rushes you. Combat feels more fluid as a result.

An upgraded photo mode

Photo mode has been updated too. You can now add other characters, such as Yennefer and Ciri, to your shots.

Should you play it?

If you already own The Witcher 3, the answer is easy: it costs nothing. The new skill system and both expansions give returning players plenty to explore.

Just keep an eye on performance, especially on PC, and expect a few patches in the weeks ahead.