Regarded by many as one of the best games of last generation, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt helped form CD Projekt Red's impressive reputation. Its sprawling open world and superb gameplay were essential pillars of its success, but it was the immense worldbuilding that fans remember the most fondly. Sweeping up side quests in the Skellige Isles and absorbing the story in Nilfgaard make for some of the best moments in the game. However, with news that its next-gen release was indefinitely delayed, fans looking to return to the game's stunning world are left disappointed.
The thought of seeing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 4K glory is one that is all too enticing, and though the last-gen original is still a pretty game, it's clear that the new consoles have so much more potential to impress. However, with CD Projekt Red working to make Cyberpunk 2077 closer to the product that was promised, the delay frees up a lot more time to get its recent offering to the same standard as the 2015 masterpiece. Though they never outweigh the negatives, there are positives to take from The Witcher 3's indefinite delay.
The Unexpected Gift of an Indefinite Delay
It's no secret that Cyberpunk 2077 released in a less-than-stable state. CD Projekt Red's redemption is far from achieved, and while patches have done well to improve the game, it has a long way to go until it's up to the quality of The Witcher 3. The title has potential, but more work is clearly required, and putting the next-gen port of The Witcher 3 on hold will allow the developer to make Cyberpunk 2077 worthy of the hype. Resources can be freed up, and the company's talent now have the time to take a break from bringing Geralt of Rivia to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and ensure that V's trip in Night City is finally one to remember.
Furthermore, the arrival of The Witcher 3 on current-gen systems would only serve to remind players of the significant gap in quality between it and Cyberpunk. Though it launched in a somewhat unstable state, The Witcher 3 has since become one of the most polished open-world titles in recent years, and Cyberpunk 2077 is still decidedly rough around the edges. Delaying the re-release of the 2015 masterpiece allows Cyberpunk 2077 the care and attention it deserves, and players expect.
It also means that CD Projekt Red can maintain its positive reputation, because The Witcher 3 being available on the same system as Cyberpunk 2077 in its current state would demonstrate just how significant the difference in quality can be.
The Unfortunate Curse of an Indefinite Delay
Any news that confirms a game like The Witcher 3 is indefinitely on hold is cause for disappointment. It's a title that is beloved by so many, often touted as one of the all-time great open-world offerings. With PlayStation 5's continued success and Xbox Series X selling well too, the chance to bring The Witcher 3 to the new hardware would be an opportunity to grow its already large playerbase. It's a game that can take dozens of hours to see all the sights and experience all it has to offer, and its absence from the next-gen festivities is a setback for players and CD Projekt Red alike.
With The Witcher 3's stunning Eastern European-inspired art style, seeing it in glorious 4K with minimal load times would be a real treat. There's so much to render in the expansive setting of the game, which was made slightly easier by the news that support for the PS4 Pro was included in the fall of 2017.
However, the hardware upgrades that the PS5 and Xbox Series X have over the PS4 Pro's half-step are significant, and offer so much more room for improvement. Bringing The Witcher 3 to modern hardware would have made an already pretty game all the more inviting, and though the original is sufficiently gorgeous, it's unfortunate that players won't be able to experience all it could offer on new systems any time soon.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
