PS Now’s announced additions for June 2021 are adding a strong line-up to the service. For fans of the Sonic series, the service is celebrating the franchise’s 30th anniversary by adding Sonic games, including Sonic Mania. However, probably the biggest title that is coming to PS Now though is The Witcher 3’s Game of the Year edition.
The expansive fantasy action RPG was a huge hit when it was released in 2015. It is a fantastic finish to the Witcher trilogy that brings a beautiful world to life amidst the darkest of times. The rich lore-driven universe of The Witcher 3 makes it worth several playthroughs for veteran fans and newcomers alike. With the game available on PS Now until September it should not be slept on and there is no time like the present for players to revisit it or do their first playthrough.
The Witcher 3 on PS Now
While The Witcher 3’s main story does not reinvent the wheel, it is still a great addition to the RPG genre. The game’s combat might take a little time to adjust to, but the plethora of side quests available to players means that there are plenty of ways to get comfortable. The scale of the world and the actions of its inhabitants are noticeable precursors to the feats taken on in Cyberpunk 2077 as well.
Once players have gotten comfortable with the game, there is a whole lot to do and The Witcher 3 - Game of the Year Edition on PS Now goes well beyond the main story. With the inclusion of the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions that the GOTY version of The Witcher 3 adds, there is an impressive amount of postgame content to go through. Both expansions’ stories offer insight into Geralt and the latter gives the protagonist a personalized epilogue.
Hearts of Stone
The Hearts of Stone expansion falls in line with much of the tragedy that plagued Geralt through many of his travels. While there are several new items added, the story is what makes the expansion a worthwhile experience. The balance of what was, what is, what can be, and what could have been, makes Hearts of Stone a tale that not many will forget after playing. The story does not bear as much weight as the legend about Ciri in the show, games, and books, but it is still a fulfilling experience.
The DLC’s wish with consequences and the folly of greed premise makes it gut-wrenching and endearing simultaneously. Though players will not be transported to an entirely new location in Hearts of Stone it does flesh out some spots that players may have already visited. The expansion is also a great way to venture into Geralt’s sense of duty and neutrality as a Witcher in a world that has scorned him more often than not.
Blood and Wine
Blood and Wine is The Witcher 3’s summer holiday and brings in the lushest environment the game has to offer. While the story of Blood and Wine is disconnected from the rest of the continent, it is able to stand on its own two feet without much help. The DLC delves into some of the franchise’s more ancient and powerful beings, but still feels grounded around Geralt’s current life. This is amplified by when the player's selected companion of Yennifer or Triss joins them in the DLC's homestead.
Many will feel the expansion is vastly different than the game they have come to know, and they would not be wrong. Blood and Wine brings Geralt out into the sun, literally, and is full of fairy tale wonder and fantasy. There are some unique items to be gained from the expansion alongside its story, as well as callbacks to minigames like Gwent and horse races. The uniqueness of Blood and Wine makes it feel like a whole new game, and hopefully as the Witcher franchise grows with more games and shows it is a story that is revisited.
Every Gwent Card in The Witcher 3
It feels like no game is complete without at least a little something for players to collect and distract themselves with. Gwent acts as both a minigame and collectible quest for those dedicated enough to hunt down every card within The Witcher 3. The side quests, tournaments, and NPCs associated with Gwent can be a great way to earn coin and divvy up some of the more grueling sections of the game.
Cards often have different effects and decks like the Skellige Gwent Deck can completely change how the game is approached. The reward of Gwent is mostly Gwent itself and of course the coin that players earn along the way. While Gwent is not the most difficult of minigames collecting all the cards in The Witcher 3 can be a task that some shy away from.
This all barely scratches the surface of what is available in The Witcher 3. The game will not follow The Witcher TV show like some newcomers may expect but it is a solid place to begin to get acquainted with Geralt and Ciri. Alternate endings, deep romances, and some not so deep, and vast environments help player’s feel like they are in Geralt's shoes. With The Witcher 3 currently available on PS Now there is not much of a reason for players to pass it up if they are already subscribed to the service.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions also in development.
