Upon release, The Witcher 3 didn't just meet all the expectations set for it but shattered all of them as well, with a game that was truly brilliant in every sense of the world. The engrossing story, beautiful open world, and elegant combat are just a few of the many caveats that elevate The Witcher 3 to legendary status.
Of course, it would be impossible to talk about the greatness of this title without mentioning the characters that added so much life to the overall experience. Recurring characters definitely make their mark in this game, but one can't fail to mention the two new additions to the series who play a major role in the books — Yennefer and Ciri. Both characters completely enthrall fans with their performances whenever they're on the screen.
Yennefer, in particular, is quite enjoyable to watch. Her banter with Geralt is almost always entertaining, and the manner in which CD Projekt Red has brought her book character to life in the game can be seen in the five points mentioned below. That being said, there are some fans who feel that Yennefer is nothing like her character in the books, with five factors contributing to this.
10 TRUE TO THE BOOKS: Mostly Nailed All Her Physical Features
For the most part, CD Projekt Red has done an admirable job of bringing Yennefer to life in the games. Her beauty has been kept intact — albeit without some tiny flaws — and her physical attributes are pretty similar.
A raven-haired sorceress with violet eyes and pale skin — Yennefer from the games and books would've been near-identical, had it not been for one small thing...
9 NOTHING LIKE THE BOOKS: Her Hair Is Wavy, Not Straight
In both the games and the Netflix series, Yennefer's hair is perfectly straight, which is not the case in the books at all.
Sapkowski's version of Yennefer does have black hair, but this hair is wavy as opposed to the straight hairdo everyone is used to.
8 TRUE TO THE BOOKS: A Determined Individual With A One-Track Mind
If there's one thing that rings true for Yennefer regardless of her book or game versions, it's the fact that she's an extremely determined individual who will stop at nothing to get her way.
Even if the means to her end might not be justified, Yennefer's zeal to get what she wants is so strong that she's willing to commit every sin possible — including manipulating Geralt to get her way.
7 NOTHING LIKE THE BOOKS: She's Extremely Tall In The Game
Another physical attribute that CD Projekt Red cranked up a bit in order to make Yennefer more marketable is the fact that she's quite tall in the game, especially when compared to her book counterpart.
After all, let's not forget the fact that Yennefer was a hunchback who used magic to get rid of this defect. While this was done so successfully in the books, her height would definitely not increase as a result.
6 TRUE TO THE BOOKS: Her Temper Is Something To Be Feared
The fights between Yennefer and Geralt have become the stuff of legends, with people stating that Geralt's life would've ended had it not been for the superhuman resilience and reflexes he got from his witcher mutations.
However, this temper isn't solely reserved for Geralt. If Yennefer feels like someone — or even something, for that matter — has wronged her, then she will certainly go out of her way to make this individual pay.
5 NOTHING LIKE THE BOOKS: Trusts No One, Regardless Of How They Can Benefit Her Cause
In the books, Yennefer is a shrewd and cunning individual who tries to figure out the best course of action that can be taken to further her own goals. This also includes manipulating some people and placing faith in others to get the job done.
However, for some reason, Yennefer is way more distrusting in the books, preferring to get her work done with her own two hands. One can't deny that this particular behavioral trait is somewhat out of character for the raven-haired sorceress.
4 TRUE TO THE BOOKS: A Proud And Haughty Sorceress
If there's one thing that's common in both the iterations of Yennefer, it's an unwavering sense of pride that will never be compromised on, no matter what.
While this might lead to Yennefer being somewhat arrogant and stubborn when it comes to her viewpoint on things, it's part of what makes her character so intriguing to the masses.
3 NOTHING LIKE THE BOOKS: She Can Have A Hard Time Making Up Her Mind In The Game
Yennefer doesn't really dwell too much on her decisions in the books. She prefers to keep her decision-making as binary as possible and not regret any course of action she's taken.
Meanwhile, in the game, Yennefer is far more introspective regarding her thoughts. She second-guesses her decisions more often than not and seeks solace in external validation for her actions... mainly from Geralt.
2 TRUE TO THE BOOKS: Will Do Anything Possible To Save Ciri
Yennefer and Ciri share a beautiful bond in the books, with the former doing everything in her power to ensure that her surrogate daughter doesn't suffer in her life — a task that's easier said than done, given the amount of trauma Ciri has experienced in her childhood.
This protective mentality is definitely present in the game... well, at least up until the point that Ciri actually comes back to the group.
1 NOTHING LIKE THE BOOKS: Her Interactions With Ciri Are Quite Lacking
One of the biggest problems in The Witcher 3 is the fact that Yennefer and Ciri's relationship isn't really given all that time to blossom. This is quite odd, especially given how hell-bent Yennefer was to ensure that her daughter was safe and sound.
This is in stark contrast to Geralt and Ciri's relationship, which is refreshingly natural and surprisingly endearing in comparison. Who knew a witcher could show more emotions than a sorceress?