I was going to use the term Sophomore slump, which is more apt to the album analogy. But with The Witcher it doesn’t work, as we’re looking at The Witcher IV and well, CD Projekt Red aren’t exactly new on the scene.
But my point, poorly made as it may be, still stands. I can’t see a world where somehow The Witcher IV can hit the same peak as The Witcher 3. Look at 1 and 2. Seemingly iterations of something that doesn’t quite hit its stride until number 3. Then suddenly it’s one of the best games ever made, and we’re still playing it 10 years later.
That’s a tough act to follow, no matter the title!
Impossible task?
It’s easy to write click-bait content, and I can easily make broad, bold statements to really go for it. However, I think the entire thing deserves a little more nuance. And let me be clear, I want The Witcher IV to be better than anything ever. It just has a really really tough job to do.
There are few games that have it the same level of excellence and longevity in gaming. Taking story telling, characters, action and classic elements like graphics, mechanics etc. And elevating the entire medium of gaming.
Sure there are other benchmarks for the industry at different times. But short of, say Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild. I can’t think of anything so open that hits all the same sweet spots and pushes the envelope of what people view the medium of gaming, as.
Sure, graphical fidelity and improved hardware will give the Witcher IV a solid starting platform. But how on earth do you improve something that’s not far from perfect? Acting, dialogue, storylines. All important, but it’s how they all worked together in the game. Seemingly impossible for many many other games to even match, how can it be bettered?
People (morons) are (of course…..) upset by the fact that Ciri will be the lead character. Despite being a core element of the previous game and a strong, excellent character in her own right. So will CD Projekt Red be on the back foot with consumers?
Room for improvement
If we’re being honest. Whilst The Witcher 3 is an incredible game, even almost a decade since release. If we take away the technological advances, what else can be improved upon?
My only real gripes are movement and combat. I know combat is a big frustration for people, and I get it. Although it’s considerably improved on compared to The Witcher 2, it definitely felt clunky when launched.
CD Projekt Red did massive amounts of improvements on the UI to help with some of the issues. But combat always needed a change. In a world of Spider-man, Monster Hunter and the Arkham games, there are precedents set that can absolutely be leaned upon for inspiration and direction.
Even if it’s mechanically and technologically improved. Will it hit the industry and consumers in the same way? Expectations will be higher and thus there will be more scrutiny. Will improvements be enough?
It’s been done before!
A prime example of doing the same but better is of course Tears of the Kingdom. Where Breath of the Wild, similar to The Witcher 3, set the gaming world ablaze.
People doubted the follow-up. How could a game so open, so rich in content and exploration. Be improved upon? Nintendo knew where it was weak and what was fun.
CD Projekt have had almost a decade to think these things through. A developer renowned for its attention to detail and massive worlds (and sadly, terrible game launches).
There’s no doubt it’s a tough challenge. But there’s been enough time and CD Projekt have the pedigree to make it work, for sure.
We’ll see
The intangible elements are going to be the real struggle. The state of the world, the potential to impact the zeitgeist, the openness of consumers to another massive sprawling fantasy RPG.
You have this list of things that need to align to help gain the kind of success of The Witcher 3. And they aren’t in the control of any one company or individual.
The Witcher IV needs to be solid and have a solid launch. If they get that right, everything else will hopefully just fall into place around it somehow.
Providing those “fans” that are too online for their own good, go and touch grass. They might be ready for a Ciri-led adventure by the time of release. Plus, thanks to the Henry Cavill-led show, there’s a much broader love for the series now.
I’m playing through The Witcher 3 again at the moment, and I’m still awestruck often. I just can’t see this lightning in a bottle being re-captured.
Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance.
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