That tech demo forThe Witcher 4as part of the Unreal Engine 5 showcase was pretty cool, wasn’t it? The game looks incredible, andwhile CD Projekt Red has stated that the demo isn’t a definitive showcase for the final product, it’s still something endlessly impressive that I’m sure will only become more so in time.
After this demo, however, I had that itch to playThe Witcher 3again. You know the one. In the ten years since the game’s initial launch, I’ve played it on PS4, PS5, PC, and I’ve even played the oil painting-esque edition CDPR somehow managed to get running on Nintendo Switch. I don’t know how, but I did it. All the DLCs, too.
However, I haven’t played it on PC since it received next-gen updates a few years ago, and with a more powerful PC and ultrawide monitor at my disposal, I was intrigued to take a peek.
Oh my God.
You Said This Game WasHow Old?
I was expecting the game to look pretty good after my experience with the PS5 upgrade, but I never expected this much from it. I loaded up the game, set everything to Ultra+, and turned ray tracing up to its highest potential, too. Why not?
Immediately, I was taken aback. I loaded a complete save from five years ago, and luckily, the last place I visited was Toussaint, so it was a warm welcome for my first impression with the visuals. Out in the countryside during sunset, I looked across the horizon, seeing the mountain and the city, and was enveloped in this ease that came with the calm scenery.
I next headed into the city of Beauclair itself, and the streets were gorgeous, the light bouncing off buildings beautifully, and the crowds going about their days. Everything had that warm glow that’s become so iconic for Toussaint, and this got me thinking of the other regions in the game. Skellige is cold, while Velen and Novigrad are harsh and wartorn. Could they be as beautiful?
The Cold, Harsh World Has Never Looked So Inviting
Skellige was up next as I worked my way backwards through these locations, and I was surprised to find it looked even better than Toussaint. As I travelled to a remote village, I was impressed not only by the looming mountain and clouds that blanketed it, but by the swaying trees and the rays of light that were being affected by the movement. Puddles and rivers gave off imperfect reflections as I just gazed off into the valleys.
I then went to the high bridge in Kaer Trolde, looking out over the port town below and the landscapes that stretched for miles out. I’ve always had a soft spot for Skellige as my favourite location in The Witcher 3, but this made it so much more special, and is reason enough for me to actually go back and play the game; if nothing else, just to spend countless more hours sailing the icy seas.
Finally, I set off for Velen, which I remember as this landscape of war, corpse eaters, and bogs. However, the forests captured me immediately. Even in this sad state of terror and damage, the land now looked more beautiful than ever, calling for me to get lost in it once more. And as I headed into the heart of Novigrad, I made my way through the dense crowds, only to look out over the rooftops. Industry was booming as chimneys spewed out smoke, and the details in every puddle, patch of mud, and sloppily laid brick helped make the city feel more alive than ever.
I never expected to be quite so taken with The Witcher 3 in 2025, especially in a wholly new way. I purposefully avoided revisiting White Orchard and Kaer Morhen, as if I were to play the game once more in this beautiful state, then I want those opening sections to greet me with a fresh perspective. Needless to say, The Witcher 3 not only holds the crown for one of the most significant fantasy RPGs in the last decade, but it holds up just as well a whole decade later.
