The Witcher 3 is now 11 years old, yet CD Projekt Red continues to engage us with remasters and expansions.

      When I acquired my first gaming laptop nearly ten years ago, Witcher 3 was among the initial games I played. I was finally able to experience the game at high graphics settings and fully engage with its fantasy world. After investing an immense amount of time in that game, I concluded my journey with its main storyline and DLCs.

      Now, eleven years later, it’s hard to believe I’m returning to it. During Gamescom Opening Night Live, the studio announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered, a significant free upgrade set to launch on September 29. The audience erupted in cheers, especially when more details about Songs of the Past were revealed, the expansive 2027 expansion that will take Geralt to a completely new area for what CD Projekt Red refers to as his final adventure. Eleven years after the original release of The Witcher 3, I suddenly have a compelling reason to start a new save.

      This is more than just enhanced graphics

      Remasters often yield mixed results, but CD Projekt Red is offering much more than just upgraded visuals. The remaster features improved combat, better movement, reimagined monster behavior, an overhauled skill tree, transmog, new finishing moves, and additional content. It also includes the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. CD Projekt Red states that current owners of Witcher 3 will receive the upgrade for free, with launches planned for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2.

      A long time ago, we commended the game for its storytelling, though we found the swordplay a bit lacking by today’s standards. So, a revamp of the combat system is certainly welcome. A thorough mechanical refresh makes replaying Geralt’s story far more enjoyable than a simple visual improvement could achieve.

      Geralt has one more destination to explore

      Songs of the Past transports Geralt to Letten, a picturesque new region that is also Dandelion’s homeland. Naturally, beneath the serene countryside lies something sinister. CD Projekt Red assures players that this expansion will feature an entirely new region, quests, characters, and narrative, explicitly stating it as the final chapter of The Witcher 3.

      During the Gamescom trailer, Geralt is seen returning to the Path, and the expansion is being developed in collaboration with Fool’s Theory. This team consists of veterans who had previously worked on The Witcher 3 and are also behind the remake of the original Witcher.

      CD Projekt Red has been notably careful in labeling Songs of the Past as an expansion rather than DLC. The developers clarify that DLC refers to smaller content drops the studio typically provides for free, while expansions entail significant additions with new stories, characters, and hours of gameplay. Songs of the Past is scheduled for release in 2027, with current information listing PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2 as platforms. The price has yet to be announced.

      With The Witcher 4 aimed for a 2028 release and Ciri stepping into the role of protagonist, this trailer assures us that there’s still something to look forward to in the meantime.