Summary
The Witcher 3: The Wild Huntis largely celebrated as one of the best open-world RPGs of the last decade and generation. CD Projekt Red’s most ambitious title at the time, 2015’sThe Witcher 3proved extremely popular due to its incredibly considered design, setting, and storylines. One of its most well-liked inclusions was Gwent, a mini-game that captured gamers' attention by being just as excellently crafted as many of the game’s major components. CDPR then surprised and delighted fans by releasing a full spin-off based on it to great success in 2017.
The studio had one more card to play withThronebreaker: The Witcher Talesin 2018, a narrative adventure set in theworld ofThe Witcher. It featured a series of missions consisting of increasingly complex Gwent matches and puzzles combined with resource management mechanics that together formed a fresh story in the universe.Thronebreakerextended the utility and lifespan of Gwent in addition to an engaging yarn connecting it to the series' overall lore. Given Gwent’s status, there are good reasons for CDPR to continue to bet big and go all-in on keeping a version of Gwent in upcoming franchise entries. Conversely, there are arguments to be made for trading it in favor of something entirely new yet still relevant to its vision for the latestWitcherexperiences.
Coming off the heels of itsCyberpunk 2077support, CD Projekt Red currently hasmultipleWitchertitles in development, including a multiplayer entry.
Pros and Cons of Gwent Returning in Future Witcher Games
Gwent’s Popularity in The Witcher 3 and Beyond
In its originalWitcher 3incarnation, Gwent is a deceptively simple but tougher-to-master in-universe strategic CCG.Various NPCs challenged protagonist Geralt to Gwent duels during his adventures. Players could go on to collect and purchase morepowerful Gwent cardsif they sought to become the greatest known champion of the addicting mini-game. After seeing how deeply many fans embraced and enjoyed Gwent inThe Wild Hunt, CDPR seized the opportunity by creating the aforementioned standalonegame,styledGwent: The Witcher CardGame, and expanded its rules and sets via a format that swiftly became a sensation in its own right.
Gwentprovided a platform for casual as well as intense ranked matches, with meta-builds emerging in an eventualGwenttournament scene. After robust post-launch additions, however,Gwentreceived its last update in the Fall of 2023, leaving the community with a noticeable lack of official support. WhileThronebreakeralso offered more of it, its other detachments in gameplay from the core of bothGwentand the mainWitcher titles saw it get a somewhat lesser reception than either. It stands to reason, though, it would still be an easy choice to have a form of Gwent make a return in the upcomingWitchergames.
Why it May be Best for The Witcher to Move on From Gwent
If thenextWitchergame is to have mini-games similar to Gwent, as is highly likely, it could be a better decision to create a completely fresh one, or at least a different enough version of the original, to set it apart for the next cycle of entries. As the forthcoming series of games looks to move on from Geralt being the central figure, perhaps it’s time to also have a new mini-game or two that fits more with the latest installments' time period and other details that will distinguish them from previous outings. CDPR is known for treating fans to fun surprises and satisfying twists in various ways, and giving them more mini-games of equal quality to Gwent without being a copy of it would be another great way of moving the franchise forward.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
WHERE TO PLAY
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you may explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRETrained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLDBuilt for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.
