First trailer for The Witcher 4 reveals you’ll play as Princess Ciri

First trailer for The Witcher 4 reveals you'll play as Princess Ciri

As a long-time fan and follower of the Witcher universe, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming release of The Witcher IV. Having played every game since its inception and read all the books by Andrzej Sapkowski, it’s been an incredible journey to witness the evolution of this captivating world.

2015 saw CD Projekt Red unveil “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” an immersive open-world adventure that placed players in the role of Geralt of Rivia, a skilled monster hunter navigating a sprawling fantasy landscape teeming with fierce supernatural creatures. Prior to this release, CD Projekt Red had been developing “Witcher” games for some time, but it was this title that truly gained widespread acclaim. The game’s success sparked renewed interest in the original “Witcher” novels by Andrzej Sapkowski and paved the way for Netflix to produce their own “Witcher” television series, featuring Henry Cavill as Geralt (set to be replaced by Liam Hemsworth in the forthcoming fourth season).

A decade has passed, and once again CD Projekt Red is unveiling The Witcher IV, inviting you on an all-new journey. This time, you’ll assume the role of Ciri, Geralt’s adopted daughter and protege from previous games (and the novels, and the television series). Since the events in the books, Ciri has grown to become a skilled witcher traversing the Continent, hunting monsters independently. In the debut trailer for the game, which is cinematic in nature (meaning it may not reflect the final gameplay), Ciri battles a monster called a Bauk, arriving just in time to rescue a villager named Mioni from being sacrificed to it. Catch a glimpse below:

It appears that Ciri has experienced some transformations since her last appearance in The Witcher 3. Now, she can consume witcher potions without harm, but rather, her senses become amplified, making her more formidable in combat. Additionally, she possesses the feline-like eyes characteristic of a witcher. This suggests that she has undergone the grueling trial of the grasses, a process that alters ordinary humans into fierce monster hunters – if they manage to survive it.

In an interview with IGN, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga expressed that making the decision to alter Ciri’s storyline was significant not only for her character but also for the game as a whole. She emphasized that while this change is crucial and sparks curiosity about when and how it occurs within the game, it remains a tantalizing hint without revealing specific details about where or how players will encounter it. Mitręga considers this development a substantial shift and hopes that players were not expecting such a twist.

In addition to observing that Ciri fights with electricity derived from water during her battle against Bauk, it’s worth noting that she exhibits magical abilities similar to those portrayed in both the books and the TV show. Essentially, she wields magic, a trait that is significant for Ciri. This ability surpasses the basic “signs” used by Geralt, and introduces an innovative gameplay feature. As explained by game director Sebastian Kalemba, Ciri is not just mutated; she’s a potent source, bridging the gap between the Witcher world and the world of sorcerers.

One intriguing detail is Ciri’s sword, reminiscent of Zireael – a blade bestowed upon Ciri in one of the Witcher 3’s endings. The consistent references to past games leave you pondering Geralt’s whereabouts, but they’re keeping some secrets for later trailers.

First trailer for The Witcher 4 reveals you'll play as Princess Ciri

The Witcher 4: Neutral no more

We intend for players to discover uncharted territories and unexplored areas within the world. Rest assured, there are some truly awe-inspiring locations awaiting discovery.

In contrast to Geralt, who often maintained a neutral stance in his work and rarely expressed opinions, Ciri is more vocal about her feelings. For instance, regarding the villagers’ decision to sacrifice Mioni to the Bauk, Ciri has a clear standpoint. As Kalemba put it, “She doesn’t wish to remain neutral. She’s younger and still shaping her own moral compass, making her less pragmatic.

In the realm of The Witcher, things are extremely bleak. When Ciri returns after slaying the Bauk, she discovers that the villagers have still carried out Mioni’s killing, as it is their custom. Kalemba remarked, “These people will eventually realize that change is imminent because the [Bauk’s] fog will no longer be present.” He added, “It may take years for them to experience this absence. And there might just be a folktale about the grey-haired witcher who once vanquished the monster, allowing us to live as we do now.

While she yearns to be a hero, I must clarify that it’s not just a heroic tale. Life isn’t that straightforward, and lessons often come wrapped in difficulty. Yet, as a player, you always retain the power of choice. In our past game, there was no clear-cut right or wrong. The choices you make remain shrouded in uncertainty, their impact on the world unknown. This aspect is something we aim to explore more deeply in The Witcher 4.

It seems like an exciting time with questionable moral implications for now. As of right now, there’s no specific launch date announced for The Witcher 4, and since we haven’t caught a glimpse of gameplay yet, it might be too early to expect its release before late 2025 or even 2026 at the very least.

2024-12-13 21:41