A Fantasy Adventure That Still Gets So Much Right
Released in 2015, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains a favorite among RPG fans, even as newer games introduce bigger worlds, flashier graphics, and increasingly complicated gameplay systems. Developed by CD Projekt Red, the game follows Geralt of Rivia as he searches for Ciri while navigating political conflicts, supernatural threats, and the messy lives of ordinary people.
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1. Side Quests That Feel Like Real Stories
Many RPGs fill their maps with optional missions that involve collecting objects, defeating enemies, or delivering items to someone who could probably have sent a messenger. The Witcher 3 often turns even a seemingly ordinary request into a story involving difficult choices, unexpected consequences, or people with complicated motivations. A contract to investigate a monster might reveal an ugly family secret, while helping a stranger could leave Geralt questioning whether he actually did the right thing.
2. Choices That Don't Always Have a Clear Answer
A lot of games try to make you do the right thing by having obvious choices. It's a good-versus-evil type of thing, where the developer knows what you will pick before you even select a dialogue option. The Witcher 3 will keep you guessing and force you to think about your choices more often.
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3. A World That Tells Stories Without Explaining Everything
There are many things that you can learn about the Northern Kingdoms if you look around. Many times, the game will show you signs of something happening and leave it up to you to explore. Maybe some houses were burned down and there are bodies around, or someone set up camp in the middle of nowhere.
4. Monsters That Actually Belong in the World
Every fantasy RPG will include some type of monster to fight. But The Witcher 3 allows most monsters to have a story or be a part of one. Many of the quests you take on will involve a backstory explaining why the monster is doing what it's doing.
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5. Side Characters Who Aren't Just Quest Givers
The people Geralt meets often have their own ambitions, grudges, fears, and questionable decisions. Even characters who appear briefly can leave an impression because their dialogue and behavior suggest lives extending beyond the moment you encounter them. Some are charming, others are deeply unpleasant, and quite a few manage to be both depending on the circumstances.
6. Political Conflicts With Personal Consequences
War is always a part of a story, but The Witcher 3 takes political decision-making a bit further. We all saw what the North did to each other and what Nilfgaard was trying to accomplish. By grounding its larger conflicts in individual experiences, the game makes its setting feel believable without requiring you to memorize an entire history book.
7. A Main Character With an Established Personality
Geralt isn't a blank-slate hero whose personality depends entirely on what the player wants him to be. He's experienced, occasionally sarcastic, professionally practical, and capable. While you're able to make him act a bit differently, you're limited in how you want him to be. This allows the main quest to have a strong personality of its own.
8. Dialogue That Doesn't Waste Your Time
When you're talking to other characters, most of the dialogue is going to give you more information about who they are, the story, or at least make you laugh. Even when arguing, you can learn about their relationships and why they may be acting the way they are.
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9. A World That Feels Lived In
You will come across many NPCs who aren't trying to give you a quest. They will sell you things or give you hints about what's happening in that town. These routines aren't always sophisticated, but they help distinguish a busy town from a collection of buildings placed on a map. Even a short stop at an inn can make the setting feel more personal.
10. Exploration With Meaningful Discoveries
As mentioned before, the game world has some pretty cool secrets and hidden things. They may not be the biggest storylines, but there are still things that will interest you. Whenever you're out exploring, you're sure to find treasure and, more often than not, run into some type of trouble.
11. A Strong Sense of Place in Every Region
Every town in The Witcher 3 feels different from the others. Some will seem worn down by poverty or war, while others are bustling cities full of merchants and religious activity. These differences help make traveling across the map feel like visiting distinct places rather than passing through interchangeable fantasy zones.
12. Choices That Can Affect Later Events
The consequences of your decisions aren't always limited to the immediate conversation or quest reward. So don't skip dialogue and rush through the story to get XP. Whether it's deciding who you want to save or not, or deciding whether to attack someone, your choices can have consequences.
13. A Rewarding Approach to Monster Hunting
Being able to hunt monsters and take money for it is always fun. Once you start getting into tougher quests, you'll start using Geralt's skills to take on monsters. This will force you to think a little more when fighting instead of running up and swinging your sword.
14. Equipment That Supports Different Play Styles
The game offers a range of swords, armor sets, potions, bombs, and skill upgrades that allow you to develop Geralt in different directions. If you're someone who wants to build a specific style of play, you can easily do that with The Witcher 3. Getting Witcher swords is a long journey, but it's something to look forward to.
15. Humor That Doesn't Undermine the Serious Moments
Despite its grim setting, The Witcher 3 knows when to let its characters be funny. Geralt's dry remarks, the absurd behavior of certain side characters, and the occasional ridiculous situation provide relief from stories involving war, grief, and supernatural horror. These lighter moments don't erase the seriousness of the world.
16. Romance That Connects to the Characters
Everyone loves romance in games, and The Witcher 3 does it well. It can sometimes feel like you're collecting a certain number of hearts, but overall, it's enjoyable. You are building on relationships Geralt already knows. The romances aren't free of fantasy-game conventions, but they feel connected to the protagonist's identity and the relationships he's already built.
17. An Excellent Balance Between Main and Optional Content
Having a goal you want to accomplish can be tough if you don't have things to do while you're getting there. The Witcher 3 allows you to take some time out of your day and do whatever you want. Finish quests, roam Skellige, play Gwent, or even talk to someone about their problems.
18. Gwent as a Genuinely Enjoyable Side Activity
Gwent begins as a card game played by characters throughout the world, but it quickly becomes an activity with its own collecting goals, strategies, and rivalries. Building a stronger deck gives you a reason to challenge merchants, innkeepers, and dedicated opponents you encounter during your travels. The rules are relatively approachable, while card abilities and faction strategies offer room to improve as you play.
19. Expansions That Feel Like Full Adventures
As stated before, The Witcher 3 allows you to learn about its world through the two expansions. Both offer a lot to the game and keep you interested in what you're playing. No matter which expansion you play, there are going to be fun quests and items to collect.
20. A World That Rewards Returning Players
Even after completing the main storyline, you may find yourself thinking about characters, decisions, or locations you didn't fully explore on your first playthrough. A second run can reveal alternative outcomes, different dialogue, and details that were easy to miss when you were focused on the immediate objective. The expansions and optional quests also provide plenty of reasons to return.
