The Witcher 3 Remastered Arrives September 29, New Expansion in 2027
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered is set to launch on September 29 for Xbox Series X|S, offering visual and gameplay upgrades. A new expansion, "Songs of the Past," is slated for 2027.
CD Projekt Red's acclaimed RPG, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is set to receive a comprehensive remaster for Xbox Series X|S on September 29. The upcoming release promises a significant overhaul, enhancing the game's visuals and gameplay mechanics to meet modern standards, all while preserving the core experience that captivated players over a decade ago.
The announcement, made during gamescom Opening Night Live, detailed a suite of improvements. Visually, the Remastered edition will feature upgraded textures for environments, non-player characters, and monsters, alongside reworked lighting that provides more natural illumination and dramatic shadow effects. These enhancements, coupled with ray tracing support, aim to offer players a fresh perspective on the familiar world of the Continent.
Beyond aesthetics, the gameplay experience is also being modernized. Combat is described as more precise and fluid, thanks to revamped animations and a new dynamic camera system that adjusts to the number of enemies on screen. The game's skill tree and character progression systems have been entirely reimagined to offer more flexibility and intuitive build creation, incorporating new perks and abilities while reworking existing ones. Players will also benefit from transmogrification for weapons and armor, allowing them to customize Geralt's appearance without sacrificing stats.
New Expansion and Features
In addition to the Remastered edition, CD Projekt Red revealed details about Songs of the Past, a new expansion for The Witcher 3, scheduled for release in 2027. The expansion's trailer offered a glimpse into a story set in Letten, the homeland of Dandelion, where Geralt accompanies his friend on a personal matter that quickly uncovers a lurking darkness. This new narrative will introduce never-before-seen monsters and new combat options for Geralt, including a recognizable chain weapon that nods to the original game's introduction cinematic, enhancing crowd control capabilities.
The Remastered edition will also include cross-platform mod support for Xbox Series X|S, enabling players to access a wide array of custom content, from new quests to balance changes. An expanded photo mode with new poses, camera controls, and filters will allow players to capture their adventures. Furthermore, the Remastered version supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing for seamless progression across Xbox Series X|S and PC.
This remaster is positioned as a free upgrade for all existing owners of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on Xbox Series X|S. Additionally, players who own only the base game will receive the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions for free on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Digital owners will get automatic access, while disc owners can claim them via the Store. The upcoming Songs of the Past expansion will also benefit from all the upgrades present in the Remastered version and is available to wishlist now on Xbox Series X|S.
The original release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2015 was a landmark moment in role-playing games, lauded for its rich narrative, expansive open world, and complex characters. Its enduring popularity has led CD Projekt Red to invest in bringing the experience to current-generation hardware, ensuring its longevity for both existing fans and newcomers. This dual announcement of a comprehensive remaster and a future expansion underscores the continued commitment to the beloved franchise.