Partially thanks to the Netflix show The Witcher, the fantasy franchise is now more popular than ever. But even before this, The Witcher 3 proved to be one of the most successful RPGs of all time.
With plenty of main missions, side quests, contracts, treasure hunts, and a lot of other content, players can spend hundreds of hours discovering the world of Geralt of Rivia and his friends and enemies. At the heart of the story lies Geralt's search for Ciri, though. And to get to her, Geralt has to overcome plenty of challenges, some of which make playing the game unforgettable.
The Beast Of White Orchard
Before Geralt gets his first real clues about Ciri's whereabouts, he has to find his old lover first, the powerful sorceress Yennefer. And in order to do so, he must take on a large griffin that's been killing the villagers.
The griffin is the first major beast that the player faces in the game, which makes it a good training ground. The fight can be surprisingly tough, though, especially at a higher difficulty level, since Geralt doesn't have that many potions, bombs, and other tools at his disposal by this point.
Ladies Of The Wood
Geralt learns that Ciri came across witches known as the Ladies of the Wood and decides to seek them out.
The mission not only introduces one of the most dangerous villains in the game - the Crones - but hints at future events since the Ladies of the Wood later return in the third act of the game and try to kill Ciri. As an introduction of highly important villains, the mission naturally ranks high.
The King Is Dead - Long Live The King
Once Geralt's done with Novigrad, his travels lead him to the isles of Skellige, where he reunites with Yennefer and eventually witnesses the selection of the new king.
This mission gives a lot of space to Yennefer. Geralt has the option to rekindle their romance, while also helping her get a powerful artifact she needs to find Ciri. The quest feels like a temporary rest before the more serious things to come, but thanks to its introduction of Skellige, its customs, and its inhabitants, it's a mission that's easy to enjoy.
Pyres Of Novigrad
After leaving Velen, Geralt goes to the city of Novigrad to meet his old friend, the sorceress Triss Merigold, who can hopefully help him learn more about Ciri's location.
While not as action-filled as other missions on this list, Pyres of Novigrad are still a memorable quest. Not only does it bring back Triss Merigold, one of the two major love interests in the game, but the quest also serves as an introduction to Novigrad, the city that will play a large part in the story. Its atmosphere alone, so different from the swamps and forests of Velen, makes Novigrad a delight to discover.
The Isle Of Mists
After the long search, Geralt goes to rescue Ciri from the Isle of Mists, where she's hiding from the Wild Hunt. The mission contains one of the most emotional moments in the entire game when Geralt finds Ciri's body and thinks she's dead.
Combined with the scary setting of the Isle of Mists, where many dangerous creatures hide, the mission leaves a strong impression -- even more so since players can't go back to this location once they leave.
Through Time And Space
Geralt follows the Elven sage Avallac'h on a journey throughout different worlds, but nothing goes according to plan, as they're forced to separate. Rather than the final battle, though, the most notable quest in the third act of the game is the mission that sees Geralt traveling through different worlds. And it's the only occasion in the game to do so.
Each of the worlds is different from one another, so much so that the player doesn't know where to look first. At the same time, they have to be on their guard since none of the places Geralt visits is entirely peaceful.
Wandering In The Dark
Finding Ciri proves no easy task, but luckily for Geralt, he meets several old friends along the way who give him a helping hand. One of them is the sorceress Keira Metz, who's hiding in Velen.
Since many players undertake this mission at a relatively low level, it can prove a real challenge. The mission itself is atmospheric since it takes place in old underground ruins, and even more importantly, it provides Geralt with the tools necessary for future gameplay. Finally, it also starts the possibility of romancing Keira in the future.
The Battle Of Kaer Morhen
Once Geralt brings Ciri back from the Isle of Mists, the Witchers and their allies get ready for the battle with the Wild Hunt that's about to come.
Even though players might not expect it, this mission has the potential to make them cry - especially if they've grown to like the heroes, since one, or potentially more, die during the battle. The battle itself is difficult and full of moments when everything can go wrong, which makes it challenging for the heroes but a highly enjoyable and intense experience for players.
No Place Like Home
As one of the funniest main missions in the game, No Place Like Home deserves a spot on this list. What makes this mission unique is that it's the only opportunity during the entire game when Geralt has the option to relax and just enjoy himself. The Keep of Kaer Morhen has always been Geralt's home and it's here where he reunites with his fellow Witchers and gets to spend a night with his friends.
It's hilarious to see him get drunk and spend some quality romantic time with Yennefer (or not, if the player romanced Triss). It might seem a bit silly, but in light of what's to come, the relaxed mission is what both Geralt and the player need at this point.
Bloody Baron
Once Geralt arrives in Velen, he discovers that Ciri has visited a local warlord called the Bloody Baron. Geralt needs to help the Baron find his missing wife and daughter in order to get important information about Ciri.
What makes the mission so captivating is the complex character of the Bloody Baron. On one hand, he loves his daughter. On the other hand, he's a drunkard who used to beat his wife. Throughout the quest, Geralt has to make some morally difficult choices that will have long-term consequences. It's one of the first examples of how complex and open to interpretation the game, is which is the main reason why this mission ranks so high for many players.