CD Projekt Red is best known for its open world games, which harbor expansive world maps - but when it comes to two of the studio's most popular titles, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077, it can be difficult to determine which of the two actually has the bigger map. After all, both RPGs are significantly different from one another not only in their plot lines, but also in their atmospheres. One immerses the player in a fantastical setting full of open, natural landscapes, whereas the other caters to a more crowded, metropolitan environment.
But even after getting technical, the answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's werewolf-infested Continent and Cyberpunk 2077's dystopian Night City are both simultaneously larger and smaller than the other, in their own respective ways. Which one feels bigger to the player is largely dependent on what aspects of open world gameplay they value (or dislike).
Witcher 3's Map Is Larger, But Cyberpunk 2077's Is Denser
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a massive success for CD Projekt Red, and though it released almost eight years ago, many players still regard it as one of the best RPGs of all time. One of its defining features was its map, which remains one of the largest among open world games to this day. According to RED SIDE on YouTube, Witcher 3's map spans around 135 square kilometers. For comparison, this is a hefty 100 square kilometers larger than The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim's map, which sits at around 37 square kilometers. A flat terrain, slow travel speed, and incredible distance between many of Witcher 3's main and side quests only emphasize the enormous size of the map (perhaps a bit too much, as some players have expressed).
When it comes to surface area, Cyberpunk 2077's map is considerably smaller, as EdgeRunner Cold on YouTube estimates it to be about 106 square kilometers. However, an important aspect to consider when it comes to the futuristic RPG's map is that its world building is exceptionally more complex. Taking place on California's west coast, Night City is jam-packed with characters, quests, and unique locations that give it a realistically urban feel. Plus, many of the game's buildings are open to being explored, some even being multi-leveled. This may give some players the impression that compared to other open world maps, Cyberpunk 2077's is more full and expansive - but to others, it may quickly become claustrophobic and overwhelming.
Thus, when comparing the two world map's sizes, there is no correct answer. Even though The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt may be mathematically larger, Cyberpunk 2077's dense and compact design can make the player's experience seem more fully-fleshed than the former. Whether a player prefers riding through lush hills and scattered forests, or squeezing through a bustling neighborhood full of the sights and sounds of the city - a player's preferences may impact their perception of which is actually bigger.
Source: RED SIDE/Youtube, EdgeRunner Cold/YouTube