The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been a kingpin of open-world RPGs since its release in 2015, but it could soon be losing its spot thanks to the upcoming remake of the original The Witcher 1 game. Despite its increasingly evident age, being launched in 2007, it still retains sizable advantages over some of the more recent installments of the series in terms of content quality. Building upon its previously established strengths and minimizing its weaknesses could turn Witcher 1 into a true masterpiece of the genre, even one that rivals the acclaimed Witcher 3.
The Witcher 1 remake is likely still years down the line. CD Projekt Red currently has several other projects under wraps, which will be released slowly over time (such as a new Witcher trilogy, codenamed "Project Polaris"). While some loyal fans might be disappointed with its long development cycle, their patience will almost certainly pay off in the end. The Witcher 1 remake, or "Canis Majoris," will have plenty of time to draw inspiration from Witcher 3 and even the new trilogy alongside its own previous successes - giving the developer ample opportunity to perfect the title.
Witcher 1's Story Is More Intuitive Than Witcher 3's
Surprisingly, Witcher 1 has some of the most effective storytelling out of the entire trilogy. Instead of participating in the political affairs of Witcher 2, or dealing with complicated familial matters in Witcher 3, the original title has Geralt doing what likely feels most natural to him: monster slaying. Deeply engrossed in an unfamiliar world, he has to use his witcher abilities to prove himself to local townsfolk and ultimately retaliate against the assailants who attacked Kaer Morhen (which is explorable in Witcher 3). This humble, straightforward mission - alongside an impactful narrative involving The Order and the Scoia'tael - proves quite immersive, as it slowly unravels amnesiac Geralt's true character.
Witcher 3's Well-Crafted World Is Comparable To Witcher 1's
Worldbuilding is also unexpectedly well done in Witcher 1. It's clear that CD Projekt Red was thoughtful in creating a genuine, believable world and made an effort to intertwine characters and subplots throughout the entire story. Each NPC truly seems woven into their community, and the map contains no shortage of secrets to discover - many of which connect to future missions and thus reward repeat playthroughs. With dozens of side quests that often prove just as meaningful as main quests, the world is far richer than that of Witcher 2, and this speaks volumes about the merit of its atmosphere when considering the latter's jump in visual quality.
In the current state of the game, Witcher 1's issues are obvious. Dated graphics, a clunky combat system (which Witcher 3's update improved upon recently), and an unoptimized UI that openly displays its age can understandably make the game unappealing to many players. But with the remake already equipped with a refreshing storyline and immersive worldbuilding - and with major tweaks surely in store - it sounds promising. Fans might be hesitant to shift their affection away from the beloved The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but The Witcher 1 is truly a diamond in the rough, and its remake could finally give it some justice in the light of the series.
Source: CD PROJEKT IR/Twitter