The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been a defining release for CD Projekt Red. The title has taken the world by storm and brought plenty of new fans to the Witcher franchise. However, while the fan base has continued to grow, this has resulted in the points of view of the players expanding into new territories as well.
There is always room for debate and discourse among those who love something. For The Witcher 3, there are plenty of areas to converse about, whether it's about the weapons and costumes, how it compares to the books, or perhaps where the title stands in the wider gaming world.
The Guide Book
Guidebooks are often a controversial area of discussion for most fandoms. Sometimes a guidebook is perfect as a companion piece, helping the player on their way if they are to ever get stuck, while also feeding them some unique and useful tricks and hints.
However, purists would argue that this isn't how the game should be experienced. While the book from Alex Musa and David S. J. Hodgson might be reliable, for some it's essentially like cheating, without the player actually getting to work through the challenges themselves.
Is It The Best Game Of The Series?
The best game in any series will always be debated. Everyone has their favorites and some areas of discourse might be influenced by nostalgia. After all, The Witcher series has been running for quite a while now, with each release hitting different generations.
For the most part, Wild Hunt has been praised as the best installment to the saga, because of its brilliant storylines and excellent gameplay mechanics. There are arguments to be made that each predecessor set the series on the right path, but it is fair to say that Witcher 3 fulfilled its potential.
In Need Of A Remake
Because of its popularity, The Witcher 3 is receiving a remake. The idea is to graphically bring the title in line with the current generation so a new range of fans can enjoy this story at its absolute best. But like any remake, there is always going to be controversy.
Whether the title actually needs a remake is going to be debated until the release actually comes out. For the most part, the concept is welcomed, as long as there aren't major changes that shift the fabric of the game. Once again, purists might prefer to stick to the original fantasy RPG.
The Best Weapon
Fans are well aware that one area of customization is the sword that Geralt wields into battle, or in fact any other weapon he might choose to harness the power of. Different choices are going to lead to alternative points of view, as to what will be a worthy piece to use in battle.
Some will have their own variation on the steel sword or a rare relic that they wish to utilize. Others are going to swear by the usefulness of something like a crossbow, which allows the player to attack at range. There is no right or wrong answer, but the arguments will continue regardless.
Comparison To Other Titles
It's natural to compare The Witcher to other titles, especially when looking at other open-world releases like Red Dead Redemption 2. There are numerous areas to judge the title, from the depth of its side quests, to the opportunities for the players to make choices.
Witcher 3 was named game of the year, but there will be players from other fandoms who would argue that the Witcher might be weaker than other titles that won the reward. No matter where the reader falls, it's obvious that Wild Hunt is a quality title that will stand the test of time.
Best Platform To Play
The console war is set to continue, especially with newcomers to the market potentially reshaping the gaming industry. As of this writing the game is available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. That's a lot of platforms.
Everyone will have their preferred method of play, with most gamers choosing the current generation to have the most effective graphical experience. PC gamers will fight their corner though and there is a small section of the fandom content to continue on the Switch despite its drawbacks.
Multiplayer Options
The Witcher has no multiplayer options. For many that's a relief, as far too many titles that lend themselves to single-player campaigns, find a way to introduce a multiplayer element that simply doesn't work. Not every game has to be playable online.
But the argument is still there that CD Projekt Red could have explored some multiplayer options further - this wouldn't affect the main plot but could give audiences an additional method of play. It's an interesting idea but one that might be too difficult to execute, meaning the debate still continues among fans.
Best Armor
From the Griffin set to the Wolven attire, there are so many gorgeous designs to choose from when searching for the best-looking armor in The Witcher 3. But looks aren't everything and the player has to take into account the practicality of the piece as well.
Most players will have their Geralt kitted out very differently, based on their gameplay style and what they are looking for in an outfit. Much like the weaponry, there is no right or wrong answer to which attire is worn, but everyone is going to have a firm opinion.
The Right Ending
The nature of a title that gives the players various choices is going to open itself up for further discourse. Some players will be searching out a specific ending to their Witcher 3 narrative, especially if they have played the game more than once. That could lead to some strong opinions.
There is no official ending to The Witcher 3 and some people will not seek to control their outcome, instead experiencing the conclusion as it comes to them. But others will argue that there is one that stands above the rest and will ensure they finish with that finale every time.
Influence On The Netflix Show
Showrunner for the Witcher Netflix show, Lauren Hissrich, spoke about the influence that the video game had on the TV show. That's an area that many will find troubling, as many want the series to only look to the books for its world-building, rather than what's on the console.
However, the look of the series was definitely influenced by the settings and designs seen in Wild Hunt. There are going to be further arguments as the show develops (especially with a new lead) about how much Netflix should look to the console titles in comparison to the source material.