The conclusion of the final season of Game of Thrones left behind a deep, dark television void that provided a lucrative opportunity to a wide variety of media companies beyond HBO. All major streaming services moved quickly to create, film, and release their own GoT's; with Amazon Prime's The Lord Of The Rings series still in production, Netflix found success first, with The Witcher.
Similar to Game of Thrones, The Witcher is based upon a series of books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowsi. But, unlike HBO's hit series, Netflix's The Witcher is based upon more than just the books; long before Sapkowski's series of short stories and novels were translated onto the silver screen, they were adapted into a series of wildly popular video games. Here are 10 of the biggest differences between the Netflix series, the games, and the books.
The Fall Of Cintra
In the books and short stories, the fall of Cintra -Princess Ciri's birthright- is never directly discussed. The sacking of the kingdom is mentioned, but only in passing, through a series of tales that Jaskier tells to Geralt. The show provides a new opportunity to witness the razing of the city, not only at the very beginning but also in a gritty, personal way.
By choosing to show the fall of Cintra first through Ciri's desperate escape, then later through Geralt's own escape, Netflix provides an interesting circle, while thoroughly painting this horrific beginning to Nilfgaard's brutal invasion.
Ciri's Powers
The novels depict Ciri's strange, chaotic powers in a much different light than the show does. The novels mainly showcase certain strange and magical instincts; the true potential of her magical capabilities are not even explored until the second book: 'Time of Contempt.'
But in the show, Ciri's powers are blatant, extreme, and uncontrollable from the very beginning. This serves mainly to increase the stakes both Ciri and Geralt are facing, as well as to provide an explanation as to why she is so ceaselessly hunted.
Gwent
Featured mainly in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Gwent is a popular trading card game of sorts that Geralt was known to enjoy playing throughout the video game.
Though it is only a mini-game, and so can be entirely ignored by a large portion of the audience, it is still greatly enjoyed by those who partake in it. While it would have been interesting to see Gwent somehow incorporated into the show, the game would likely have taken away from the grim, brooding, emotionless character that is Geralt of Rivia.
Yennefer
Similar to the fall of Cintra, little is known of Yennefer in the novels before she meets Geralt. Her entire journey at Aretuza, her relationship with Tissaia, as well as the murder of the infant child were not mentioned in the books.
The only aspect of Yennefer's backstory that is included in the books is that she began as a suicidal hunchback. By incorporating her story in such brutal detail into the show, Yennefer's character receives all the fine-tuning and attention it deserves.
The Swords
When the very first promo image from Netflix's The Witcher was released, featuring Henry Cavill in a stark white wig dressed in form-fitting leather, die-hard fans of the games were not entirely pleased.
Largely, this was due to the fact that only one wicked-looking sword was strapped to Geralt's back; in the games, The Witcher sports two brutal longswords. Though the show quickly proved that Geralt does not need a second blade to defeat his enemies.
Ciri's Journey To Geralt
It seems like something of a theme, in that large events that the novels merely mentioned are deeply expanded upon in the Netflix adaptation. In this, Ciri's entire journey across all 8 episodes of the first season is no exception.
Her escape from Cintra, through the plains and Brokilon forest, and eventually into Geralt's arms was dreamed up specifically for the show. 'The Blood of Elves' picks up essentially where the first season ends, with the White Wolf as Princess Ciri's defender.
Jaskier
The beloved bard captured hearts the world over with his quick wit, sarcasm, and, of course, his songs. 'Toss a coin to your Witcher, O Valley of plenty,' quickly became internet-famous, and the relationship Jaskier has with Geralt provides a much-needed bit of relief from the constant bloody backdrop of the show.
However, in the games, this same bard is called Dandelion, a strange decision as his name in the books is Jaskier. The showrunners made a good decision to return to the books for the bard's final christening.
Geralt's Childhood
Another event that occurs in the books, accompanied by next to no detail, is an encounter similar to the one that incapacitated Geralt for much of the eighth episode, where the White Wolf is wounded and delirious.
Netflix shows, in strong detail, what scenes the unconscious Geralt witnessed while in recovery, painting a firm history of The white-haired Witcher, while also truly deepening his character by demonstrating that, at one time, the fierce assassin was a boy full of innocence and wonder, who was turned over to the Witchers through no choice of his own. While the novels leave us wondering, the show provides answers we didn't even know we wanted.
Tris
The valiant mage is vastly different in the show than the games; the games, beyond portraying her as a pale, red-headed sorceress, also incorporate Triss as a major love interest for Geralt, crafting an intricate love-triangle between Yennefer, Tris, and Geralt.
The show does away with the love triangle, changes her visage, and places her much more in the background. She did have her moments throughout the season, making her potential high for season 2 - ultimately, Netflix made the right call, if only for merely simplifying an already complex story.
The Battle Of Sodden
In the books, this fearsome battle was mentioned after it had occurred. The most of Sodden that the books detail is when Geralt goes to the battlefield looking for Yennefer, hoping that her name is not etched upon the memorial that is all the evidence that remains of the battle. But the show grants the Battle of Sodden every bit of screentime it deserves, making it the pivotal finale of the season.
Again, this was a smart decision, as it provided an opportunity to truly demonstrate the capabilities of many of the mages, the power of Nilfgaard, and the sheer chaotic strength that Yennefer possesses.