Witcher 3 Remaster Combat Upgrades Impress in Preview
James Archer from Rock Paper Shotgun attended a behind-closed-doors preview of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt expansion Songs of the Past, noting that while the new content looked solid, the combat upgrades in the upcoming free remaster were the more compelling draw.
The preview, a joint effort between CD Projekt Red and co-developers Fool’s Theory, focused heavily on the reworks to combat, movement, UI, and role-playing elements that will arrive with the base game’s Remastered upgrade. This update is scheduled for release on September 29, months before the expansion itself. For players who have stepped away from the series, the remaster appears to be the more appealing package, particularly since it is free for owners of the original game.
Fighting in the remaster appears significantly more fluid and responsive than the current, often awkward sword mechanics in Wild Hunt. Geralt strings together combos with greater grace and speed, presenting as a more nimble swordfighter. Smarter camerawork also improves the clarity of targeting when multiple enemies are grouped together. While it does not quite reach the slickness of the Batman Arkham series, the visible intent to address one of the game’s most significant flaws is a notable improvement for an 11-year-old single-player title.
The remaster introduces new finishing moves, including those centered around the silver chain, which Geralt acquires during the expansion. In one demonstration, he latches onto a monster, drags it into blade range, and decapitates it in a single motion. This specific synergy between the new tools and the enhanced combat system stands out as a key feature of the update.
Visually, the new region Letten is depicted as a verdant corner of the Continent, where inhabitants focus on brewing and agriculture rather than warfare. The plot hooks into the disappearance of Dandelion, providing a personal mystery for Geralt to investigate. The expansion also features new enemies, such as Thornblooms and Swarmion, which utilize more dramatic and visually distinct attack patterns compared to existing foes.
However, the preview did not fully answer why this expansion exists. Following Geralt’s Last Adventure with another final chapter feels less like a bold new direction and more like a strange continuation. The remaster’s upgrades, while smaller in scope, currently seem like a more potent force for re-engaging players with the series.
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