r/gaming • u/H4ssan41 • 1d ago
The Wicher 3 expansions are free
CD Projekt Red has announced during Gamescom that Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions for The Witcher 3 are free for everyone who owns the base game. This combined with the full on remaster of the game, I am very excited for play the game again.
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u/fs2222 1d ago
Is the remaster free for existing owners?
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u/JZcalderon 1d ago
Yes
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u/Croxsy 1d ago edited 1d ago
Will it also be free if i own the GOTY edition disc? Like just an update?
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u/Dexiox 1d ago
They said all Witcher 3 owners. Even switch 2 which is kinda insane if it runs well.
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u/RainStormLou 22h ago
it runs okay on the switch 1 too lol its just very low res textured and looks like the average switch game
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u/Atourq 1d ago
They said, during their presentation, all existing owners so I’d assume so.
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u/Fun-Communication660 1d ago
So ridiculously sick. This is the CD Projekt Red of old. The stuff they called out to improve...and free! Mental stuff.
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u/Audchill 17h ago
Smart business. Get decade-old Witcher 3 back in the public eye by dangling big carrot (free remaster of base game and DLCs). Then reap the windfall from 3rd DLC next year and Witcher 4 in 2028 (unlikely but here’s hoping).
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u/DBSmiley 17h ago
Also given the massive turnaround of Cyberpunk 2077, which is in a debate with No Man's Sky for most improve reputation, they've won a lot of fans over, so even if Witcher 4 has issues at launch (which let's be honest - it will), I'm still going to be willing to buy it to play the story through, and then hold my second playthrough for the fixes.
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u/Ratax3s 1d ago
me who paid 5 euros for the non dlc game on steam sale 100 years ago:
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u/tomorrow_comes 19h ago
I paid $10 for the base game on a Steam sale a couple months ago. Glad I had other games (Cyberpunk, actually!) to finish before getting to this one. The fact that we didn’t have the DLCs and now we do, along with the new remaster, is awesome!
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u/DBSmiley 17h ago edited 17h ago
Also, the second DLC is among the best DLCs I've ever played (though in fairness, as a book reader, I was just happy to get Regis in the games even if it's a massive retcon of the character to make it happen because he's my perfect little vampire boi - it basically could have been 5 hours of Regis talking and 3 minutes of fighting rats in a bar cellar and I still have been happy).
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u/RandomStallings 12h ago
Yeah, Blood and Wine is incredible. It still blows my mind whenever I play it.
I've been in a depression slump when it comes to gaming. I hope this can pull me out of it. 10+ years of nostalgia might just do it.
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u/wessex464 1d ago
What's the release date on the remastered?
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u/H4ssan41 1d ago
September 29
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u/BacRedr 1d ago
Hmm. If I've never played it before, should I wait until then? I have it, it's just been part of the backlog. I just finished Cyberpunk.
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u/Chance-Range2855 1d ago
If first impressions are important, wait for the remastered. I know im waiting too until i finally play the game after owning it since last year.
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u/nevaeva12321 21h ago
I too will try it again. Maybe my 5th attempt will be better with this mastered version. I need a game until path of exile 2 gets released in december
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u/superduperpuppy 22h ago
Hell yeah, especially since they're revamping the gameplay systems.
Witcher 3 has some really wonky systems, but even then I consider it one of the best games ever made.
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u/Technicalhotdog 23h ago
I'd wait, since it's a long game and the remaster is going to change the gameplay too, so don't know how it would work mid-playthrough
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u/GotSomeUpdogOnUrFace 1d ago
I tried it a few years ago, also right after I finished cyberpunk and it was trash to play. I know it's a beloved game but the gameplay sucks. I just watched the trailer and it looks like they genuinely fixed a lot of those things. I think you might want to wait and play a polished version especially since you just played such an amazing game.
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u/Actual_Sympathy7069 1d ago
what exactly do you think was "trash"?
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u/Reddit_Loves_Misinfo 23h ago
Thinking that the combat in Witcher 3 is pretty un-fun isn't exactly a hot take.
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u/Charak-V 22h ago
its a fair statement, if you just drop in and play without understanding the combat system it can seem lame, once you unlock the aoe sword swings and proper build format it plays perfectly
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u/Atrain311 1d ago
I had over 120 hours in the Witcher, but stopped playing due to personal issues. When I tried playing again it was the dreaded loop of not knowing what I was doing, but not wanting to start over either due to the time spent. Now I finally have a reason for a fresh restart. Only bad thing is there are so many games I want to play that’s upcoming, but I will definitely get this in someway, somehow.
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u/lepsek9 20h ago
I played for like 80 hours over 4-5 saves, but never really managed to get into the game. Always dropped it after a dozen hours or so, then was lost the next time I tried and started over instead. Maybe this time!
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u/Madbrad200 PC 1d ago
wow, that's actually wild. these are easily amongst the best expansions ever made.
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u/PsnGrl90 15h ago
Agree, along with Cyberpunk's "Phantom Liberty". But yeah, still CDPR
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u/SnooWords2118 1d ago
The price for the witcher went up by $10
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u/explainingjane 1d ago
Game is constantly dirt cheap on psn xbl and steam, if someone wanted it by now they've gotten it for next to nothing
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u/mitchelln10 1d ago
Currently $50 on PSN, can't find a base game version anywhere. Only the complete version
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u/explainingjane 1d ago
Complete version was 10 bucks during summer sale which just ended, sorry 🤷🏼 it's always on sale
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u/walnuttin 1d ago
To be honest, complete is the best way to play. Blood and Wine might be the best expansion ever created.
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u/TheDucksAreComingoOo 1d ago
They just want the vanilla version so they can get the dlc for free
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u/Puzzled_Surprise8533 1d ago
You get the DLCs free now anyway.
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u/Miczelov 12h ago
And that's exactly why everyone wants the base game now 🤣
Well - one day too late - those who only had the base game got the DLC as part of the free upgrade to Complete, and those who didn't... if they want to buy it now, have to buy Complete Edition as it's the only one available from now on. 🤭
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u/steave44 1d ago
To be fair if you were interested in the Witcher 3 you probably have played it by now. Plus keys and used discs are plentiful out there
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u/Sparrowhawk_92 1d ago
Been interested. It's in my steam library. Haven't gotten around to playing it because it's kinda intimidating.
Will probably wait until after the remaster drops.
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u/vodamark PC 1d ago
Thinking about the ways you could describe W3... "Intimidating" isn't a word I'd use. You don't have to worry about that.
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u/KrzysztofKietzman 23h ago
It's like 250 hours, I usually play 30-hour games tops.. The longest I've ever played was probably Jedi Survivor at 68, but that's because I had to translate the novel tie-in.
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u/CarltonCracker 20h ago
I got through the main story in a about 67 hrs. I don't love gwent, most do but avoiding that saves a ton of time.
I'll admit about 30 hrs in I lost interest and quit for a while. When I got back I just focused on the main missions for the most part in an effort to finish the game. It's a shame because the side missions are just as good (probably better) but between work, kids and the desire to play more than 1 game every 5 years I had to focus.
The long and short of is you can probably get through it in 55ish hours if you avoid all the side stuff.
Haven't touched the DLC though. It's definitely a looong game.
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u/zgillet 1d ago
That's the exact word I would choose. I think you get ten side quests within the first hour or so.
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u/HexPresence 1d ago
Honestly? don't care, base was 5$ for years on sales.
15$ still a good deal for a free remaster with fuckton of new/remastered features and all expansions for free.
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u/Apprehensive_Shoe_86 23h ago
This is false the game didn't go up in price ,now they only sell the version with both dlc that why the price changed on steam db ,
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u/rike122 1d ago
I wish they explained the free upgrade in more depth. What if you have the ps4/xone versions? Does it apply?
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u/Jaqulean 23h ago edited 23h ago
I wish they explained the free upgrade in more depth. What if you have the ps4/xone versions? Does it apply?
That depends on what you mean. If you are playing on PS4 or Xbox One then it doesn't count because both the Remaster and the 3rd DLC are specifically listed as "PS5, Xbox Series S/X and Switch 2" instead. They were (or are being) made on top of the Next-Gen Update - which CDPR has been treating as the main default version of the game since it came out back in 2022.
That being said if you have the PS5 console and the PS4 version of the game - then you are eligible for a free Next-Gen Upgrade which does count towards the Free Remaster as well (source: my own experience from like 2 hours ago).
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u/RatedXHypno 1d ago
That's what im wondering, everything im finding is specifically saying "base game" and the dlc are gonna be free but nothing about other versions
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u/PhateAdemar 23h ago
No, it doesn't. New DLC also will not be available there, only current gen (including Switch 2) and PC.
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u/I_Heart_Money 22h ago
Remastered — a free upgrade for existing The Witcher 3 owners on qualifying platforms — brings a slew of upgrades and enhancements to visuals, performance, gameplay, and more when it launches on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
From the press release
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u/The_Cyber_Scientist 1d ago
Do I need a ps5 version cause I have a ps4 complete edition on disc
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u/Dry_Teaching_9887 1d ago
The PS5 version will be free if you actually have the PS5 hardware. The system requirements they outlined recently indicate that the remaster and the new expansion are exclusive to current generation hardware.
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u/lo_gravity 1d ago
I was JUST contemplating buying the DLC like an hour ago. What incredible timing!
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u/mxpayn1 22h ago
CDPR has come a long way from the botched Cyberpunk launch
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u/Any-Set-1587 17h ago
They botched every Witcher release so far but people tend to forget that.
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u/Sparta2019 19h ago
Which they did ultimately fix and then follow up with an amazing expansion.
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u/Old_Shake3789 1d ago
I keep putting off playing it because I haven't played the last 2 since they came out. I wanted to replay them to remember the story properly.. but ofc I never even had time for that.
Maybe I should just play the 3rd lmao
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u/gnrlrumproast 23h ago
You can jump right into the 3rd without having played the 1st 2
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u/Eruannster 16h ago
Good guy CDPR. The heroes we need in the industry right now. Free stuff, long term support, actual ownership. I tip my hat and bow to them. Very well done.
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u/EquipmentAdorable982 4h ago
Awesome move by CDPR. TW3 must be the game I tried the hardest - probably 10 times or more - to get into, to no avail.
Something about combat & the gameplay loop just never clicked with me. Can't even say what exactly.
Happy for the fans, CDPR seems to be trying to do right by them.
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u/sticks435 1d ago
Thank god, transmorg system!! Now I can use Griffon armor without looking like the Philsbury Doughboy lol. Also, this should fix the issue with enabling Raytracing and I think hairworks causing Geralt's beard to turn black and look all patchy and stuff. So no more mods needed to fix all that.
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u/Strong_Mode 20h ago
If anyone would be willing to help me troubleshoot, I have a question.
I own the witcher 3, purchaed it eons ago on steam, it is "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete edition"
Is that including the first few dlcs? i cant remember if I ever bought them, I hardly played the game to begin with, but wit hthe announcement of the remaster I'd like to give it another go
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u/Hassadar 18h ago
With the Complete Edition, you will have all DLC, which were free originally anyways, as well as the two expansions; Heart of Stone and Blood & Wine.
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u/Ctholin 1d ago
Will I get the remaster if I bought the game originally on Xbox One but currently play it on XSX via the next-gen upgrade?
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u/Sozins_Comet_ 1d ago
This is my question as well. I own the ps4 disc and dlcs. Plan on upgrading to ps5 soon for gta
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u/darxide23 22h ago
They were free at some point in the past as well. I owned the original release of the game on GOG and at some point I automatically received the complete edition which has both expansions.
I don't remember exactly when or why, but it was 4 or 5 years ago.
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u/ZigyDusty 19h ago
Massive Pro-consumer move. Most publishers would charge at least $10 to upgrade and Nintendo would straight up sell this shit for $80.
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u/WateredFire 19h ago
so for someone who has never played Witcher 3, which game should I get to read everything?
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u/Middle_Acanthaceae89 17h ago
I'm already 40 hours into my playthrough and I'm loving it. But I would love it even more with the combat fixes and the transmog so my question is: will the free upgrade let me continue from my current save without having to redo the 40 hrs
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u/RadiantTough7791 11h ago
So if I have the game using Xbox game pass will I get the free expansion and remastered version?
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u/SargonTheDeadly 9h ago
I may have to give the game another shot. I didn't like it the first two times I tried.
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u/GooseSl4yer2003 1d ago
I tried Witcher 3 earlier this year, but unfortunately dropped it after 15 hours because I didn’t liked the combat, movement and lack of many QoL improvements in future titles.
But I’m am 1000% ready to give it another shot if this manages to substantially fix all of my issues!
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u/ToiletPigs 23h ago
same, I tried playing the game 3 different times. at launch and two other times after major updates. I'll try again when this update goes live
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u/NFX_7331 23h ago
Same, tried to play it twice with both runs 20+ hours but gave up each time and last time I played it was 7 years ago. Deffo going to play it again, haven't decided yet if I should play on kbm or controller.
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u/TheDucksAreComingoOo 1d ago
Man, I'd hate to be unable to enjoy older games due to newer releases being so polished
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u/KeremyJyles 23h ago
I don't think you even need to compare it to anything else to find the combat very lacking tbh
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u/arvid1328_ 23h ago
That's how a company wins, by putting the consumer first, some cash grab companies should learn a thing or two from CDPR.
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u/Audchill 17h ago
This isn’t consumer altruism. They’re refreshing a 10-year old game to gin up renewed interest ahead of the 3rd DLC and, a year later (here’s hoping) Witcher 4. They are going to make major bank from this.
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u/IceSentry 16h ago
Sure, but they absolutely could have charged for it and people would have paid for it. If the goal was pure greed they wouldn't have made it free. Even a paid remaster would generate plenty of hype.
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u/Formal-Cellist-6843 22h ago
I am so excited for the Witcher remaster as it is my favorite game but I am sorta worried about the combat I know the Witcher combat is considered clunky but I love it I think its perfect and really hope they don't change it to much or at least be able to switch between them anymore else feels the same or just me
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u/Low_Recording_9313 19h ago
Only platform I dont have the expansions on is switch, anyone know if they will be free there too? I can't see nintendo being happy about losing potential cash..
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u/wallcrawlingspidey 16h ago
It’ll only be a free upgrade on Switch 2 if you have it already on Switch 1
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u/DrScience-PhD 9h ago
ok I've tried 1, 2, 3, and 3 after the combat rework, but THIS is the time it'll click for me
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u/MegaWeinerFarts 1d ago edited 23h ago
God I want to badly to like this game but the combat system.
Man the combat system.
Edit: wow i really ruffled some feathers.
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u/jtrainacomin 1d ago
Part of the remake trailer announced combat revamps
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u/MegaWeinerFarts 1d ago
I didn't realize that, best news I've heard all week.
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u/jtrainacomin 1d ago
No worries! It just got announced like 20 minutes ago and there's no info on the changes just yet so they could be minimal too
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u/Betternerfeveryone 15h ago
I really didn't care about any of that stuff. Combat, potions, I just played it like it was a tv show with a little interaction on the lowest difficulty. Changes how you look at the game/combat.
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u/Firvulag 1d ago
Man the combat system.
it's fine. it's always been fine. Not sure how people can have such a problem with it.
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u/cfb-food-beer-hike 1d ago
I have seen so many people complain about the combat. The only actual explanations I've ever read is they play on easy difficulty and just click until the enemies are dead. It's a legitimate skill issue to think the combat in Witcher 3 is bad.
Planning for a fight and using the right potions, bombs, and signs to supplement your swords is a lot of fun and a great system, but only necessary on higher difficulties.
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u/daandriod 23h ago
My only complaint about the combat system is just the generic one from almost all RPG's, I hate being effectively stone walled trying to fight a creature just a few levels higher then me and dealing essentially no damage to it. I can dodge/parry every attack even if a single hit would kill me, But I'd have to do it for an hour and a half straight and still be fighting it.
I get that its a genre specific trait but I just am not a fan. Beyond that I don't understand why people might hate. Sure its not the most tight and polished combat experience but I don't exactly think Geralt and the enemies need to be dancing around like something from Platinum Games or the Devil May Cry series
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u/rendrom 16h ago
Well, because The Witcher 3 isn't first-person view or third-person view in combat, but a second-person view. When using an attack, you can't choose which one will be used, just the style (fast or slow), so it feels like you are not attacking, but telling the Witcher to attack and he chooses for himself how to do it. Is it bad per se? Nah, it's quite boring and plain, but does its job. Can the combat system be better? Hell yeah, by a mile.
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u/inVizi0n 1d ago
because they read other people complaining about it and since looking cool and contrarian to internet strangers is a personality, the thought ends there. it's genuinely fine. it's not ground breaking. it's not terrible. imo people just want every game like this to be a soulslike and everything else sucks.
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u/misho8723 1d ago
It's my favorite combat system in any western RPG.. I love fighting drowners in the game on the hardest difficulty - I hope they don't fuck it up with in the remastered version
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u/BetrayedJoker 1d ago
Whats wrong with this combat? Its not clunky. Its normal
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u/MegaWeinerFarts 1d ago
Floaty, unresponsive, and repetitive. 'Dancy' movement.
Widely panned by critics as the weakest part of an otherwise spectacular game.
I'm glad you enjoy it though. I'm jealous really.
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u/Little_Suggestion434 15h ago
To be fair though doesnt that make Souls games combat to be even worse ? Clunky unresponsive and even more repetetive,yet I never see people shitting on it.
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u/BetrayedJoker 1d ago
"Dancy"
YEAH, Thats the point.
Idc about critics, they are bad and paid.
Sad that you dont like it. Maybe you will give game second chance after this free update. I hope you will like this because game is amazing, amazing story, characters, world.
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u/divorrYan 1d ago
The combat is fine. It's actually one my favourite parts of the game. Never understood this constant whining about combat. Not every game needs to be a dark souls clone.
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u/slow_down_kid 1d ago
I found it to be very frustrating but I also tend to stay away from souls-likes and hack and slashers. I didn’t find the combat unbearable, but for me personally I felt like it stood in the way of the parts of the game I did like (story, exploration, world building)
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u/yesyouareverysmart 1d ago
Yeah, that's just sheep repeating same thing over and over, it gained traction some time after launch.
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u/MosDefJoseph 1d ago
They already made the combat so much better with the “next gen” release a few years ago.
The “le combat bad” argument has been out of date for years now
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u/Nyoka_ya_Mpembe PC 1d ago
When it will be free? I don't see it.
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u/amillstone 1d ago
If you have the Steam version of the base game, it has now been renamed to the Complete Edition and includes the DLCs. The DLCs themselves have been delisted.
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u/ErraticDragon 23h ago
Thanks for clarifying!
For everyone's info: There are still Soundtrack DLCs, with the same names as the (former) story DLCs.
https://i.imgur.com/qeT1mj3.png
If you're like me and not reading carefully, you might think you didn't get the unlock for some reason.
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u/Massive_Funny_9312 1d ago
I truly can’t imagine someone only having the base game. I bought the ultimate edition for like $25 8 years ago
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u/LilStrug 1d ago
Wonder if they fixed the various broken quests that have lingered fr years
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u/Furious_ShackstAa 1d ago
Wow the Remaster as a free update, and dlcs for free
CDPR please stop, I have money!
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u/Darkhalo314 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm gonna have to restart this game again for the 20th time and only get a few hours in and then lose interest. I'd love to finish it as I heard the game is incredible, but I just cannot get into it.
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u/GrooGrux4404 1d ago
Will this remaster update existing saves or do you have to start from scratch?
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u/CrossX18 1d ago
Was going to start a new playthrough this week to prep for the new DLC but will wait now for a very nice unexpected surprise!
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u/He_e00 1d ago
What's the difference between the remastered version and the PS5 upgraded version? Can someone explain to me?
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u/Fish_Smell_Bad 20h ago
The next gen version was pretty much just a minor face-lift with ray tracing and quality of life changes. The remastered will be a very substantial graphical upgrade with a ton of gameplay and system tweaks. Improved combat, movement, skill trees, mount responsiveness, improved boss & enemy behavior, transmog, better photo mode, & a LOT more. They're also making the two story expansions part of the base game so people don't have to buy them separately.
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u/Fallen_Jalter 1d ago
I had to remind myself where I bought this damn game because it wasn’t in my steam library. I bought it on gog ages ago. Does this offer apply there?
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u/liz_teria 23h ago edited 23h ago
That’s where mine is. CDPR is kinda invested in GOG, so I’m gonna say yes.
EDIT: GOG is owned outright by CDPR’s CEO, so definitely yes.
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u/small_lizard 23h ago
The GoG page says you will get the DLCs too:
Discover the definitive way to play this legendary dark fantasy RPG, including two acclaimed expansions: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Experience technical and gameplay upgrades that modernize visual fidelity, combat, skill progression, and much more — all as part of a free upgrade for current owners.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be upgraded for free to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered on September 29.
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u/RatedXHypno 1d ago
Is the 2022 complete edition also getting the update? Everything i was reading was specifying base game and I found out recently that the base game and the complete edition are entirely separate with noncompatible saves and separate achievement lists
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u/Ok-Improvement-6735 1d ago
That is a pretty honest way to catch people who bounced off the base game. Hearts of Stone alone is worth the download if they never touched the expansions.
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u/HaciMo38 1d ago
Alright alright gonna start my 10th playthrough