The medieval era holds a certain allure for gamers, and the success of franchises likeAssassin’s Creed,Crusader Kings, andA Plague Tale: Innocencetells the story of an undeniable trend; the Dark Ages still have plenty to offer the gaming industry.The Witcheris one of the medieval-focused franchises that has evolved into a cultural icon since its inception, growing past the confines of gaming consoles and onto the silver screens of Hollywood, where it became one of the highest-rated series on Netflix in recent years. In 2007, CD Projekt Red launched the first installment of this widely-popular series -The Witcher1- which gained critical acclaim for its layered plot, challenging gameplay, and dynamic characters. Recently, the developer announced thatThe Witcher 1 Remakewas in the works, and one of the most significant improvements coming to the new version is the inclusion of open-world gameplay.
The originalWitcher 1, while laying the groundwork for what would become one of the biggest franchises, had its own set of problems. Despite the release being largely successful, it featured some mildly irritating crashing issues and long loading screens, which only served to lessen the gaming experience. However, in the grand scheme of things, these problems were minuscule and easily overlooked in favor of the rich lore and enthralling gameplay, as evidenced by thereviews ofThe Witcher 1. The game crafted with a closed world mechanism was heavily detailed with its side quests and NPC contracts, keeping gamers entertained outside the main plot. However, the switch to an open world format could allow its flaws to be rectified, with the entire game feeling like a different experience.
RELATED:How Ciri Could Show Up in the Witcher 1 Remake
Open World Gameplay Could Open a World of Possibilities in The Witcher 1 Remake
CD Projeckt Red perhaps had an open world game in mind with the level of detail in the first edition of theWitcherfranchise, as its side quests gave the game a replayability factor that was uncommon for releases at the time. The success ofThe Witcher 1unsurprisingly ushered in the idea of an open world game in subsequent installments of the series. The introduction of open-worldgameplay inThe Witcher 2and3elevated the series to stardom, andThe Witcher 1 Remakewill follow in their footsteps. The open-world format will change the very mechanics of the game, giving players a higher degree of freedom to roam the map while featuring improvements in graphics and combat mechanics, and the transition could makeThe Witcher 1 Remakeone of the better releases in the modern gaming era.
Fans ofThe Witchercan take on different quests and activities, such as hunting monsters, completing contracts, or lending a helping hand to the local population, all while progressing through the main story. This added mechanic will give players a sense of agency, as they will shape the world around them based on their choices and actions, creating a more engaging and personal experience for the player. Additionally, the open-world format will allow players to revisit old locations and encounter new challenges, improving on the factor of replayability that featured in the originalThe Witcher 1.
While the open-world format brings many new possibilities to the game, it also comes with new challenges. One potential issue is thatThe Witcher 1 Remakemay feel less focused, as players will have more options to explore and can easily get sidetracked from the main plot. However, with the technological advancements and the expertise of the developer CD Projekt Red, who will supervise remake developer Fool’s Theory, any potential challenges can be overcome to deliver a remake that not only stays true to the original but brings new and exciting experiences to players.
The introduction of open world gameplay toThe Witcher 1 Remakeis an exciting development with the potential to breathe life into a modern-day rendition of the gaming classic. CD Projeckt Red has succeeded with its previous open world projects, and there’s every reason to expectThe Witcher 1 Remaketo take players on a nostalgic journey into the life ofGeralt of Rivia.
The Witcherremake is currently in development.
MORE:The Witcher Remake Should Take A Page Out of Red Dead Redemption 2’s Horse Interactions
