Skip to main content

Witcher 3 Complete Edition Next Gen -

Here’s a solid, structured guide for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Complete Edition (Next-Gen) , covering what it is, what’s included, key features, performance tips, and how to get the most out of it.


10. Is It Worth Buying If You Played the Original?

  • Yes, if:
    • You have a PS5/Xbox Series/strong PC and want 60 FPS + faster loading.
    • You never played the expansions.
    • You want a reason to replay with new camera and quick signs.
  • Maybe not, if: You already have GOTY on PC and play modded (though many mods are now deprecated).

7. Conclusion & Recommendation

Verdict: The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update is a masterful refresh of a masterpiece. It is essential for new players and highly recommended for returning fans, especially those who haven’t played the expansions. However, players sensitive to frame rates should prioritize Performance Mode over ray tracing on consoles.

Best platform choices:

  • High-end PC: Full ray tracing + 60+ FPS.
  • PS5/Xbox Series X: Performance Mode (60 FPS) for best responsiveness.
  • Xbox Series S: 30 FPS with improved visuals (no RT option).

Final Score (as an update): 9/10
(Subtracted for inconsistent RT performance, but otherwise a gold-standard remaster.)


End of Report

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition 's next-gen update is a massive overhaul that transforms the 2015 classic into a modern showcase. It is available as a free upgrade for anyone who already owns a copy of the game. ⚡ Technical & Visual Upgrades

The update introduces high-end graphical features previously reserved for the most powerful PCs.

Ray Tracing: Adds Ray Traced Global Illumination and Ambient Occlusion for realistic lighting and shadows.

Performance vs. Quality Modes: Console players (PS5/Xbox Series X) can choose between 60 FPS Performance or 30 FPS Ray Tracing modes.

4K Textures: Assets for main characters like Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, along with monsters and environments, have been upscaled to 4K.

Integrated Mods: Includes popular community mods like The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project and HD Monsters Reworked.

PC Ultra+ Settings: A new tier of settings for high-end PCs to maximize draw distance, foliage density, and background character counts.

Upscaling Support: Features NVIDIA DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 2.1 for better performance at high resolutions. ⚔️ Gameplay & Quality of Life witcher 3 complete edition next gen

Significant mechanical tweaks streamline the experience without losing the core Witcher feel.

Quick Sign Casting: Players can now cast signs using button combinations (e.g., R2/RT + Face Button) instead of opening the radial menu.

New Camera Angle: An optional over-the-shoulder perspective brings the camera closer to Geralt for a more cinematic feel.

Instant Herb Looting: You can now pick plants with a single button press, skipping the loot confirmation window.

Dynamic HUD: The minimap and quest objectives can be set to disappear during exploration and only reappear during combat or when using Witcher Senses.

Reduced Fall Damage: Geralt is no longer quite as fragile when jumping from moderate heights.

Pause During Cutscenes: Finally, you can pause the action during any cinematic or dialogue sequence. 📺 New Content & DLC

CD Projekt Red added several nods to The Witcher Netflix series and other rewards.

"In The Eternal Fire's Shadow" Quest: A new side quest located in Velen that leads to rewards inspired by the Netflix show.

Netflix-Inspired Gear: Blueprints for the Forgotten Wolf School Gear and alternative outfits for Dandelion and Nilfgaardian soldiers.

Cross-Progression: Save files can now be synced across platforms (e.g., PS5 to PC) via GOG Cloud.

Photo Mode: A full suite of tools to capture and edit screenshots with various filters and camera controls. Here’s a solid, structured guide for The Witcher

💡 Key Takeaway: If you are a PS5 user, the game fully supports DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, making combat and even riding Roach feel unique to each action. If you're interested, I can: Detail the exact steps to redeem the "My Rewards" items

Provide a guide for the new "In The Eternal Fire's Shadow" quest Compare the PC vs. Console performance in more depth Which of these

Biggest Changes in the Next-Gen Update - The Witcher 3 Guide

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Complete Edition (v4.0+) is a comprehensive technical and content overhaul designed for modern hardware. Originally released on December 14, 2022, it remains a free upgrade for anyone who owns the original game on PC, PS4, or Xbox One. Visual & Performance Modes

The update introduces two primary graphical modes for PS5 and Xbox Series X: Ray Tracing Mode

with dynamic resolution. It adds ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion for more realistic lighting and shadows. Performance Mode : Targets a smooth

with dynamic resolution scaling, prioritizing fluidity over advanced lighting effects. Xbox Series S : Does not feature Ray Tracing but offers a Quality Mode (higher resolution, 30 FPS) and a Performance Mode PC Ultra+ Settings

: A new "Ultra+" tier increases draw distances, foliage density, and background character detail beyond the original game's limits. Core Gameplay & QoL Improvements

CD Projekt Red integrated several popular community mods and developed new quality-of-life (QoL) features to modernize the experience:

The Witcher III Wild Hunt | Next-gen update list of changes : r/PS5

Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition (Next-Gen) is a comprehensive remaster of the 2015 RPG, released on December 14, 2022, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This version consolidates the base game with both major expansions— Hearts of Stone Blood and Wine —alongside significant technical and content upgrades. Key Technical Improvements Visual Enhancements : Adds support for Ray Tracing , improved textures, and enhanced foliage. Performance Modes : On consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, players can choose between a Ray Tracing mode (30 FPS) and a Performance mode Upscaling Technology

: Integrated support for NVIDIA DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 2.1 helps maintain higher frame rates at 4K resolution. Loading Times Yes , if:

: Greatly reduced loading times on consoles utilizing SSD technology. Gameplay & Content Additions

Return to the Continent: The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Complete Edition Guide Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition

next-gen update (Patch 4.0) transforms the 2015 masterpiece into a modern technical showcase. Available as a free upgrade for existing owners, this definitive version integrates fan-favorite mods and official content to create a smoother, more immersive experience on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Key Visual & Performance Upgrades

Ray Tracing & Graphics Modes: Consoles now offer two primary modes: Performance Mode, targeting a smooth 60 FPS, and Ray Tracing Mode, which provides enhanced global illumination and ambient occlusion at 30 FPS.

Enhanced Textures: The update features 4K upscaled textures for main characters like Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, alongside improved foliage, water, and weather effects like the new "Gray Sky" type.

PC Exclusives: High-end PC players gain access to Ultra+ settings for increased draw distance and crowd density, as well as support for NVIDIA DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 2.1. Gameplay & Quality of Life Improvements

Gameplay: The Little Things Add Up

The Next-Gen update is a masterclass in respectful modernization.

  • Quick Sign casting is a revelation. Holding a trigger and pressing a face button to lob Igni or cast Quen mid-combo makes Geralt feel like a proper battle-mage.
  • The new camera (closer and more dynamic) makes Skellige’s cliffs and Novigrad’s alleys feel intimate and dangerous. You can toggle back to classic if you get motion sickness.
  • DualSense integration is subtle but effective: a gentle resistance on the trigger when your sword clangs against armor, a soft thump when Rooster trots on dirt.

The catch? The update introduces new bugs. NPCs occasionally T-pose, quest markers sometimes vanish (requiring a reload), and a rare audio glitch cuts out dialogue. None are game-breaking, but they’re jarring in a game this polished.


3. PC Exclusive: Ultra+ and DLSS 3

For PC gamers, the Next Gen update added an "Ultra+" preset. This pushes volumetric clouds, background character count, and shadow resolution beyond anything the original PC max settings offered. With DLSS 3 (Frame Gen) on supported RTX 40-series cards, you can actually run full Ray Tracing at 60+ FPS.

Final Visual Verdict: The Complete Edition Next Gen looks like a game released in 2023, not 2015. While it doesn't rival Cyberpunk 2077's path tracing, the art direction combined with modern lighting makes The Continent breathtaking.

What’s in the Box?

The Complete Edition bundles the base game, both massive expansions (Hearts of Stone & Blood and Wine), and all DLC. The Next-Gen patch adds:

  • Ray tracing (Global Illumination & ambient occlusion)
  • Performance mode (60 FPS)
  • DualSense haptic feedback & adaptive triggers
  • Quick Sign casting (no more menu-pausing)
  • Camera options (closer over-the-shoulder or classic)
  • Quality-of-life fixes (map filters, adjustable enemy scaling)
  • New quest inspired by the Netflix series (gear included)

5. What’s New in Gameplay (Quality of Life)

  • Auto-apply oils – Swords automatically get the right oil for the enemy (optional in settings).
  • Default map shows all undiscovered locations (no need to buy maps).
  • Herbalists now sell alchemy reset potions (Potion of Clearance).
  • Over-the-shoulder camera makes exploration feel fresh.
  • Fall damage reduced slightly.