The Witcher 3’s Final Hurrah: Why CDPR Needs to Pass the Silver Sword to Ciri
The Bottom Line: Recent leaks suggest CD Projekt Red is preparing a surprise DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, more than a decade after its 2015 debut. While rumors place the White Wolf in a new desert locale, we believe returning to Geralt risks undermining the perfect closure of Blood and Wine. To bridge the gap to The Witcher 4, this expansion must pivot to Ciri.
We’ve been covering CD Projekt Red since the original Witcher was just a clunky Aurora Engine project. We’ve seen this studio at its peak and its lowest troughs, but one thing has remained sacred: the ending of Blood and Wine. For many of us, Geralt’s fourth-wall-breaking smirk at the camera in Toussaint wasn't just a moment; it was a definitive "goodbye" to a character we’d spent hundreds of hours with. Breaking that retirement now feels like a massive narrative gamble.
The Case for a Ciri-Led Expansion
If the rumors of new content are true, CDPR has a golden opportunity to "backtest" the mechanics for the upcoming trilogy. We know Ciri is the future of the franchise. Using a Witcher 3 DLC as a functional prologue for The Witcher 4 makes way more sense than dragging Geralt out of retirement for one more contract.
- Narrative Continuity: In the canon "Witcher" ending, Ciri begins her journey as a monster hunter. We need to see that transition.
- Mechanical Refresh: Ciri’s gameplay in the base game was high-speed and flashy but lacked the depth of Geralt’s alchemy and sign builds. A dedicated DLC could flesh out her "de-powered" kit.
- Lore Resolution: Fans have been debating the "Trial of the Grasses" and the extent of Ciri's remaining Elder Blood powers for years. This is the place to answer those questions.
Geralt vs. Ciri: The Strategic Comparison
| Feature | The Geralt Route (Status Quo) | The Ciri Route (The Bridge) |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative Impact | Risks "Un-ending" a perfect finale. | Sets the stage for the new trilogy. |
| Gameplay Feel | Familiar, but potentially stale after 10 years. | High-mobility, glass-cannon playstyle. |
| Lore Value | Low; we know Geralt's story inside out. | High; explores her life post-White Frost. |
| Stakes | Just another contract in a desert. | The first steps of a legend in the making. |
Don't Mess With the Toussaint Retirement
Let's be real: Geralt deserves his peace. Whether he’s lounging at Corvo Bianco with Yennefer or entertaining visits from Triss, that ending was earned. If the leaked "Desert" setting is real, we suspect CDPR might be trying to pull a "flip the script" maneuver. Imagine a DLC where Geralt goes missing in a foreign land (likely Ofir or Zerrikania), and we play as Ciri on a rescue mission. This allows us to see the White Wolf again without forcing him back into the grind of being the primary protagonist.
We’ve seen plenty of legacy franchises stumble by refusing to let their leads go. The Witcher 3 is widely regarded as one of the best RPGs ever made specifically because it knew how to stick the landing. If CDPR re-opens that door, it needs to be with a clear vision for the future, not just a nostalgia trip for the sake of it.
What This Means for The Witcher 4
This rumored DLC isn't just about adding hours to a decade-old game; it’s a mission statement. If we play as Ciri, CDPR is signaling a confident hand-off. If we’re stuck with Geralt again, it suggests the studio might be playing it too safe, relying on the "White Wolf" brand rather than the strength of the universe they've built.
Our analysis? Expect a "Bridge DLC." We’ll likely see Geralt in the opening act, but the heavy lifting—the combat, the choices, and the leveling—needs to belong to Ciri. Anything less would be a missed opportunity to prep the player base for the massive shift coming in the next game. We don't need Geralt to tell us "it looks like rain" one more time; we need to see if Ciri can carry the weight of a franchise on her shoulders.