Do you need to play previous Witcher games before The Witcher 4?

At The Game Awards 2024, CD Projekt Red revealed a cinematic trailer for The Witcher 4, and fans are now eagerly waiting to return to the Continent and dive into another epic adventure. The excitement is palpable as the next chapter in the much-loved franchise approaches.

However, for newcomers or those who haven't played the earlier titles, one pressing question arises: Do you need to play the previous Witcher games to fully enjoy The Witcher 4? While you can skip The Witcher and The Witcher 2, playing The Witcher 3 is highly recommended.

Note: Parts of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinions

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Why you need The Witcher 3 before playing The Witcher 4

Geralt from The Witcher 3 (Image via CDPR)

The Witcher 4 picks up “a few years” after the Wild Hunt, according to Game Director Sebastian Kalemba. The sequel focuses on Ciri’s journey as a witcher, making The Witcher 3 essential for understanding the stakes, characters, and world.

As one of the best RPGs ever, The Witcher 3 is a great starting point. Its self-contained story about Geralt's hunt for Ciri provides enough context for newcomers, and key backstory is delivered through dialogue and in-game texts. CD Projekt Red has also included a feature letting players shape past decisions via questions early in the game, eliminating the need to play the first two titles.

Kalemba has hinted at an evolving world where Ciri is proving herself “on the Path,” creating a direct thematic link between The Witcher 3 and its upcoming sequel. Experiencing The Witcher 3 first ensures you’re ready to dive into the continuation of this epic saga.

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What about The Witcher 1 and The Witcher 2?

A still from The Witcher and Witcher 2 (Image via CDPR)

While The Witcher and The Witcher 2 enrich the lore and backstory of Geralt of Rivia, these games are not needed to enjoy playing The Witcher 4.

The first title is a linear RPG with outdated mechanics. The second game is much better because it has branching storylines. However, both lack the polish and scope that characterizes The Witcher 3.

Fortunately, Wild Hunt remains an excellent entry point for newcomers to the series.

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Should you go beyond the games?

If you wish to delve deeper into the world of The Witcher, then Andrzej Sapkowski's books are a must. Start with The Last Wish, a collection of short stories that introduces Geralt, and then Blood of Elves, the first novel of the main saga. These provide context for Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer's relationships, which are central to the games.

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The Far North and new beginnings

The fourth installment of the franchise will bring players to uncharted territories, such as the Far North, while opening up regions beyond the Continent established in the previous game.

Whether they are linked to Kovir, Poviss, or places even further, they promise fresh adventures while staying tied to the evolving world introduced in The Witcher 3.

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Also check out: Is the Witcher 4 trailer pre-rendered cutscene or real-time graphics?