Summary
The Witcher 4may remain one of the most anticipated games until it finally launches, whenever that is. This is due in large part to the critical success of its predecessor,The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which has become something of a standard in the role-playing game genre, especially when it comes to its scale and storytelling. Unfortunately, not much is known aboutThe Witcher 4at the moment aside from the fact that it is indeed in development, and development seems to be progressing smoothly.
DespiteThe Witcher 4largely remaining a mystery for the time being, it is expected to build on the formula established by its predecessor and even improve areas that need improving. This ultimately means some features may be carried over and others may be cut entirely. However, there is one element ofThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntthatThe Witcher 4shouldn’t think twice about including, as it has proven to be a major influence on the gaming industry, especially when it comes to mini-games. The feature in question isGwent, the acclaimed card game fromThe Witcher 3.
The Witcher 4 Can’t Skip Out on Gwent
The Witcher 3’s Gwent Is One of Its Most Iconic and Influential Features
There are plenty of things worth noting inThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but its card-based mini-game Gwent may very well be one of its most iconic and influential features. Gwent has achieved massive popularity since its 2015 debut inThe Witcher 3due to its engaging gameplay, which is often both as accessible and as challenging as players wish to make it. Gwent successfully blends the cozy side hustle of card collection with the thrill of tactical gameplay, thanks to the different factions that players can acquire cards for and build decks from, as well as the rewards offered for defeating some ofThe Witcher 3’s most skilled Gwent players.
Gwent is not only popular inThe Witcher 3itself, however, as it has been known to infiltrate discussions about mini-games in other, non-Witchertitles as well, likeFinal Fantasy 7 RebirthandHorizon Forbidden West.Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Queen’s Bloodmini-game has been rightfully compared toThe Witcher 3’s Gwent, despite the two having unique mechanics, andHorizon Forbidden West’s Machine Strike mini-game has also opened a door for Gwent to garner more recognition.
This is all simply a sign of Gwent’s impact on the gaming industry and how much praise it has received, as the newest mini-games are often compared to Gwent, regardless of whether they are even similar enough to warrant the comparison.
The Witcher 4 Should Include and Even Improve Gwent
In light of Gwent’s success inThe Witcher 3, the next game in theWitcherseries would arguably be remiss to exclude the mini-game from the picture. It’s assumed it will change somewhat, depending on the setting andcharacters forThe Witcher 4, but the next game should include Gwent nonetheless. Based on its reception and the comparisons that are made to it even nearly a decade later, attempting to leave Gwent out of the picture inThe Witcher 4could potentially be a big mistake.
The Witcher 4could also improve Gwentto increase the possibility of it receiving even more positive attention. The visual potential provided byThe Witcher 4being developed using Unreal Engine 5 should be a significant improvement in and of itself, but it could add some new features to spice things up as well. For example, including online components that allow players to compete against one another could take Gwent to the next level, but even including a much larger selection of cards could make Gwent a more customizable experience. Even ifThe Witcher 4didn’t improve Gwent on a large scale, however, simply including it feels like a must.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
WHERE TO PLAY
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you may explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRETrained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLDBuilt for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.
