The Witcher 4: Ciri Takes Center Stage as New Protagonist

The gaming world got its first glimpse of The Witcher 4 (codenamed Polaris) at The Game Awards 2024, with CD Projekt Red finally unveiling what many fans have been eagerly waiting for – Ciri will be the main protagonist of the next chapter in this beloved series.

A New Chapter Begins

The reveal trailer showcased Ciri taking the lead role, marking a significant shift from the previous games where Geralt of Rivia served as the primary character. This change isn’t entirely surprising for those familiar with the series, as Ciri has been a crucial character since The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, where players got to control her during several memorable sequences.

Trailer Breakdown and First Impressions

The reveal trailer immediately captured attention with its stunning visual fidelity, showcasing the power of Unreal Engine 5. The graphics displayed a level of detail and polish that sets a new benchmark for the series, with particularly impressive lighting and environmental effects.

The narrative setup appears both intriguing and dark, focusing on a storyline involving a tribe performing a ritual sacrifice. The trailer shows a young girl being led into the woods as a sacrificial offering to a monster.

The reveal has generated massive excitement, especially with Ciri’s confirmation as the protagonist. However, there wasn’t much of the gameplay shown and this is typical for initial reveal trailers, with gameplay demonstrations usually reserved for subsequent promotional events.

Note: You can check out the Witcher 4 Trailer here.

Will Geralt be there in Witcher 4?

While Ciri steps into the spotlight, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Geralt will still appear in the game. However, his exact role remains unclear. This approach makes sense given the rich history between these characters, with Geralt having served as Ciri’s mentor and father figure throughout the series.

The shift to Ciri as the protagonist opens up exciting new gameplay possibilities. As a character who possesses both witcher training and unique powers, including her ability to traverse time and space, players can likely expect:

• Enhanced movement mechanics building on Ciri’s teleportation abilities
• A fresh perspective on the world through her unique background
• New combat styles combining witcher techniques with her Elder Blood powers
• A different approach to storytelling given her royal heritage and complex past

CD Projekt Red promises Witcher 4 will be “better and bigger than Cyberpunk 2077.” While an exact release date hasn’t been announced, the game isn’t expected to launch before 2025.