The latest mod for The Witcher 3 Next-Gen, created by modders ‘rmemr’ and ‘Ard Carraigh’, brings a welcome visual upgrade. This modification introduces self-shadows to every non-playable character (NPC), enhancing their realism significantly during gameplay.
For players unfamiliar with the game’s original setup, CD Projekt Red had not implemented self-shadows for characters, leading to less detail than in cut-scenes. This mod seeks to rectify that by applying self-shadowing effects across all NPCs, making them appear more dynamic and lifelike.
While the game is primarily presented from a third-person perspective, where subtle details can often be overlooked, those keen on optimizing their experience will appreciate this feature. Players interested in this enhancement can download the mod through this link. Comparison screenshots are available at the end of this article, showcasing the differences between the vanilla version and the modified one. You’ll find the original on the left and the updated version on the right.
Remember that this mod is tailored for The Witcher 3’s Next-Gen edition. An alternative mod can be found here for those still playing the base version of the game. Also, note that it conflicts with another popular modification that enables ray tracing ambient occlusion (RTAO) for all characters; if you’re using that one, it’s best to skip this new addition.
If you play with Ray Tracing enabled, multiple mods are designed to enhance graphical fidelity further within those settings.
