The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt launched on May 19, 2015, and even after 10 years, it continues to be the benchmark for open-world RPGs. Despite many new releases and technical leaps, CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece still holds a special place for its rich world and unforgettable quests.
What’s wild is how many games get compared to it with a “The Witcher 3, but…” tagline—whether it’s Cyberpunk 2077 with guns or Ghost of Tsushima in feudal Japan. None have pretty matched its blend of engaging storytelling and world design.
An Open World That Feels Alive
The Northern Realms in The Witcher 3 aren’t just vast and packed with detail and history. Every village, forest, and path feels like it belongs, crafted with care rather than just thrown together. Places like war-torn Velen and the wondrous isles of Skellige invite exploration without feeling empty or repetitive.
And then there’s Toussaint from the Blood and Wine expansion, hands down one of the most beautiful game locations ever created. It’s a lively, colorful region that still blows me away whenever I visit.
Even CD Projekt Red’s own Cyberpunk 2077, with its neon-lit cityscape and memorable characters, can’t match the same environmental storytelling level. Night City feels more like a backdrop, while The Witcher 3’s world feels like a living, breathing place you genuinely believe in.
Quests That Matter
The heart of The Witcher 3 lies in its quests. The main story delivers unforgettable moments, like the iconic Bloody Baron questline, but the side quests are where the game really shines. These aren’t just filler; they’re fully fleshed-out stories where your choices carry weight and NPCs remember what you do.
Even monster contracts, which might seem routine, often have surprising moral twists. Few games have nailed this kind of narrative depth. I’ve spent over 100 hours in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which comes close with its dense worldbuilding and grounded combat. Still, it doesn’t capture the same emotional connection to characters and stories.
Visuals That Still Impress
In 2015, The Witcher 3 was ahead of its time visually, and thanks to the 2022 next-gen update, it still looks fantastic in 2025. The sunsets over Novigrad, the fog in Crookback Bog, and the snowy beauty of Kaer Morhen all hold up remarkably well.
Sure, other games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and Elden Ring have pushed graphical fidelity further, but none combine polish with such consistent artistic style. The Witcher 3’s visuals never feel flashy or artificial—they just fit perfectly with the world and story.
The Benchmark That Endures
Over the past decade, RPGs have evolved, with titles like Assassin’s Creed Origins, Elden Ring, and Baldur’s Gate 3 offering fresh experiences. Even Cyberpunk 2077, after a rough start, has grown into a game worthy of its studio’s name.
Yet, none have entirely replaced The Witcher 3 as the ultimate standard. Some excel in certain areas—freedom, ambition, or storytelling—but the total package of story, world, gameplay, and immersion remains unmatched.
Ten years is a long time in gaming, with many changes and new hits, but The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt still pulls players in like few others. Whether it’s your first or fifth playthrough, it’s a game that continues to interest.
