The Witcher 3 Remastered Launches Today With Major Visual and Gameplay Upgrades

1. The Remastered Version Launches on September 29

The Remastered edition becomes available on September 29 for PC through Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net, alongside PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players who previously purchased the game can upgrade within the same platform ecosystem without paying for the Remastered version again.

This approach means the release is designed as an upgrade rather than a completely separate purchase for existing players. New players can also access the updated version directly, making the Remastered edition the latest version of the game going forward.

2. Visual Improvements Go Beyond Resolution

One of the biggest areas of the upgrade is visual presentation. CD PROJEKT RED says the Remastered version introduces an improved shading model, updated textures and models, enhanced lighting for grass and foliage, and refreshed visual effects for Signs and skills. The game also incorporates assets based on the The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project. These changes are intended to improve environmental detail while maintaining the recognizable visual identity of the original game.

The Remastered version also updates the game's underlying rendering technology. The official feature list includes native DirectX 12 rendering and multithreading improvements, alongside updates to color grading, lighting, contrast, and visual detail. For players returning after several years, these technical changes could make the biggest difference during normal exploration. The Northern Kingdoms remain the same world, but modern rendering and lighting technology can give familiar locations a noticeably different presentation.

3. The Skill System Gets a New Layout

The skill screen has been reorganized into a more intuitive skill-tree layout. This is one of the changes that directly affects how players interact with character progression rather than simply changing the game's graphics. The updated presentation should make it easier to understand the relationship between different skills. For returning players, this also provides an opportunity to reconsider how Geralt's progression is organized rather than simply copying an old build.

4. The Map Receives Several Quality-of-Life Changes

Navigation has also been updated. Players can switch between tracked quests more easily, while untracked quests receive a distinct map marker that can be selected for tracking. The maximum number of map markers has also been increased, with additional marker types added. Players who prefer a cleaner interface can also hide herbs, boats, and corpses from the minimap. These options allow the map to provide useful information without necessarily displaying every available icon.

Looting receives another set of quality-of-life improvements. Nearby loot can now be grouped into a single window, reducing the need to interact with multiple loot windows in areas containing several items.

The update also adds item tooltips to loot windows, allowing players to check item details before picking something up. A new loot feed displays recently collected items and can be disabled through the gameplay settings.

9. The Witcher 3 Is Expanding to More Platforms

The Remastered launch also marks the arrival of The Witcher 3 on additional platforms. A native version is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, while CD PROJEKT RED has partnered with Blizzard to bring the game to Battle.net. Both versions launch on September 29.

The broader platform availability gives the Remastered version a second role beyond a technical update: it introduces the game to players using hardware and storefronts that were not part of the original release ecosystem.

10. A New Witcher 3 Expansion Is Also in Development

The Remastered launch is not the only new Witcher 3 announcement. CD PROJEKT RED has also revealed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past, a new expansion planned for 2027.

The expansion will take Geralt to Letten, described as a new rural region with its own characters, quests, and secrets. The project is already available to wishlist, although its full release is scheduled for 2027 rather than alongside the Remastered launch.

This gives the Remastered release a larger context: rather than being solely a technical modernization of an older RPG, it also sets the stage for another chapter in Geralt's journey.