The Witcher 3: Time Past - Geralt Returns, But Is This Just Artificial Agony Prolonging?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, considered for a decade as one of the most important works in the history of RPG games, has just received a shocking news: a third, full-fledged DLC, “Songs of the Past”. Geralt of Rivia, who was supposed to retire after Blood and Wine, is back on the scene. And this is happening as CD Projekt Red prepares for the premiere of The Witcher 4, where Ciri is supposed to take center stage. Is it a tribute to fans, a strategic marketing move, or just an attempt to exploit the franchise's value? Let's focus on hard facts, not romantic lies.

Key Facts in Brief

• 'Songs of the Past' is the third, full-fledged DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, scheduled for 2027 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S).
• Geralt returns to the spotlight, raising questions about Ciri's future as the main character in the saga's continuation.
• CD Projekt Red is collaborating with Fool's Theory on the production of this add-on, a studio that also has The Witcher 1 remake on its account.
• CDPR emphasizes that the DLC is to be a “sentimental journey” and a epilogue before The Witcher 4, where Ciri is to be the main character.
• The scale of the add-on is said to be comparable to the acclaimed 'Blood and Wine', suggesting a lot of new content.

The news of the premiere of another DLC for a game 11 years old is more than just an addition. It's a signal from CD Projekt Red: the Witcher saga isn't over, but it's evolving. The question is: towards what? Michał Nowakowski, co-director of CD Projekt Red, stated: “Geralt's return after over a decade will be an excellent adventure and sentimental journey before handing the baton to Ciri in the upcoming The Witcher 4.” It sounds nice, but what does it really mean for us, players?

All this is happening in the shadow of the growing number of The Witcher 3 copies sold, which has just exceeded 65 million. This is an impressive result, but it can also influence publishing decisions. Is CD Projekt Red trying to maintain interest in the Witcher brand before The Witcher 4 is ready? Is it a strategic move to gain time and resources to refine the continuation? Or are they simply trying to squeeze the last pennies out of Geralt before his era definitively ends?

I'd like to believe it's a gesture of gratitude to fans. But remember, the gaming industry doesn't live on sentiment, but on profit. Most of us who played The Witcher 3 know that it's an exceptional game. And it is this excellence that poses a huge challenge for “Songs of the Past”. We cannot allow it to become just a pretext for quick cash grabs on a wave of sentimentality.

Meanwhile, The Witcher 4, with Ciri in the lead role, is a step into the unknown. Moving away from the iconic character of Geralt can be risky. So maybe the “Songs of the Past” DLC is to be a smooth transition, a kind of bridge between the old and the new? Or perhaps CD Projekt Red wants to test player reactions to Geralt's return before deciding on further projects?

It's undeniable that this news evokes mixed feelings. On the one hand, another adventure with Geralt is something most fans would like. On the other hand, questions arise as to whether this isn't a desperate attempt to prolong the life of an old formula, instead of focusing on the future of the series.

It's also interesting that Fool's Theory is involved in the production, a studio that is also working on the remake of the first Witcher. This may suggest that CD Projekt Red is entrusting key projects related to the Witcher brand to proven partners, while focusing on The Witcher 4 and their own productions.

Ultimately, if “Songs of the Past” is to be an epilogue that will complete Geralt's story, it could be a valuable addition. But if it is to serve only as a “transitional piece” between The Witcher 3 and 4, without real value for players, it won't be anything other than another waste of money. So we need to watch the situation develop and wait for real information about this DLC.

It's also worth mentioning that this news came at a time when many were expecting new information about The Witcher 4. Is that a coincidence? Or maybe CD Projekt Red wants to distract attention from problems that may arise during the production of The Witcher 4? All of this remains open.

In conclusion, it's worth recalling the words of Michał Nowakowski: “Geralt's return after over a decade will be an excellent adventure and sentimental journey before handing the baton to Ciri in the upcoming The Witcher 4.” It sounds beautiful, but as they say, the devil is in the details. We await more information.