Kingdom Come-style systems? A new protagonist? CDPR isn’t just playing it safe with The Witcher 4—they’re swinging for the RPG fences.
It looks like Geralt is passing the torch and CD Projekt Red is loading the next Witcher game with hardcore RPG systems and simulation-heavy mechanics straight out of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance playbook. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, CDPR co-CEO Adam Badowski dropped some juicy hints about the game’s direction, and it’s sounding less like The Witcher 3.5 and more like a full-blown evolution.
From Slaying Monsters to Simulating Worlds
Badowski didn’t mince words when gushing about Warhorse Studios’ Kingdom Come. He called it “super great” and praised its realism, interactivity, and systems-based approach. “The Kingdom Come kind of simulation, it’s great. There’s so many options, you can change the world, it’s super great,” he said.
If that sounds like your fantasy RPG fever dream, buckle up. CDPR clearly wants The Witcher 4 to be more than just another monster-slaying adventure. They’re aiming for a living, breathing world where your decisions have tangible impact—not just in dialogue trees, but in how systems interact beneath the surface.
Imagine a Witcher game where alchemy isn’t just crafting potions from menus but actually involves time, equipment, and resource management. Or where weather, stamina, and hunger aren’t background fluff but integral parts of gameplay. If CDPR can blend this with their signature narrative strengths, we might be in for a next-gen RPG classic.
Meet Ciri: The New (Playable) Witcher
Though not 100% confirmed by CDPR, all signs point to Ciri taking the lead in The Witcher 4. It’s a move that makes sense—fans have been begging for more Ciri since The Witcher 3, and she brings an entirely different flavor to the franchise.
Ciri’s power set opens up a ton of gameplay opportunities. She’s fast, interdimensional, and already trained. Add simulation-style depth and you could be managing portals, time-skips, or even parallel outcomes in missions.
Plus, let’s be real: Geralt deserves a break. The man’s been through more toxic contracts than a rogue Diablo loot box.
The Kovir Setting: Uncharted Witcher Territory
The new game reportedly takes place in Kovir, a wealthy, mountainous kingdom only briefly mentioned in the books and previous games. That means CDPR has a lot of creative freedom to build fresh lore while staying rooted in Sapkowski’s universe.
Expect icy politics, vertical landscapes, and maybe some Game of Thrones-level scheming among royal families. If they lean into sim-heavy design, managing your rep with Kovir’s elite could be just as dangerous as facing down a Leshen.
Unreal Engine 5.6: Looking Sharp, Witcher
At the State of Unreal 2025 event, CDPR showed off a tech demo that melted faces (figuratively). Built in Unreal Engine 5.6, the visuals featured seamless transitions between cinematic scenes and gameplay, rich environmental detail, and physics-driven animations.
We’re talking ray-traced lighting that makes Kaer Morhen look like a Renaissance oil painting and facial mocap so realistic you might flinch when a character smirks at you.
Still Rooted in Classic CDPR RPG Philosophy
Despite the simulation buzz, Badowski insists CDPR won’t abandon what made the Witcher games great. “We definitely would like to continue keeping and truly understanding our core rules, how we develop our games,” he said.
Translation: deep story, morally gray choices, memorable characters, and plenty of bathtub Geralt energy (maybe sans the Geralt).
If they can balance that with systems-driven gameplay, The Witcher 4 might not just meet expectations—it could redefine what modern RPGs aim to be.
Don’t Expect It Soon
Yeah, this part hurts. CDPR has already said not to expect the game before 2027. But after the Cyberpunk 2077 redemption arc and lessons learned from rocky launches, the studio seems more focused on cooking it slow and right this time.
The Bottom Line: Big Brain RPG Energy Incoming
If you liked the rich worldbuilding of The Witcher 3 but craved more agency, depth, and sandbox-style mechanics, The Witcher 4 sounds like it’s crafting a potion just for you. Whether you’re here for Ciri, the simulation mechanics, or just want to get lost in another CDPR epic, this one’s worth keeping on your radar.
So what do you think? Are you hyped for a systems-heavy Witcher experience, or do you miss the simpler Geralt days? Drop your thoughts below or toss a coin to your game devs.
