Summary
Unraveling riddles is an essential dynamic of all categories of RPGs, and players don’t mind the odd unsolvable tidbits or cliffhangers in playthroughs of their favorite titles.The Witcher, CD Projekt Red’s prize jewel, is no stranger to this dynamic, teasing its player base over the years with its odd character designs and enthralling storyline interwoven with pieces of uncertainty. The most recent installment,Wild Hunt, featured some narrative inconsistencies and ended with a number of questions players expected answers to in the next release, but with news ofThe Witcher 4’s projected 100-year time skip, it is likely a few mysteries will go unanswered.
Over the years, fans ofThe Witcherhave gotten accustomed to Geralt of Rivia’s flowing white hair akin to that ofHouse of the Dragon’s Targaryens as the face of the franchise, butThe Witcher 3’s events threw the protagonist’s return in the upcoming installment up in the air. The choice mechanism resulted in unique endings based on player decisions, the worst of which ended in Ciri’s death while battling the White Frost and possibly that of Geralt, giving rise to discussions about subsequent editions. With the time skip comes the possibility of notevery character returning inThe Witcher 4, and some unfinished plotlines will inevitably vanish in the transition to the new age.
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Some Events in The Witcher 3 Don’t Add Up
Games likeThe Witcheroften run into a narrative problem stemming from getting caught up in too many sub-plots and flimsy character interactions due to their sheer scale, and Dandelion’s chronicles in Novigrad are a prime example of the phenomenon. Geralt goes on a killing rampage to break Dandelion out of captivity when he is awaiting execution, and it would stand to reason for the escapee to slink out of town unnoticed. Instead, Dandelion settles in Novigrad and even opens a cabaret in his name, and fans have been puzzled by this, to say the least.
Novigrad is the center of anotherWild Huntmystery, and this time Geralt is the subject of confusion. The city is buzzing with Witch Hunters who are capturing witches, alchemists, and non-humans for execution, but Geralt waltzes into the town unharmed despite his mutant status, and there is no explanation for his exemption. Vampires also contribute to themysteries ofThe Witcher 3, and the Blood and Wine expansion pack informed players that only a vampire can kill another vampire.
However, Geralt is clearly an exception to the rule, and players have wondered why the Witcher could accomplish this feat. Another head-scratcher is Geralt’s activities with the secretive Wild Hunt group, who have surprisingly little lore despite their heavy involvement inThe Witcher 3. Geralt made a deal with the group and became one of its riders in a bid to save Yennefer, but there is no information about his time with the Wild Hunt or how their agreement came to an end, and withThe Witcher 4’s new protagonist, it is unlikely for the mystery to be unraveled.
The most impactful missing piece of lore inThe Witcher 3is Ciri’s destruction of the White Frost. The entire plot ofThe Witcher 3harped on Ciri’s ability to destroy it due to her elder blood, and different methods of defeating the White Frost were suggested by supporting characters. However, the destruction is anti-climactic, as the White Frost dissipates once Ciri steps into the Tower of the Eagle, and there is no scene showing what she did to bring it to an end. WithThe Witcher 4’s events occurring 100 years afterWild Hunt, it wouldn’t be remiss to expect CD Projekt Red to gloss overThe Witcher 3’s ending, leaving behind an unsolved mystery.
A newWitchergame is in development.
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