For a long time (6 years to be exact), The Witcher 3 has been sitting in my Steam library like a collectable I never paid much attention to. Yes, I had already heard the game was great and a ‘must-play’ title for all story mode game lovers, but somehow, I never got around to properly experiencing it. I did fire up the game on some occasions, but that was purely for testing some gaming laptop’s performance. Yet, it had been on my mind for a long time. In fact, I didn’t even watch the Netflix series as I’ve always been the game first, series later, kind of person.
But recently, while testing out the Razer Blade 18 gaming laptop, I installed the game yet again and decided to give it a proper try this time. And when I played it for more than an hour, I couldn’t really stop. So, despite being over a decade old, I strongly feel The Witcher 3 is still worth playing in 2026. Here are 5 reasons why. Let’s begin.
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In 2026, there are plenty of games that come with some amazing graphics. The latest one is Resident Evil Requiem, which launched a month back. The Witcher 3 is over a decade old, so naturally, it can’t directly compete with the titles that you get today. However, for what it’s worth, it still looks gorgeous the moment you first start playing.
Right from the opening cut scene, I couldn’t help but notice how fine the characters looked. Then, when the first playable area loaded, I took my sweet time exploring around and looking at the clear blue skies. When it is sunset in the game, the views are breathtaking, and the way light falls on the green grass is nothing short of cinematic.
When I stopped looking at how gorgeous the game was, I finally started playing. And without spoiling anything, I’d just say that the game has one of the most gripping storylines ever. Being a huge Game of Thrones fan, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons from the fictional world created by George RR Martin. I have spent roughly 5-6 hours in the game, and it feels like I’ve barely scratched the surface. A lot remains unseen, and every day after work, I can’t wait for the moment when I can finally start playing.
The Witcher 3 launched in 2015 but got some next-gen updates in 2022-23. And these updates are a major reason you should replay the game even if you had played the original in 2015. The game, along with bringing graphical improvements, has also included ray tracing, improved textures and load times that are now much faster. In addition to this, a new quest, a close-up camera and content inspired by the Netflix show have also made their way to the game.
The level of detail in the world of The Witcher 3 deserves special mention. There is not just a big map filled with markers. It feels like a living, breathing place where things are constantly happening around you. Villages are not just static locations; the NPCs also have a role to play. People go about their daily routines, react to your presence, and even respond differently based on what is happening in the story.
This also meant that I got distracted from time to time. I would set out to complete a quest and end up doing other completely different things along the way. A random monster contract, a hidden treasure, or even a small side quest that turned out to have a surprisingly emotional story. Nothing feels copied and pasted. Even the smallest missions have some level of depth.
Also, even if you have played the title before, now is the perfect time to jump into it all over again. Yep, you read that right. This is because The Witcher 4 is officially in development, and that alone makes revisiting The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt world feel more meaningful. You won’t just be playing an old game, but will be preparing for the next chapter in the saga.
Going back to The Witcher 3 now feels a bit like rewatching a great series before a new season drops. You start noticing details you may have missed earlier, understand characters better, and, more importantly, reconnect with the world that made the franchise so popular in the first place.
At last, let’s just say that we all know how The Witcher 4 will end up taking the franchise in a new direction. The game looks super promising and was even nominated for the most-awaited title at the Game of the Year awards (GTA 6 took the crown, expectedly). But The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the game that set this tone. And playing it in 2026 feels essential. In my case, I finally understood why people kept recommending it all these years after spending just a few hours in the game. And that speaks a lot about how good it actually is.
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