The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered Wins Strong Reviews Despite Some Performance Issues

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered has arrived with a major collection of visual, gameplay and performance improvements, and early reviews are giving CD Projekt Red's updated RPG an overwhelmingly positive response.

The remastered edition launched on September 29, 2026, bringing Geralt of Rivia's acclaimed adventure to modern hardware with upgraded graphics, redesigned gameplay systems and several quality-of-life improvements.

According to the latest review coverage, the game has earned a 93 Metacritic score, with critics broadly recommending the remastered version. However, some reviewers have raised concerns about performance on certain platforms.

A Free Upgrade for Existing Players

One of the biggest advantages of the remastered release is that existing owners don't need to purchase the game again on qualifying platforms.

Players who already own The Witcher 3 on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S can upgrade to the Remastered version for free. Nintendo Switch owners can also claim the native Switch 2 version if they own the original game.

The Remastered edition also includes Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Owners of the base game receive both expansions at no additional cost.

Major Visual Improvements

The visual upgrade is one of the most noticeable changes.

CD Projekt Red has improved textures for environments, characters and monsters while also upgrading foliage, lighting, rendering and ray-tracing effects.

The result is a more detailed version of the Continent, with improved shadows, lighting and environmental effects.

On PC, the remaster goes even further with Path Tracing, delivering a more advanced lighting experience for systems powerful enough to handle it.

Combat Has Been Improved

The remaster isn't limited to graphical improvements.

CD Projekt Red has updated the combat system with new animations, finishers and an adaptive camera designed to make fights feel more dynamic.

Geralt's movement and traversal have also been improved, while Roach receives updated animations that make exploration feel more fluid.

These changes are intended to modernize the experience without removing the gameplay elements that made the original Witcher 3 so popular.

Reworked Skill System

Character progression has also received an overhaul.

The remastered edition introduces a reworked skill tree designed to provide greater flexibility when developing Geralt.

The updated system gives players more opportunities to customize their builds and experiment with different combat and gameplay styles.

This is particularly useful for returning players who have already completed the original game and want a different experience.

Mods Come to Consoles

Another important addition is cross-platform mod support.

Through Mod.io integration, console players can access supported community-created modifications, bringing an experience that has traditionally been associated more strongly with the PC version of The Witcher 3 to consoles.

The feature could significantly extend the game's lifespan by giving players access to additional community-created content.

Nintendo Switch 2 Gets a Native Version

The remaster also arrives as a native version for Nintendo Switch 2.

The new version takes advantage of Switch 2 hardware and adds platform-specific features, including motion controls, mouse functionality and touchscreen support.

Motion controls can be used for actions such as aiming the crossbow, throwing bombs and casting Witcher Signs, while touchscreen controls can be used for menus, maps and Gwent.

Performance Is the Main Concern

While critics have praised the Remastered edition overall, performance has reportedly been the biggest area of concern.

The game has received a strong critical response, but some reviewers have encountered technical issues depending on the platform and graphics settings.

CD Projekt Red has already begun releasing fixes.

On October 1, the company released Patch 5.00b, addressing issues including unavailable DLSS in the Xbox Play Anywhere PC version and various lighting problems. The studio also said it was investigating additional reports and preparing further fixes.

PS5 Pro Gets Dedicated Support

PlayStation 5 Pro owners also receive specific improvements.

The remastered game uses PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and can deliver 60 frames per second with ray tracing enabled, according to CD Projekt Red.

A performance-focused mode can reach higher frame rates when ray tracing is disabled.

A Strong Return for Geralt

More than a decade after the original The Witcher 3 became one of the most acclaimed RPGs ever released, the Remastered edition gives players another reason to return to the Northern Kingdoms.

With upgraded graphics, improved combat, a redesigned skill system, console mod support and better platform-specific features, the remaster goes beyond a simple visual upgrade.

The inclusion of both Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine also makes the package especially attractive for players who only owned the original base game.

The Witcher 3 Remastered Verdict

The early critical response suggests CD Projekt Red has largely succeeded in modernizing one of gaming's most celebrated RPGs.

The 93 Metacritic score demonstrates the strength of the reception, while the reported technical issues show that the remaster isn't completely without problems.

For existing owners, the free upgrade makes the decision particularly easy. For newcomers, the inclusion of both major expansions means there is an enormous amount of content to explore.

With The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered now available, Geralt's journey across the Continent has received one of its biggest upgrades yet.