The Remarkable Legacy of Gwent in The Witcher Series Raises the Bar for Its Successor

The bar is set high for the upcoming entry in The Witcher series, as it seeks to follow in the footsteps of The Witcher 3's massive success. One particular feature that might prove challenging to replace or reinvent is the beloved mini-game, Gwent.

Rarely does a mini-game capture such attention and sophistication that it manages to steal some of the limelight from its parent game, but this was exactly the case with Gwent in The Witcher 3. This round-based card game was seamlessly integrated into The Witcher's world and garnered such a dedicated following that CD Projekt Red even developed a standalone version. As The Witcher 4 is in the works, the question arises: will the studio continue the Gwent legacy or venture into uncharted territory?

Currently, all eyes are fixed on the impending release of Phantom Liberty, the planned expansion for CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077. With substantial improvements and meaningful additions across the game's systems, there's optimism that Phantom Liberty will solidify Cyberpunk 2077's resurgence after CD Projekt Red's post-launch dedication. Following this expansion, the studio has a lineup of titles set in The Witcher's universe. Among them, a mainline sequel to The Witcher 3 is expected, although scarce details are available about The Witcher 4 beyond its confirmation, triggering a wave of speculation.

Exceeding Gwent's Success Presents a Formidable Challenge

While the development of a mini-game might seem insignificant, Gwent's triumph has established certain expectations for The Witcher 4. Omitting Gwent or introducing a lackluster successor would likely disappoint CD Projekt Red's fanbase. This leaves the studio with two options. The first is to expand upon Gwent, applying the lessons learned from its success in both The Witcher 3 and its standalone version to create the ultimate rendition for The Witcher 4. The second, more ambitious route is to design an entirely new mini-game, aiming to match the studio's previous success and showcase its knack for crafting intricate games within games.

While Gwent is briefly mentioned in The Witcher book series, CD Projekt Red took this concept and transformed it into a fully-fledged card game. It evolved from a mere snippet of lore into a game with strategic nuances, cards that enriched the game's world, and, crucially, a game that's genuinely enjoyable to play. The studio's pride in Gwent makes it likely that the next iteration of the game will find a platform in The Witcher 4. With cards and decks tied to pivotal characters and factions, Gwent's ability to contextualize and enhance The Witcher's lore makes the prospect of introducing a different mini-game a daunting challenge.

Gwent's Success Presents a Near Impossible Replacement

If CD Projekt Red opts for a new mini-game in The Witcher 4, it must be truly exceptional. A lackluster dice game would not be well-received given the high standard set by The Witcher 3, potentially impacting the overall reception of the new game. The seamless integration of Gwent into the world, with cards obtained as quest rewards or in hidden caches, as well as quests built entirely around the game, sets a high expectation. Some players even devoted their time to The Witcher 3 primarily for Gwent, making anything less than that level of engagement for a new mini-game feel like a downgrade.

Whichever direction CD Projekt Red takes for The Witcher's next chapter, the importance of Gwent or a similar mini-game cannot be underestimated. The meticulous design and implementation of Gwent reflect the game as a whole. The attention to detail in what could have been a minor diversion in The Witcher 3's expansive open world underscores the studio's dedication to its titles. Regardless of the path chosen for The Witcher 4, giving priority to the next iteration of Gwent or a new mini-game will be crucial.