The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, developed by CD Projekt RED, is an action role-playing game that offers a vast open world to explore, a complex storyline with multiple endings, and a plethora of side quests and activities to engage in. Completing the game can be a daunting task, especially for new players, due to its depth and complexity. Here, we'll outline seven ways to approach completing The Witcher 3, ensuring that players can make the most out of their gaming experience.
Understanding the Game’s Structure
Before diving into the completion methods, it’s essential to understand the game’s structure. The Witcher 3 is divided into the main storyline, side quests, and additional activities such as Contracts, Gwent, and exploration. The main story follows Geralt of Rivia as he searches for his adopted daughter, Ciri, in a world filled with political intrigue, mythical creatures, and personal vendettas. Side quests and other activities enrich the game world, providing character development, lore, and combat challenges.
Main Questline Focus
A straightforward approach to completing The Witcher 3 is to focus primarily on the main questline. This involves following the story of Geralt and his companions as they navigate the Continent, making key decisions that affect the game’s outcome. By concentrating on main quests, players can experience the core narrative of the game, including its climax and the multiple endings that depend on the choices made throughout the story.
Exploration and Side Quests
Another approach is to combine main quest progression with extensive exploration and completion of side quests. This method allows players to fully immerse themselves in the game’s world, discovering its secrets, helping non-playable characters (NPCs), and engaging in the rich lore of the Witcher universe. Side quests often provide valuable rewards, including experience points, gold, and unique items that can aid in the main quest.
Contract and Monster Hunting
For players who enjoy combat and strategy, focusing on Contracts and monster hunting can be a rewarding way to complete the game. Contracts are side quests that involve hunting specific monsters, offering a challenge and a chance to develop Geralt’s skills and equipment. Completing these contracts not only provides financial and experiential rewards but also contributes to the game’s overall completion percentage.
Gwent and Other Activities
Gwent, the in-game card game, is a significant aspect of The Witcher 3, offering a unique gameplay mechanic and a competitive challenge. Players can focus on completing Gwent quests, collecting cards, and mastering different decks to defeat opponents. Other activities, such as horse racing, fistfighting, and treasure hunts, add variety to the gameplay experience and can be pursued to achieve a higher completion rate.
New Game Plus and Difficulty Levels
For the most dedicated players, completing The Witcher 3 on higher difficulty levels or in New Game Plus mode offers an ultimate challenge. New Game Plus allows players to restart the game with their character’s current level and equipment, facing even tougher enemies and quests. Completing the game on Death March difficulty, the highest level, is a badge of honor that requires mastery of combat strategies, deep understanding of the game mechanics, and often, a significant investment of time.
Role-Playing and Character Development
A role-playing focused approach involves deeply immersing oneself in Geralt’s character, making decisions based on his personality, morals, and relationships. This method encourages players to explore the game’s narrative depth, engage with NPCs, and consider the consequences of their actions on the game world and its inhabitants. By role-playing, players can experience the game’s story in a more personal and interactive way, adding a layer of emotional investment to the completion process.
Speedrunning and Efficiency
Lastly, for experienced players looking for a unique challenge, speedrunning The Witcher 3 can be an exciting way to complete the game. Speedrunning involves completing the game as quickly as possible, often using optimized routes, exploiting game mechanics, and minimizing engagement with non-essential content. This approach requires an intimate knowledge of the game’s world, quests, and mechanics, as well as practice to execute the run efficiently.
Key Points
- Focus on the main questline for a straightforward narrative experience.
- Combine main quests with exploration and side quests for a richer experience.
- Engage in Contracts and monster hunting for combat challenges and rewards.
- Pursue Gwent and other activities for variety and completion.
- Attempt higher difficulty levels or New Game Plus for an ultimate challenge.
- Role-play to deeply immerse yourself in the game's story and characters.
- Consider speedrunning for a challenge that requires efficiency and knowledge.
In conclusion, completing The Witcher 3 can be approached in various ways, each offering a unique experience based on the player's preferences and playstyle. Whether focusing on the main story, exploring the vast open world, or taking on the challenge of speedrunning, the game provides a depth and complexity that ensures no two playthroughs are the same. As such, the journey to completion is as much a part of the experience as the destination, offering countless hours of engaging gameplay and a memorable adventure in the world of the Witcher.
What is the most efficient way to complete The Witcher 3?
+The most efficient way to complete The Witcher 3 depends on the player’s goals. For a straightforward narrative experience, focusing on the main questline is the most direct approach. However, for a richer experience and higher completion percentage, combining main quests with side quests and exploration is recommended.
How do I prepare for New Game Plus?
+Preparation for New Game Plus involves maximizing Geralt’s level, skills, and equipment during the initial playthrough. This includes completing as many side quests and Contracts as possible, crafting the best gear, and allocating skill points wisely to create a well-rounded character.
What are the benefits of speedrunning The Witcher 3?
+Speedrunning The Witcher 3 offers a unique challenge that tests the player’s knowledge of the game’s mechanics, world, and optimal routes. It provides an intense gaming experience and can be a fun way to replay the game with a focus on efficiency and speed.
