CD Projekt Red faces distinct hurdles with the upcoming Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 franchise entries.
CD Projekt Red has ambitious plans to expand both The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 universes, but the developer is poised to confront unique challenges with the former. These challenges stem from the distinct contexts of each franchise’s next installment. While both sequels will introduce new narratives, they are unlikely to continue existing stories. This is where the key difference lies between The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077.
Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel’s Narrative Flexibility
The sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 presents a fascinating narrative landscape. V, the protagonist of the game, has pre-established character traits, but players have considerable freedom to define their character’s gender, background, sexual orientation, and physical appearance. This flexibility means that V’s story has the potential for a relatively open-ended conclusion, allowing a sequel to introduce new characters and plotlines.
In contrast, The Witcher series has always revolved around Geralt, its central character. The games are a trilogy that follows Geralt’s journey, mirroring the original novels and other adaptations, including the Netflix TV series. While the world of The Witcher is rich with lore and history, Geralt has been the defining face of the franchise. The other characters, like Ciri, have gained recognition, but they consistently face comparisons to Geralt, often considered one of gaming’s finest protagonists.
The Witcher’s New Saga Challenge
The Witcher 4, or “Polaris” as it’s been unofficially called, faces the daunting task of redefining the franchise. It must illustrate a world without Geralt at its core or establish new protagonists that live up to the legacy of the original trilogy. CD Projekt Red must tread carefully to ensure that the next game feels fresh while retaining the core identity of The Witcher series. This balance is essential as the next Witcher installment operates within the universe of earlier stories, demanding a new narrative direction.
As discussions and speculations revolve around Cyberpunk 2077’s sequel, the narrative largely revolves around the possibilities of new player characters. In contrast, The Witcher 4 must find its own identity, free from the shadow of Geralt, and prove the franchise can thrive without its iconic protagonist.
