The Witcher 4 : Games Award Trailer Breakdown
The Game Awards has been the stage for the first preview of The Witcher 4 by the team of CD Projekt. The trailer has fuelled significant hype for TW4 since the enigmatic announcement of the project entering production back in August 2024.
The breakdown trailer explores the promise of TW4, and where Ciri stands on her journey, now stepping into the role of protagonist in her own saga.
You have no idea how long we have been waiting...We have been waiting for so long to introduce Ciri as the protagonist of the game! - SK
The ultra-cinematic trailer shows Ciri many years after The Wild Hunt (TW3), roaming alone as an enigmatic hooded figure with two blades strapped to her back, observing the ritualistic preparation of a village sacrifce. In the scenes from the trailer, Ciri appears as a young adult—likely in her 30s—wearing a witcher medallion carved with a lynx head (witcher house unknowed). When spotted and confronted by the villagers, she stands her ground —powerful, fearless, and perhaps a touch impulsive. Ciri seems to wear her heart on her sleeve and "tell it as it is"—there is no doubt that fear, tradition, and a certain taste for blood are clouding the villagers' best judgment. Her reaction is a stark contrast to the composed sarcasm of the mentor she once had, and the naïve and reserved character she used to be.
When it comes to her happiness, the moments that she was really happy about her life it was in Kaer Morhen among the other witchers - for good and for bad she wants to become a Witcher... and the world become her journey, and I want people to experience her journey - SK
It is evident that Ciri has become a deadly monster hunter with extraordinary powers over the years—some of which include the ability to wield energy from the elements and perform enchantments in the heat of battle. Her combat skills promise to be a seamless blend of witcher training and magic (as confirmed by the developpers). It is also certain that her experiences have forged her character and shaped the salient traits of her personality to this point.
Ciri is a powerful source, she can drain energy for the elements of this world and catalyse it into very powerful spells - SK
As the trailer concludes, Ciri emerges victorious in battle but defeated by the destructive nature of humanity—greed, tradition, and violence—leaving her to question who the real monsters are in this grim world.
In conclusion, TW4 promises to focus on Ciri's journey and her growth as an individual, a monster hunter, and a Witcher - addressing the nuanced shades of light, hope and despair lukring in the darkest corners of The Continent (and probably beyond).
What we know so far...
- Ciri is the protagonist of the game.
- Her witcher house / school remains unnamed (presumably Lynx).
- Geralt will meet Ciri along the Path.
- The Path (capitalised) could signify a trial or represent Ciri's growth as a Witcher.
- Ciri will use a combination of Witcher combat training and magic (she is the Source after all).
- Ciri can drink potions and trigger pathogens.
- Ciri can wield a chain similar to Geralt’s in TW1.
- Ciri can enchant the chain (and possibly other weapons).
- Ciri's temperance and judgement will also be part of her journey.
- No release date has been announced (Autumn 2026 is my best guess).
I am really excited about the next opus of The Witcher, and can't wait to follow the development of the game over the next few years! In the mean time, catch up with me on Twitch as we revisit The Witcher Wild Hunt!
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Credit: The Witcher 4 (trailer) - Courtesy of CD Projekt (all rights reserved).