Summary
- The Witcher 4 protagonist needs to break away from Geralt to keep the franchise fresh and exciting.
- CDPR could draw inspiration from lesser-known characters like Lambert, Vesemir, and Coen for the new lead.
- The era in which The Witcher 4 is set will shape the characters and their personalities, providing a unique experience.
With the tremendous popularity of The Witcher franchise, there have been countless theories about the future fourth installment of the games. Among the leading guesses regarding The Witcher 4's protagonist is that they will be a player-customized avatar or that CD Projekt Red will hand players a new witcher. If CDPR is handling the newest titular monster slayer, The Witcher 4 needs to stray from its beloved hero, Geralt of Rivia.
Geralt is one of the most well-known video game protagonists of all time, largely made iconic by voice actor Doug Cockle. Longtime fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in particular will always have his best voice lines burned into their brain, like “wind’s howling.” But it’s this deep-running love that dictates The Witcher 4’s protagonist should take inspiration from elsewhere to keep it fresh, especially if they are to be the face of such a successful franchise.
Doug Cockle is reprising Geralt in the new animated Netflix film Sirens of the Deep, based on a short story from the original books.
5 Mysteries Likely to Go Unanswered With The Witcher 4's New Protagonist
The Witcher series is rife with mysteries, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will have some unsolved plot lines with The Witcher 4's projected time skip.
Geralt of Rivia’s Retirement Should be Complete for The Witcher 4
CDPR Could Look to Familiar Faces from Kaer Morhen
As it has been made abundantly clear that The Witcher is moving on from Geralt, who peacefully made his vineyard retirement in the Blood and Wine DLC, the new game begs the question of what this new protagonist will be like and how CDPR will define the franchise without Geralt’s legacy. Despite this challenge, there are familiar faces that were explored little in both the games and the books and would provide developers with the right inspiration for their next hero.
Lambert is an excellent source of character-driven story, and he's one of the strongest witchers to boot. He, unlike Eskel, succeeds in his differences with Geralt, as their interactions in the game are made more entertaining because of them. Upon meeting him, Lambert was a breath of fresh air in The Witcher 3 for his rudeness and quick wit, which is not to say he didn’t have equally memorable tender moments. But Lambert's fierce impartiality toward politics and his deeply pessimistic outlook on life are traits that would bring a future Witcher protagonist away from the do-gooder hero players are used to.
Another famous Kaer Morhen face might be an intriguing inspiration for TW4. Vesemir was Geralt’s mentor and noted for his old-fashioned and level-headed approach to monster killing. The Witcher 4 using an older lead with more experience could bring a unique perspective to the state of the Continent. On the other hand, it’s precisely that even temper that might make such a protagonist a touch lackluster if CDPR is aiming for someone more exciting. The wizened elder approach may simply leave little room for player interpretation with the dialogue trees and reactive storytelling The Witcher is known for.
Coen is another witcher distinct from his counterparts. He was exclusive to the books and, like all of Geralt’s guild, seen very little. Coen, a witcher from the School of the Griffin, had scars from contracting a disease as a child, which was already unusual for witchers, but his most endearing trait is seen when he interacts with Ciri, Geralt’s ward, as he plays with her during training and is generally mirthful and kind. For this reason, Coen stands out from all the other witchers, and since he did not appear in the games, a Witcher 4 protagonist taking inspiration from him would be a radical and engaging change. For book fans, seeing so little of Coen was a huge disappointment, so CDPR could capitalize on what made him so charming.
The Timing of The Witcher 4 Could Define its Characters
An important note toward the characterization of The Witcher 4 protagonist, as well as other witchers, is the era it takes place in. If, as some players speculate, TW4 takes place far before Geralt’s time, it will likely see more witchers in its ranks, providing CDPR the opportunity to have fun with numerous personalities. Given the grueling history of the witchers and the traumatic experience new boys have to go through (only three in 10 boys survive the Trial), even a character with an optimistic streak would be an interesting trait to place in an otherwise very dark world.
Regardless of what players see from The Witcher 4, moving on from Geralt’s well-known and beloved personality is imperative to keep the game fresh. CDPR has a huge challenge on its hands trying to follow up the fantasy behemoth that was The Witcher 3, so an interesting protagonist will undoubtedly define the franchise as it moves forward.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you can explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.
PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRE
Trained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.
Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.
EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLD
Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Engine
- REDengine 3
- Expansions
- The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
- Franchise
- The Witcher
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Metascore
- 94
- How Long To Beat
- 52 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
