Taking place years after the original game, the trailer confirming Ciri as the franchise’s newest protagonist raised many questions about how it would affect moment-to-moment gameplay. Despite sharing some of the same weapons and abilities as Geralt, it’s clear that Ciri will provide players with a brand-new arsenal of abilities wholly unique to the fourth installment, benefiting from her increased magical connections. These new mechanics will likely be paired with an equally new direction for the story beats of The Witcher 4, taking on different directions when it comes to romancing new characters from the world of The Witcher.
Romance Is A Core Part Of The Witcher Experience
Providing More Freedom In Roleplaying As Geralt
Even though much of Geralt’s personality and story is somewhat set in stone, players are given ample freedom when it comes to dialogue and major decisions throughout the franchise. This level of freedom also extends to the romances players can choose to engage with throughout each game, letting players see a softer and more intimate side of the legendary monster hunter. While it will be tough to beat some of the best-written romance options players have experienced over the years with Geralt, The Witcher 4 has the chance to improve on the long-successful formula of the franchise.
Players are given ample freedom regarding dialogue and major decisions throughout the franchise.
With Geralt’s story continuing through each of the three previous entries in The Witcher franchise, some of his romance options also carried on through each game. The two most notable long-term romance options for Geralt are Yennefer of Vengerberg and Triss Merigold, with the former being the closest thing to a canon, albeit complicated, love interest for the series and acting as somewhat of a mother figure to Ciri.
The prospect of watching a romance like Yennefer’s unfold and develop over multiple entries in a franchise is certainly engaging, but it limits the player’s options when it comes to new and potentially tragic romances that The Witcher franchise does so well.
Ciri’s Sexual Preference Is More Open Than Geralt’s
Providing New Possibilities For Romantic Experiences
While it is never explicitly shown on-screen in The Witcher 3, even during sections where players control her, Ciri has expressed interest in both men and women throughout her book and game appearances, with some users on Reddit, like Carcanclaw, going into great detail on the topic. Even in The Witcher 3 itself, during a section following Ciri’s escape from The Wild Hunt, she is offered a respite in a small village with access to a sauna.
During the quest, in a cutscene, players have the choice between several options when Ciri is questioned about what she thinks of a popular man in the village, one of which is “I prefer women.”
Even though this cutscene lets players choose the direction of Ciri’s sexuality at the moment, each option can be considered equally canon, especially given the experiences she’s had throughout the book series that inspired the games. The books themselves describe her attraction towards certain male characters, like Hotsporn, on multiple occasions while also touching upon her intimate relationship with a woman named Mistle in the past.
In The Witcher 3‘s sauna scene, Ciri even touches upon the origin of the rose tattoo on her thigh, which she got as a token of remembrance to her former female companion.
Ciri Could Offer Greater Romantic Freedom Than Ever
Letting Players Experience Male Romances For The First Time In The Franchise
With Ciri having been confirmed to be bisexual throughout the franchise and confirmation from the developers that romance and relationships will be a major part of the new experience, The Witcher 4 is almost certain to include romance choices for both men and women moving forward. With options for romancing both sexes being a first for the franchise, it also benefits from having an entirely new cast of dateable NPCs.
While The Witcher 4 will have a hard time beating the lineup of iconic romance options fans have come to expect from previous entries, this new direction is an exciting way to spice up the experience for veteran fans. Not only would this new direction stay true to Ciri’s more fluid sexuality and personality compared to Geralt, but the change would also offer more freedom for players than ever before.
It’s clear that CD Project Red isn’t afraid to take risks when it comes to the future of the beloved Witcher franchise by retiring Geralt, but the protagonist change could be just the thing The Witcher 4 needs to offer fans a brand-new experience.
