In The Witcher 4, Ciri’s journey is in players’ hands. They will shape her character, define her relationships, and lead her to her destiny.

The Witcher franchise has always been known for its rich, character-driven narrative plot points, particularly through its iconic protagonist, Geralt of Rivia. From his morally complex decisions to his various relationships, he has been the driving force of the series, leading players through countless dangerous and thrilling adventures.

The next installment in the series was recently announced. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

However, in the newly announced The Witcher 4, the spotlight shifts to Ciri, Geralt’s adopted daughter and a powerful witcher. While it is true that players are once again stepping into the shoes of a well-defined character, Philipp Weber has assured that they will still have significant freedom in shaping her journey, balancing narrative structure with player agency.

The Witcher 4 will give players the freedom to define Ciri’s character

Players will be given the ability to pick the path for Ciri. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

The Witcher series has never fully embraced the ‘black slate’ approach of typical RPGs, where players can create their own character from scratch. Instead, CD Projekt Red always favored rich, pre-defined characters. This is particularly evident with Geralt, whose character arc is deeply intertwined with the world around him.

However, as the series has progressed, this idea has evolved even further. In The Witcher 4, the focus is shifting to Ciri as the main protagonist. While she is also a pre-established character, her story is far from set in stone. As Philipp Weber, the narrative director, explained in a recent interview:

So in a way, even though Ciri is, of course, a defined character, with her, players will have the opportunity to still define her quite a bit more, specifically define the path that she will take on her way to becoming a witcher.

This statement highlights that she is on the cusp of a major transformation, and players play a significant role in shaping how she grows and what kind of person she will become. Unlike Geralt who was an experienced, seasoned witcher when players first took control of him, she is just beginning to carve out her path.

It seems that in The Witcher 4, with Ciri as the main protagonist, the narrative isn’t just about taking on dangerous monsters or saving the world, it’s also about personal growth.

How she navigates the world, the relationships she builds, and the decisions she makes will ultimately shape who she becomes. Players will have the power to guide her through key moments, influencing her journey and determining the kind of witcher, and person, she will become.

CD Projekt Red wants to strike the balance between narrative and player choice

The game is looking to evolve and showcase how it can balance narrative with the freedom of choice. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

With the approach of giving players important choices, the developers are trying to offer a story that is not bound to follow the same path. Instead, it invites players to explore a character’s potential, guided by their own moral compass and decisions.

While we still don’t know how much flexibility will be given, the game will certainly provide a deeper level of engagement than what is typically expected from a game with a defined lead character.

By focusing on Ciri’s early experiences as a monster hunter, The Witcher 4 invites players to think not just about how to defeat enemies or complete quests, but also about what kind of person Ciri will ultimately become. This journey of self-discovery promises to be as compelling as the world in which it takes place.

In the end, while players are waiting to learn more details about the game, one thing has become clear: even though The Witcher universe is evolving, at its core, it remains a tale about the choices we make and the people we become.