CD Projekt Red certainly seems as though it is going to be kept busy for the next few years. Currently working on the release of the next-gen versions of The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077's DLC and sequel, the next Witcher saga, and a remake of the first Witcher game, there's a lot to look forward to for fans of either big CD Projekt Red IP. However, among all these exciting projects, there is one game of the company's past that feels a tad left out, and that is The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings.
The Witcher 2 released back in May 2011, and while it didn't manage the enormous success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it did see the story of Geralt reach new heights both in terms of sales compared to the first game and general critical reception, going on to win over 50 awards, as reported by CD Projekt Red in 2015. With the focus being solely on The Witcher 1 right now, it might be easy to forget the successes of Geralt's second video game outing, but should there come a chance to remake The Witcher 2 in the future, CD Projekt Red should jump at the opportunity.
What a Remake of The Witcher 2 Needs to Change
The Witcher 2 may have received some great reviews, and it might still be remembered fondly by fans of the series, but it is definitely a title that is showing its age. Being over a decade old, with its Enhanced Edition releasing in 2012, The Witcher 2 could do with a rework of its gameplay and a complete overhaul of its graphics. The visuals especially, while impressive at the time, show a night-and-day difference from those of The Witcher 3, for example. Of course, it is expected that a sequel to a game on an older console generation will look better, but this means that a graphics upgrade in a potential Witcher 2 remake would be heavily appreciated.
As a lot more gamers are familiar with The Witcher 3, going back to play the older games can be somewhat of a jarring experience thanks to the difference in visual style. As The Witcher is getting a graphics upgrade in its Unreal Engine 5 remake, this is likely going to get more people than before seeing where Geralt's video game journey kicks off. However, with the first and third Witcher games looking great with the remake and next-gen versions, this leaves The Witcher 2 as an awkward middle child without any sort of upgrades.
Beyond the visual changes, another thing that makes returning to The Witcher 2 jarring is in its gameplay. The combat of The Witcher 2 is similar to The Witcher 3, but the former comes across as a lot less polished compared to its successor. Again, while a lot of The Witcher 2's elements were impressive for its time, the game has showed its age considerably, and so a remake could tighten up those gameplay systems to make Geralt feel less clunky in a fight. A lot of these aspects for improvement on The Witcher 2 would likely revolve around smaller changes compared to The Witcher remake, particularly regarding graphics and gameplay, but it is still worth updating an aging game to modern machines, if only for that perfect trilogy experience.
Why The Witcher 2 is Worth Remaking
Though the game is showing its age at the time of writing, The Witcher 2 should not be disregarded by any fan wanting to learn more about The Witcher IP or those who simply enjoy great RPGs. It is important to remember that a lot of the reason gamers were so hyped for The Witcher 3 back in 2015 was because of the success of The Witcher 2. Therefore, not only would it be to the benefit of the game for it to be remastered, but it would also benefit those who haven't yet got a chance to experience The Witcher 2.
There are plenty of things to like about The Witcher 2, but perhaps the most obvious thing that sticks out to those who've played it is its cinematic and interesting story. Kicking off with Geralt supporting King Foltest through a siege and following the White Wolf as he tracks down the titular assassin of kings, The Witcher 2 has a smaller scale than its sequel, but it uses this expertly. With impactful story choices that can lead to some characters living or dying in The Witcher 3, The Witcher 2's narrative is not one to be missed for those looking for the complete tale of Geralt.
Moreover, The Witcher 2's narrative is unique in its diverting paths. Early on in the game, Geralt has to choose between following Iorveth, the leader of the Scoia'tael, and Vernen Roche, a Temerian Special Forces commander. Through these characters, the player gets vastly different narrative options in The Witcher 2, something that The Witcher 3 doesn't really manage to replicate despite its larger scale and well-crafted quests.
The Witcher 2 also comes packed with interesting creatures and monsters that the other games don't have. From the Kayran that is still remembered as one of the series' best boss fights to the iconic Dragon, there are a lot of epic creatures that would look phenomenal were they to be rendered with Unreal Engine 5. Combined with a potentially improved combat system as well, The Witcher 2 remake could allow for as much fun in its monster hunts as The Witcher 3 does.
Were there to be a remake of The Witcher 2, it would be interesting to see how far CD Projekt Red could go in improving the game. As fans have recently found out The Witcher remake will be open-world, marking a significant difference from the original game, it seems that CD Projekt Red is willing to go beyond just slapping a fresh coat of paint on its previous titles. To see The Witcher 2 as one grand open-world adventure would excite a lot of fans, and introduce new players to another great Witcher game.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is available now on PC, Mac, Linux, and Xbox 360.