- The Witcher 3 remastered changes center on the free next-gen update for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
- Visual overhaul: reworked assets, ray-traced global illumination, and higher streaming budgets.
- New content: a Netflix-inspired quest line with show-accurate armor rewards.
- Gameplay options: sign quick-casting, closer camera modes, and a cleaner map filter.
- Free upgrade: existing owners on the same platform family received the update at no cost.
The Witcher 3 Remastered Changes: Overview
The Witcher 3 remastered changes arrived as a free next-gen update released on December 14, 2022, more than seven years after the original 2015 launch. CD Projekt Red delivered the upgrade at no additional cost to players who already owned the game on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The official change list was published through the Steam news page for the Complete Edition, covering everything from graphics to quality-of-life features.
The update touches nearly every layer of the experience:
| Category | What Changed | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics | Reworked art assets, ray tracing, FSR/DLSS | Major visual upgrade |
| Content | New quest line, Netflix outfits | Bonus lore and gear |
| Gameplay | Sign quick-cast, camera options | Optional modern controls |
| UX | Map filters, HUD fade, bigger subtitles | Less clutter |
| Features | Photo mode, cutscene pause, cross-save | Long-requested additions |
Every new gameplay option is opt-in. If you prefer the original 2015 feel, the default settings keep the classic Witcher 3 experience intact.
Graphics and Performance Overhaul
The majority of the game's art assets were reworked for the update. Grass and foliage received improved density, environment complexity increased, character and enemy models were updated, and enhanced textures appear throughout the world. A higher streaming budget lets the engine load more high-quality assets simultaneously — smoke from a distant village is visible from farther away, and city areas like Novigrad show finer geometric detail.
Console players choose between two modes, while PC players get the deepest feature set:
| Platform | Mode | Target | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 / Series X | Quality | 4K, 30 fps | Ray-traced GI, ray-traced AO, enhanced reflections |
| PS5 / Series X | Performance | 60 fps | Enhanced assets, most ray tracing disabled |
| Series S | 30 fps / 60 fps modes | Varies | Lower resolutions expected |
| PC | All quality features | Uncapped | Ultra Plus settings, DLSS, FSR, crowd density and draw distance tweaks |
PC-exclusive Ultra Plus settings are not a preset — they are individual sliders for crowd density, draw distance, and foliage density, letting you push the world beyond console limits.
A full photo mode rounds out the visual package, with time-of-day control and adjustable camera settings for capturing the Continent in its remastered glory.
Gameplay and Control Changes
The update introduces optional combat and camera refinements that modernize how Geralt handles without forcing changes on veterans.
Sign Quick-Casting
- Hold a button to swap combat actions to sign shortcuts
- Cast all five signs without the radial menu
- Similar to FF7 Remake's quick-actions
Camera Options
- Closer, over-the-shoulder cinematic view
- Independent distance settings for combat, walking, and horseback
Immersion Tweaks
- Minimap and objective box fade dynamically
- Witcher Sense button restores the HUD on demand
A new map filter mode hides icons such as question marks and dock locations. Use it to turn the map from a checklist back into a guide and preserve the sense of mystery during exploration.
Netflix Content and New Quest
As announced ahead of release, the update weaves references to the Netflix Witcher series into the game. Alternative outfits inspired by the show are available for Dandelion and the entire Nilfgaardian army, toggleable from the pause menu. A brand-new quest rewards completion with a set of armor based on the series' costume design.
Update the Game
Download the free next-gen update on your platform if you owned the original release.
Toggle Netflix Outfits
Open the pause menu options to swap Dandelion and Nilfgaardian armor to their show-inspired designs.
Start the New Quest
Locate and begin the new Netflix-themed quest line added by the update.
Claim the Armor Set
Complete the quest objectives to unlock the Netflix-inspired armor for Geralt.
Sign in to your GOG account on any supported platform to sync save files through cloud saves, letting you carry your progress wherever you play.
Quality-of-Life Additions
Several smaller changes address long-standing player requests. Subtitle sizes — including normal subtitles, PC chatter, and dialogue options — can now be increased in the display menu. Cutscenes can finally be paused, a small but meaningful fix for a game with dozens of hours of story. On PS5, DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add distinct rumble signatures for each sign and let you feel Roach galloping beneath you.
| Feature | Before Update | After Update |
|---|---|---|
| Cutscene pause | Not possible | Fully supported |
| Subtitle size | Fixed | Adjustable in display settings |
| Save transfer | Platform-locked | Cross-platform via GOG cloud saves |
| Controller feedback | Standard rumble | DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers (PS5) |
| Map icons | Always visible | Filterable by type |
After installing the update, visit the options menu first. Camera distance, sign casting, HUD fade, and map filters are all off by default or set to classic values.
Post-Update Setup Goals:
- Review graphics mode (Quality vs Performance)
- Enable sign quick-casting if desired
- Adjust camera distance per situation
- Turn on map icon filters
- Link GOG account for cross-save
FAQ
Q: Is the Witcher 3 next-gen update a paid remaster?
No. The update was released free of charge for players who already owned the game on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC, making the Witcher 3 remastered changes one of the most generous upgrades of its generation.
Q: Do I have to use the new gameplay features?
No. All gameplay changes such as sign quick-casting and the closer camera are optional. Default settings preserve the classic 2015 experience.
Q: What does the new quest reward?
The new quest line added with the update rewards a set of armor inspired by the Netflix Witcher series.
Q: Can I transfer saves between platforms?
Yes. By signing into your GOG account on your platform of choice, cloud saves sync your progress across multiple platforms.