CD Projekt Red Has Proven It Can Deliver a Ciri-Centric Story in The Witcher 4

Delving into adaptations of beloved lore can be a tricky task. Fans often find themselves caught between wanting a faithful representation and desiring fresh storytelling. If you lean too heavily on the original material, it might feel redundant. Stray too far, and it risks alienating the audience. This delicate balance is nothing new, especially for fans of The Witcher series. Many have voiced concerns about the Netflix adaptation, feeling let down by certain creative choices. So, when CD Projekt Red dropped the teaser for The Witcher 4, with Ciri stepping into the spotlight as a full-fledged Witcher, you could almost sense the waves of apprehension. Yet, given CDPR’s track record with the series, they’ve certainly earned some trust.

Some longtime followers of the series are understandably curious about The Witcher 4’s alignment with Andrzej Sapkowski’s original books. For instance, there’s some debate over Ciri’s readiness for the Trial of the Grasses after the events of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. In the books, she’d lost much of her magic saving the unicorn Ihuarraquax, but the trailer shows her wielding it effortlessly. The irony here is amusing since fans might not realize how loosely the games have always followed the canon. The Witcher games aren’t strict retellings; they thrive on capturing the essence and themes rather than sticking to the script.

CD Projekt Red has never been about simply recreating Sapkowski’s words onscreen. They’re masterful in taking the soul of his stories and bringing them to a broader canvas. What fascinates me as a fan of the books is how the developers have expanded the complex world Sapkowski created. Their interpretation adds layers and depth to an already rich universe, showcasing talents that the source material only hints at.

Take The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, for instance. It’s often hailed as the pinnacle of the franchise, stepping beyond established canon to envision a narrative taking place years after the books end. While it builds on Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri’s story arcs, it remains true to the characters’ core essence and the intricate world they inhabit. The choices Geralt faces in his quest to find and save Ciri are anything but straightforward, offering outcomes that resonate with the nuanced storytelling found in Sapkowski’s short stories — a nuance the Netflix series, with its plot-heavy adaptations, sometimes struggles to capture.

Surprisingly, some fans skeptical about Ciri’s role in The Witcher 4 seem to overlook that her possible transformation was hinted at in Wild Hunt. Based on player choices, Ciri could have ended up as Nilfgaard’s queen or pursued the path of the Witcher. The transition from where the game left off to what we see in The Witcher 4’s cinematic teaser seems less of a mystery and more of an unfolding storyline. Adam Badowski, CDPR’s studio head, confirmed as much recently on X.

For those of us who adore Ciri and Sapkowski’s narrative world, CD Projekt Red’s commitment to continue this journey is a gift. Their skill in advancing these stories beyond the page is commendable, arguably surpassing even the original author’s vision in some aspects. The only caveat is the wait; the anticipation stretches before us as we look forward to Ciri’s new adventures unraveling in The Witcher 4.