The Witcher franchise has always been a source of excitement and anticipation among gamers. This year, the opening of the Game Awards ceremony was a shock when The Witcher 4 was unveiled. The trailer for this upcoming game from Polish studio CD Projekt Red was both unexpected and thrilling. However, upon closer inspection, there are several aspects that have left some with mixed feelings. One of the most notable changes is the new look of the character Ciri. She no longer resembles the Ciri from The Witcher 3. Not only is she older, but her entire bone structure has transformed, and her face and voice have changed significantly. While Doug Cockle will return as the voice of Geralt, Jo Wyatt will not be reprising her role as Ciri, which is a pity. Despite these changes, she still looks and sounds fine, but the transformation is jarring enough that without the scar, one might not recognize her as the same character.

Should Ciri Be the Main Playable Character?

This brings up a crucial question about The Witcher 4. Should Ciri be the main playable character in a series centered around Witchers? There is much debate over whether she is actually a Witcher. After the trailer's release, CDPR confirmed that in this version of the story, Ciri has undergone the Trial of Grasses and gained the necessary mutations to drink potions and have her eyes change. It is possible that she attended a different school than Geralt, such as the school of the Lynx. While some may be okay with Ciri becoming a full-fledged Witcher despite breaking lore, as the games have always differed from the books, there are concerns about her magical powers. She has Elder Blood in her, which prevented her from taking the Trials previously. Has she lost her powers? The trailer suggests that she still has some, but it also shows a significant downgrade from her state at the end of The Witcher 3. A game centered around Ciri with her new abilities could be interesting, but it may not be the traditional Witcher game that fans expect.

The Customization Possibilities

Since The Witcher 2, many have hoped for a fully customizable Witcher that players can build from scratch. It would be great to have the option to choose a male or female character and customize their appearance, voice, and other aspects. This would greatly enhance the role-playing experience. CDPR seems to understand this desire, and since Ciri is at the beginning of her Witcher journey, players will have more opportunities to shape their own experience.

The Timeline Dilemma

Another issue with having Ciri as the protagonist is the timeline. Many fans were hoping for a new timeline, set either earlier or later than Geralt's story. Some were disappointed that Geralt was not the lead, but CDPR has stated that he will not be returning as the hero. While the trailer is exciting, the timeline remains a concern.Despite these concerns, there is still much to look forward to. The trailer is dark and full of excitement, and it has reignited the desire to play The Witcher 3. If CDPR can deliver a great game, it could be a significant addition to the franchise. However, given their past issues with Cyberpunk 2077, gamers are understandably cautious. Only time will tell if The Witcher 4 will live up to the expectations set by the franchise.