Highlights:
* The Witcher 4 trailer premiered during The Game Awards 2024 ceremony.
* Apart from Ciri’s role in the upcoming ‘new saga’, Geralt’s appearance was teased by the trailer.
* The Witcher 4 will retain the choice-based system and monster-hunting characteristic of the franchise.
The Witcher 4, previously codenamed Polaris, has been revealed by developer CD Projekt Red. The first trailer of the monster-hunting RPG aired during The Game Awards 2024 ceremony in Los Angeles. Consisting of over six minutes of cinematic footage, the world premiere trailer confirmed various details that were circulating in the rumor mill. From Geralt of Rivia’s role to the game’s mechanics and setting, certain intriguing details have been shared although they would’ve been difficult to notice for those who were engrossed in the battle featuring Ciri and Bauk.
The Witcher 4 Trailer Hidden Details & Lore
The Witcher 4 is being developed with Unreal Engine 5 and is deemed to be in the “most advanced” state of development. CD Projekt Red has assigned most of its staff to the disclosed project although there is no release date for the game. Ciri, Geralt’s adopted daughter, has been confirmed as the protagonist of the new The Witcher saga after various rumors and speculations.
Assuming from The Witcher 4 trailer, the new saga could be connected to the fan-stated ‘good ending’ in The Witcher 3: The Hunt. The ending features Ciri surviving the White Frost and traveling with Geralt in the Path. She wasn’t a Witcher by profession or title in the previous game, but that will change in the next saga as confirmed by The Witcher 4 trailer.
Ciri Passed The Trial Of The Grasses
Multiple signs have been provided to reveal that Cirilla Fiona Ellen Riannon has completed her witcher training. Primarily, in The Witcher 4 trailer, viewers can see the cat-like eyes that indicate that she has cleared the legendary Trial of the Grasses. The said trial is necessary for any graduating witcher as their bodies are subjected to mutations that most humans can’t survive.
Like a traditional witcher, Ciri can also be seen using potions and signs to battle monsters. She blocked an attack by what appeared to be the Quen sign. Eventually, she cut the beast’s head to get the bounty reward. Interestingly, the silver sword Ciri uses is Zirael, the one given by Geralt in Wild Hunt as something to begin her witcher career.
Ciri May Belong To The School of The Lynx
Ciri’s medallion in the world premiere trailer appeared to be a lynx. Thus, in the upcoming title, the School of the Wolf might have closed or been destroyed. It is a huge possibility because Vesemir is dead and Geralt is nowhere to be seen in The Witcher 4 trailer. Ciri may belong to The School of the Lynx, which didn’t appear in the previous game, and whose members include Gaetan, Dragonfly, and most notably, Lambert and Keira Metz. According to the lore, the school was created after Vesemir’s death.
Bauk – A New Monster From Serbian Mythology
The Witcher 4 trailer introduced a new monster named Bauk. Taken from Serbian mythology, it has a figure that resembles that of a bear, long spindly legs similar to those of the Arachas, a vulture-like beak, and razor sharp teeth. The Bauk can inflict both physical and psychological damage as it can smell a person’s fear and force them to relive their traumas. In the trailer, the Bauk taunts Ciri by claiming that “Fate cannot be changed.” Although Ciri seems to be no expert witcher, she does have magical abilities that allow her to absorb and harness elemental energies, unlike her mentor.
Consequences Are Still Grim In The Witcher
At the center of The Witcher 4 trailer were Ciri and a young woman named Mioni. The woman was being sent as a sacrifice to Bauk until Ciri intervened, having taken a bounty. Despite having killed the beast, Ciri returned to the village only to find the bloody consequences of her actions. The villagers had driven a dagger in Mioni as they were fearful of the Bauk’s wrath. In technical The Witcher terms, there will be difficult choices in the next saga and unforeseen consequences in the world.
Geralt of Rivia Will Be Present In The Witcher 4
Doug Cockle’s unmistakable voice as Geralt of Rivia can be heard in the recent trailer. From the 6:20 mark and onwards, the renowned voice actor could be heard saying,“Time for a new saga. See you on the Path.” Earlier, Cockle mistakenly disclosed that Geralt will be present in the next Witcher game although he too is unsure about the White Wolf’s role.
The Witcher 4 may feature more intimidating foes as compared to Bauk. It remains to be seen if nefarious villains in the franchise such as the personification of evil, Gaunter O’Dimm, or the Crones of Crookback Bog get mentioned in the next saga.
