The recent free Remastered update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers a compelling reason for players to revisit Geralt's world. However, this opportunity is complicated by the common RPG phenomenon known as "save game anxiety," a hurdle that can make resuming a years-old playthrough feel as challenging as starting anew. This issue is further amplified by the impending release of the new expansion, Songs of the Past, expected next year.
The core of the problem lies in the disorienting experience of re-engaging with a complex, story-driven game after a significant time gap. Players must recall intricate mechanics, character builds, ongoing quests, and the narrative's finer points. The alternative, starting a fresh campaign, means sacrificing any progress made, a difficult choice for those who have invested dozens or hundreds of hours.
One player's predicament highlights this dilemma. With multiple save files across different platforms and playthroughs, the decision of where to resume is multifaceted. Options include an original PlayStation save abandoned mid-way through the Blood and Wine expansion, a nearly completed Death March save on Steam that is stalled before a difficult boss, an earlier Death March save from the original campaign, and an unfinished New Game Plus save. Each presents unique challenges, from lost context and overwhelming complexity to frustrating roadblocks.
Starting fresh also offers several paths. Players can opt for a completely new game, begin a New Game Plus using an existing save, or utilize CD Projekt Red's provided pre-made characters for the Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine expansions. However, the Remastered update includes significant changes to combat and skill trees, meaning that even resuming an old save requires a period of recalibration and potentially reallocating skill points.
For this particular player, continuing the Blood and Wine expansion, despite the messiness of picking up mid-story and the discomfort with a pre-made Geralt, appears to be the most pragmatic choice. The expansion's self-contained nature makes it a more digestible experience than restarting the entire game or pushing through a stalled difficult playthrough. Abandoning saves mid-game and the extensive homework required for a New Game Plus run were deemed less appealing.
CD Projekt Red has been recognized for its efforts to mitigate these issues. The company offers a range of player-friendly options, including customizable difficulty settings, the choice of pre-made characters for expansions, and New Game Plus. Furthermore, its continued commitment to updating The Witcher 3 and maintaining cross-platform cloud progression over its 11-year lifespan allows players flexibility in accessing their saves across different systems. This dedication, coupled with the game's enduring appeal and rich world, ensures that players, despite the initial hurdles of save game anxiety, remain eager to return to Geralt's adventures.
