CD Projekt Red has revealed more details about its upcoming DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, titled 'Songs of the Past,' at Gamescom. Despite the anticipation for additional content featuring Geralt, there is lingering doubt among some observers whether this new expansion can offer a more compelling conclusion than the critically acclaimed Blood and Wine expansion, which has served as Geralt's apparent farewell for nearly a decade. The studio has openly billed 'Songs of the Past' as "Geralt's last adventure" before Ciri takes center stage in future installments.
The trailer for 'Songs of the Past' showcases Geralt venturing into the new region of Letten, a location described as an "almost uncannily idyllic place" with a dark secret. He is seen wielding a chain reminiscent of his appearance in the first Witcher game, preparing to battle tree-like monsters amidst rural festivities. This narrative setup presents an intriguing scenario typical of the Witcher universe, though it may not immediately convey the sense of a grand finale for the seasoned monster hunter.
A key detail suggesting a personal conclusion for Geralt is the revelation that Letten is the homeland of his long-time companion, Dandelion. The prospect of the classic odd couple embarking on one final journey together, potentially exploring more of Dandelion's backstory and prompting Geralt to reflect on his retirement, aligns with the idea of a "last hurrah." However, Dandelion was notably absent from the reveal trailer, leading to speculation about his role. The DLC's Steam description does emphasize that "the fate of the entire land, and even Geralt’s closest friendship" are at risk, hinting at Dandelion's significant involvement.
CD Projekt Red level design lead Miles Tost mentioned that the concept for 'Songs of the Past' originated years ago but couldn't be realized due to scheduling conflicts. The project has since been undertaken with the help of Fool's Theory, a studio that has employed veteran Witcher 3 developers. Tost expressed the studio's ambition to "go out with a bang" for Geralt's final outing.
Despite the promise of new content, the comparison to Blood and Wine is inevitable. That expansion, released a decade after the base game, was widely praised for providing Geralt with a fitting retirement in Toussaint, complete with a vineyard, respect, and opportunities for less strenuous monster hunting. Its conclusion was viewed by many as an ideal send-off, focusing on Geralt finding a place to settle down rather than embarking on another world-threatening quest.
Revisiting a story that already has a well-regarded conclusion carries inherent risks. CD Projekt Red's financial stability, bolstered by the success of Cyberpunk 2077, allows them to take creative risks. However, there's a concern that 'Songs of the Past' might be positioned to maximize sales before The Witcher 4, similar to how Bethesda has faced criticism for releasing additional content for Skyrim. The simultaneous announcement of a Witcher 3 remaster, shortly after a next-gen update in December 2022, further fuels this speculation, raising questions about the timing and intent behind the new DLC. Whether this last adventure will resonate as strongly as Geralt's previous conclusion remains to be seen.