CD Projekt Red has unveiled Songs of the Past, a new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, set to arrive next year alongside a free remastered upgrade for the 2015 RPG. This expansion will see players once again take control of Geralt of Rivia for an all-new story, diverging from the path of Ciri in the upcoming The Witcher 4.
The expansion introduces players to Letten, an island that is serene and prosperous, shielded from the conflicts plaguing the Continent. Its landscape blends elements reminiscent of the Polish and English countryside, creating a fairy tale-like atmosphere. However, this idyllic setting soon reveals a darker undercurrent. Geralt awakens on the island following a local festival, finding himself in a state of disarray and trading his signature armor for more subdued attire. His respite is interrupted by the familiar sound of his friend, the bard Dandelion, playing a lute. A confrontation with a drunken individual over the instrument leads Geralt to a nearby village.
Upon arrival, Geralt is reunited with his loyal steed, Roach, and notices the bustling town square filled with potential Gwent opponents. Dandelion, however, is nowhere to be found. Geralt's search leads him to Dandelion's family manor, where he meets Lilla, Dandelion's sister and a key companion for the expansion. During a tense dinner, the family expresses concern over Dandelion's absence, prompting Geralt to mention recurring visions of a place called the "Garden of Thorns." This revelation causes distress among Dandelion's family, suggesting something is amiss.
As Geralt and Lilla venture into the forest under a full moon, the environment shifts from picturesque to eerie. They discover the entrance to the Garden of Thorns, a place linked to Geralt's visions and local legend, characterized by macabre decorations and drained deer carcasses. The legend speaks of a cursed well within the garden, associated with a relative known as "the mad count" who was driven insane.
Their path is soon blocked by thorny branches, separating them and leading to Geralt's first combat encounters in the expansion. The demo highlighted improved combat mechanics, with smoother movement, more precise targeting, and a revamped, customizable skill tree. Geralt battles new enemy types, including a giant centipede and Swarmions – reanimated corpses swarmed by hornets. For the latter, Geralt utilizes the Chain, a weapon previously seen only in cutscenes, which delivers gruesome new kill animations.
The narrative reveals that Dandelion's uncle, Humbert, is the "mad count." Driven to madness after his witch lover was targeted by villagers, Humbert retaliated by using their bodies to create the Garden of Thorns. Geralt and Lilla eventually find Humbert's colossal corpse near the cursed well. This entity, referred to as "the Slumbering Knight," attacks Geralt, morphing its body to shield itself and extend thorned tendrils, while also summoning Swarmions.
The combat against the Slumbering Knight emphasizes parries, magic, and dodges, showcasing the influence of modern action games on the remastered combat system. After defeating the boss, Geralt is presented with a choice regarding his interaction with Lilla before the demo concludes. The expansion is described as playing familiar tunes, aiming to address the aging aspects of the original game while acknowledging the limitations of its Red engine, evidenced by lower-resolution textures and draw distances. The upgraded lighting and mechanical polish offer improvements, but the underlying technology shows its age. Enhanced NPC routines and AI are also expected to make towns feel more dynamic and alive. Songs of the Past is shaping up to be a substantial, if not groundbreaking, addition for fans eager to return to Geralt's adventures.