Witcher 3 Remastered vs Original: What Changed?

The Witcher 3’s next-gen update (often called the remastered version) is the same game at its core, but with major visual upgrades, new quests, and quality-of-life improvements. The original is the 2015 release with its classic look and performance quirks. For most players, the remastered version is the better choice, especially on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, but the original still matters for older hardware and modding.

What Exactly Is the Remastered Version?

The remastered version is the free next-gen update released on December 14, 2022, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It was developed in collaboration with Saber Interactive and CD Projekt Red. It’s not a full remake like Resident Evil 4; it’s an enhanced port that brings the 2015 game up to modern standards. The update was also applied to the Game of the Year Edition, so if you own that, you get the upgrade automatically.

Key Visual and Technical Changes

The most obvious changes are visual. The remastered version adds ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion on consoles and PC, which makes lighting and shadows far more realistic. Textures for characters, environments, and armor have been redone in higher resolution. The draw distance is longer, and foliage density is greater. On PS5 and Xbox Series X, you can choose between a Performance Mode (targeting 60 fps at 1440p) and a Ray Tracing Mode (30 fps at 4K). The original ran at 30 fps on PS4 and Xbox One, with lower resolution and no ray tracing.

On PC, the remastered version supports DLSS 3 (frame generation) and FSR, which can boost frame rates significantly. It also adds ultrawide monitor support and improved keyboard/mouse controls. The original PC version had none of these, though it was already the best-looking version at the time.

New Content and Quest Changes

The remastered version adds a few new quests and items. The most notable is the quest “In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow,� which is a short side quest in Novigrad. It’s a reference to the Netflix series and features a character named Reinald. There’s also a new armor set called the Forgotten Wolf Armor, which is inspired by the Netflix show. The original game had neither of these.

Another change is the addition of a photo mode, which lets you capture the game’s scenery. The original had no photo mode. The remastered version also includes the “Next Gen� quests that were originally part of the free DLC, but they’re now integrated differently.

Gameplay and Quality-of-Life Improvements

Beyond visuals, the remastered version tweaks several gameplay mechanics. The most significant is the new quick sign casting system—you can now cycle and cast signs (like Igni or Quen) with a single button press instead of opening the radial menu. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement for combat. The original required you to pause or use the radial wheel, which broke the flow.

Other changes include:

Improved camera options (closer or further from Geralt)
New alternative movement response for Roach, the horse
Better map filtering and quest tracking
Increased stash size and a new fast travel point in Novigrad
Fixed several bugs and glitches that existed in the original

The remastered version also changes the way alchemy works—you now automatically collect herbs and ingredients from the world, which was a mod in the original. It’s a small but welcome change that reduces inventory management.

Performance and Hardware Requirements

The remastered version is demanding. On PC, the minimum requirements are higher than the original. You’ll need a GTX 960 or better for 1080p at 30 fps, but for ray tracing at 4K, you’ll want an RTX 3080 or better. The original could run on a GTX 660 at 1080p. On consoles, the remastered version only runs on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It is not available on PS4 or Xbox One. The original runs on those older consoles, as well as Switch.

If you have a low-end PC or an older console, the original is still perfectly playable. The remastered version might struggle on hardware that was mid-range in 2015. However, CD Projekt Red has released several patches to improve performance, so the remastered version is in a better state now than at launch.

Modding and Community Support

The original version has a massive modding community. Sites like Nexus Mods have thousands of mods for it, from graphics overhauls to new quests and gameplay tweaks. The remastered version also supports mods, but the codebase changed, so many old mods don’t work without updates. However, the remastered version includes built-in mod support on PC, and the community has already adapted many popular mods.

If you’re a modder, the original might be more stable for older mods. But the remastered version is catching up quickly. Also, the remastered version includes the official mod launcher, which makes installing mods easier.

Which Version Should You Play?

The answer depends on your hardware and priorities. If you have a PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or a decent gaming PC, play the remastered version. It looks better, runs smoother (in performance mode), and has extra content. The quick sign casting alone is worth it.

If you have a PS4, Xbox One, or a low-end PC, stick with the original. It’s still a fantastic game, and you won’t miss the new quests unless you’re a completionist. The original also has the advantage of being fully stable—no new bugs introduced by the update.

One more consideration: the remastered version is free if you own the original or the Game of the Year Edition. So there’s no reason not to upgrade if your hardware supports it. If you’re starting fresh, buy the remastered version (it’s sold as the Complete Edition on new consoles).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the remastered version free?

Yes, for existing owners. If you own the original or the Game of the Year Edition on PC, PS4, or Xbox One, you get the next-gen update for free. New players must buy the Complete Edition, which includes all DLCs.

Does the remastered version include all DLCs?

Yes, the remastered version includes the two major expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, plus all free DLCs. The original also had these, but the remastered version integrates them seamlessly.

Can I transfer my saves from the original to the remastered version?

Yes, but it’s a one-way transfer. On PC, you can import your save from the original to the remastered version. On consoles, you can upload your save from the PS4/Xbox One version to the cloud and then download it on the PS5/Xbox Series X/S version. Note that achievements/trophies might not retroactively unlock.

Does the remastered version have ray tracing on all platforms?

No. Ray tracing is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, but only in the 30 fps Ray Tracing Mode on consoles. On PC, you can enable ray tracing and still get high frame rates if you have a powerful GPU.

Is the remastered version harder or easier than the original?

The difficulty is the same. The remastered version doesn’t change enemy scaling or damage values. However, the quick sign casting makes combat feel more responsive, which might make it slightly easier for some players.

Does the remastered version fix the bugs in the original?

It fixes many, but not all. Some bugs from the original are still present, and a few new ones were introduced with the update. CD Projekt Red has patched several issues since launch, so the current state is stable.

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