The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update: 7 Additions You Must Try
CD Projekt Red gave Witcher 3: Wild Hunt a new lease of life by releasing its next-gen update in December 2022. That could be both the biggest and last Witcher 3 update that adds new content.
The next-gen update has given Wild Hunt a graphical revamp and introduced various new features for players to try out. These are some of the most notable new Witcher 3 additions to check out after the next-gen update.
1. Find and Complete the Eternal Fire Quest
The “In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow” side quest is the biggest next-gen update content addition to Witcher 3. That’s a relatively short quest that leads Geralt to free the spirit of the deceased witcher, Reinald Philter.
It includes a spooky mine to explore, armed bandits, and a boss to defeat. Completing that quest will reward you with 75XP, a negotiated amount of crowns, and most importantly the Forgotten Wolven diagrams.
However, “In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow” won’t be listed on Witcher 3’s quest menu until activated. To unlock the quest, visit Devil’s Perch in Velen. That’s a signposted location you can travel to directly without Roach.
Upon arriving in Devil’s Perch, you can’t miss the Eternal Fire priest standing by a cart close to that location’s signpost. Speak to that priest to activate the quest. The quest’s suggested level is 15, so completing it might be tricky if you’re less than level 10.
2. Find the Forgotten Wolf School Gear
The Witcher 3 next-gen update also adds a new set of Forgotten Wolf School Gear. That gear’s armor matches what Henry Cavill wears in the Netflix Witcher 3 series. Completing the “In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow” quest gives you the Forgotten Wolven diagrams and unlocks the Forgotten Wolf School Gear treasure hunt.
You’ll need to complete that treasure hunt to unlock the mastercrafted and grandmaster levels of the Forgotten Wolf School Gear.
To get the mastercrafted and grandmaster Forgotten Wolf School Gear, complete the Eternal Fire quest to unlock its treasure hunt. SelectScavenger Hunt: Forgotten Wolf School Gear Diagramsin the Treasure Hunt menu; then head to the castle in Kaer Morhen to find Osmund’s notes on the bookshelves there. The treasure hunt will direct you to the exact location on your map.
Upon completing that treasure hunt, you’ll still need someone to craft the mastercrafted and grandmaster Forgotten Wolf School Gear. you’re able to get mastercrafted armor crafted in Crow’s Perch by Yoana after completing the “Master Armorers” quest. For crafting mastercrafted swords, go and see Hattori in Novigrad and complete the “Of Swords and Dumplings” quest if you haven’t done so.
Grandmaster-level Forgotten Wolf gear is only available in the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Blood and Wine expansion. To get it crafted, speak to Lazare Lafargue in Beauclair. If you haven’t spoken with him before, he’ll give you a series of treasure hunts to complete for a “Master Master Master Master” quest.
3. Take Snapshots With Witcher 3’s Photo Mode
Most PC players probably used the Game Bar tocapture in-game screenshots in Windows 11and 10 from Witcher 3 before the next-gen update. Now you’re able to utilize Witcher’s new Photo Mode to take better screenshots of that game. Photo Mode enables you to rotate the camera 360 degrees and zoom in and out before capturing your shots.
To activate Witcher’s Photo Mode on a PC, press the U keyboard key. You can activate that mode on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 by pressing the right and left sticks simultaneously. Play around with settings on theCameraandEffectstabs to set up the shot; pressSpaceor select theTake Photooption to capture the screenshot.
To find the captured snapshots on a Windows PC, open the Documents folder in your user directory. Then open the Witcher 3 and screenshots folders from there. The screenshots get saved to the image galleries on consoles.
4. Change the Frame Rate Mode Setting (Console Only)
A newFrame Rate Modesetting for Witcher 3 on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S enables players to selectPerformanceorRay Tracingmodes.Performancemode enables smoother gameplay at 60FPS. TheRay Tracingoption sets ray-traced global illumination but reduces the frame rate to 30FPS. For further details about that graphics rendering mode, check out our tech-explained guide that discusseswhat ray tracing is and how it works.
To change theFrame Rate Modesetting, selectOptionson Witcher 3’s menu. SelectGraphics > Displayto bring up some visual options. Then you set the Frame Rate Mode setting to either Ray Tracing or Performance.
5. Set the New Camera Distance (PC Only)
To make Witcher 3 more cinematic, the next-gen update added a new close-up camera distance to the PC game. That new camera mode provides a closer view of Geralt than before. You don’t need to manually enable close-up mode since it’s set by default after the update.
However, you can still configure the camera distance for exploration, combat, and horseback via Witcher 3’s settings. ClickOptionsandGameplayon the menu to access the camera settings. Then selectCloseorDefault(zoom out) for theExploration,Combat, andHorseback Camera Distancesettings.
6. How to Use the Quick Cast Feature
Quick Cast is a new next-gen update feature for Witcher 3 that enables players to cast signs without selecting them on the Quick Access Menu. To enable it, selectOptions > Gameplayand set theQuick Sign Castingsetting toQuick Casting. Then you may press the three to seven number keyboard keys to use the signs on a PC.
7. Enhance Witcher 3’s Visuals With the Ultra+ Graphics Preset (PC Only)
Ultra+ graphics settings is a feature that only the PC version of The Witcher 3 next-gen update has. That’s a new general preset you can select to raise the graphical quality of Witcher 3 another notch to see the game at its sparkling best after the update.
The Ultra+ preset enhances the texture, shadow, water, and terrain visual quality, along with the general detail level in the game.
To activate the Ultra+ preset, selectOptions > Video > Graphicsin Witcher 3’s menu. Then click theUltra+tab to set that preset. Or you can selectUltra+for specific graphical settings instead.
With the Next-Gen Update, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Is a Remastered Game
The Witcher 3 next-gen update is almost like a freely available remastered edition. It delivers a noticeable graphical enhancement that makes The Witcher 3 look more like a 2023 game than one released in 2015.
You can also have fun playing the game’s new quest, finding the latest gear, and taking beautiful screenshots with Photo Mode. So, there has never been a better time to play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
For first time players unfamiliar with the game, here are the essential The Witcher 3 tips to guide you on your journey.
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