Nearly ten years after the launch of The Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red has announced substantial new developments, including a major Remastered edition slated for later in the year and the much-anticipated Songs of the Past expansion. Players who already own the game can look forward to a significant free upgrade, while further information about the upcoming content is expected soon from the studio.
Overhauled Remastered Edition Arrives on 29th September
Starting on 29th September, all current owners will gain access to The Witcher 3: Remastered at no extra cost. This update introduces the title for the first time to Switch 2 and Battle.net, extending availability across new platforms. The revamped edition, produced in partnership with Yigsoft, incorporates notable enhancements in both graphics and gameplay systems.
This release will feature reworked combat, an updated skill tree offering increased flexibility, an adaptive camera, new animations and finishers, along with a transmogrification feature and advanced meditation mechanics detailed on The Witcher 3 website. Other improvements include a sophisticated photo mode and full mod support across platforms. An official trailer showcases improvements such as better monster AI, improved movement, refined horse controls, and customizable gear appearances through the transmog system.
Additionally, Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone—the game’s two original expansions—are now provided free for all base game owners with immediate effect, coinciding with the Remastered edition reveal.
Songs of the Past Expansion Unveils New Gameplay Features
First details for the upcoming Songs of the Past expansion surfaced via its debut trailer, offering a first look at Letten, a new and densely forested continent brimming with mystery. The trailer spotlights Geralt as he confronts distinctive foes, prominently featuring a grotesque tree-monster depicted in current promotional art.
This expansion introduces Geralt’s newest weapon: a chain reminiscent of the one viewers saw Ciri wield in the The Witcher 4 trailer. CD Projekt Red confirmed that the chain draws inspiration from Geralt’s fabled battle with the Striga Princess, as seen in the earliest Witcher game, Andrzej Sapkowski’s original stories, and the Netflix series adaptation.
Officially described on the Songs of the Past official website, the expansion leads players into the “idyllic land of Letten,” now overshadowed by lurking threats. The plot revolves around player-driven choices impacting both Letten’s fate and Geralt’s closest allies. Dandelion, whose homeland is Letten, anchors the narrative, exploring the region’s pastoral ways and deeply ingrained secrets.
A Major Expansion More Than Twelve Years After Original Release
Twelve years will have passed since the 2015 debut of The Witcher 3 when Songs of the Past finally arrives. The game’s previous expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, were released just a year following the original. Fool’s Theory is co-developing the new expansion, with a 2027 release window and a scope anticipated to match earlier expansions.
In the intervening years, CD Projekt Red concentrated on developing Cyberpunk 2077, while key original developers—such as the former game director—departed to start initiatives like The Blood of Dawnwalker under the Rebel Wolves banner. Meanwhile, The Witcher 4 is in the works, targeting a 2028 release date.
Anticipating Additional Announcements at Gamescom
The recent announcements have addressed lingering uncertainty about upcoming Witcher 3 content and revived interest in returning to the RPG classic. Additional details about Songs of the Past are set to emerge during Gamescom this week, promising to reveal whether the expansion will capture the rich experience that has characterized the franchise for the past ten years.