The Witcher IV Unveils First Trailer Featuring Cirilla: A New Era for the Franchise

At the Game Awards 2024, CD Projekt RED unveiled the highly anticipated first trailer for The Witcher IV, marking a significant milestone in the franchise's evolution. The trailer showcased stunning pre-rendered cinematics, likely powered by the unreleased GeForce RTX 5090, which is rumored to launch next month.

The narrative kicks off with a gripping quest familiar to fans of the series: a young woman is coerced into sacrificing herself to a cursed monster lurking in the nearby forest. Just as the situation seems dire, Cirilla Fiona Riannon intervenes, slaying the beast in a bid to save the girl. However, upon returning to the village, Ciri discovers the tragic aftermath—the girl has been murdered for refusing to undergo a protective ritual. This dark twist leads Ciri to reflect on the true nature of monsters, suggesting that they often wear human faces rather than divine ones.

This trailer encapsulates the essence of The Witcher, delivering a narrative that is both haunting and thought-provoking. While no release date has been announced, the press release offers insights into the game’s direction. Sebastian Kalemba, the Game Director, expressed his excitement, stating:

We're kicking off a brand-new Witcher saga, this time with Ciri as the heart of the story! It feels so good to finally be able to say those words — for the longest time we knew that we wanted Ciri to be the protagonist of The Witcher IV; it just felt natural to us and we believe that Ciri deserves it. In this game we want to explore what it means to truly become a witcher by following Ciri on her Path. This trailer is a taste of both that, and just how dark and grounded the world of The Witcher can be.

The trailer not only highlights the narrative depth but also showcases the advanced technology behind the game, utilizing assets and models directly from the development process. As the game is currently in full production, fans can expect to embark on this new journey within the next couple of years.

What are your thoughts on Ciri taking the lead in this new saga? Share your excitement or concerns in the comments below!