The Witcher 3 is still getting support eight years after it originally launched. Today, CD Projekt Red released an extensive update that has some big implications for the Switch version, but packs a punch regardless of what system you prefer hunting your monsters on.
The new patch for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is now available on all platforms. CD Projekt Red has continuously added new content, enhancements, and changes to the game over the years. The studio has also ported the game to various new platforms including current generation consoles.
The newest update brings fixes for quests and visuals on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. While these do not significantly impact the game, it will improve the gameplay experience for players. However, it will be a different story for the Nintendo Switch, as the new update brings massive changes to the game.
The patch for the Nintendo Switch adds new gear, side quests, and some quality-of-life changes. Players who own the game on the hybrid handheld console should feel a significant upgrade in gameplay on the Switch.
Updates for PC and Consoles
PC Update
- Fixed an issue where GOG achievements for the Complete Edition would unlock for the base version instead.
- Frames allowed by the “Maximum Frames Per Second” setting will now be counted properly when DLSS Frame Generation is enabled.
- Fixed some instances where characters’ hair could look too bright when Ray Tracing was enabled.
- Bald Mountain – Fixed a crash that occurred when Ray Tracing was enabled and all the other Ray Tracing options were off.
- The Beast of White Orchard – Fixed an issue where loading a certain checkpoint save could cause the game to freeze if Ray Tracing was enabled.
- Fixed an issue where the game would start without REDlauncher and open a browser tab request for permission to “Use Cyberpunk 2077 with your Epic Games Account.
- Fixed an issue where input from a gamepad could still work while having the game in a suspended state.
- Fixed an issue where a second cursor with high sensitivity would appear in the Main Menu when “Hardware Cursor” was set to “Off”.
Console Update
- Fixed an issue where certain hairstyles from the “Beard and Hairstyle Set” DLC would clip through the Nilfgaardian helmet on previous-gen consoles.
- Fixed an issue with flickering textures that occurred during Gwent matches on next-gen consoles.
- A Towerful of Mice – Fixed an issue on previous-gen consoles where the conversation with Keira would sometimes not trigger after the fight with the pesta.
- Cabaret – Fixed some visual issues with Dandelion’s model before and during the staged fight on previous-gen consoles.
- The Last Wish and Wandering in the Dark – Fixed an issue where the game could crash on PlayStation 5 during these quests.
- Improved stability during or after loading a save file after playing in Ray Tracing mode for prolonged periods of time.
- Fixed an issue where the Cross Progression setting does not update the interface of the Cloud Saves status correctly on Xbox Series X.
Visual – PC and Next-Gen Only
- Fixed an issue where fog could look as if it were 2D in some places.
- Fixed an issue where the sky’s reflection on the water with Ray Tracing enabled was partially missing at specific locations in White Orchard, Velen, and Toussaint.
- Grass collision now works properly.
- Added an HDR calibration option.
- Fixed an issue where the mountains in Kaer Morhen could disappear when changing the camera angle while Geralt is underwater.
- Get Junior – Removed an unnecessary body of water from Oxenfurt sewers.
- Fixed an issue where the loading screen would stutter while having Ray Tracing enabled.
Quests & Gameplay
- Added an option to switch potions and apply oils from the radial menu.
- Fixed an issue where Geralt’s health rapidly depleted when diving.
- The Final Trial – Fixed an issue where leaving the area and coming back could cause Lambert to stand in the water instead of sitting in the boat, blocking progress.
Miscellaneous
- Addressed some issues with loading saves when using the Cross Progression feature on multiple machines with the same GOG account.
Updates for the Nintendo Switch
Online Features
Added a cross-progression feature between platforms which replaces the previous save file integration introduced in patch 3.6 for the Nintendo Switch. Your latest saves will be automatically uploaded to the cloud so you can easily pick up where you left off on other platforms. Cross-progression provides the latest save for every save type. This feature becomes available after you log into your account. Please note that it requires a GOG account regardless of your platform.
By signing up to MY REWARDS in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players can receive:
• Swords of the Nine-Tailed Vixen
• White Tiger of the West Armor
• Dol Blathanna Armor Set
• Roach Card
Additional Content
- Added a new side quest, In The Eternal Fire’s Shadow, in Velen. Rewards are inspired by Neftlix’s The Witcher series.
- Added an alternative appearance for Dandelion inspired by Netflix’s The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
- Added an alternative Nilfgaardian Armor set inspired by Netflix’s The Witcher series. You can enable it in Options → Gameplay.
- Added Chinese and Korean voice-overs. Availability varies by region and version.
Quality of Life Changes
- Added a Quick Sign Casting option. It allows signs to be switched and cast without opening the radial menu. You can find it in Options → Gameplay.
- Adjusted the minimum height for fall damage, allowing the player to survive falls from higher heights.
- Herbs can now be instantly looted with a single interaction – without the additional loot window.
- Added options that dynamically hide the minimap and quest objectives when not in combat or using Witcher senses. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration → Hide minimap during Exploration and Hide objectives during Exploration.
- Added the option to slow walk when playing with a controller. You can now slow walk by lightly pushing the left stick forward.
- Added an alternative sprint mode option when playing with a controller. It’s activated by tapping the left stick. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
- Added an option to make target-lock unaffected by camera inversion. You can find it in Options → Control Settings.
- Improved the radial menu so bombs, bolts, and pocket items can now be switched dynamically without opening the inventory.
- Added the option to scale the font size for subtitles, NPC chatter, and dialogue choices. You can find it in Options → Video → HUD Configuration.
- Added various other small fixes, tweaks, and quality-of-life changes, including a few secrets to be discovered by players.
- Added an option to switch potions and apply oils from the radial menu.
- Added an option to auto-apply oils in combat.
- New default map filter. The new default filter hides some icons such as “?” and boat icons in order to reduce the icon flood. These icons can be turned back on with the “All” map mode toggle.
Gameplay
- Added the mod Full Combat Rebalance 3 by Flash_in_the_flesh which includes balance changes and various fixes to gameplay. We took a curated approach to this mod, with some elements further tweaked from what you’ll find in the mod by default, while other elements were omitted.
- Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear – Fixed an issue where the chest at the Signal Tower couldn’t be opened.
- From Ofier’s Distant Shores – Fixed an issue where the diagram in the chest at the bandit’s hideout could be missing.
- Hard Times – Fixed an issue where Geralt couldn’t talk or give the letter to the blacksmith.
- Echoes of the Past – Fixed an issue where, after defeating the foglets, the quest could get stuck and it wouldn’t be possible to talk to Yennefer.
- Wine Wars- Fixed an issue where the quest couldn’t be completed if the player destroyed one of the required monster nests during exploration.
- Fixed an issue where the Grandmaster Wolven Set wouldn’t require Mastercrafted items.
- Various small fixes to quests and cutscenes.
It’s always amazing to see developers support their titles this extensively after so many years, especially when the game in question isn’t an over-monetized live service title the existence of which hinges of the constant retention and quasi-ripping off of players
The Witcher 3 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
