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Witcher 4 Demo Stuns at State of Unreal 2025, Confirms Ciri as Lead and Next-Gen Visuals
CD Projekt Red is officially back in the spotlight — and they’ve brought magic with them. At the State of Unreal 2025, the studio behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 debuted a jaw-dropping new demo for The Witcher 4, offering fans a first look at its breathtaking visuals, seamless gameplay, and bold new direction. The biggest surprise? Ciri is front and center, not Geralt, in what appears to be a fully playable lead role for this next-gen installment. The cinematic trailer begins with a mysterious nighttime carriage ambush by a flying beast, establishing a moody and immersive tone. Then, in a seamless transition, players take control of Ciri as she investigates the scene — no loading screen in sight.
Running on a standard PlayStation 5 with ray tracing enabled, the demo shows just how far CD Projekt Red has pushed technical boundaries. Leveraging Unreal Engine 5.6, the game features Nanite-powered foliage, a revolutionary tech that renders dense, hyper-realistic trees, grass, and plant life with virtually no pop-in. It’s a game-changer for open-world immersion.
Ciri’s new look — clad in a sleek red-and-black ensemble — is complemented by Kelpie, her stunning black horse companion. As she rides through the forest, every gallop feels weighty and fluid, thanks to the revamped physics engine. Individual muscle movements in Kelpie’s body add an unexpected layer of realism, making traversal feel like a cinematic experience.
As the demo continues, Ciri reaches a bustling port town, revealing just how responsive and detailed the game world has become. From townsfolk crowding to watch a performing bear to spontaneous interactions like a villager dropping apples when bumped into, the environment feels alive and unscripted. Even small acts — like giving coins to beggars — contribute to the narrative and build player connection.
Despite no official Witcher 4 release date, CD Projekt confirmed that this game is the first entry in a new trilogy, kicking off an ambitious chapter in The Witcher universe. It’s one of three active Witcher projects, alongside a full remake of the 2007 original and the multiplayer spin-off Project Sirius, led by Boston-based studio The Molasses Flood.
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While fans are still processing the visual leap seen in the demo, one thing is clear: The Witcher 4 isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a reinvention. With its dynamic world, narrative depth, and state-of-the-art engine, it may well define what “next-gen” truly means.
If The Witcher 3 set the benchmark for open-world fantasy RPGs, The Witcher 4 is about to raise the bar all over again.
