The entry inTheWitcherseries was released on the PC in 2007. The action RPG was based on the characters and the world from the dark fantasy novels written by Andrzej Sapkowski. The game’s dark medieval setting is nothing like what is usually associated with the high fantasy genre. Even though there are elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings, and of course humans. These races don’t all coexist in harmony with non-humans being persecuted in a world that can sometimes feel parallel to our reality.
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The developers at CD Projekt Red have managed to capture Sapkowski’s vision perfectly and brought it to life. Furthermore, it’s hard not to notice the game’s visual influence bleeding into the Netflix series also calledThe Witcherstarring Henry Cavill. BeforeCyberpunk 2077was released in 2020, the studio only developed games set inThe Witcheruniverse, so let’s take a look at how Metacritic rates all of their game so far.
Updated on the 18th of August, 2022 by Michael Llewellyn:Even after the studio’s reputation has taken a hit with the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red is still well-regarded among its fans and critics for creating incredible RPGs. Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that’s getting better with every update, and fans are excited for the eventual release ofThe Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/SEven seven years on, that game still looks and plays beautifully, and Cyberpunk 2077’s world is simply breathtaking at times. As gamers await the release of the updated Witcher 3 and DLC expansions for Cybperunk, it’s worth taking a look at their other works and how they rank on Metacritic.
9The Witcher Battle Arena (Metascore 65)
The Witcher Battle Arenawas released in 2015 for iOS and Windows Phones. The free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game was developed by both CD Projekt Red and Fuero Games. The game featured 8 fighters to choose from and implemented touch screen controls.
Unfortunately, like most free-to-play mobile games, players were encouraged to spend money on content via microtransactions.Battle Arena was criticized for its slow-paced battles and lackluster gameplay. As a result, the game’s servers were shut down in less than a year due to its lack of appeal.
8The Witcher Adventure Game (Metascore 68)
The Witcher Adventure Gamewas a co-developed CD Projekt Red and Can Explode Games. It is a digital version of the board game of the same name. It allowed players to play in solo mode against AI-controlled opponents.
It was criticized for its lack of immersion, whether one was playing alone or against real opponents. Cooperative players don’t have a way to communicate with each other, defeating the object of playing and feeling like a real board game.
7Gwent: Rogue Mage (Metascore 72)
The recent entry inThe Witcherfranchise,Gwent: Rogue Mageis a single-player game based on the mechanics established inThe Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt.It also adds elements from the roguelike, strategy, and deck-building genres.
Despite being a card game,Gwent: Rogue Magetells a surprisingly good story of the sorcerer Alzur and his traveling companion the powerful sorceress Lylianna. It’s not as deep asThronebreaker, but a tale that focuses on the origins of the mutagens that created the Witchers will certainly be of interest to longtime fans.
6Cyberpunk 2077 (Metascore 74)
After a disastrous launch in 2020,Cyberpunk 2077is a game that is finally reaching its potential. Tragically, such an immersive cyberpunk RPG was so badly optimized for the base PS4 and Xbox One that Metascores reflect so badly on the title.
It’s only thanks to the many patches and updates along with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions released in 2022, that the game managed to claw back some well-deserved acclaim.Cyberpunkisn’t as deep or as great asThe Witcher 3but exploring Night City is one of the best open-world experiences in modern gaming. It’s a game worth giving a second chance as it’s one of this generation’s best RPGs.
5Gwent: The Witcher Card Game (Metascore 80)
Released in2018 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC,Gwent: The Witcher Card Gameis a free-to-play digital card game based on the Gwent card game popularized inThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntand featured inThe Witchernovels Andrzej Sapkowski.
What started as a minigame has quickly become one of the most popular online card games in the world. However, there are a lot of in-game ads pushing and encouraging players to spend money on gaining better decks. Thankfully, players can still build great new cards using the rewards they have gained from playing without ever spending a penny.
4The Witcher (Metascore 81)
The first game in the series based on Andrzej Sapkowski’sWitcherfantasy novels,The Witcherwas released on the PC only. The game puts players in the shoes of the titularWitcher,also known as Geralt of Rivia, a genetically enhanced warrior with the ability to use magic and fight supernatural monsters.
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Here, Geralt is faced with many difficult decisions made during side quests that can have an impact on the main story and characters later on in the game.
3Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales (Metascore 82)
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Taleswas released on the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2018. It’s a standalone single-player game where the battles are played using the Gwent card game but exploration and interaction play like an old-school isometric CRPG likeBaldur’s Gate.
Being a spin-off title, players take on the role of Queen Meve, a leader and ruler of Rivia and Lyria. The game’s events take place before the firstWitchergame and the player gets to explore five regions not seen in its predecessors. Queen Meve must forge alliances to build a powerful deck of cards to win battles and her allies will only appear as cards if they remain within her party.
2The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings (Metascore 88)
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kingswas first released on the PC in 2011 with an Xbox 360 port to follow in 2012. It was the first game in the series to use CD Projekt’s own REDengine and the result was stunning at the time.
RELATED:The Best Games Based On Books, According To MetacriticEven though it was the second entry in the series, for many gamers it was their introduction to the dark fantasy world ofThe Witcheruniverse which is easily on par with theA Song of Ice and Firenovels. The focus on player choice was expanded, the combat mechanics are more refined, and the story remains one of the best in the genre.
1The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Metascore 90)
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntlaunched on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC in 2015. The Game of the Year Edition was released again for the Nintendo Switch in 2019. Taking the series into the open-world genre,The Witcher 3remains one of the greatest RPGs of any generation thanks to its storytelling and great characters.
The persecution of all non-humans is rife throughout the lands and the continent is ravaged by a war between the empire Nilfgaard and Redania. The main character Geralt finds himself dragged into these conflicts.The Witcher 3is a special game because the impact of seemingly minor side quests can have ramifications for Geralt later in the game. The world grows and develops with him and there’s very rarely a black and white quest choice as the narrative moves forward.
