The cinematic reveal trailer for The Witcher 4 is an epic six-minute journey that introduces Ciri as the new protagonist of the series. Packed with callbacks to earlier games, it hints at significant changes and exciting possibilities for the next chapter of the Witcher saga. Let’s break down everything we learned from this trailer.
The trailer opens with a young woman preparing for a ritual, narrated by her father reminiscing about her growth. The scene is intercut with glimpses of Ciri, who we see sharpening a sword and lighting a fire using the igni sign. These visuals hint at her transformation into a full-fledged witcher, a step we last saw teased in The Witcher 3.
When the young woman steps into a crowd, one of the villagers notices a witcher among them. As she turns, we finally see Ciri’s face. She’s visibly older, and her witcher-like pupils confirm that she has undergone the Trial of the Grasses. This is remarkable, as the trial was historically fatal for anyone without exceptional resilience. Could her survival be due to her Elder Blood or a new formula developed by the School of the Lynx?
The trailer highlights a lynx-shaped medallion, reinforcing speculation that The Witcher 4 will focus on the newly introduced School of the Lynx. This school may have created a unique path for witchers, explaining how Ciri could complete the transformation.
In one scene, Ciri’s medallion vibrates as she approaches a cave where a villager is about to be sacrificed. She drinks a Cat potion, granting her night vision and emphasizing her status as a full witcher capable of enduring toxic elixirs. The potion’s effects and her reliance on swordplay and signs rather than teleportation suggest her powers may have changed since defeating the White Frost.
During the fight against the cave monster, Ciri channels water into a chain around her fist, using it to electrocute the creature. This nod to Geralt’s iconic striga battle from the first game’s cinematic opening highlights her evolving combat style. It also teases the possibility that her magical abilities will grow throughout the game, much like Geralt’s skills developed over time in earlier titles.
The trailer ends with a grim twist. Despite Ciri’s success in defeating the monster, the villagers carry out the sacrifice anyway, claiming it is in the name of their gods. Ciri’s retort, “There are no gods here, only monsters,” encapsulates the series’ dark themes of moral ambiguity.
Though Ciri is the star, the trailer concludes with a voiceover from Geralt: “Time for a new saga. See you on the path.” This suggests Geralt hasn’t been completely sidelined and might return in a mentor role similar to Vesemir’s in The Witcher 3. Alternatively, he could simply be enjoying retirement at his vineyard while the new generation takes over.
While the trailer reveals plenty, it’s clear that The Witcher 4 is still in the early stages of development. Fans will need to be patient, but this cinematic preview promises an exciting continuation of the series with Ciri at the helm.
Stay tuned for more updates on The Witcher 4 as we learn about its gameplay, story, and how it builds on the legacy of the franchise.