The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is five years old now, and getting older every day. And yet, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has never had better replay value than it does right now in 2021.

For that matter, it would be in the best interest for RPG lovers who haven't picked up the game at all to do so, and there are plenty of reasons why a five-year wait doesn't diminish the quality of the experience. Those who have already played Wild Hunt should also consider picking it back up in the coming weeks and months, because it is undoubtedly one of those games that was built to last.

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It Still Looks Great

While The Witcher 3's graphics aren't at the level of games released today in 2021, that doesn't mean it looks bad. The game's graphics were pretty stellar for their time, and they still hold up today; the game looks fantastic. And because the quality and specs of consoles (and computers) have been improving, Wild Hunt will run smoother than ever on whatever the player's platform of choice may be.

The Story is Top-Notch

Ciri Geralt Yennefer

The Witcher 3's story is a hard one to beat. The game is frequently recognized as one of, if not the, greatest RPGs of all time, and with good cause. Wild Hunt follows Geralt of Rivia as he attempts to reunite with his estranged lover Yennefer and long-lost adopted daughter, Ciri. It has impeccable emotional beats and memorable storylines that can tug on anyone's heartstrings. From the main storyline of following Ciri, to subplots like the Bloody Baron and the Ladies of the Wood, or the search for a ruler in Skellige, The Witcher 3's plot is suitably epic and incredibly well-done.

Questing Has Never Been Better

The specific quests in The Witcher 3 are also notable in their excellence. Most RPGs with such big, open worlds like Wild Hunt's tend to struggle with some of their side-quests, making them repetitive and unmemorable. For example, Skyrim's radiant quests are simple repeat after repeat of the same tasks in different locales, and even more story-heavy games like Dragon Age tend to have just as many fetch-quests as actually engrossing side-quests. That's where The Witcher 3 differentiates itself: none of its side-quest feel like repeats or pointless errand and even the monster contracts tend to have some unique element that makes them memorable.

A Great Open World

Novigrad in The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's open world deserves a mention too; free-roaming is easy to do and full of interesting finds. Players can easily lose themselves in the world of The Witcher by taking the roads less-traveled, and picking up quests that way. With the added bonus of the delightful soundtrack playing in the background, and the scenic views around the Continent that Geralt can find, this is not an open world to be missed.

Play It Anywhere

With the release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for the Nintendo Switch, players can now play the game at home or on the go, pretty much anywhere they want. When Wild Hunt launched for the Switch last year, it saw a surge in sales, and for good reason. Somehow, despite the Switch's comparatively low specs to other gaming consoles, Wild Hunt still manages to look great on it, too. All in all, the Switch makes for a great opportunity to experience Wild Hunt on a new platform.

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Mastering Gwent

Many mini-games inside of bigger video games have a habit of being annoying at worst, and not really interesting enough to play over and over again at best. In the long list of RPG mini-games, none really stand out or come to mind for many, except for Gwent. So well-loved that CD Projekt Red made a separate game after the fact, Gwent is a ton of fun to learn in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and positively addicting. From collecting cards to beating Gwent masters across the realm, it's a mini-game that never really gets old, and that's an impressive feat indeed as mini-games go.

The Witcher Season 2 is Coming

The Witcher shares set photos of Jaskier

Then, there's the matter of Netflix's The Witcher TV show. Purchases of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt spiked after the first season launched, and with the second season set to release in 2021, it's possible there will be another spike then. Playing Wild Hunt before season 2 drops is a great way to get to know Geralt of Rivia and crew even better for new players, or a great way to get immersed back in the world of The Witcher for seasoned fans of the game. Either way, those looking to get back in the spirit of The Witcher before season 2 drops should absolutely pick up Wild Hunt for a play or replay.

Outstanding Among Its Peers

The fact of the matter is, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands out among the crowd of other RPGs and video games. From the setting, to the music, the story, the world, and the characters within that world, Wild Hunt embodies all the qualities of a truly great RPG. More than that, it's also a great game for people who don't think of themselves as gamers or play video games much, because its cinematic and narrative qualities can be appreciated by just about anyone. With the quality of consoles today, the current Netflix Witcher craze, and the sheer timelessness of the game, there's never been a better time to pick up The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt than right now in 2021.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.

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