It's hard to have a conversation about the greatest video games of all time without mentioning The Witcher 3. CD Projekt Red completely knocked it out of the park with this incredible title, providing a fitting and satisfying story to the epic story of Geralt. There are simply way too many things to praise about this landmark title, Whether it be the visuals, narrative, characters, combat, or anything else along the same lines — The Witcher 3 somehow manages to excel in all departments.
The chemistry between the game's main cast is truly extraordinary in every sense of the word. This is especially true of Geralt and Yennefer, who have an intense bond that is palpable from the get-go. However, given the dysfunctional nature of their relationship, there are times when one hasn't been good to the other.
Updated on October 19, 2021, by Ritwik Mitra: The Witcher 3 is one of the greatest games of all time. Regardless of what CD Projekt Red's reputation might be right now, that doesn't take away from the immense quality of this brilliant title.
There are several reasons as to why this game is a masterpiece, with the characters being one of its many standout aspects. At the heart of The Witcher 3 is the relationship that Geralt shares with Yennefer, and how both these people are bad yet perfect for each other at the same time. Here are some moments in The Witcher where both characters have been pretty inconsiderate towards the other.
15 YENNEFER'S ATROCITY: Pushing Geralt Away For No Reason At Times
After finding out about the fact that Geralt was alive, it was obvious that Yennefer was experiencing a flood of emotions. However, she never opened up about this to Geralt, which was rather odd.
While she had no obligation to talk to Geralt about her feelings, her cold behavior made it seem like she never cared about Geralt at all. It takes a while to uncover her true emotions, but Yennefer should've ideally just let it go and show her relief to find out that the love of her life was alive!
14 GERALT'S ATROCITY: Playing The Field With Both Yennefer And Triss
Even after finding out about the existence of Yennefer, the player can choose to pursue her while still trying for a relationship with Triss. This is one of the sleaziest moves that gamers can pull off in The Witcher 3, and is justly punished.
Players will find themselves in the bedroom with both women, only for them to leave Geralt tied up with no hope of escape. This truly serves him right for toying with their feelings and telling both of them that he loved them.
13 YENNEFER'S ATROCITY: Not Understanding Geralt's Relationship With Triss
Yennefer can definitely feel awkward about the fact that Geralt was sleeping with Triss. However, she is obviously not stupid — she knew that Geralt had lost his memories and wouldn't realize that he was cheating on her.
If she really did have to blame anyone, then Triss would be the more sensible target. Instead, she gets upset and Geralt and becomes even more incensed if he chooses Triss over her.
12 GERALT'S ATROCITY: Sleeping With Yennefer Without Making Any Commitments
During the event in Kaer Trolde where the room starts filling up with gas, Geralt has the option to get into Yennefer's quarters and sleep with her. The scene that ensues is easily one of the most iconic moments in gaming history.
However, Geralt has the option to enjoy this sweet time with Yennefer before discarding her existence and ending up with Triss. If Geralt was so sure that he would end up with Triss, then why even bother sleeping with Yennefer and confusing her emotions in the first place?
11 YENNEFER'S ATROCITY: Straight Up Dunking Geralt Into A Lake
During certain events in Kaer Morhen, Yennefer will get angry at Geralt and storm off if the player chose Triss over her. The White Wolf can follow Yennefer... only to receive a verbal thrashing for the ages as she vents about how Geralt pretty much discarded her and chose someone else instead.
If Geralt decides to be snarky as well instead of reasoning with Yennefer, then she'll just lose patience and teleport Geralt to the lake in the area without a care in the world. It's an extremely impulsive move that could've potentially resulted in the Witcher's demise.
10 GERALT'S ATROCITY: Forcing Yennefer To Stay With Him Through A Wish
The moment that sparked the relationship between Geralt and Yennefer came during a fateful meeting when Yennefer wanted to use the witcher's help to capture a djinn. In the resulting confrontation between them and the creature, Geralt protected Yennefer by making a monumental wish... which could've been avoided, to be frank.
Geralt wished for his fate to be tied to Yennefer's, which caused no end of grief for both parties. It's honestly a very selfish and avoidable decision, but Geralt chose this regardless.
9 YENNEFER'S ATROCITY: Cheating On Geralt
It was clear to Yennefer that Geralt had fallen head-over-heels for her, and while the sorceress might've reciprocated — well, for the most part — there were times when she went out of her way to break Geralt's heart.
For starters, there are multiple instances in the story where Yennefer has slept with people behind Geralt's back, causing the witcher no end of grief when he found out.
8 GERALT'S ATROCITY: Betraying Yennefer By Sleeping With Triss
However, Geralt hasn't exactly been faithful to Yennefer either... although this particular instance can still be forgiven due to Geralt's amnesia.
However, his tryst with Triss continued to an extent even after figuring out hints pertaining to the existence of Yennefer in his life. Now that's a hard pass.
7 YENNEFER'S ATROCITY: Manipulating Geralt At Times
Yennefer is one of the craftiest and most narcissistic characters in The Witcher. There are multiple instances in both the books and game of her doing everything possible to get her way.
While there's no denying the fact that she has a soft spot for Geralt, there are times when she lets her craftier side take over. Of course, the While Wolf can't really complain, given the stuff he's put Yennefer through as well.
6 GERALT'S ATROCITY: Telling Yennefer That He Doesn't Love Her Anymore
Choosing between Triss and Yennefer in The Witcher 3 is one of the hardest decisions in the game, given that both characters are great companions to Geralt — albeit with some flaws. This is a testament to the masterful character writing of CD Projekt Red, making both options viable.
However, the manner in which Geralt turns Yennefer down is especially brutal. After re-encountering the djinn and removing the magical bond that connects them, Yennefer states that she feels nothing different. However, Geralt — being the smooth talker that he is — bluntly tells Yennefer that he doesn't love her anymore.
Ouch.
5 YENNEFER'S ATROCITY: Not Taking Care Of Ciri In Geralt's Absence
One can't fault Geralt for being wary of Yennefer. While the latter considered herself to be Ciri's surrogate mother, she does barely anything to protect Ciri from The Wild Hunt.
While we see Yennefer being quite aggressive when it comes to tracking down Ciri — in fact, she was with Ciri prior to the events of the game as well — one must wonder why Yennefer was doing nothing from the moment she lost Ciri to the time Geralt finally tracked her down.
4 GERALT'S ATROCITY: Bringing Yennefer To The Place Where He Cheated On Her
While this was somewhat unavoidable, it's still tasteless on Geralt's part to bring Yennefer to Kaer Morhen — the place where he started a relationship with Triss while the other witchers did nothing to remind Geralt of his true love or reprimand Triss for taking advantage of Geralt.
So, it was only natural that Yennefer would be furious upon seen the same people in Kaer Morhen, and she inevitably took this anger out on Geralt.
3 YENNEFER'S ATROCITY: Treating Geralt With Disrespect Sometimes
When Yennefer has her mind set on something, she doesn't give anything else the time of day. This results in situations where Geralt will be admonished rather condescendingly by Yennefer if he doesn't agree with her.
This is still better than being dismissed and ignored by Yennefer outright, which also happens at times. Of course, these moments are pretty infrequent, with Yennefer treating Geralt as an equal more often than not.
2 GERALT'S ATROCITY: Rubbing His Love For Triss In Yennefer's Face
Geralt telling Yennefer to her face that he doesn't love her is bad enough as is, but what makes this even worse is the fact that he and Triss have way too much fun as lovers in front of Yennefer.
It would do Geralt some good to realize that his actions hurt Yennefer quite a lot.
1 YENNEFER'S ATROCITY: Never Bothering To Check Up On Geralt When He Lost His Memory
To be honest, maybe Yennefer doesn't deserve that decency after the manner in which she completely forgot about the existence of a Geralt of Rivia.
She never tries to contact him after Geralt becomes an amnesiac. While it might be possible that she never knew about this development in Geralt's life, the lack of any contact from the witcher should've been enough of a red flag for the sorceress to search for the man whom she was bonded with... apparently.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was released on May 18, 2015, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.