Can You Keep Playing Witcher 3 After Main Story? A Geralt of Rivia Deep Dive
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Absolutely! The answer is a resounding yes. Once you’ve concluded the main narrative of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt’s journey doesn’t have to end. You’re free to roam the vast, monster-infested landscapes, complete any unfinished side quests, and delve into the rich expansion packs. This post-game freedom adds immense replayability to an already sprawling and captivating RPG experience.
What Happens After the Main Story?
Upon completing the main storyline, you’ll be placed back into the world just before the final boss battle. This allows you to explore any areas or complete any quests that you might have missed during your primary adventure. The world state will reflect the outcome of your choices throughout the game, specifically with regards to which ending you unlocked. So, you’ll be able to see the consequences of your actions directly in the game world.
The Importance of “New Game Plus”
While the standard post-game allows for exploration and quest completion, New Game Plus (NG+) offers an even more compelling way to continue Geralt’s adventure. Starting NG+ allows you to restart the game from the beginning with your character level, skills, and most of your equipment intact. This provides a significant advantage and allows you to experience the story and its choices in a completely new light.
Expansion Packs: Hearts of Stone & Blood and Wine
Beyond the base game, the two expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, offer substantial new content, including compelling storylines, new characters, and entirely new regions to explore. Hearts of Stone focuses on intrigue and dark bargains, while Blood and Wine transports Geralt to the idyllic Duchy of Toussaint, a land of knights, vineyards, and…well, still plenty of monsters. These expansions significantly extend the game’s lifespan and provide satisfying conclusions to Geralt’s overall arc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About The Witcher 3 Post-Game
Here are 15 common questions players have regarding the post-game of The Witcher 3, along with comprehensive answers to help you navigate the world after completing the main quest.
1. Will completing side quests after the main story affect the ending I already received?
No. Once you’ve seen an ending, completing side quests afterward will not change it. Your decisions leading up to the final quest determined the ending. Post-game is simply for cleaning up loose ends and further exploration.
2. Can I replay the main story without losing my progress?
Yes, through New Game Plus (NG+). You’ll retain your level, skills, and most of your gear, but the main storyline will be reset.
3. What carries over in New Game Plus?
Geralt’s level, skills, most of your equipment (swords, armor, diagrams, alchemy recipes, potions, oils, decoctions, food, monster trophies), money, and learned Gwent cards will carry over. Story items, quest items, and Gwent cards won from quests do not carry over.
4. Is there a level cap in New Game Plus?
Yes, the level cap in The Witcher 3 and in NG+ is level 100.
5. Should I complete the expansions before or after the main story?
Generally, it’s recommended to complete Hearts of Stone before Blood and Wine. Hearts of Stone is designed for characters around level 30+, while Blood and Wine is designed for characters level 34+. Both can be played before or after the main story, but Blood and Wine arguably provides a more fitting and conclusive end to Geralt’s saga. Many players consider its ending a better conclusion to the game.
6. Can I start New Game Plus directly after finishing the main story, or do I need to do something else?
You can start NG+ immediately after finishing the main story, provided you have a save file from the ending you wish to carry over.
7. Are there any new items or quests exclusive to New Game Plus?
Yes, there are new items and quests exclusive to New Game Plus, including higher-level versions of existing gear and new diagrams. These enhanced items offer better stats and can significantly improve your character’s power.
8. What happens to my Gwent collection in New Game Plus?
As mentioned before, Gwent cards won from quests will not carry over to NG+. Only Gwent cards that were purchased from merchants or won randomly in the world will stay in your collection. You will need to re-acquire the quest-related Gwent cards if you want to complete your collection again.
9. Is it possible to get all achievements/trophies after completing the main story?
Absolutely! Many achievements and trophies can be obtained in the post-game. Some are tied to specific quests or activities that might not have been completed during the main storyline, giving you ample opportunity to hunt them down.
10. What are some recommended activities to do in the post-game?
Some great post-game activities include:
- Completing all Witcher Contracts: Hunt down every monster contract available in the world.
- Exploring unmarked locations: Discover hidden treasures and secrets scattered across the map.
- Maxing out your character build: Experiment with different skills and abilities to create the ultimate Geralt.
- Completing the Grandmaster Witcher Gear quests: Obtain the best armor sets in the game.
- Playing Gwent: Compete against various NPCs to build the ultimate deck.
11. Does the world change significantly after the main story in terms of NPC dialogue or available quests?
The world’s general state reflects the outcome of your choices in the main story. Some NPC dialogues will change to acknowledge events that have transpired, but it’s not a drastic overhaul. The core quests and activities remain largely the same.
12. Are there any missable quests or items that I should be aware of before finishing the main story?
Yes, there are some missable quests and items. It’s advisable to research specific quests beforehand to ensure you don’t accidentally fail them due to story progression. Examples of missable quests often involve choices made during key plot points or relationships with certain characters.
13. How does the difficulty scale in New Game Plus?
The difficulty in NG+ is significantly higher than in the initial playthrough. Enemies are scaled to your level, and even low-level monsters can pose a challenge. This encourages strategic combat and utilizing all of Geralt’s skills and tools effectively.
14. Can I change the difficulty in New Game Plus?
Yes, you can adjust the difficulty level in NG+ just as you could in the standard game. This allows you to tailor the experience to your liking, whether you prefer a more challenging or relaxed playthrough.
15. Where can I learn more about game design principles in The Witcher 3?
The Witcher 3 is a great example of immersive storytelling and choices and consequences. To learn more about game design principles, level design, and narrative design, explore resources provided by organizations such as the Games Learning Society. You can visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to access research, articles, and discussions on game-based learning and design.