How Big Is The Witcher 3 on PC? A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’re diving into the immersive world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on your PC? Excellent choice! But before you embark on this epic adventure, a crucial question looms: how much space will it consume on your hard drive?
The answer isn’t always straightforward, as it depends on which version you’re eyeing and whether you plan on experiencing the complete saga with all its downloadable content. In general:
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition, which includes the base game, both major expansions (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine), and all DLC packs, typically requires around 32 GB of storage space.
However, it’s wise to budget a bit more, as updates and potential mods can subtly increase this figure. Steam, for example, lists a minimum requirement of 35 GB.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the specifics and answer some common questions that might be swirling in your mind.
Understanding Storage Requirements
The difference in size largely hinges on whether you’re installing just the base game or the complete package with all the expansions and DLC.
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Base Game Only: If you only install the base game of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you’re looking at roughly 16 GB of storage. This is a significantly smaller footprint, but you’ll miss out on hours of compelling storylines and enriched gameplay.
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Complete Edition (Expansions & DLC Included): As mentioned earlier, the Complete Edition bumps the storage requirement to around 32 GB. The expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, add substantial content, including new regions, quests, characters, and storylines. DLC packs contribute additional weapons, armor, and minor quests.
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Epic Games Store: It has been reported that the GOTY Edition on the Epic Games Store can have an install size of 77 GB. Make sure to check your download size before downloading!
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Future Updates: Keep in mind that CD Projekt Red, the developers of The Witcher 3, occasionally releases updates and patches to address bugs, improve performance, and sometimes even add new content. These updates can slightly increase the game’s overall size, so it’s always good to have a little extra space on your drive.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About The Witcher 3 on PC
1. Is The Witcher 3 a heavy game?
Yes, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is generally considered a demanding game, especially when running at higher graphical settings. If you encounter performance issues, lowering the settings can significantly improve your frame rate.
2. Does the Steam version differ in size compared to other platforms?
Generally, the core game files remain similar across different PC platforms like Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store. However, variations might occur due to platform-specific features or delivery methods.
3. What are the minimum and recommended PC specs for running The Witcher 3?
While the storage requirements are important, ensure your PC meets the minimum specs:
- Minimum:
- OS: 64-bit Windows 7, 64-bit Windows 8 (8.1) or 64-bit Windows 10
- Processor: Intel CPU Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz / AMD CPU Phenom II X4 940
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 660 / AMD GPU Radeon HD 7870
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 50 GB available space
- Recommended:
- OS: 64-bit Windows 7, 64-bit Windows 8 (8.1) or 64-bit Windows 10
- Processor: Intel CPU Core i7 3770 3.4 GHz / AMD CPU AMD FX-8350 4 GHz
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 770 / AMD GPU Radeon R9 290
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 50 GB available space
4. How long does it take to beat The Witcher 3?
The length varies significantly depending on your playstyle. Focusing on the main story takes about 56 hours. To experience all side quests and contracts will take over 126 hours. A completionist playthrough, aiming for 100%, can easily take 187 hours or more.
5. Is The Witcher 3 suitable for younger players?
The Witcher 3 features mature themes, violence, and suggestive content. It’s generally recommended for mature audiences (16+). Parental supervision is advised for younger players.
6. How does the world size of The Witcher 3 compare to other open-world games?
The Witcher 3 boasts a massive world. To give you an idea of the size of the game, Witcher 3’s world is roughly 3.5 times larger than that of Skyrim.
7. How well did The Witcher 3 sell?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a commercial juggernaut. As of March 2023, it had sold over 50 million units worldwide.
8. Is there a “next-gen” version of The Witcher 3 for PC?
Yes! A next-gen update was released for PC, improving visuals, performance, and adding ray tracing support. Make sure your system meets the requirements for these enhanced features.
9. What’s the maximum level you can reach in The Witcher 3?
In the base game and with the Hearts of Stone expansion, the maximum level is 70. With the Blood and Wine expansion, this cap increases to 100.
10. Do I need to play The Witcher 1 and 2 before The Witcher 3?
While playing the previous games can enhance your understanding of the lore and characters, it’s not essential. The Witcher 3 is designed to be accessible to newcomers.
11. Can I achieve 100% completion in a single playthrough?
Yes, it’s possible, but it requires careful planning and attention to detail. You might need to consult guides to ensure you don’t miss any quests or opportunities.
12. Are there any games similar to The Witcher 3?
Games like God of War and God of War Ragnarök offer similar blends of action, exploration, and storytelling.
13. Why did Henry Cavill leave the Witcher series?
One reported reason was that Cavill sought to ensure the show remained faithful to the source material.
14. What are the benefits of playing the expansions?
The expansions significantly expand the game world, introducing new regions, characters, storylines, and gameplay mechanics. They add dozens of hours of content.
15. Does The Witcher 3 support mods?
Yes! The Witcher 3 has a thriving modding community. Mods can enhance graphics, add new quests, tweak gameplay, and more.
To learn more about the educational value of games, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Final Thoughts
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a masterpiece of modern gaming, offering an expansive world, compelling characters, and a deeply engaging narrative. Understanding the storage requirements for your PC is just the first step in preparing for this unforgettable adventure. So, clear some space, install the game, and get ready to lose yourself in the Continent!