Is The Witcher 1 and 2 Canon? Unpacking the Lore of Games vs. Books
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The question of whether The Witcher 1 and 2 games are canon is a common one among fans of Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy world. The short, direct answer is: no, the games are not considered canon to the original books. While they build upon the rich lore and characters established in the novels, they exist as non-canon sequels, telling their own story after the events of the book series. This means that the events, choices, and character developments within The Witcher and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings are not officially part of the core narrative as intended by the original author. The games, although incredibly popular and influential, are essentially considered alternate continuations of Geralt’s tale.
The Witcher Universe: A Multi-Faceted Narrative
To fully understand the canon question, it’s essential to consider the different mediums through which The Witcher story unfolds:
- The Books: These are the original and foundational source material, penned by Andrzej Sapkowski. They form the core narrative, establishing the characters, world, and lore. The books are canon.
- The Games: Developed by CD Projekt Red, these games take place after the events of the novels and feature Geralt of Rivia as the protagonist. While heavily influenced by the books, they ultimately tell a different story. The games are not canon to the books.
- The Netflix Series: This adaptation draws heavily from the book series, adapting specific storylines and characters for the screen. It aims to be a faithful adaptation of the source material, and thus aims to be canon to the books.
The games are often described as “what-if” scenarios or fan fiction of a high quality. They explore the potential futures of Geralt and his world, taking considerable creative liberties. This is why you’ll find discrepancies and plot points in the games that don’t perfectly align with the overarching themes and end goals of the book series.
Divergence Between the Books and the Games
The games, particularly The Witcher 2, explore political intrigue and focus on large-scale conflicts. The novels, while they involve some elements of politics and warfare, center more on personal relationships, moral ambiguities, and Geralt’s individual struggles. The ending of the book saga is meant to be a more definitive conclusion. This stark contrast showcases the different focuses and creative directions of the two mediums.
Understanding Canon and Its Impact
Understanding what “canon” means in the context of The Witcher universe is crucial for fans who want to fully immerse themselves in its narrative. Canon essentially represents the official and approved storyline. For The Witcher, the books hold this distinction. The games, while providing a fantastic and beloved experience, simply do not fit within this canonical frame.
This distinction is important because it affects how fans interpret events and character development across different mediums. While some games have endings that might seem very important and impactful within the game world, they do not change the established storyline in the books.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Witcher Canon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the canon status of The Witcher games and their relationship with the books and other media:
1. Are The Witcher games sequels to the books?
Yes, the games are set years after the events of the last book and can be considered unofficial sequels. However, as mentioned above, they are non-canon sequels that explore possibilities not officially part of the core narrative.
2. Does The Witcher 3 build on the stories of the first two games?
Yes, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt directly follows the events of The Witcher 2. Though it’s not necessary to play the previous games to enjoy the third, many story beats are directly related to events in The Witcher 2. The game does a great job explaining important events to new players though.
3. Is there a “canon” ending to The Witcher 1 or 2?
No, there is no official canon ending to either game. The choices you make in The Witcher 1 will impact events in The Witcher 2, but neither ending is considered to be definitive in relation to the book canon. Ultimately it’s your choices and your Geralt.
4. Why aren’t the games considered canon?
The games were developed by CD Projekt Red, not Andrzej Sapkowski. As such, they constitute their own narrative branch, a separate creative interpretation of his world and characters. Sapkowski himself has maintained that the games are not part of his intended canon.
5. Does the Netflix series follow the game storylines?
No, the Netflix series focuses on adapting the book material, not the games. However, the series is influenced by the games in certain visual and aesthetic elements, which is mainly due to the popularity of the games.
6. Is Yennefer or Triss Geralt’s canon love interest?
While the games allow you to romance either Triss or Yennefer, in the books and in the general consensus, Yennefer is considered Geralt’s true, destined love. Their connection is a central element of the overall saga.
7. Do I need to play The Witcher 1 and 2 before 3?
Not necessarily. The Witcher 3 does a great job of explaining important details to newcomers. However, playing the first two games provides additional context and enhances the appreciation of the overarching storyline, and the characters involved.
8. Is The Witcher 1 worth playing in 2023?
Despite its age, The Witcher 1 offers a unique and memorable experience that is worth playing for fans of the universe. However, the gameplay is clunkier compared to modern standards, so it requires a certain amount of patience.
9. Which Witcher game is better, 2 or 3?
This is a subjective question, but many would argue that The Witcher 3 is the superior game due to its vast open world, stunning visuals, and complex narrative. However, The Witcher 2 is still an excellent game with a tighter focus and a compelling story.
10. Is Ciri’s ending in The Witcher 3 canon?
As The Witcher 3 is a game, none of its endings are canon. The books provide the true end to her story. The most widely considered “canon” ending for The Witcher 3 is Ciri becoming a witcher, but again, this is not canon to the books.
11. What is the difference in Henry Cavill and Liam Hemsworth’s approach to Geralt?
Henry Cavill was noted for his immense research and dedication to being loyal to the source material, the books, while Liam Hemsworth is expected to bring his own interpretation of Geralt, although it’s also expected the Netflix series will continue to adapt the books directly.
12. Can I skip The Witcher 1 and just play The Witcher 2?
Yes, this is a commonly suggested route. The Witcher 2 is more accessible and has a better gameplay experience. You can watch a summary of The Witcher 1 if you are concerned about missing important plot points.
13. Why is The Witcher 2 more linear than 3?
The Witcher 2 is designed to be more focused, with a more direct approach to its main storyline. This linearity provides a tighter narrative, while The Witcher 3‘s open-world design leads to more exploration and side quests.
14. Does the game series include all the Witcher books?
No. The games serve as original stories set after the conclusion of the book series. They borrow characters and settings from the books but forge a new path for the characters to follow. The games are not attempting to adapt the books directly.
15. Is David Corenswet the new Geralt?
No. David Corenswet is the new Superman. Liam Hemsworth will be the new Geralt of Rivia starting in Season 4 of the Netflix show.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while The Witcher 1 and 2 are beloved entries in The Witcher franchise, they are not canon to the original books. The games provide a unique and compelling experience that expands on the rich world of Geralt of Rivia, but they should be seen as a separate, alternate continuation of the story. Understanding the distinction between the books and the games allows fans to fully appreciate each medium’s unique contributions to the ever-evolving Witcher universe.