Skyrim vs. The Witcher 3: Which Open World Reigns Supreme in Size and Scope?
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The age-old question: Is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt bigger than The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? The short answer is yes, but it’s a bit more nuanced than just square kilometers. While Skyrim boasts a respectable explorable area, The Witcher 3 surpasses it in sheer landmass and, arguably, in the density and richness of its world. Let’s dive deep into a comparison of these two open-world giants, examining not only their size but also the factors that contribute to the overall feeling of “bigness.”
The Raw Numbers: Landmass Comparison
Straight up, The Witcher 3‘s map, including its DLC areas like Toussaint, measures approximately 142 square kilometers (or 88 square miles). Skyrim, on the other hand, clocks in at around 39 square kilometers (or 15 square miles). Therefore, The Witcher 3 is roughly 3.5 times larger than Skyrim in terms of explorable area. This is significant; it translates to more room to roam, more hidden locations, and more opportunities for adventure.
Beyond Square Kilometers: The Illusion of Size
However, size isn’t everything. While The Witcher 3 physically dwarfs Skyrim, the perception of size also depends on several other factors:
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World Density: The Witcher 3 is densely populated with towns, villages, monster nests, points of interest, and quests at every turn. Every corner of the map feels like it has something to offer. Skyrim can sometimes feel sparser, with large stretches of wilderness that, while beautiful, don’t always contain significant points of interest.
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Verticality: Skyrim‘s mountainous terrain gives it a sense of verticality that The Witcher 3 largely lacks. While Geralt can climb, the environments are generally flatter, making the explorable area more easily traversed. Skyrim‘s mountains, caves, and dungeons add another layer to the exploration experience, even if they don’t increase the overall square footage.
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Travel Time: Both games offer methods of fast travel, but the time it takes to traverse the world on foot or horseback influences the perceived size. In The Witcher 3, Roach, Geralt’s horse, is a reliable companion. While Skyrim has horses, many players prefer to fast travel or simply walk.
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Quest Design: The Witcher 3‘s quests often take players across vast distances, connecting various locations and further enhancing the feeling of a sprawling world. Skyrim‘s quests, while plentiful, are sometimes more self-contained within specific regions.
The “Bigger” Experience: What Matters Most?
Ultimately, whether The Witcher 3 or Skyrim feels “bigger” is subjective and depends on what the player values most.
- If you prioritize sheer landmass and density of content, The Witcher 3 wins hands down. The world feels incredibly alive and reactive, with something interesting to discover around every corner.
- If you prefer a world with more verticality, a greater sense of freedom, and a less structured quest experience, Skyrim might feel larger in scope, even if it’s smaller in physical size.
- If you are interested in the scientific approach to games and learning, explore the work of the Games Learning Society to learn about player experience and game design at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Both games are incredible achievements in open-world design, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience. The “bigger” game is simply the one that better aligns with your personal preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Skyrim‘s world bigger than Witcher 3‘s?
No, The Witcher 3‘s world is significantly larger than Skyrim‘s. The Witcher 3 boasts roughly 142 square kilometers of explorable area, while Skyrim is around 39 square kilometers.
2. Is Skyrim or Witcher 3 longer to complete?
It depends on your playstyle. If you focus solely on the main quest, The Witcher 3 might be slightly longer. However, Skyrim‘s emphasis on exploration and countless side quests means that a completionist playthrough can take significantly longer, sometimes 2-4 times longer.
3. How big is The Witcher 3 in terms of file size?
The base game of The Witcher 3 is around 16GB. The Game of the Year edition, which includes all expansions and DLC, is roughly 32GB.
4. Is The Witcher 3 the longest game ever made?
No, The Witcher 3 isn’t the absolute longest game ever. Some games, like The Longing, are designed to take hundreds of real-time days to complete. However, The Witcher 3 is certainly one of the longest and most substantial single-player RPGs available.
5. What made The Witcher 3 so popular?
The Witcher 3‘s popularity stems from its compelling story, well-developed characters, vast and detailed open world, engaging combat system, and high production values. The quality of its side quests is also a significant factor, with many side quests offering rich stories and meaningful choices.
6. How long does it take to 100% complete The Witcher 3?
A 100% completion of The Witcher 3, including all DLC and expansions, can take around 188 hours.
7. Is The Witcher 3 a demanding game in terms of hardware?
Yes, The Witcher 3 is a graphically demanding game. To achieve a smooth frame rate, you may need to lower the graphical settings, especially on older hardware.
8. Is there a game world bigger than Skyrim‘s?
Yes, many open-world games feature larger maps than Skyrim. Some notable examples include The Witcher 3, Breath of the Wild, and Starfield.
9. Is The Witcher 3 as good as Skyrim?
Whether The Witcher 3 is “better” than Skyrim is subjective. The Witcher 3 offers a more focused narrative and better quest design, while Skyrim provides more freedom and player agency. Both are excellent games in their own right.
10. Which map is bigger, Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Skyrim‘s?
Zelda: Breath of the Wild‘s map is significantly larger than Skyrim‘s, approximately 1.66 times the size.
11. Is Witcher 3 bigger than Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, in terms of explorable area, The Witcher 3‘s map is larger than Cyberpunk 2077‘s. However, Cyberpunk 2077‘s map is arguably more dense and vertically oriented.
12. Will I like Skyrim if I enjoyed The Witcher 3?
If you enjoy open-world RPGs with extensive exploration and character customization, there’s a good chance you’ll also enjoy Skyrim.
13. Is The Witcher 3 a suitable game for all ages?
The Witcher 3 is a mature-rated game with themes, violence, and occasional sexual content that are not suitable for younger audiences.
14. Is The Witcher 3 difficult for new players?
The Witcher 3 can be overwhelming for new players due to its complex mechanics and numerous systems. However, the game offers a tutorial and adjustable difficulty settings to help ease players into the experience.
15. Do I need to play The Witcher 1 and 2 before playing The Witcher 3?
While playing the previous games can enhance your appreciation of the lore and characters, it’s not strictly necessary to enjoy The Witcher 3. The game provides enough context for newcomers to understand the story.