By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
CD Projekt Red Showcases Powerful Combat Mechanics and Visual Evolution in Upcoming RPG
Warsaw – June 4, 2025 — CD Projekt Red has officially unveiled early gameplay footage of The Witcher 4, offering the first in-game glimpse of Ciri, the fan-favorite character, now confirmed as the central protagonist of the new installment in the acclaimed fantasy RPG franchise. The studio released a five-minute trailer during its annual “RED Summer Showcase,” generating massive excitement among fans and critics worldwide.
Ciri Confirmed as Playable Lead
After months of speculation, the new footage confirms that Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon—commonly known as Ciri—will take over the lead role from Geralt of Rivia. With Geralt’s storyline considered concluded in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, fans had long hoped to see Ciri’s character arc explored further. In the footage, Ciri is shown navigating ancient ruins, engaging in high-paced combat, and wielding a mix of magic, swordplay, and teleportation.
Narrated by a new voice actress, the sequence also reveals snippets of internal monologue, giving insight into Ciri’s emotional and psychological evolution. Now an experienced warrior and traveler of worlds, she is portrayed as both battle-hardened and introspective.
Visual and Gameplay Enhancements
Built on CD Projekt Red’s proprietary REDengine 5, The Witcher 4 showcases an impressive leap in graphical fidelity and environmental detail. The footage displays expansive landscapes, dynamic weather systems, and realistic character animations that mark a significant upgrade over its predecessor.
The most talked-about feature is the enhanced combat system. Ciri’s unique abilities—such as blink dashes, time-slowing techniques, and dual sword combat—appear to be fully integrated into gameplay, offering a faster, more agile fighting style compared to Geralt’s. Enemy AI has also been revamped, with enemies coordinating attacks and reacting more dynamically to the player’s movements.
The gameplay segment teases a boss fight with a corrupted forest spirit, blending fast-paced melee action with cinematic camera work. Environmental interaction plays a key role, as Ciri uses the terrain for both offense and evasion, utilizing cliffs, ledges, and collapsing structures to gain advantage.
Open-World Exploration and New Regions
The footage hints at new regions never before seen in the Witcher universe. Among them is a mountainous area called Tir ná Lia—believed to be tied to Ciri’s Elder Blood heritage and the mysterious world of the Aen Elle elves. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that the open-world map will be 1.5 times larger than The Witcher 3, with no loading screens between regions.
Players will reportedly be able to traverse the world using a customizable mount system, magical portals, and ancient travel runes. Side quests, faction conflicts, and random world events are said to dynamically affect Ciri’s story progression.
Narrative Themes and Character Development
The tone of the footage leans darker and more mature, suggesting a deeper narrative focus on identity, legacy, and sacrifice. Dialogues with NPCs indicate that Ciri will grapple with the burden of her powers and the political implications of her lineage.
According to the developers, choices made by the player will significantly alter Ciri’s journey. A branching narrative structure ensures that morality is not binary, allowing for complex decision-making that influences both character relationships and regional outcomes.
Fan-favorite characters like Yennefer, Triss Merigold, and even a briefly glimpsed Geralt (via flashback) are expected to appear, though their roles have not been fully revealed.
Community Reaction and Industry Buzz
Following the release of the gameplay trailer, The Witcher 4 immediately began trending across social media platforms. Fans praised Ciri’s fluid combat mechanics, emotionally nuanced voice acting, and the visual richness of the game’s world. Developers also confirmed that mod support and next-gen optimization are top priorities for the launch version.
Industry analysts see The Witcher 4 as a major contender for Game of the Year 2026, with pre-release hype already breaking internal studio records. CD Projekt Red stated that more detailed gameplay and story breakdowns will be shared at Gamescom in August.
Launch Timeline and Platforms
While no official release date has been confirmed, The Witcher 4 is currently slated for a late 2026 release on PC, PlayStation 6, and Xbox Series Z. A limited beta test is expected in Q2 2026, with early access offered to long-time GOG users and Witcher franchise supporters.