Old friends return in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt launch trailer

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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Riddle me this, Geralt: When is a Witcher 3 launch trailer not a launch trailer? When it's a "launch cinematic," apparently, because the real launch trailer is here today.

I actually prefer the more personal tone of the cinematic, but this trailer does a thorough job of setting up Geralt's relationship with Yennefer and Ciri, two characters who feature prominently in the Witcher lore but haven't yet appeared in the games.

It's nice to see some other familiar faces turn up too, including Dandelion (I think that's him, anyway), Zoltan, Triss, and—surprise!—Roche. Could this be a sign that the Roche path in The Witcher 2 will be taken as canon? Alas, poor Iorveth! I knew him, Yarpen. (And I hope he's in the game, too.)

We'll find out soon enough. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be out in just a few hours. (Which I'm pretty sure also means there shouldn't be any more launch videos, but don't bet the Witcherlings college fund it.) Our reviewer has been playing the game over the weekend and we'll have the verdict up in a few days.

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Andy Chalk
Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

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