
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past DLC Unleashes Geralt's Lost Weapon

By Jane McGonigal


By Jane McGonigal
Despite being over a decade old, The Witcher 3 is far from forgotten. CD Projekt Red is gearing up to release a remastered edition later this month, setting the stage for a major new expansion, “Songs of the Past,” slated for next year. This upcoming DLC promises to bring back fan-favorite characters, such as Dandelion, alongside a host of fresh adversaries. Most notably, Geralt will finally wield a weapon previously deemed impossible at the time of the main game's 2015 launch.
In the original Witcher literature, Geralt frequently employed a chain in his battles against monstrous foes. This iconic weapon even made a fleeting appearance in the opening cinematic of the 2007 game, yet it remained absent from all subsequent Witcher titles. However, this will change with the "Songs of the Past" DLC for The Witcher 3, as advancements in technology have finally caught up with CD Projekt Red's ambitious creative vision.
In a recent interview, Jakub Rokosz, game director for “Songs of the Past,” revealed that the idea of giving Geralt a chain weapon was discussed during the initial development of the base game. He explained that technological limitations at the time made its implementation unfeasible. However, with the ongoing remastering efforts, these challenges have been overcome, allowing for the seamless integration of a weapon that feels organic and fluid, perfectly aligning with the fantasy depicted in the books and early trailers.
Senior quest designer Despoina Anetaki elaborated on the strategic benefits of the chain weapon, especially when confronting the new enemies introduced in “Songs of the Past.” She highlighted its effectiveness in crowd control against foes like the "Swarmions," enabling Geralt to keep them at bay. The chain will also allow Geralt to pull enemies closer for devastating follow-up attacks, offering a refreshing alternative for players who might be seeking a change from the traditional crossbow combat.
While direct hands-on experience with “Songs of the Past” and its new chain weapon is still pending, Polygon's Ford James observed it in action during a Gamescom preview last month. He noted that Geralt’s chain weapon could effectively draw in distant enemies, dismantling their defenses and creating opportunities for new finishing moves, including a spectacular one where the chain cleanly decapitates foes.
The highly anticipated release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past is scheduled for sometime in 2027. Following this, fans can look forward to the arrival of The Witcher 4 in 2028, ensuring that the epic saga of Geralt and his world will continue to unfold for years to come.
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Game designer and author who writes about using games to improve real life and solve problems.

by Jane McGonigal
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