The Witcher 3’s next-gen upgrade is a reminder that Geralt rules

At first glance, Geralt of Rivia appears to be another straight, white, gruff guy who talks little and kills often. Geralt of Rivia grunts through his quests with all the diplomatic skills of a caged Wolf, while his interactions with women is nothing more than one-note Dionysian flirtations. You’d be forgiven for labeling him another entry in a staple archetype of action-adventure stories in TV, film, and games. However, such an interpretation would not be true of the protagonist. Wild Hunt in The Witcher 3..

Geralt is the protagonist of The Witcher series. He hunts down and solves crime, as well as stumbles upon world-changing politics despite his desperate wish to be invisible. Based on the works of Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the third-person action-adventure games from CD Projekt Red — in particular, the third entry — have garnered well-deserved praise, awards, and replays. Now that the next-gen update is available for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X and Xbox 360, we feel it’s a great time to get back in touch with Geralt and how he subverts storytelling tropes, fantasy, games and gaming.

Let’s begin with the very inciting incident that sparks his entire, world-expanding quest in The Witcher 3Ciri is his adopted daughter. He is given a substantial reward, but his primary motivation is to ensure her safety. Ciri is shown to be more than competent at protecting herself, not least because she’s one of the most powerful beings in the game. Geralt trained her. She is now being pursued by more powerful people. Even though the initial hours suggest a damsel in distress story, The Witcher 3 There is nothing more satisfying than a reuniting of the two.

Image: CD Projekt Red via Polygon

Even if you do prioritize financial success or choose a blunt dialogue option every once in a while — it is a role-playing game, after all — Geralt is still, at his core, supportive, loving, and encouraging of Ciri. He’s never condescending, properly balancing being parental without being patronizing. It’s refreshing to play a father figure who is not cold to or controlling of his talented child, like God of War’s Kratos or The Last of Us’ Joel.

Sometimes it is easy to show love for someone you consider family. Geralt can be a constant source of kindness for the most vulnerable hut dwellers, and sometimes even to monsters. He very rarely identifies as human, often comfortably slotting himself with outcasts and so-called “freaks”: In one case, he makes himself vulnerable to a hunter ostracized for being gay. He is sincere in his compassion, which cuts through his gruffness and doesn’t forget about species membership. He is concerned about motive and action and will even give up his contract to kill if he discovers the monster is really the victim.

One quest leads to the discovery that city guards have been murdered in the night. Geralt finds out that the victim is a succubus after much investigation. After she claimed she was acting in self-defense, he lets her go. Upon recounting the story to another monster down the road, the monster says, “Even when you know a monster’s killed someone, you don’t hurt them?” Geralt says: “If it had good reason, yeah.”

Image: CD Projekt Red via polygon

The game makes a stronger point of showing off Geralt’s warranted kindness toward horrific beasts in the quest “Skellige’s Most Wanted.” Geralt is lured into a trap by a group of various monsters and is all but put on trial for his past actions. While some want him to be killed, others are more interested in hearing his story. It is very reminiscent of The Wonderful. Batman: The Animated Series episode “Trial,” where Batman is on trial in front of his rogues’ gallery of villains.)

Geralt relates all of the instances he saved a monster from harming, killing, or terrorizing humans. It’s an incredible moment, demonstrating that Geralt actually is more aligned to the monsters he hunts than the people who contract him to kill them. “Humans hate you all!” he says. “Because they don’t know you. Don’t know which of you are dangerous and which want to live in peace.” He notes that only witchers truly know both worlds, and thus “protect both” as well. “We kill dangerous monsters so the thinking ones can live in peace.”

At one point, Geralt is asked by a rich banker to investigate why the banker’s newly purchased house is haunted. Geralt learns that a little creature named a godling has been mischievous and wants to be left alone. Geralt can then lie to the banker and say the house is permanently haunted — this means the cute creature is left alone. Geralt is the only one who suffers, as Geralt knows well how to feel for people who have too many.

Image: CD Projekt Red via Polygon

Geralt meets obnoxiously rich characters throughout his journey on the Continent. The Witcher Code stipulates that witchers do not work for free (a principle I encourage all freelancers to adopt), but you’re often given the choice to relinquish pay in favor of another’s benefit. In the first few hours of the game, a sickly girl’s father needs help getting clean water. Geralt may refuse to accept the gold if the father or child agrees after the quest is completed. Geralt also meets another man, who watches over the boy after his father’s death. Geralt offers compensation to the proxy father and can then waive his payment.

The Witcher 3There are many cases in which Geralt can see his father-child relationship with Ciri and chooses empathy to avoid losing it.

Geralt is not just a sword wielder. Geralt is a man of kindness and gentleness who is constantly trying to become a father figure for the Continent. The world is filled with war-torn monsters and manipulators, as well as charlatans. A good father, an understanding partner, friendly wit and a strong defender for the poor, marginalized and misunderstood, Geralt is also a great friend. Role-play Geralt to play the role of a Witcher Code adherent who kills monsters and chases after money. But it’s so much more rewarding, in the end, to stay curious, kind, and compassionate.