CD Projekt Red has a slick new launch trailer for The Witcher 3. It's all cinematics and done with amazing attention to detail to the characters, settings and lore, but it's not a trailer for everyone and it definitely spills close to the line of being NSFW. So a word of fair warning to all of you watching this when you should be typing up that report!
It starts with a lullaby and ends with a lullaby. It's a sweet sounding song that plays well against the dark and ominous nature of the world that Witchers inhabit. Geralt is introduced as the mercenary with a heart of steel and fire in his blood (literally).
Unlike a lot of other cinematic trailers that showcase a lot of things that you can't actually do in the game, this particular cinematic trailer showcases basically everything you must do in the game if you want to survive encounters against specific monsters and beasts.
When Geralt arrives to claim the head of the vampire, she slips out of her clothes and heads into an abandoned barn. Geralt follows in haste, but not before consuming a makeshift potion that imbues his blood with the ability to burn a monster who would dare take a taste.
Geralt and the vampire battle it out, with the Witcher having to rely on cunning tactics and strategic defensive maneuvers. We see him roll out a protective shield in the form of a fire orb, as well as an ice mist to help add visibility to the naked and dangerous vampire.
During the fight Geralt's attacks seem someone fruitless and he is eventually wounded. The vampire sinks her teeth deep into Geralt's neck, consuming his now acidic blood. It doesn't take long for the effects to kick in and the fight completely turns on its head; Geralt is now in full control.
The vampire gets cut and slashed, losing an arm in the process. As she attempts to flee from the barn out into the sunlight, Geralt wastes no time in unloading a couple of stiff arrows through the wrinkled skin of his inhuman foe. She collapses to the ground in a bloody heap, recognizing that the fight is over. Her last breath taken as tears roll out of her eyes.
The lullaby kicks in again.
Geralt takes a breather on the ground as he preps to take his prize back to those who paid for the vampire's head. The trailer ends with Geralt heading back to the city on horseback... another monster defeated, another gold coin or two for his pouch.
It's impressive that CD Projekt Red managed to keep the cinematic very manageable to reflect the intent of The Witcher 3's gameplay. There's no ridiculous over-the-top antics that you can't do in the game and no magic attacks you can't wield. His sword combos, his potions, his counter-attacks – the developers made sure that everything on display in the trailer is possible to do in The Witcher 3.
The game is already receiving rave reviews and it's due for release on May 19th next week. You'll be able to pick up a copy for the Xbox One, PS4 or PC. You can learn more by visiting the official website.
