The announcement of Ciri as the main protagonist in The Witcher 4 has stirred excitement and apprehension among fans. As Geralt’s adoptive daughter and a beloved character across the books, games, and Netflix series, the shift to her storyline has generated mixed reactions.
Historically, the Witcher video game series has revolved around Geralt of Rivia and his adventures filled with monster hunting and intricate political intrigue. However, The Witcher 4 marks a significant departure by centering its narrative around Ciri, a pivotal character from the previous installment, The Witcher 3.
Ciri’s prominence is welcomed by many fans. Yet, following the release of the Game Awards 2024 trailer, concerns have surfaced regarding her transformation into the lead role. Some viewers felt that her character might be diluted or overshadowed by Geralt’s legacy.
Concerns Over Ciri as “Geralt 2.0”
In an interview with IGN, CD Projekt Red stated that Ciri has completed the Trial of the Grasses, the intense process that endows Witchers with their enhanced abilities. However, this decision has drawn criticism from fans who argue it contradicts established lore.
One fan remarked, “Realistically there’s no way Geralt would let Ciri undergo the Trial of the Grasses. Considering no one seems to know how to create the mutations anymore, it feels off.”
Another concern pertains to the risk of Ciri losing her distinctive qualities and instead mirroring Geralt’s combat style: “I’d prefer if Ciri utilized her unique powers alongside her skills instead of just becoming a standard Witcher armed with potions and signs.”
Worries Regarding Ciri’s New Voice and Appearance
The recent trailer showcased a new voice actress for Ciri, deviating from Jo Wyatt, which has not gone unnoticed by longtime fans. Additionally, the character’s redesign, which includes a new face model, has sparked debates about her portrayal.
Many fans expressed dissatisfaction, with one Reddit user stating, “Only complaint is the new voice actress for Ciri; I wish they kept the original one.” Another fan on X was more critical: “This doesn’t feel like Ciri anymore; why the sudden change?”
my euphoria for tw4 and ciri died down why do they have a new VA for ciri and why does she look like a chipmunk and why is the top of her head so small and why are they using Unreal Engine and not redengine pic.twitter.com/FA1QZCs5sZ
— Orinx V🦊🌐|| Cyberpunk Vtuber (@orinx_v) December 13, 2024
It’s important to remember that fans had similar concerns when Geralt’s appearance was revealed in the first trailer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Following its launch, players found Geralt’s design had significantly evolved. Therefore, there is potential for Ciri’s final representation to differ from the pre-release previews.
Geralt cinematic reveal vs Geralt in game… Ciri will look way better in game #TheWitcher4 pic.twitter.com/Q3xoKDdGvR
— WesNemo (@WesNemo) December 13, 2024
Questions About Ciri’s Continuing Story
The trailer has also reignited discussions regarding whether the narratives of Ciri and Geralt needed to continue. For many players, The Witcher 3 offered a satisfying conclusion, leading them to envision a sequel that might explore fresh characters instead.
“I was hoping we’d leave it as is—perfectly concluded—allowing each character to have their own ending,” commented one fan. Others echoed this sentiment, questioning the direction of Ciri’s story after her triumph in the previous game.
Silver Linings
Despite the criticism, there remains a significant level of enthusiasm surrounding Ciri’s new role in The Witcher 4. Many players are excited about the opportunity to experience the game from Ciri’s perspective, as her limited segments in the prior title intrigued fans.
“I’m thrilled that Ciri’s transformation into a Witcher is the canonical ending,” expressed a player on X. “Please don’t mess this up, CDPR.”
“The Witcher 4 is a Ciri game. We won,” proclaimed another delighted fan.
THE WITCHER 4 IS A CIRI GAME.WE WON. pic.twitter.com/borCFCJQ8t
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) December 13, 2024
Only time will tell if the worries surrounding Ciri’s journey hold true, as The Witcher 4 is still some years from release. In the meantime, avid fans can keep themselves updated with the latest news regarding the game’s development.
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