AceShowbiz - If you're eagerly awaiting news about the rumored DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or updates on The Witcher 4, there’s good news that might catch your interest in the meantime. A new game titled Reigns: The Witcher is set to launch on February 25. While it may not be the sprawling open-world RPG that many anticipate, this title serves as a heartfelt tribute to The Witcher universe. Ahead of its release, I spoke with Nerial’s Creative Director, François Alliot, and Narrative Designer, Oscar Harrington-Shaw, about the game’s origins, why Dandelion takes center stage, and why fans of all kinds should pay attention to this unique project.

Reigns: The Witcher was created by passionate fans of the series, particularly the games, and it shows. The concept was born several years ago during a meeting between Nerial and CD Projekt RED at GDC in San Francisco, a major industry event. François explained that prior to this, there had been informal exchanges between the publisher Devolver Digital and CD Projekt RED, but the pitch for this game happened two years ago at GDC. With their previous success in adapting the Reigns formula to the world of Game of Thrones, the team sought a similar but distinct license that offered a rich lore and immersive world. Nerial’s love for the games, combined with CD Projekt RED’s enthusiasm for Reigns, set the stage for this collaboration. Oscar emphasized that while the team is familiar with the show and the books, the game primarily draws from the continuity of the CD Projekt RED titles.

This connection to the game series means fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will find a familiar and welcoming experience. Iconic characters such as Geralt, Triss, Dandelion, and Yennefer return alongside many others. For those who have invested hundreds of hours into The Witcher 3, revisiting these characters in a new format offers a distinct form of enjoyment. But how exactly does Reigns: The Witcher play?

To understand the gameplay, it helps to know the original Reigns is a choose-your-own-adventure style life simulation where players make a series of binary choices to rule a kingdom. Here, you take on the role of Dandelion, the charismatic bard, who spins tales about Geralt’s adventures. Throughout the game, you encounter familiar figures and monsters, and your choices influence the outcomes of each narrative run. As you progress, more scenarios unlock, though many conclude with Geralt meeting bizarre and humorous fates — such as an early playthrough where Yennefer transforms the White Wolf into a fly.

Oscar described the game as a way to riff on elements fans already adore about the world. The game is packed with references to main quests and even some obscure side quests from The Witcher 3. The authenticity of the content was a priority, with Nerial collaborating closely with CD Projekt RED throughout development. Weekly meetings with CDPR’s lore experts and writers ensured the game’s material aligns with the established universe, and content ideas flowed both ways between the teams.

For those who follow the Netflix The Witcher series but may not be avid gamers, Reigns: The Witcher could be an ideal entry point. Oscar explained that the game offers a bite-sized experience that allows players to quickly immerse themselves in the world and discover storylines from a fresh perspective. Its accessibility makes it welcoming to newcomers unfamiliar with the extensive RPGs traditionally associated with The Witcher. François added that the game functions somewhat like fan-fiction, providing a space to experiment with the rich world without attempting to create a traditional Witcher game.

This approach marks a notable departure from previous Reigns titles as well as from past The Witcher games. Traditionally, players embody the hardened monster hunter Geralt. However, Reigns: The Witcher centers on Dandelion, a choice that unlocks new creative possibilities. Oscar explained that the original Reigns game’s structure involves the player ruling as a king who eventually dies and is succeeded, creating a gameplay loop. Playing as Geralt posed challenges because his death is usually permanent in the lore. Framing the game as Dandelion recounting tales allows for a narrative loop where Geralt’s adventures are retold with creative license and humor.

In the game, you’re playing Geralt’s story from within a bard’s song, balancing the truth of the monster hunter’s life with the poet’s desire to embellish and entertain. This dual perspective adds depth to the gameplay. The scenarios vary widely, with many humorous and unexpected twists. Oscar shared his favorite example: encountering a rock troll under a bridge who initially blocks your path. Instead of just fighting, players can learn the troll is bored and encourage it to explore the world, leading to appearances in other quests. François highlighted another scenario where players embark on a road trip with Roach, Geralt’s horse, introducing different gameplay mechanics and an enjoyable surprise.

Reigns: The Witcher will be available on mobile devices and PC via Steam starting February 25. Whether you are a fan of the games, the books, or the TV series, this game offers a fresh and entertaining way to engage with the beloved universe. Its blend of humor, narrative depth, and accessibility may well make it one of the year’s most delightful surprises for Witcher enthusiasts.

With its unique take on storytelling and gameplay, Reigns: The Witcher is poised to appeal to a broad spectrum of fans. It honors the legacy of the original games while offering something playful and new, inviting both longtime followers and newcomers to dive into the world of The Witcher in a completely different way.