CD PROJEKT RED has posted the detailed changes for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered, which launches September 29. The free upgrade does more than improve Geralt’s surroundings: it changes skills, gear appearance, combat, menus and Photo Mode. Here are the additions worth knowing before you update.
Can you keep your Witcher 3 save?
Yes. Your current save, achievements and trophies carry over, although your skill points reset so you can spend them in the new skill tree. CD PROJEKT RED also says anyone who bought a physical or digital copy can upgrade free within the same platform ecosystem. That does not promise a free move between PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and PC.
The full change list also confirms how the new skills work, what Reforge can do and which features are available on each platform.
Skills and gear: what changes?
Skills now sit in a three-rank tree. Instead of unlocking a new ability after spending a set number of points, you need its prerequisite skills. CD PROJEKT RED has also adjusted the effects and bonuses of some abilities. If you have an established build, check the tree before spending your refunded points.
The new Reforge service lets you change how equipment looks without changing its stats. Only the master craftsmen Yoana and Hattori can do it. Picking up equipment or crafting diagrams unlocks their appearances; dyes applied in Blood and Wine carry over to a reforged item.
Combat, movement and looting
Many non-boss monsters have updated attacks, movement and reactions. Geralt gets new finishers, smoother climbing and vaulting, and a new camera that changes during combat. Roach can avoid collisions better, and you can pick up loot without dismounting.
The menus also get practical changes: nearby loot can appear in one window, item details can be previewed before pickup, and quest markers are easier to track. The new loot feed is optional. Meditation now uses a time-lapse scene instead of the old menu screen.
Photo Mode, accessibility and mods
Photo Mode gets placeable characters, poses, expressions, props and weather controls. You can save camera positions, choose a different aspect ratio and use a first-person view. Those tools should make it easier to set up a shot without relying on a separate mod.
The new Bard’s Ballad accessibility preset can reduce some of the work involved in a long play session. Its optional settings include infinite breath, unlimited gear durability, no carry-weight limit and a toggle for Witcher Senses. You can turn its individual features on or off.
An in-game mod browser powered by mod.io is coming to supported platforms. It requires a CD PROJEKT RED Account linked to mod.io. The notes do not say that every older PC mod will work in the new version, so check a mod’s compatibility before relying on it.
What changes on each platform?
On PC, the list includes path tracing, DLSS 4.5, FSR 4 on supported AMD cards and XeSS 2.0. CD PROJEKT RED says PC system requirements have changed. On PS5, both the Ray Tracing and Performance modes target 60 fps; PS5 Pro adds PSSR and VRR support. The Switch 2 version adds touch-screen controls in menus and Gwent, mouse controls, motion options and HD Rumble.
The upgrade is scheduled for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2 on September 29. Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store and Battle.net are the listed PC storefronts. Some performance features depend on the hardware you own; the full platform-specific list is in CD PROJEKT RED’s official notes.
