Medieval grime meets advanced technology: The Witcher 4's Unreal Engine 5 demo offers a grimy, realistic medieval setting as anticipated.
In the realm of gaming, there's a phrase from the launch of Netflix's The Witcher that's been lingering in my mind: Henry Cavill's gritty portrayal as Geralt was a bloody, messy masterpiece. The same can be said for The Witcher games themselves. They're capable of delivering drop-dead gorgeous views - valleys that'd make a postcard puke with envy and cities that rouse scenes of sheer wonder. But it's the grimy, grotesque, uncomfortable bits that really steal the show.
So imagine my relief when a lady in the new tech demo for The Witcher 4 decided to chuck the contents of a chamber pot off a bridge. Yep, this is gonna get gross.
It's one thing for The Witcher 4 to smear blood and gore all over the screen like a low-budget horror flick. I get it, CDPR. Disgusting! But what I'm truly hankering for is the filth and grime of medieval life. The dirt, the grime, and the apathy. And, my dear readers, let me tell you, The Witcher 4 demo did not disappoint.
While the scenery consisted of grand vistas, enchanting forests, and residential districts, it was the unsavory details that really stole the spotlight. Our girl Ciri, for instance, encountered a woman emptying a chamber pot right at the onset of her exploration. This unlucky chamber pot woman deserves a round of applause for her service. After all, she's not getting enough pay for this shit.
A few seconds later, Ciri found herself walking through a bustling marketplace, where the ground was strewn with every form of filth imaginable. A guard merrily spits at a spot inches away from Ciri's feet. Maybe he just doesn't appreciate Witchers, or perhaps he's one of those sad sacks who can't handle a woman as tough as Ciri. All I know is that his puckerbrush left a foul taste on our screwed-up demo.
Ciri's walk continues, leading her past a live bear performing tricks for a meager crowd, a sight that would be a no-no under OSHA guidelines. She brushes past a fellow who dumps all of his apples on the ground, and I'd wager they were rotten to the core. Pigs scurry passed chickens, perhaps drawn by the fallen apples. Meanwhile, an innkeeper tosses an apparent Gwent cheater out onto the street, all while a choir of villagers hawked their wares, gossiped, and coughed.
This gritty, unwashed environment is what made The Witcher 3 and games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 such a delight. I know, I know, this is just a demo and we shouldn't overanalyze it. But let's be honest, The Witcher 4 looks like it's following the trend of its predecessors, with a dash of grime and filth thrown in for good measure. Here's to hoping it grimes up good.
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CDPR claims that Ciri's face in the new Witcher 4 trailer is a "direct copy" of The Witcher 3 model, despite "two subtle changes."
- The upcoming RPG game, The Witcher 4, promises to deliver an authentic medieval experience with its gritty and unsavory details, just like the popular games in the series.
- In the new tech demo for The Witcher 4, players will encounter various filthy and gross scenes that are reminiscent of real-life in the Middle Ages, such as a woman emptying a chamber pot and a guard spitting on the street.
- For fans of action and FPS games, The Witcher 4 might offer more than just combat and magic, with its immersive and messy environment that showcases the rough and unpleasant aspects of medieval life.
- Apart from the game news and tips, those who love movies and TV shows in the entertainment genre may appreciate the recent news about CDPR's claim of using The Witcher 3 model for Ciri in the new trailer for The Witcher 4.
- To stay updated with the latest developments in The Witcher 4 and other gaming news, make sure to subscribe to our website's Newsletter for weekly digests and updates from the gaming communities you love.
