CD Projekt Red just dropped a bombshell at the 2025 State of Unreal showcase, and it’s safe to say the gaming world won’t stop talking about it anytime soon. The studio finally revealed a jaw-dropping tech demo for The Witcher 4—and it wasn’t just a flashy cinematic. What we saw was real-time gameplay, built entirely on Unreal Engine 5.6, and it looks like the franchise is heading into truly uncharted territory.
More than just a visual upgrade, this tech demo feels like a statement of intent: The Witcher 4 is going to be bigger, bolder, and more immersive than anything the series—or RPGs in general—have seen before.
Ciri Takes the Lead in an Unfamiliar Kingdom
If you were expecting another Geralt-focused adventure, think again. The upcoming game places Ciri in the spotlight, and from what we’ve seen, she’s more than ready to carry the torch. The tech demo transports players to the Kingdom of Kovir—a region long referenced in Witcher lore but never explored in detail.
We get a look at the coastal city of Valdrest, a rugged mountain trail blanketed in snow, and forests so thick and detailed they could pass for real-life drone footage. Every area feels alive and distinct, making it clear that CD Projekt Red isn’t just changing protagonists—they’re changing the entire tone and scale of the world.
Built on Unreal Engine 5.6: A Massive Leap Forward
The switch from CDPR’s in-house REDengine to Unreal Engine 5.6 is already paying off. This tech demo ran on a standard PlayStation 5 with ray tracing enabled and maintained a smooth 60 FPS. What stood out was the incredible level of fidelity—not just in how things looked, but in how they moved and interacted.
Here are a few standout features from the demo:
- Nanite Foliage Rendering
Forests are more than just static backdrops. Every leaf, branch, and blade of grass is rendered in exquisite detail, creating environments that feel tangible and reactive to player movement. - MetaHuman NPCs with Mass AI
The port city of Valdrest feels truly alive. From dock workers carrying crates to children playing near fountains, every NPC is part of a complex simulation powered by Epic’s MetaHuman tech and CDPR’s new AI systems. - Enhanced Character Animation with ML Deformer
Facial expressions, muscle movement, and even micro-reactions during combat have all been overhauled. Ciri’s dodges, parries, and sword swings flow with a fluidity we haven’t seen before in an open-world RPG. - FastGeo Streaming and Seamless Traversal
Say goodbye to loading screens. From city to countryside to mountain peak, the entire world loads dynamically. You can ride Roach (yes, she’s back and finally animates like a real horse) across miles of terrain without interruption.
Real Gameplay, Not Pre-Rendered Smoke and Mirrors
One of the most impressive aspects of the presentation was the live gameplay session. In it, we watched Ciri investigate a missing shipment near Valdrest’s docks, fight off a group of bandits in a narrow alleyway, and teleport her way through combat using her signature blink ability.
The lighting is equally impressive. As dusk falls over the city, long shadows stretch across the cobblestone streets, flickering torches light up dim alleyways, and the water reflects the glowing skyline with eerie beauty. It’s the kind of detail that doesn’t just look good—it helps tell the story.
More Than a Game—It’s the Start of a New Witcher Era
CD Projekt Red confirmed that The Witcher 4—officially codenamed “Project Polaris”—is the first entry in a brand-new Witcher trilogy. The shift to Unreal Engine wasn’t just about better visuals; it’s about redefining how the studio approaches world design, storytelling, and gameplay systems from the ground up.
Developers have also hinted that narrative choices will ripple more meaningfully across gameplay, affecting everything from political relationships to NPC behavior. With Ciri’s interdimensional powers, there’s even speculation we’ll see entirely different realities or timelines woven into the plot.
While there’s no official release date yet, the game is reportedly in full production and shaping up to be CDPR’s most ambitious project since The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
What This Means for RPG Fans
Let’s not beat around the bush: expectations for The Witcher 4 are sky-high. After The Witcher 3 redefined what a modern RPG could be, and Cyberpunk 2077 finally redeemed itself after a rocky launch, CDPR knows what’s at stake.
This tech demo shows they’re not just trying to meet expectations—they’re aiming to surpass them.
Unreal Engine 5.6 is giving the team tools they’ve never had before. That means more detailed worlds, smarter AI, smoother animations, and greater freedom in how players explore and experience the game. If they can deliver on even half of what this demo promises, The Witcher 4 could set a new standard for narrative-driven open-world games.
Watch the Tech Demo: First Look at The Witcher 4 in Unreal Engine 5.6
Final Thoughts
What we saw at the State of Unreal 2025 wasn’t just a teaser. It was a mission statement. The Witcher 4 is not only moving the series forward—it’s pushing the entire RPG genre into the future.
With a new protagonist, a stunning new world, and cutting-edge technology behind it, the next Witcher game is shaping up to be something truly special.
Whether you’re a diehard fan or someone who’s never touched a Witcher title before, this might be the game that defines the next era of fantasy storytelling.
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