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For a first-time player, choose The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Complete Edition (or the current Remastered release offered on your platform). It includes the base game and both major expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. If you already own the base game, check your platform library and store entitlement before buying again: CD PROJEKT RED says base-game owners receive both expansions at no extra cost, and some owners also qualify for the free Remastered upgrade.
What is the difference between The Witcher 3 and the Complete Edition?
The comparison is mainly about included content and updates, not a different core adventure. The base game follows Geralt’s search for Ciri in an open world. The Complete Edition packages that game with two substantial story expansions:
- Hearts of Stone
- Blood and Wine
CD PROJEKT RED describes the base game as offering “over 100 hours” and the two expansions together as “another 50 hours.” Those are publisher estimates, not guaranteed playtimes; your time will vary with how much you explore and which activities you complete. The publisher’s Complete Edition description presents them as one package.
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The name can be confusing because Complete Edition has referred to a package that included the then-current next-generation update, while the current offering is called Remastered. The current Remastered release launched on September 29, 2026. Check your platform’s listing for the exact edition name and features available there.
#1 Best Overall
- Trained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.
- Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity.
- Take on the most important contract of your life: to track down the child of prophecy, the key to saving or destroying this world.
What does the current Remastered release add?
CD PROJEKT RED says Remastered improves presentation and gameplay compared with the earlier release. Its listed changes include:
- Updated textures and foliage, reworked lighting and rendering, and ray tracing.
- Revised combat animations and camera.
- An overhauled skill tree.
- Cross-platform mod support, transmogrification, meditation, and an expanded photo mode.
These are publisher-described features; the available feature set and upgrade entitlement depend on platform. The official game page lists current platform availability and its FAQ says existing owners’ saves remain compatible and achievements or trophies are unaffected.
Rank #2
![NAMCO - CD Projekt Red - The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, Playstation 5 [English Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dWUfwFl5L._SL160_.jpg)
- 1205504
- High-quality material
- Durable
- robustness
Should you buy it or use a free upgrade?
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You are new to the game | Choose the Complete Edition or Remastered listing available for your platform so you get the base game and both expansions. |
| You own the base game on a qualifying platform | Check your library or store page for the Remastered upgrade and expansion entitlements before purchasing. CD PROJEKT RED says base-game owners receive Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine at no extra cost. |
| You own the game on PS4 or Xbox One | The publisher’s current page says you can download the expansions free, but does not list those consoles for the Remastered upgrade. |
| You already own one or both expansions | Check your account before buying a new package. The publisher says owners keep expansions they already own as storefront listings change. |
Eligibility is not identical across platforms or generations. As of October 3, 2026, the current official page lists Remastered for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. CD PROJEKT RED’s August 25, 2026 announcement named GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for free upgrades, and discussed Nintendo Switch 2 separately. Its September 29 launch announcement says the update and expansions are available to owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Because eligibility and storefront implementation can vary, verify the entitlement shown for your own account before paying.
How do you access the expansions?
After updating an eligible game, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are installed with the game. The publisher’s FAQ says: “Simply update the game to the latest version to install Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.” You can also start an expansion story separately from the main menu, according to CD PROJEKT RED. For the exact steps and availability on your platform, use the official game page and FAQ.
Rank #3
- If you buy this game, you will receive a free next-gen update on December 14th!
- Play as a highly trained monster slayer for hire.
- Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth and complexity.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Game of the Year edition brings together the base game and all the additional content released to date.
What happens to older copies and saves?
CD PROJEKT RED says standalone expansion listings have been delisted and storefronts have moved from the base-game listing to Complete Edition. That change does not mean existing owners lose their purchases: the publisher says owners keep expansions they already own, their content is patched into the base game, saves remain compatible, and achievements or trophies are unaffected.
In practical terms, an older copy is not a reason by itself to buy the entire game again. Check the game and expansion entitlements in the account and storefront where you own it, then install the latest available update for that platform.
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