The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Will Feature Smarter Wildlife

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the third and allegedly final entry in CD Projekt RED’s acclaimed adult fantasy RPG saga, is almost here. The key thing about this game is the open world that it offers, which promises to immerse players entirely, and make them feel like they are a part of the living, breathing world the game portrays.

Obviously, this kind of realism and immersion requires everything to work just as it should, and for there to be no jarring moments that lead to a breakdown of the game’s reality. And it looks like CD Projekt RED have done their homework on that front. Just consider the game’s wildlife, for instance.

“Monsters can be lured into villages or towns, but it is hard. Most creatures are smart enough to know they are in danger the more humans are around, so they avoid large settlements, towns & cities. Still, it can be done. However, townsfolk don’t have to stand there and get killed. They are also smart enough to fight back or, more likely, run indoors and hide,” community manager Chris Priestly said on the game’s official forums.

“Animals and monsters can attack each other. And random NPCs can and will attack or be attacked by monsters/creatures depending on the situation. One lone farmer walking down the road could be set upon by 2 – 3 wolves. He would likely try to run, but would probably become wolf dinner. A squad from the army would likely not get attacked in the same situation as the wolves are too smart to throw away their lives. And there is also the day/night cycle and location to be considered. Some creatures are more powerful at night or drowners are more likely near water, etc. Overall though, this is a living world and it interacts with itself as well as with you.”

So, yes. it sounds like a more advanced and complete realization of, say, something like Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It also sounds very exciting. I will be looking forward to it. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt launches May 19 on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.