I recall the moment vividly—within mere hours of playing, it became clear that The Witcher 3 was redefining the way quests are approached in the RPG genre. Unlike many games prior, particularly those released before 2015, where a stark divide existed between the main quests and side missions, CD Projekt Red blurred these lines with remarkable finesse. The sidequests, often regarded as mere distractions, were imbued with narratives that rivaled the main storyline. From heart-wrenching romantic tales in the quaint villages of Velen to intricate murder mysteries in Novigrad, each sidequest was a testament to the studio’s commitment to storytelling. Contracts led Geralt into haunted houses and trials before monstrous tribunals, showcasing a depth rarely seen in the genre.
Objectively correct choice: “I still love you, too.”
What makes it agonizing? The emotional weight of Geralt’s relationship with Triss, built over the previous games.
One of the standout quests, The Last Wish, unravels the tumultuous history between Geralt and Yennefer, a narrative thread woven through the original novels. Players are left to ponder whether their bond is the result of a wish made to a powerful djinn or a genuine connection. This poignant moment is beautifully illustrated as Geralt and Yennefer share their feelings on a ship magically perched atop a mountain, with only the wind as their witness. For those familiar with Geralt’s journey from the earlier games, the choice to break up with Yennefer at this juncture can feel particularly heavy, especially when considering the intricate dynamics of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri as a complex, albeit dysfunctional, family unit.
Throwing the baby in the oven in Possession
Objectively correct choice: “Put the baby in the oven.”
What makes it agonizing? The sheer horror of the act itself.
Udalryk bursts into the room and demands you not throw his baby into a blistering hot oven.
In the quest Possession, players face one of the most intense moral dilemmas. Geralt must navigate a curse involving a specter known as a Hym, with the fierce Cerys handing him the kidnapped baby of jarl Udalryk just as the jarl arrives, pleading for the child’s safety. The tension escalates as players must decide whether to trust Cerys, who insists on the drastic action. Ultimately, the twist reveals that no harm comes to the baby, as the ruse serves to attract the Hym to Geralt instead.
Deciding Anna’s fate in Return to Crookback Bog
Objectively correct choice: Killing the spirit in the Whispering Hillock.
What makes it agonizing? The absence of a truly happy ending for the Bloody Baron’s family.
The questline surrounding the Bloody Baron is a masterclass in storytelling, revealing the tragic layers beneath his seemingly brutish exterior. The quests Family Matters and Return to Crookback Bog exemplify the game’s approach to difficult choices, illustrating that the path to righteousness can often lead to sorrowful outcomes. The best-case scenario leaves Anna alive but in a state of madness, a result of decisions made along the way, including the heartbreaking choice to kill the spirit in the Whispering Hillock, which ultimately dooms several orphans.
Letting Triss be tortured in Count Reuven’s Treasure
Objectively correct choice: Kill ’em all.
What makes it agonizing? The visceral horror of witnessing Triss’s suffering.
In the quest to locate Dandelion and Ciri, players are thrust into a morally fraught situation involving witch hunters. Triss, ever the brave ally, proposes a plan that puts her in harm’s way, leading to a gut-wrenching scene where she is tortured. The player is faced with the unbearable choice of maintaining the ruse or taking immediate action to save her.
Taking or leaving Iris Von Everec’s violet rose
Objectively correct choice: Sorry lady, gimme that rose.
What makes it agonizing? The ethical implications of taking the last remnant of a woman’s life.
In the quest Scenes From a Marriage, players are confronted with the haunting legacy of Olgeird’s actions towards his wife, Iris. Tasked with retrieving the violet rose he left her, the choice becomes a moral quandary: taking the rose means consigning Iris to a final death, yet leaving her in a purgatorial existence is equally distressing. The decision encapsulates the painful reality of loss and the complexities of closure.
Shaving Geralt’s beard or keeping it
Objectively correct choice: Daddy Geralt, of course.
What makes it agonizing? The fear of change.
Finally, we arrive at a seemingly trivial yet symbolically significant choice: whether to shave Geralt’s beard. This decision resonates deeply with players who have journeyed with him through previous titles. The clean-shaven Geralt evokes nostalgia, yet the bearded version signifies growth and maturity, reflecting his evolution into a father figure. Embracing this change is essential, as it represents the culmination of Geralt’s journey.
