Towards the end of 2022, players of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt were treated to a robust next-gen update, now really a current-gen upgrade, without any extra charges for those who already owned the game on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. While the PC version benefited the most visually, dedicated modders have been hard at work, further enhancing the game’s graphics and textures. Among these, Halk Hogan’s ‘The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project NextGen Edition’ stands out as a significant advancement.
Halk Hogan, the mod’s creator, mentions that this project, which has been in development for quite a while, “improves and reworks a huge number of game assets (textures, models, materials, and more),” with these enhancements running into thousands. Considering the mod’s hefty size, nearly 12GB, it’s clear there’s no overstatement here, and for those seeking CD Projekt Red’s approval, you’ve got it.
Sure, quirky mods like Geralt the Centaur have their charm, but at day’s end, most gamers opt for the best possible version of a timeless open-world adventure. Just look at The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim from 2011—it continues to thrive thanks to incredible mods. Similarly, CD Projekt Red’s RPG marvel will likely see a steady stream of impressive mods, whether they stick to the lore or not, for years.
Before you dive into the mod page to check if your PC can handle it, make sure to watch part of Halk Hogan’s thorough 15-minute video released recently. It showcases the changes made to models, textures, and various assets:
As demonstrated in the footage, the mod significantly enhances more than just the object sharpness. Across the board, the scenery’s geometry appears more detailed, even with improvements to the LOD features. Even though The Witcher 3’s official update brought in ray tracing and high-end graphical upgrades, it did leave some basic aspects of the visuals unrefined.
Halk Hogan’s mod brings a more unified look to the game. Given its nature as a straightforward ‘replacement’ mod, compatibility with other modifications remains unaffected. It even works with the game’s older version and has a minimal impact on FPS, provided you have sufficient video memory—so it doesn’t function like a resource-hungry ENB preset.
If you’re playing on a console, embarking on a new playthrough to mark its upcoming tenth anniversary next year might be the perfect way to celebrate. The next installment in The Witcher series has just entered full production, suggesting it will still be a few years before it hits shelves.
