Start by finishing the opening tutorial, then use White Orchard to learn the game’s basic systems at your own pace. Keep the main quest selected when you want a clear next objective, and treat nearby side activities as optional—not a checklist you must clear before the story can continue.
What should you do first in The Witcher 3?
- Finish the opening tutorial. Pay attention to the movement and combat prompts; they introduce controls you will rely on throughout the game.
- Use White Orchard as a practice area. Try Witcher Senses, open and read the map, interact with people and objects, loot what you find, and follow conversations. These are foundational systems covered in the Prima Games getting-started guide overview.
- Keep the main quest selected for direction. It gives you a clear next step. Take nearby side activities if they interest you, but you do not need to treat every marker as mandatory preparation.
- Practice the basic combat loop. Combine attacks with dodges or blocks, and try Signs to learn how they fit your approach. The right response can vary by encounter; build familiarity before relying on one tactic.
- Learn other systems when the game introduces them. Alchemy, oils, bombs, equipment, repairs, crafting, and meditation can help you prepare. You can pick them up gradually rather than tackling them as a required shopping list before the story.
What should you know before the main story?
Exploration is optional, not homework
The game offers more than a straight line from one main quest to the next. Explore when something catches your attention, but there is no established single quest order that every new player must follow. If you feel unsure what to do, return to the selected main quest and use it as your guide.
Preparation means learning tools, not buying extra gear
The core preparation systems are in the game. Get comfortable with combat, equipment, repairs, and the available crafting and alchemy options as they become relevant. No additional physical tool or accessory is established as necessary to begin.
Expect a substantial adventure
Bandai Namco Entertainment describes the open-world adventure as “over 100 hours” on its official game page. That is the publisher’s scope estimate, not a promise of how long any individual playthrough or completion will take.
Recommended Free Tools
#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.
Check what your edition includes
The official CD PROJEKT RED game page describes The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and current Remastered material. The Complete Edition is described as including the base game and the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine story expansions. Store listings and package names can differ, so check the listing for your platform before buying or assuming which content is included.
CD PROJEKT RED announced a Remastered Upgrade released on September 29, 2026, for the PC stores, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 listed in its announcement. It describes gameplay and UI changes, with certain features available when starting a new game on Just the Story difficulty or through Accessibility. Details are platform- and edition-sensitive; consult the announcement and the current information for your version rather than assuming every copy has the same features.
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
Which settings or references should a beginner use?
Choose settings for comfort and challenge
Difficulty and HUD are worth considering, but the available guide overview does not establish one best setting or provide precise setting-by-setting advice. Choose the challenge and amount of on-screen information that suit you, then adjust if the experience feels too demanding or too cluttered.
Use a guide only if you want extra reference
The Prima Games eGuide overview covers getting started and gameplay topics including movement, Witcher Senses, mapping, interactions, loot, repairs, equipment, alchemy, crafting, meditation, preparation, combat, Signs, and Gwent. It is optional; the game’s own prompts and gradual exploration are enough to begin. The available official manual is an older PS4-specific edition, so it may not match the interface or features on other platforms.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchQuick Recap
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.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
