Complete Edition has historically meant The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt plus both story expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, and 16 additional content items. It also became the name associated with the substantial 2022 update, which added platform-dependent visual, performance, gameplay, and quality-of-life features. As of CD PROJEKT RED’s September 2026 support update, both expansions are included with the base game at no extra cost, and the storefront base game has been replaced by Complete Edition. So the practical difference depends on whether “original” means the 2015-era release or the game entitlement already in your library.
What does Complete Edition include?
When it launched alongside the 2022 next-gen update, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition bundled the base game, the two major story expansions, and 16 additional content items. The expansions are substantial separate adventures: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine add stories beyond the base-game campaign.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![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)
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NAMCO - CD Projekt Red - The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, Playstation 5 [English Edition] | $39.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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KARMA: The Dark World - Limited Edition - PS5 | $45.44 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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The Witcher Library Edition Volume 3 | $28.11 | Buy on Amazon |
That historic bundle description is no longer the whole purchasing story. CD PROJEKT RED Support’s FAQ, updated around September 2026, says Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are now included with the base game at no extra cost, and that storefront base game has been replaced by Complete Edition. Older guides that say you must pay extra for the expansions may therefore be out of date for current storefront purchases. Read CD PROJEKT RED’s current expansion FAQ.
What changed in the 2022 update?
The 2022 update changed more than the edition label or included content. Its additions varied by platform: a PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S player did not receive precisely the same feature set as someone on PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch.
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Graphics and performance
On PC and supported next-generation platforms, the update added ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion. Compatible PC hardware could also use ray-traced reflections and shadows, ULTRA+ settings, and DLSS 3; AMD FSR 2.1 was added as well. These are feature-support notes, not a guarantee that every system can run every option or a claim about present-day performance. CD PROJEKT RED’s December 2022 change list details the original platform specifications.
For PS5 and Xbox Series X, the 2022 notes described a Ray Tracing Mode targeting 30 FPS and a Performance Mode targeting 60 FPS, with dynamic resolution scaling. These are the publisher’s mode targets from that update, not independently measured benchmarks. Xbox Series S had Quality and Performance modes but no ray-tracing features. On PS5, the update also supported DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers, as well as Activity Cards.
Rank #2
- UK PSN account may be required for any online features
Older hardware received a different scope of changes. CD PROJEKT RED described PS4 and Xbox One updates as including selected quality-of-life additions and Netflix-inspired content; the Switch update had a separate timing. Do not assume that a feature listed for PC or current-generation consoles is available on every platform. The 2022 Complete Edition announcement outlines the release and platform context.
Gameplay, interface, and extra content
The update also introduced changes that affect how the game feels to play, not just how it looks. Additions included an alternative camera option, Photo Mode, Quick Sign Casting, map filters, HUD options, and interface adjustments. It also added cross-progression, integrated community mods, and a Netflix-inspired quest and items. Availability can differ by platform and build.
Rank #3
Do existing owners need to buy it again?
Not automatically. CD PROJEKT RED’s current FAQ says owners of the base game can install Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, and that the expansions are available to download free on PS4 and Xbox One. It also says separately owned expansions remain in owners’ libraries, saves remain compatible, and trophies are unaffected. The company’s support FAQ states: “Your save files remain compatible and Cross Progression will remain functional the same as before.”
The 2022 next-gen update was announced as a free update for owners of earlier releases on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Current Remastered upgrade routes and entitlements, however, depend on platform and store. CD PROJEKT RED’s 2026 FAQ identifies PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 as current-generation Remastered platforms. Its August 2026 announcement described a free Remastered upgrade for owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S; it also mentioned Battle.net and Nintendo Switch 2 pre-purchase platforms and a Switch-to-Switch 2 claim route when released. Check the precise entitlement in your library or store before paying for another copy, since availability and upgrade routes can change. See the August 2026 Remastered announcement.
Quick Recap
How to decide which version you need
- You are buying digitally now: CD PROJEKT RED says the base-game storefront package has been replaced by Complete Edition and includes both expansions at no extra cost.
- You already own the game: Check your platform library and the current support FAQ for the specific free update or expansion entitlement; do not assume a new purchase is required.
- You want the best-supported visual features: Compare the feature list for your exact platform and hardware. Ray tracing, upscaling, modes, and interface features are not universal.
- You want a physical copy: CD PROJEKT RED announced retail Complete Edition copies for PS5 and Xbox Series X in January 2023. Confirm the platform and edition on the listing before buying; current stock and regional availability are not established here. Read the retail release announcement.
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.
