Play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt if you want a defined hero and a tightly plotted story with consequences. Play The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim if you want to build your own character and set your own direction in a large fantasy world. Both are big, long, and rewarding role-playing games. The real difference is where the story comes from: it is written for Geralt in The Witcher 3, and you assemble it yourself in Skyrim.
Who you play: a written hero or a character you build
In The Witcher 3, you play Geralt, a trained monster slayer pursuing the Child of Prophecy. His background, voice, and goals are fixed by the game, and your choices shape how his story unfolds rather than who he is. Bandai Namco Entertainment’s official product page describes the game as combining “the intense, plot-driven pull of traditional RPGs with the freedom of choice only open world games can offer.” That line is publisher copy, not a measured claim, but it accurately describes the balance.
In Skyrim, you create the character at the start and define them over time through the actions, abilities, weapons, and spells you choose. There is no fixed protagonist to inhabit. If you want to decide whether your character is a thief, a mage, a warrior, or a mix of all three, Skyrim leaves that decision with you.
How the two games differ in practice
Both games offer exploration, side content, and role-play. The differences are in emphasis, and the table below shows where each game puts its weight.
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- Officially licensed
- From the hit novels and video games
- A brand new sculpt of Geralt
- Features him ready for battle in his Grandmaster Ursine armor
- Figure stands 9.5" tall
| Reader priority | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist | Geralt, a trained monster slayer with a defined backstory | A character you create and define through play |
| Story structure | A central, plot-driven quest, side quests, and choices with consequences | Open-ended exploration, with the story shaped mainly by the character you choose to be |
| Combat and progression | Upgradeable weapons, potions, combat magic, and monster contracts | Hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities; your build defines how you fight |
| Best fit | Players who want a crafted narrative and an authored role | Players who want self-directed role-play and character freedom |
If a game’s story seems to pull you forward while the world waits, that is The Witcher 3’s design. If you find yourself planning the next build or the next place to explore without a script, that is Skyrim’s.
Combat and progression
The Witcher 3 gives Geralt a structured toolkit. Weapons can be upgraded, potions are brewed for specific fights, and combat magic supports the sword work. Monster contracts give the hunting a clear shape: you investigate a creature, prepare for it, and then deal with it.
Rank #2
- In the past he has raised and overthrown monarchs, battled legendary monsters and saved the lives of many. Now Geralt embarks on his most personal quest to save his loved ones and protect the world from an ancient threat.
- The story is drawn based on player decisions. Each action will have consequences which change the story and the game world. NPCs, communities, monsters and locations all change, based on player choice.
- The Witcher 3 is standalone adventure, easily entered into by new players. Witcher fans will find subtle references to their adventures, but these elements are not necessary to enjoy the game fully.
- A breathtaking cinematic introduction demonstrating the game background - this puts players immediately in the know about the situation in the war-ravaged Northern Kingdoms and the background story of the main character.
- Unique atmosphere, memorable characters and gritty dialog - the game world has its own unique feel. It is a classic dark fantasy tale that will appeal to fans of all kinds of fantasy stories.
Skyrim’s combat depends on the character you have built. Its hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities let you pursue melee, archery, magic, or stealth, and the way you fight becomes part of who your character is. The trade-off is that Skyrim asks you to make more of those decisions yourself.
Scale and the numbers publishers quote
Both games are large, but the figures you will see come from the publishers, so they should be read as marketing statements rather than measurements.
Rank #3
- HOW TO PLAY: Choose Geralt, Ciri, or the Ancient Leshen and duel opponents using unique decks, special powers, and sidekicks. Move across the map, play attacks and defenses, and reduce rival heroes to zero health to win the battle.
- ICONIC WITCHER HEROES: Command Geralt, Ciri who grows stronger with Source cards, or the Ancient Leshen who summons wolves and magic. Each hero in this fighting board game includes a sculpted miniature, health dial, and 30-card deck.
- MIX & MATCH EXPANDABILITY: Combine The Witcher Steel & Silver with other Unmatched game sets for crossover battles and matchups like Geralt vs. Dracula or Ciri vs. Alice. Every mix introduces new tactics, deck interactions, and endless replayability.
- BATTLEFIELD VARIETY: Fight across a double-sided board featuring Witcher-themed arenas that influence movement, positioning, and strategy. Map-specific layouts keep battles fresh and replayable.
- ALL-IN-ONE SET: This Unmatched board game works as a complete game for 2 to 3 players ages nine and up, with everything included out of the box. Perfect as a standalone experience or a powerful addition to any Unmatched collection.
- The Witcher 3: Bandai Namco’s official product page says the core and side quests provide over 100 hours of gameplay. This is the publisher’s description of the game’s content, not a guaranteed playtime. Your pace will change the total.
- Skyrim: Bethesda’s current Skyrim Anniversary Edition page calls the game a “Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards.” That is Bethesda’s own statement; the page does not list the awards or give a year-by-year count, and it is not an independent audit. The same page says the edition includes over 500 unique pieces of Creation Club content.
Choosing an edition
Editions matter more than they first appear, because the same title can arrive with different expansions, platforms, and requirements.
The Witcher 3 editions
The Complete Edition includes both expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Bandai Namco’s product page lists it in physical and digital formats for PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. CD PROJEKT RED’s Complete Edition announcement, dated December 14, 2022, listed PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store.
Rank #4
- STEP INTO THE WITCHER UNIVERSE: Play as Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, Vesemir, or Dandelion in this competitive tableau-building card game that retells iconic Witcher stories.
- UNIQUE CHARACTER ABILITIES: Utilize distinct powers and tactics to follow the path of destiny or alter the course of your story.
- GROUP DECISIONS, INDIVIDUAL GLORY: The collective actions shape the narrative, but only one player will be remembered as the true hero of the saga.
- 1-5 PLAYER STRATEGY GAME: Designed for 1 to 5 players, offering engaging gameplay with deep strategic decisions and high replay value.
- STANDARD EDITION WITH ESSENTIAL CONTENT: Includes all the core components needed for an immersive Witcher experience in a compact, accessible package.
CD PROJEKT RED’s current Remastered announcement describes enhanced visuals and performance, improved combat, a reimagined skill system, overhauled animations, cross-platform mod support, and inclusion of both expansions. Its upgrade terms are as follows:
| Version | What it includes | Where the publisher lists it |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Edition (2022 announcement) | Base game, Hearts of Stone, and Blood and Wine | Physical and digital on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S per Bandai Namco’s product page |
| Remastered (current announcement) | Remastered features plus both expansions | Free upgrade for qualifying existing owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 (for owners of the original Switch game); purchasable on Battle.net and Microsoft Store as an Xbox Play Anywhere title |
Whether you qualify for the free upgrade depends on your platform account, so confirm it against CD PROJEKT RED’s official support information before you rely on it.
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- From the hit video game
- Deluxe hand-painted plastic figure
- Features two interchangeable heads
- Diisplay with the head from the original figure or with an all new clean shaven Geralt
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim editions
The Anniversary Edition bundles the Special Edition core game and its add-ons with Creation Club content. Bethesda’s current page lists Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PS5, PS4, and Switch. Bethesda’s news feed separately reports Anniversary Edition availability on Switch 2 from December 2025, so check the store listing for the platform you own.
The physical Anniversary Edition contains a game disc, but Bethesda’s FAQ says internet access is required to redeem and download the Creation Club content included with it. That FAQ describes the physical release for PS4 and Xbox One; it is not a complete inventory of every current version.
The Special Edition, released in 2016, added Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn, remastered art and effects, and mod support on consoles. These were launch-era features. This article does not cover how current mod or Creations policies work on each platform.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Before you buy
Everything in this comparison comes from publisher and developer descriptions of each game. No official source measures which game most players prefer, and prices and stock change often, so use the destination storefront for current figures.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Open the exact store listing and confirm the edition name, since “Complete,” “Remastered,” and “Anniversary” versions include different content.
- Check that the platform you own appears on that listing, including Switch 2 for Skyrim if that is your console.
- If you are buying a physical copy, confirm that you have a reliable internet connection before opening it, because the included Creation Club content has to be redeemed online.
- If you already own The Witcher 3, check whether the Remastered upgrade applies to your storefront account before buying again.
Once you have confirmed the edition, the choice comes down to the question at the top of this article: a story written for Geralt, or a character you write yourself.
Quick Recap
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.
