The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone

The main pros of the game

• Engaging Storyline: The DLC features a captivating and well-written narrative that many players found to be more compelling than the main game. The story revolves around Olgierd von Everec and Gaunter O'Dimm, and is praised for its depth, emotional impact, and surprising twists.
• Strong Character Development: New characters, especially Olgierd and Gaunter, are highlighted as being well-developed and memorable, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Players appreciated the complex moral backgrounds of these characters.
• Unique Quests and Boss Fights: The expansion introduces fresh and creative quests that differ from the base game, including memorable scenarios like a wedding and unique boss encounters that challenge players more than those in the main game.
• Atmospheric Design: The DLC is noted for its gothic and surreal visual design, enhancing the immersive experience. The soundtrack and voice acting also received high praise, contributing to the overall atmosphere.
• World-Building: The expansion adds new locations and lore, enriching the existing world of The Witcher.

The main cons of the game

• Short Length: Many players felt the DLC was relatively short (around 6-10 hours), which some viewed as a drawback compared to the amount of content available in the Blood and Wine expansion.
• Limited New Areas: Critics pointed out that the DLC does not introduce a completely new region, instead reusing areas from the base game, which some felt was a missed opportunity.
• Gameplay Mechanics: While the enchanting system was a nice addition, some players found it costly and not significantly impactful, leading to a sense of imbalance in gameplay.
• Boss Difficulty: Some players noted that while the new boss fights were challenging, they could be frustrating, especially for those unprepared for the difficulty spike.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Expanded Gameplay Mechanics: Some players wished for more innovative gameplay features or mechanics beyond what was offered, feeling that the DLC did not significantly evolve the gameplay experience.
• More Detailed Exploration of New Factions: Users expressed a desire for deeper exploration of the Ofier residents and their lore, which were present but not fully developed in the DLC.
• Greater Variety in Locations: As the DLC primarily takes place in familiar areas, some players hoped for more unique environments or settings that would differentiate it from the main game experience.

Summary

• In summary, Hearts of Stone is celebrated for its storytelling, character development, and immersive atmosphere, while it faces criticism for its brevity and limited new content areas. Players generally recommend it, especially in conjunction with the Blood and Wine expansion, which is often regarded as superior in terms of content volume.

Summary generated on: October 28, 2025