Witcher Remake Requires Reverse-Engineering; Original Stripped of Redundant Elements
In creating a remake of The Witcher, Polish studio Fool's Theory intends to take the original apart and consider which elements of the game are worth preserving and which should go in the trash.
The Edge magazine team interviewed Jakub Rokosz, the CEO of the Polish studio Fool's Theory, which is getting ready for the upcoming launch of the RPG The Thaumaturge and is also working on a remake of the first Witcher, known under the codename Project Canis Majoris. During the conversation, Rokosz mentioned something that all fans of CD Projekt Red's games had been expecting:
First and foremost, we need an honest, down-to-earth analysis of which parts [of the original] are simply bad, outdated, and need to be remade. Highlighting the parts that are great, should be retained, or are direct key pillars that can't be discarded.
If you played the first Witcher, many elements surely come to mind that fit perfectly into each of the mentioned categories. Things that appear worth removing, reworking, or at least rethinking:
- a combat system that involves clicking in rhythm on opponents;
- semi-open location that require a lot of backtracking (A LOT OF backtracking) - it's worth noting that the remake of The Witcher is intended to be set in an open world, but developing it may not be easy, as I discussed in detail here;
- Romance cards, which in 2007 were met with nothing more than a pitiful smile - however, this doesn't mean the lack of romances, as bonding with Triss or Shani is a crucial element of the story.
I won't even mention the graphics, including the bizarre animations, or the technical issues such as numerous loading screens and the inability to jump, because in the case of a remake, creating them anew is obligatory. And what should developers leave untouched?
- The excellent plot and well-written dialogues (although the investigation in the second chapter of the game could be clearer, it will probably be better if it remains untouched, given the trouble it caused the devs).
- An atmospheric soundtrack that would be worth expanding with a few additional songs.
Let us know which features of the first Witcher you believe should be discarded and which ones are essential in the remake. We only know that the remake will be released after the release of The Witcher 4, on which work is soon to start in full swing. However, given that the developers are still in the conceptualization stage, a lot of time will pass before we can embark on the trail of the Salamander with Geralt in updated gear.
