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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

How to Get the Next Gen Update of The Witcher 3

By
Nathan Garvin

This page will provide details about how to upgrade to the next-gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Patch 4.0) on PC, Xbox Series and PlayStation 5.

Downloading the game on Xbox is a pretty straight-forward endeavor - patch 4.0 just counts as a simple update.

How to Upgrade The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PC and Xbox Series

The next-gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is finally here, skittering across the 2022 finish line with little time to spare, having launched on December 14, 2022. Getting this enhanced version of the game and enjoying all those swanky new buzzwords that mean your hardware is better than your chum’s is pretty simple… at least on Xbox Series and PC. On these two platforms, this enhanced version is simply a patch - just make sure the game is updated and you should have access to all the new features.

(1 of 3) From the home screen, scroll down, then select the “…” button and pick the “View Product” option to reach the store page.

How to Upgrade The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PlayStation 5

PlayStation has always been a bit of a special case when it comes to game upgrades, and because of this, the rest of this page will be discussing the ins-and-outs of upgrading to the next-gen version of The Witcher 3 on PlayStation 5. The squeaky wheels get the grease, and all that.

The reason the PlayStation 5 version of The Witcher 3 is relatively obtuse is because the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of games - The Witcher 3 included - are handled as separate downloads. You can have the PlayStation 4 version of the game and the PlayStation 5 version of the game installed at the same time, both updated to patch 4.0, although only the PlayStation 5 version will fully benefit from next-gen exclusive features, like ray-tracing, for obvious reasons.

How to Upgrade Physical Versions of The Witcher 3 on PlayStation 5

To unlock the next-gen version of The Witcher 3, make sure the disc is inserted (if you have a physical copy), and when the game pops up on your home menu, press DualSense-DPad-Down to reach the “Copy” option, which will just install the PlayStation 4 version of the game (which might not be a bad idea, if you want to establish a [crossave] you can use on the PlayStation 5 version of the game!). From here press DualSense-DPad-Right to reach the “…” icon. Select it and pick the “View Product” option which will take you to the game’s store page, where you can download the PlayStation 5 version of the game.

How to Upgrade Digital Versions of The Witcher 3 on PlayStation 5

If you have the PlayStation 4 version of The Witcher 3 installed, either find it on your home menu and follow the same steps to reach the game’s store page, where you can download the PlayStation 5 version, or go to your Game Library. If the game is installed, but not on your home screen you can find it in the “Installed” directory. If it’s not installed, go to “Your Collection”. Either way, locate the game and select it with the DualSense-ButtonSquare
Xbox-ButtonX button to go to its store page, where you can download the PlayStation 5 version.

There are a total of four different versions of The Witcher 3 on PSN.

Different Versions of The Witcher 3 and their PlayStation 5 Upgrades

Complicating matters further is the fact that there are a few different versions of the base game on PlayStation 4:

  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition

  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Game of the Year Edition

The original Witcher 3: Wild Hunt only includes the base game, while the Complete Edition and the Game of the Year Edition both include all the previously-released DLC, including Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. The Complete Edition was released in North America, the Game of the Year Edition was released in Europe - they function as separate games and have their own trophy lists, but otherwise they contain the same content. All of these versions can access the free PlayStation 5 version of The Witcher 3, and depending on which version you use, you’ll get a different version The Witcher 3 on PlayStation 5.

All PlayStation 5 versions of The Witcher 3 share a trophy lists, but store their saved games separately. The PlayStation 5 version of The Witcher 3 redeemed via the vanilla copy of the game will have a different set of saves from the PlayStation 5 version of The Witcher 3 - Complete Edition, for example. If you have the Complete Edition of the Game of the Year Edition, all DLC will be downloaded when the PlayStation 5 version is installed, but if you upgraded via a vanilla version of The Witcher 3, you must download all DLC separately. If you never purchased Hearts of Stone and/or Blood and Wine with the vanilla version of The Witcher 3, you will not have access to these DLCs on the PlayStation 5 version of the game.

A bit unusual as far as PlayStation 5 upgrades go, if you have an out-of-region account and try to download the PlayStation 5 version (say a North American account tries to download the Game of the Year Edition’s PlayStation 5 version) you will instead be referred to the Complete Edition store page.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    CD Projekt
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS4, Switch, XB One
  • Genre
    RPG
  • Guide Release
    24 June 2015
  • Last Updated
    22 August 2024
    Version History
  • Guide Author
    Nathan Garvin (Haeravon)

Share this free guide:

You are Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster-hunter known as a Witcher. You’ve fully regained your memories since your miraculous revival and escape from the Wild Hunt, and have cleared your name of the false accusations of regicide. In the wake of the assassination of Foltest, king of Temeria, the north have been rent by warfare as Nilfgaard launches its third major invasion, and the northlands have been united under the insane king Radovid. Overshadowing these petty politics is the mysterious return of Ciri - Geralt’s adopted daughter, who is now being pursued by the Wild Hunt.

The guide offers the following:

  • A full walkthrough that’s more than just a listing of quests-it’s an “ideal chronological order” that will get you through the whole game and allow you to see and do everything the game has to offer.

  • Side quests, including monster contracts and treasure hunts for obtaining powerful Witcher sets.

  • Descriptions of decisions, quests, and events that influence the various endings of the game.

  • Crafting and Alchemy information.

  • General strategies on how to take down foes large and small, monstrous and humanoid, boss or mundane.

  • Information on how to complete all the Gwent quests and obtain all the Gwent cards, including detailed Gwent strategies.

  • Trophy/Achievement information.

MASSIVE UPDATE: 7th September 2016 ongoing

  • Added DLC quests “Fool’s Gold” and “Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear”.
  • Organisational changes in the Velen section of the walkthrough to reflect the increased level of Griffin School Gear.
  • Organisational changes throughout the walkthrough to provide a “no skulls” path through the game.
  • Added Death March difficulty tips and commentary throughout the guide.
  • More XP reward numbers included.
  • Walkthrough now includes additional information based on patch changes.
  • Various typo and grammar fixes.
  • Added DLC pages for Blood & Wine, Heart of Stone
  • Lots more quality of life improvements

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