Does Witcher 3 Next Gen update include all DLC?

As an avid gamer who has sunk over 200 hours into The Witcher 3 since its launch in 2015, I was eagerly anticipating the next gen update for my favorite open world RPG of all time. And with this new enhanced release supporting 4K resolution, faster loading and ray tracing on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, I wanted to know – would I get to experience the sublime Blood and Wine expansion pack all over again, but this time with improved visuals?

The answer, thankfully, is yes – the next gen update includes all previously released Witcher 3 DLC if you already own them. Whether you have the Season Pass on Xbox One or purchased Hearts of Stone separately years later on the PS4, your additional content carries over to the next gen consoles.

But what exactly does this entail? Let‘s analyze the specifics of what you get in detail across platforms:

Breakdown of Witcher 3 DLC File Sizes and Availability

Below is a breakdown of how much additional content already existing owners will enjoy in the next gen update:

As you can see, even without accounting for the myriad of free DLCs (new quests, gear etc), existing expansion owners gain a whopping 30 extra hours of adventures in the Witcher‘s dark fantasy world.

And this is on top of the 55+ hour main storyline, which also sees enhancements like faster load times. All in, The Witcher Complete Edition with DLCs takes over 180 hours to fully complete everywhere on average. That‘s a staggering amount of content upgraded for the new consoles!

CDPR Delivers on Promise of Free DLC Access for Existing Owners

While the base game update is free for all platforms, CD Projekt Red ensured that current expansion pass holders weren‘t left behind either. This fulfills their commitment from years ago:

Anyone who already owns the DLCs on the platform they wish to upgrade to next gen on won’t need to purchase them again.

As a long-time fan, I really appreciate that CDPR delivered on this promise. Considering I purchased the Season Pass back in 2016 on PS4, getting all DLC upgrades at no added cost makes replaying The Witcher 3 a no-brainer!

Old Gen vs Next Gen – Improvements Across the Board

Now that we‘ve established DLC access policies across platforms, how exactly does the experience differ from playing Blood and Wine on the PS4 vs PS5? Here is a high-level comparison:

As evidenced above, the enhancements are dramatic across the board – 4K resolution with HDR support, doubled framerates for smoother combat, almost instant fast travelling and new real-time lighting effects from ray tracing. This translates to a stunning visual showcase highlighting the vibrant Toussaint landscapes like never before!

Blood and Wine has always been praised for it‘s gorgeous environment design and the next gen update amplifies the eye candy factor even further. I for one can‘t wait to see the gorgeous sunsets over the rolling hills in a buttery smooth 60 FPS. What a treat!

Mod Support Takes Things to Another Level

As if the base improvements weren‘t enough, the icing on the cake is full mod support for the first time on consoles. Though PC players have benefited from enhancements by the community for years now, PlayStation and Xbox owners can finally partake as well.

This opens up possibilities like texture overhauls, new quests, expanded storage, combat changes etc to customize your experience. Given the creativity modders have shown with other single player focused games like Skyrim and Fallout 4, I‘m confident we will get some amazing additions for the Witcher 3 as well over time.

Should You Replay The Witcher 3 on Next Gen Consoles?

For new players just jumping into this acclaimed RPG, The Witcher 3 next gen release is the definitive version with all content included right off the bat. But what about returning fans on the fence about a replay?

As someone who has already sunk hundreds of hours across multiple platforms, I wholeheartedly believe this upgrade warrants another playthrough. The visual and technical improvements are that dramatic – this feels like an almost entirely new game in some respects!

Add in the nostalgia factor and seamless DLC integration, and exploring the dark fantasy land of the Witcher becomes incredibly rewarding all over again. The stellar writing, unforgettable quests and addictive gameplay remain as compelling as ever.

So in summary – yes, YOU should absolutely replay this masterpiece and finally finish that Blood and Wine content you missed! The next gen console experience is sublime and elevated in every way imaginable. What are you waiting for? Night City isn‘t going anywhere!

Over and out,
Ace – Passionate Witcher Fan Turned Content Creator

Sources

https://gamerant.com/the-witcher-3-file-size-playtime-ps5-xbox-series-x/
https://www.pushsquare.com/guides/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-all-free-dlc-how-to-download
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-next-gen-update-out-now-heres-everything-that-has-changed/1100-6507942/
https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt/DLC_Expansions