The Witcher IV: Ciri Leads, Unreal Engine 5.6 Powers a 60FPS Open-World Masterpiece

At the recent State of Unreal 2025 during Unreal Fest in Orlando, CD Projekt Red shocked fans with a first look at The Witcher IV—a next-gen open-world RPG built with Unreal Engine 5.6. This is not just another sequel. It’s the beginning of an entirely new trilogy with a new protagonist, a new story arc, and cutting-edge visuals pushing modern hardware to its limits.

Let’s dive into everything known about The Witcher IV—confirmed details, technologies, gameplay expectations, and why it’s the most anticipated RPG of the coming decade.

What Is The Witcher IV?

The Witcher IV is the next mainline entry in CD Projekt Red’s legendary RPG franchise, based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novels. This upcoming game will not continue Geralt’s journey. Instead, it introduces a new era with Ciri as the main protagonist, marking the start of a new Witcher trilogy.

CDPR has confirmed that The Witcher IV is not simply Witcher 4 in name—it represents a complete reboot in storytelling, gameplay philosophy, and technology. The team has abandoned their proprietary REDengine and adopted Epic Games’ powerful Unreal Engine 5.6, promising a generational leap in performance and immersion.

The Witcher 4 - Tech Demo Cinematic:

A Quick Recap of The Witcher Series

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt became one of the most acclaimed RPGs of all time, solidifying the franchise as a cornerstone of modern gaming.

Unreal Engine 5.6: What’s New in The Witcher IV?

CDPR showcased The Witcher IV running on PlayStation 5 at 60FPS with ray tracing, thanks to the remarkable capabilities of Unreal Engine 5.6. This is a massive leap for open-world RPGs, delivering cinematic visuals with fluid gameplay.

Key Features of Unreal Engine 5.6

This engine shift allows CDPR to build a denser, richer world without sacrificing frame rate or visual fidelity.

Confirmed Details of The Witcher IV (2025)

Setting and Story – What We Can Expect

Although detailed story elements are under wraps, here’s what’s been confirmed or can be logically inferred:

Timeline: Set after the events of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Protagonist: Ciri—enhanced by her Elder Blood powers and trained by Geralt—is now the focus.

World Regions: Previously unexplored kingdoms like Kovir are hinted at.

Multiverse Themes: Ciri’s dimension-traveling powers could open up new realms.

Geralt’s Role: No longer a main character, though may appear as a mentor or cameo.

Expected Features – Based on UE5 and CDPR Direction

With Unreal Engine 5.6 and CD Projekt RED’s narrative-driven design, we can reasonably anticipate:

1. Next-Gen Visuals

60FPS ray-traced lighting on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S—photorealistic landscapes, interiors, and combat scenes.

2. Unique Ciri Combat System

Time-slowing, dimension-jumping, magic-infused swordplay to match her unique abilities.

3. Branching Narrative Paths

Deeper moral decisions that affect entire regions, factions, and possibly timelines.

4. Massive Open World

Seamless fast travel, dynamic weather, living ecosystems, and reactive NPCs.

5. Improved AI & Physics

Enhanced with UE5.6’s asynchronous systems, creating more realistic character interactions and world responses.

5 Reasons Why You Should Be Hyped for The Witcher IV

The Witcher 4 Unreal Engine 5 Tech Demo 4K:

Conclusion: The Next Evolution of Witcher

The Witcher IV is shaping up to be more than just a follow-up. It’s a technical and narrative reboot that redefines what we expect from open-world RPGs. With Ciri stepping into the spotlight, and Unreal Engine 5.6 unlocking next-gen immersion, CD Projekt RED is preparing to reclaim its place as the king of RPG storytelling.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer drawn in by Netflix, this is a journey worth following. Stay tuned as we bring you every update, reveal, and detail on the most anticipated RPG of the generation.

The Witcher 4 — Unreal Engine 5 Tech Demo: