“You have inner demons that you have to fight first”: The Witcher 4 Is Redefining Monster Encounters With a Fresh New Approach

SUMMARY

• The Witcher 4 introduces psychological monster encounters, starting with Bauk, which preys on characters' fears and inner demons.
• Game director Sebastian Kalemba explains that “you have inner demons that you have to fight first.”
• CD Projekt Red is going to take inspiration from its other games to make The Witcher as good as possible.

CD Projekt Red and The Witcher have always been known for making worlds full of complex characters and stories. And our experience as gamers in the Continent is full of morally ambiguous choices with thrilling monster encounters. With The Witcher 4 coming out next, CDPR has something up its sleeve.

CDPR is really taking it to the next level. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

The studio is pushing the boundaries of what defines a “monster” in its universe. As revealed by game director Sebastian Kalemba in a recent interview, the upcoming game will feature new regions, creatures, and narrative elements that delve into the fears and inner struggles of characters.

The Witcher 4 is gonna get more psychological for sure

We’re gonna have to make some hard choices. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

What sets The Witcher 4 apart from its predecessors is its redefinition of what it means to confront a monster. Kalemba explained in an interview with Gamertag Radio that the game explores monstrosity, from enemies in the world to human behaviors and, ultimately, the protagonist’s inner struggles. “You have inner demons that you have to fight first.”

Inspired by Serbian mythology, Kalemba described the Bauk as a “tricky, tricky bastard” that “plays with your own fears.” First shown in the cinematic trailer at The Game Awards 2024, the Bauk is a grotesque creature of bone and hair, its chicken-like limbs and eerie presence designed to unsettle players. In the trailer, Bauk taunts Ciri with the ominous phrase, “Fate cannot be changed”

According to Kalemba, players won’t just fight the Bauk, they’ll grapple with their own choices and fears, which Kalemba suggests could influence the encounter’s outcome. Players must confront Ciri’s psychological struggles, shaped by her past decisions, to fully understand and defeat the Bauk.

Depth like this is what makes The Witcher so special

It’s gonna be so fun to play as Ciri. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

The Witcher has always explored the duality of monsters as beings that are not just supernatural creatures but also reflections of human flaws. Kalemba notes that earlier games depicted this through morally ambiguous quests involving humans behaving monstrously. This psychological twist on combat will encourage players to engage more deeply with the story and the character of Ciri.

CD Projekt Red is taking inspiration from its other titles like Cyberpunk 2077 to improve gameplay in The Witcher 4. Kalemba explains to IGN that the game will offer players more tools to shape their experiences, from character builds to combat strategies. The team aims to create a “super coherent experience” that mixes narrative choices with gameplay outcomes.

We are very mindfully trying to scope it, making sure that the foundation is there. I already see that it’s helping us to make sure that whatever we create right now is super coherent across the board.

For the first time in the series, players will step fully into the shoes of Ciri, who has apparently taken the Trial of the Grasses to become a Witcher. This transformation marks her transition from Geralt’s protégé to a protagonist forging her own destiny.

Unlike Geralt, who is a seasoned hunter with a well-defined code, Ciri’s journey will most likely let us players shape her values and approach. Her decisions will impact the story and how encounters like the one with Bauk unfold. “She’s about to form her own codex on her own terms,” Kalemba explained, highlighting the game’s emphasis on player agency.

What are your expectations from The Witcher 4? Let us know your thoughts!

Written by Daniel Royte

Articles Published: 662

Daniel is a gamer through and through with a passion for gaming in his veins. His current adventures have taken him into the world of Elden Ring, Wuthering Waves, and Genshin Impact, amongst others.