Polygon Curates Top RPGs for Fans Awaiting The Witcher 4
A new guide highlights the best alternatives for players anticipating CD Projekt Red's upcoming releases.
As fans wait for the next chapter of Geralt's world, Polygon has released a curated list of eight games that mirror the narrative depth and open-world structure of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The guide provides a roadmap for players seeking high-quality RPGs while awaiting a slate of upcoming Witcher content.
The recommendations come at a time of significant activity for the franchise. The Witcher 3 Remastered is scheduled to launch in September 2026 and will be provided free of charge to existing owners. Looking further ahead, the 'Songs of the Past' expansion is expected in 2027, followed by the projected 2028 release of The Witcher 4.
The Roots of Witcher Design
To understand the appeal of these recommendations, one must look at the DNA of the series. CD Projekt Red has cited the original Gothic games as direct inspirations for The Witcher series, emphasizing a world that feels lived-in and reactive. This legacy continues with new ventures; for instance, Rebel Wolves is currently developing The Blood of Dawnwalker, a project led by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the former game director of The Witcher 3.
Polygon's guide also highlights contemporary titles that capture this spirit. Marloes Valentina Stella describes Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 as the best RPG they have ever played, capturing the grueling yet rewarding nature of immersive sims. Reflecting on the intensity of such experiences, Stella noted, "After six hours of playtime, I am weak, broke, and traumatized. Naturally, I cannot wait to spend more time in this glorious hellhole."
The Rise of the 'Witcher-like'
This trend underscores a broader shift in the RPG genre. The "Witcher-like" design—defined by character-driven narratives and meaningful player choices—is no longer exclusive to CD Projekt Red. This philosophy is being adopted by both emerging studios like Rebel Wolves and established giants such as Larian Studios with Baldur's Gate 3, signaling a market demand for mature, consequence-heavy storytelling over traditional quest-log checklists.
What to Watch
While the curated list fills the immediate void, the industry remains focused on the 2026-2028 window. The primary milestones for the community will be the arrival of the Remastered edition and the eventual launch of The Witcher 4. Until then, the influence of the series continues to shape how open-world RPGs are built and experienced. The enduring appeal of the franchise lies in its ability to blend high-fantasy tropes with gritty, human realism, a formula that continues to inspire a new generation of developers seeking to move beyond the superficiality of early open-world design.