The Witcher 3 Remastered Graphics Comparison Shows Overhauled Color Palette Ahead of September 2026 Launch

CD Projekt Red has released early graphics comparison footage between The Witcher 3's original release and its upcoming Remastered version, offering players their first detailed look at the visual overhaul arriving this fall.

The comparisons, compiled into a 10-minute video by YouTube channel GameV, reveal the most striking difference between versions is a revised color palette. The remastered build uses noticeably different color grading, which CD Projekt Red applied across the game's environments and characters. Some players may prefer the warmer original tones, while others could favor the new look.

CD Projekt Red has emphasized these are work-in-progress comparisons that do not represent the final quality. In one early comparison, the remastered version appears to lack true reflections of fire in water, though this limitation may not persist in the finished build.

The PC version will support advanced rendering features including Path Tracing, which could add reflected fire and other environmental details absent from current comparisons. PC players will also benefit from NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 with Ray Reconstruction, AMD FSR 4.0, and Intel XeSS 2.0 upscaling support.

The Witcher 3 Remastered launches September 29, 2026 as a free update for all owners of the Complete Edition. The update will be staggered worldwide, with the first release at 3 AM PT. Console players will receive the remaster as a free next-gen upgrade.