At this year’s Game Awards, CD Projekt Red surprised fans by announcing The Witcher 4, featuring Ciri as the lead character in a new trilogy.

While the reveal has generated considerable excitement, it has also sparked debate regarding changes to Ciri’s character and her place in the Witcher universe.

A major point of controversy is Ciri’s revamped appearance and voice. Many fans have observed that her face has undergone significant alterations, including changes to her bone structure, and her voice is provided by a different actress.

Jo Wyatt, who voiced Ciri in The Witcher 3, will not be reprising her role, leaving some fans struggling to connect with the updated character. Although Ciri’s distinctive scar remains, critics argue that the overall transformation is too significant to maintain the authenticity of the character they cherished.

Ciri’s position within the Witcher lore has come under examination with the announcement of The Witcher 4.

The Trial of the Grasses, a perilous process that grants Witchers their mutations, was restricted to men and those lacking Elder Blood. But the CDPR has revealed that Ciri has undergone this trial in the new storyline, allowing her to become a full Witcher. The change challenges established lore and raises questions about her magical abilities. The trailer suggests she retains some powers, but they seem less potent compared to her skills in The Witcher 3.

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Fans had hoped for more customisation options in the upcoming game, such as creating their Witcher or exploring a new timeline.

The CDPR, however, has indicated that the lead character’s early journey as a Witcher would provide players with more opportunities to influence her story than Geralt’s established character did in previous installments.

After the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077, fans hoped for CDPR’s capacity to deliver a quality product. As Erik Kain of Forbes points out, the studio’s history with The Witcher series still fosters hope among the community. The release is anticipated around 2028.