The Witcher Season 4: New Geralt, Who Dis? (And Why Does This Feel Like a Pre-Season Patch?)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
The Witcher Season 4 arrives as a 'good-not-great' installment, marked by Liam Hemsworth's adequate, yet acclimation-requiring, debut as Geralt, within a season that feels more like an incomplete 'Part 1' content update. While Yennefer's quest shines as the season's highlight, Ciri's storyline struggles to click, leaving players with a serviceable fantasy adventure that paves the way for the grand finale.
Alright, mates, buckle up! The Witcher Season 4 is nearly upon us, and honestly, the air is thick with anticipation and, let's be fair, a healthy dose of digital curiosity. Everyone's been wondering: How's the new Geralt? Did Netflix roll a natural 20 on this recasting, or are we looking at a serious stat-nerf?
Our pals over at IGN South Africa, specifically Matt Fowler, just dropped their non-spoiler review, and the verdict is in: it’s 'good-not-great.' Apparently, it’s another 'completely serviceable fantasy adventure,' but this time around, it feels a bit more streamlined. Better than Season 3? Yeah, apparently. But not enough to fully level up the score, which, let's be honest, sounds like the kind of incremental patch notes you see for a live-service game.
Here’s where it gets a bit... *chaotic*. The season apparently feels like 'part one of a split final season,' or as I like to think of it, an early access build that needs another big content drop. The finale? A bit clumsy, leaving cliffhangers that don’t quite land, making you wonder if they just ran out of dev time or forgot to render the last few cutscenes. It’s got that 'TBD' vibe, which, in the world of storytelling, is rarely a good thing, unless you’re planning a surprise, player-choice-driven narrative, which, let’s be real, this isn't.
The core of Season 4, as per the review, splits our main trio – Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri – into three separate quest lines. It’s a return to the first season's style, but thankfully without all the 'Dunkirk-ian non-linear structure' (phew, my brain cells can only handle so much temporal shenanigans!). Geralt's trudging through the Continent, a bit banged up, looking for Ciri; Ciri's found herself a new 'guild' in the 'Rats'; and Yennefer's busy recruiting a magical army to take down Vilgefortz. Seems like a simpler run, almost like three parallel solo campaigns that barely intersect. Fair dinkum, though, sometimes you just want a straightforward hack 'n' slash, right?
Now, the big one: Liam Hemsworth as Geralt. The review admits you’ll need 'some time to get used to him.' Is he a 'Temu Geralt,' as the review cheekily asks? Not quite, but it's not a 'lateral actor trade in terms of star power.' Bit harsh, but also, you can't deny the visual attachment we all built with Cavill's gruff, grim monster slayer. Apparently, the show pulls a 'Peacemaker-style trickery' to integrate him into the lore, which sounds intriguing. And conveniently, Geralt’s arc this season (playing hurt, forming new alliances, fundamentally changing) provides the 'best 'break' spot you could hope for in an actor swap situation.' So, while it would've been 'more rewarding to watch Cavill make these shifts,' the review says, 'It is what it is.' An 'adequate transition' for a new White Wolf, then. Sounds like the devs tried their best to reskin a beloved character without totally breaking the meta.
Interestingly, our titular Witcher doesn't hog the spotlight. He's just one-third of the main stories, and even *his* quest sees him leading a proper adventuring party. Joey Batey's Jaskier and Meng'er Zhang's Milva are back, joined by the likes of Zoltan, Percival, Yarpen, and Cahir. And the absolute cherry on top? Laurence Fishburne as the wise, vampiric Regis. Now *that's* a squad I'd want for a raid! Geralt’s apparently opening up, accepting others, and generally putting points into charisma and teamwork.
But if you're after the season’s MVP, look no further than Yennefer. She apparently has the 'biggest and best adventure,' forming a sorceress army to counter Vilgefortz. Her thread is packed with other mages, culminating in the season's 'biggest and best set piece,' the Battle of Montecalvo – proof that The Witcher still excels at 'magical mayhem.' Yennefer’s transforming into a 'trusted leader,' embracing her legendary status. So, if you were looking for that epic, game-changing quest, Yennefer’s got it covered.
Ciri’s story, however, is the 'messiest,' caught up with 'the Rats,' a bunch of thieving outcasts. Too many new faces, and a 'push and pull' dynamic that grows 'tiresome.' The review wonders, 'When does the clearly superior Ciri ditch these fools?' Which, honestly, is the kind of thought you have when a party member just isn't pulling their own weight. It's not bad, and Freya Allan as Ciri is still solid, but it just doesn't 'click' like the other two storylines. Still, it does give us a 'delicious new villain' in Sharlto Copley's bounty hunter, Leo Bonhart, who sounds like a proper end-game boss: vile, spindly, and a 'best fighter' you genuinely fear. Every good story needs a compelling antagonist, after all.
So, there you have it, mates. The Witcher Season 4, according to IGN South Africa (and Matt Fowler, a proper wizard with words), has more hits than misses, but ultimately feels 'incomplete.' Like a major content update that was meant to be two parts, but only one dropped. Netflix's drive for 'one ongoing movie' often leaves episodic TV feeling a bit hollow, doesn't it? The series has always faced its share of 'uphill battles' – book fans, game fans, casting changes – and Liam Hemsworth stepped into a truly 'unenviable task.' But it's 'good (enough),' bolstered by Geralt’s evolving storyline, a cracking ensemble, and Yennefer truly owning her role as the season's main quest giver. Ciri's bit might be the weakest, but it won't ruin your playthrough.
It's not a critical hit, but it's far from a total wipe. Just another chapter in the ever-evolving, sometimes baffling, *Witcher-verse*. Now, if only we knew when 'Part 2' was dropping, eh?
*Source: IGN South Africa, reviewed by Matt Fowler.*
Tags: TheWitcher, TVSeriesReview, FantasyAdventure, NetflixGaming, Web3Community
Original article: IGN South Africa