Elden Ring vs. The Witcher 3: Which Game Should You Play?

Two of the most famous titles in the RPG genre are surely Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Elden Ring. Both games have a massive and committed following and are regarded as one of the best representatives of the open-world genre. Even though Witcher 3 is an older game, recently, with the new next-gen update, it’s gotten a much-needed layer of polish, and it’s indistinguishable from newer games. In today’s post, we’re going to compare both games in terms of maps, gameplay, and visuals. So without further ado, when it comes to Elden Ring and Witcher 3, which game is better?

Gameplay 

Both Witcher 3 and Eldern Ring were marketed as action RPGs, and both games have similar approaches in how they tell the story. Both Witcher 3 and Elden Ring feature massive worlds, and the games are ultimately oriented toward exploration and combat. Crafting is an important element in both games as well. Elden Ring, however, has much faster-paced gameplay and allows a smoother transition between the acts. Witcher 3 is more focused on the story and “finding clues” and is hence, much slower.

You’re not going to spend a lot of time talking with NPCs in Elden Ring, much like in any other soulslike game. Most of your time will be spent in combat. The opposite can be said for Witcher. 

Since both approaches are successful and appeal to different types of players, both games get the point in this category. 

Elden Ring (1:1) Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Map & Exploration

Both games prize themselves on their unparalleled sense of exploration. And it’s true, both games have the massive world, although Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has a slightly bigger map. Both games are set in an open world (even though Witcher 3 technically isn’t an open world due to the fast traveling used to reach separate zones). In Elden Ring, like in Witcher 3, you are able to interact with the environment, explore dungeons and caves, and visit various places of interest. Both maps feature variations in the sense that the environment changes based on your location.

Elden Ring has a slight edge when it comes to excitement, as the map is filled with some of the biggest bosses you can come across in gaming in general. Witcher 3, on the other hand, feels more alive because the world is teeming with NPCs, small hamlets, and side-quests you can accidentally come across.

Since we can’t really say one is better than the other, both games get the point. 

Elden Ring (2:2) Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Story 

Elden Ring is not game-oriented toward storytelling. Sure it features intricate lore that you piece together by interacting with the environment. But only fragments of it are revealed to the player. The game features almost no dialogue, so it makes it harder to connect to the world and its inhabitants. You’re barely sure what you’re even supposed to do except slay giant bosses. 

If there is one thing Witcher 3 is famous for, it’s the story. Based on the series of novels written by Andrzej Sapkowski, Witcher 3 serves as an unofficial continuation of the books. I’m using the term “unofficial” since the games are not canon. 

You’re going to laugh. You’re going to love. You will feel heartbreak and sadness as you travel through the continent to forge unbreakable bonds of loyalty and friendship. 

Witcher 3 is a storytelling experience as it is a gaming experience. The dialogues are masterfully written, and each important character is fleshed out and feels real. Your choices affect the world in a very real way, and they can result in individual endings, either near the conclusion of the main story or side-quests. 

No matter how loud the Elden Ring community is the game actually does make sense and has a story. This point goes to Witcher 3. 

Elden Ring (2:3) Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Combat & Difficulty 

Witcher 3 has several difficulties, and the combat can mostly be summed up to melee with occasional bursts of magic (through signs). Bombs, oils, concoctions, and various alchemical substances can help you out. And there are several approaches to every boss encounter. Speaking of those, they are pretty much alike, and even though the bosses themselves are different most of them have more or less the same mechanics. 

Combat is arguably the weakest aspect of Witcher 3, as most of the player base has been, in large part, unimpressed. It’s clunky, and Geralt is difficult to control. 

Combat is something that Elden Ring excels at. Boss battles are spectacular, and each one is an accomplishment in itself. You’re going to die a lot until you figure out what works based on the individual boss. The mechanics are stripped down to what appears to be “trial and error,” but it leaves you with a much greater sense of accomplishment. Combat feels smoother and requires strategizing to a much larger extent than Witcher 3 does. Witcher’s hardest difficulty cannot compare to Elden Ring. With everything said, this point goes to Elden Ring. 

Elden Ring (3:3) Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Visuals 

Both games are pretty to look at. Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was one of the most beautiful games when it came out. Featuring a highly variable environment and stunning vistas. It’s much more vibrant when it comes to colors. Now with the next-gen update, CD Projekt Red added ray tracing and massive visual upgrades in terms of details and foliage. 

Even though the two games have different styles, and Elden Ring’s visuals are more cartoonish in nature, the game is, at times, laughably bad to look at. The art may be beautiful, but in terms of details and models, it’s just bad.

It can easily pass as a PS3-era game, which is surprising considering the fact that the game is much younger than Witcher 3. 

Elden Ring vs. Witcher 3: which game is better? 

Taking everything into account, Witcher 3 still comes out as the better game of the two. Its visuals and story are simply unparalleled and appeal to more players. Elden Ring, however, is oriented toward players looking for a challenge, and if you count yourself among them, there’s no doubt that Elden Ring is more suited for you. 

If you’re looking for a game with lots of replayability potential and a game where your choices impact the world, Witcher 3 is your best bet. Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!

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