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CODE VEIN 2 vs The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
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| shopping_cart Where to Buy | |
| info General Information | |
| Release Date | |
| Jan 29, 2026 | May 19, 2015 |
| Developer | |
| Bandai Namco Studios / Shift Inc. | CD Projekt Red |
| Publisher | |
| Bandai Namco Entertainment | CD Projekt (Poland), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (NA), Bandai Namco Entertainment (Europe & other regions) |
| Genre(s) | |
| Action-RPG, Soulslike | Action RPG, Open World, Fantasy, Third-Person |
| Engine | |
| DirectX 12 Optimized | REDengine 3 (with SpeedTree, Umbra 3, PhysX, etc.) |
| stars Ratings & Price | |
| Content Rating | |
| Mature 17+ (Pending) | Mature 17+ |
| Avg. User Rating | |
| 0.0 / 5.0 | 4.9 / 5.0 |
| Current Price (USD) | |
| $69.99 | $39.99 |
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| tune Key Specs | |
| Quick Highlights | |
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| sports_esports Gameplay & Mechanics | |
| Companions/Followers | |
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| Key Themes | |
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| colorize Combat & Gear | |
| Weapons Overview | |
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| trending_up Progression & Upgrades | |
| Skills & Progression | |
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The 'Blood Code' system acts as hot-swappable classes. 'Formae' (reworked Gifts) are special weapon abilities fueled by 'Ichor.' Players must use 'Drain Attacks' (Jails) to replenish Ichor mid-combat, creating an aggressive risk/reward loop. |
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| public World & Exploration | |
| World & Level Design | |
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Features a shift to a vast open-world design. Key regions include the MagMell Base (Hub), the Sunken Pylon (a contaminated water city), and various 'Jails' which act as high-difficulty dungeon instances. |
The game features several large, distinct open-world regions rather than one single contiguous map. These include: White Orchard (prologue area), Velen & Novigrad (a massive combined region of swamps, forests, battlefields, and the large city of Novigrad), Skellige Isles (an archipelago of mountainous, Viking-inspired islands), Kaer Morhen (a smaller mountainous region with the Witcher keep), and later through DLCs, Toussaint (a vibrant, fairy-tale duchy). The total landmass is estimated to be very large (e.g., Velen/Novigrad alone is often cited as over 100 sq km, with Skellige adding another significant portion). Each region is densely packed with quests, points of interest, monster nests, and hidden treasures. |
| Playable Vehicles | |
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| book Story & Characters | |
| Main Characters | |
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| people Multiplayer | |
| Multiplayer Details | |
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Primarily a single-player journey enhanced by a deep AI Partner system. Online co-op features are hinted at but the focus remains on the AI-driven companion dynamics. |
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a purely single-player experience. There are no multiplayer modes. |
| extension Editions & DLC | |
| Available Editions | |
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Standard ($69.99), Deluxe ($89.99 - includes 'Mask of Idris' DLC and 72-hr Early Access), Ultimate ($99.99 - includes CV1 legacy outfits), and Collector's Edition (includes an 18cm Lou figurine and 60-page artbook). |
Available in Standard Edition. A Collector's Edition included a Geralt vs. Griffin statue, SteelBook, artbook, medallion, map. Later, a Game of the Year Edition (or Complete Edition) was released, bundling the base game with both major expansions ('Hearts of Stone' and 'Blood and Wine') and all free DLCs. The Next-Gen Update (Patch 4.0) was a free upgrade for existing owners on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. |
| Post-Launch Content / DLC | |
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The Season Pass features the 'Mask of Idris' expansion, scheduled for late 2026/early 2027, which adds new story chapters and companion characters. |
CD Projekt Red released 16 free DLCs (cosmetic items, small quests, New Game+). Two major paid expansions were released: 'Hearts of Stone' (a lengthy, dark, and story-focused adventure with new characters and a compelling narrative) and 'Blood and Wine' (a massive expansion set in the new region of Toussaint, with a new main storyline, numerous side quests, new monsters, gear, and a player home vineyard). Both expansions are critically acclaimed. |
| help_outline FAQ | |
| Frequently Asked Questions | |
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| build Technical Details | |
| Graphics & Visual Fidelity | |
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Powered by REDengine 3, The Witcher 3 was renowned for its stunning visuals at launch, showcasing vast, detailed landscapes, realistic weather systems, and expressive character models. The Next-Gen Update (Patch 4.0) significantly enhanced visuals on PC and current-gen consoles, adding ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion, improved screen space reflections, higher resolution textures, and denser environments, making it visually competitive with modern titles. |
| Audio & Soundtrack | |
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Original score composed by Marcin Przybyłowicz and Mikołaj Stroiński, featuring a blend of orchestral arrangements, Slavic folk music influences, and haunting ambient tracks. The soundtrack, particularly tracks like 'The Wolven Storm (Priscilla's Song)' and various battle themes, is highly praised. Sound design is immersive, with distinct monster sounds, environmental ambiances reflecting different regions, and impactful combat effects. |
| User Interface (UI/UX) | |
| N/A |
Features a customizable HUD displaying health, stamina, toxicity, equipped Signs, and a mini-map. A radial menu allows quick selection of Signs, potions, bombs, and pocket items. Inventory, character (skills, gear), alchemy, crafting, journal, and world map are accessed through a comprehensive menu system. The Bestiary provides information on monsters and their weaknesses. |
| Accessibility Options | |
| N/A |
The original release had limited accessibility options. The Next-Gen Update and subsequent patches improved this, adding features like customizable subtitles (size, background), options for font size, HUD scaling, control remapping (PC), options to reduce camera motion/head bob, and gameplay settings like auto-looting and alternative QTE inputs. |
| video_library Media Links | |
| Gameplay Video | |
| launchWatch | launchWatch |
| Walkthrough/Guide | |
| launchView | launchView |
| settings_applications System Requirements | |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (High Preset, 1080p/60fps) CPU: Optimized for smooth framerates during chaotic multi-companion encounters. CPU (Laptop): High-performance mobile processors. GPU: Ensures full fidelity for anime-style visual effects and lighting. GPU (Laptop): Strong high-end mobile performance. RAM: Standard for optimal performance and multitasking. Storage: Recommended for fast loading of the MagMell Base and open-world regions. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-12700KF / AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-12900H / AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Mobile / RTX 4070 Mobile layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 70 GB SSD | — |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (Original - 1080p ~30 FPS, Low/Medium Preset) (Low to Medium Preset (Original Game)) CPU: Minimum desktop CPU for original release. CPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop CPU. Modern i3/Ryzen 3 sufficient for original. GPU: Minimum desktop GPU for original release. GPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop GPUs for original release. RAM: Minimum RAM for original release. Storage: HDD minimum for original. | |
| — | memoryCPU: Intel CPU Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz or AMD CPU Phenom II X4 940 developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i5-4200M / AMD A10-5750M equivalent or better laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 765M / AMD Radeon R9 M270X or better. **Modern integrated graphics could handle original low settings. An RTX 3050 Mobile or RTX 4050 Mobile would easily max out original settings and run Next-Gen medium/high.** layersRAM: 6 GB saveStorage (Tier): 50 GB HDD |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (Low Preset, 1080p/30fps) CPU: Baseline for handling physics and standard enemy AI. CPU (Laptop): Standard mid-range mobile CPUs. GPU: Minimum for 1080p low-fidelity rendering. GPU (Laptop): Entry-level mobile performance. RAM: Required for stable open-world asset streaming. Storage: Standard storage requirement. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super / AMD RX 5700 / Intel Arc B570 laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i5-11400H / AMD Ryzen 5 5600H laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Mobile layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 70 GB HDD/SSD | — |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (Original - 1080p ~60 FPS, High Preset) (High Preset (Original Game)) CPU: Recommended desktop CPU for original release 1080p High. CPU (Laptop): Estimated mid-range laptop CPUs for original. GPU: Recommended desktop GPU for original 1080p High. GPU (Laptop): Estimated performance laptop GPUs for original. RAM: Recommended RAM for original release. Storage: SSD recommended for original. | |
| — | memoryCPU: Intel CPU Core i7-3770 3.4GHz or AMD CPU FX-8350 4GHz developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 or AMD Radeon R9 290 laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-4700HQ / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (Laptop equivalent) or better laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M / GTX 1050 Ti Mobile or AMD Radeon RX 470 Mobile. **An RTX 3060 Mobile or RTX 4060 Mobile will run original maxed out at high FPS and handle Next-Gen High settings well.** layersRAM: 8 GB saveStorage (Tier): 50 GB SSD |
| save Overall Storage | |
| Spec: 70 GB available space Note: SSD is mandatory for Recommended specs; NVMe preferred for the open-world motorcycle traversal. Type: Unknown | Spec: Approx. 50 GB available space (SSD Recommended). Size may increase with DLCs and HD Texture mods. Note: An SSD is highly recommended for faster loading times and smoother world traversal. Type: SSD |
| desktop_windows Operating System | |
| Spec: Windows 11 (64-bit) Explanation: Mandatory OS to ensure compatibility with DirectX 12 Feature Level 12.0 and modern security. | Spec: Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit) Explanation: 64-bit OS required. Windows 10/11 64-bit recommended for Next-Gen Update features like ray tracing (DX12). |
| gamepad DirectX Version | |
| Spec: Version 12 Explanation: Required for the game's advanced lighting, 'Luna Rapacis' effects, and performance optimizations. | Spec: DirectX 11 (Original), DirectX 12 (for Ray Tracing in Next-Gen Update) Explanation: DX11 for base game, DX12 required for ray tracing features. |
| info_outline Other Game Notes | |
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| build Optimization Details | |
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| laptop Laptop Considerations | |
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info_outline Feature details based on available data. System requirements and performance estimates may vary.
laptop_chromebook Laptop Recommendations
Common Recommendations (Handles All Compared Games)
For CODE VEIN 2 Specifically
For The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Specifically
info_outline Laptop recommendations are estimates based on available component benchmarks and game requirements. Actual performance may vary depending on settings, drivers, cooling, power limits, etc. Prices and availability subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.