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Path of Exile vs The Witcher IV
info General Information | |
Release Date | |
Oct 23, 2013 | Oct 27, 2026 |
Developer | |
Grinding Gear Games | CD PROJEKT RED |
Publisher | |
Grinding Gear Games | CD PROJEKT |
Genre(s) | |
Action Role-Playing (Action RPG), Hack and Slash, Loot-based | Action Role-Playing (Action RPG), Open World, Narrative-Driven |
Engine | |
Proprietary Engine (DirectX 11/12/Vulkan) | Unreal Engine 5 |
stars Ratings & Price | |
Content Rating | |
M (Mature 17+) | Rating Pending (Expected M - Mature 17+ by ESRB / |
Avg. User Rating | |
4.5 / 5.0 | 0.0 / 5.0 |
Current Price (USD) | |
Free | Free |
tune Key Specs | |
Quick Highlights | |
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sports_esports Gameplay & Mechanics | |
Companions/Followers | |
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Key Collectibles | |
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Key Themes | |
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colorize Combat & Gear | |
Weapons Overview | |
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Armor / Gear Sets | |
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Outfits/Customization | |
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trending_up Progression & Upgrades | |
Skills & Progression | |
N/A | Players will develop their Witcher through deep skill trees focusing on Sword Combat (fast and strong attacks, parrying, new techniques), Signs (evolved versions of Aard, Igni, Quen, Yrden, Axii), and Alchemy (potions, decoctions, oils, bombs with a potentially more interactive crafting system). A new central progression system, possibly tied to the School of the Lynx, will offer unique abilities and character development paths. Gear (swords, armor) will be craftable, upgradable, and customizable with runes. |
public World & Exploration | |
World & Level Design | |
N/A | Expected to feature a massive, next-generation open world that is even more dynamic and reactive than The Witcher 3's. The world will likely be comprised of several large regions, potentially including parts of northern kingdoms like Temeria or Redania, as well as new, unexplored territories. A key focus will be on creating dense, living environments, from bustling cities to monster-infested wilderness, with dynamic weather and ecosystems. |
Playable Vehicles | |
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book Story & Characters | |
Main Characters | |
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Example Missions | |
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people Multiplayer | |
Multiplayer Details | |
N/A | The Witcher IV is confirmed to be a single-player, story-driven open-world RPG. A separate, standalone Witcher multiplayer game codenamed 'Project Sirius' is in development by a different studio (The Molasses Flood), but 'Project Polaris' will not feature multiplayer. |
extension Editions & DLC | |
Post-Launch Content / DLC | |
N/A | CD PROJEKT RED has a reputation for substantial post-launch support. The new saga is planned as a trilogy. It is expected that this first game will receive at least two large, story-driven expansions similar in scale to 'Hearts of Stone' and 'Blood and Wine,' introducing new regions, quests, characters, and monsters. Regular free DLCs with smaller content like armor sets and side quests are also likely. |
help_outline FAQ | |
Frequently Asked Questions | |
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build Technical Details | |
Graphics & Visual Fidelity | |
N/A | Being developed on Unreal Engine 5, the game is expected to set a new benchmark for visual fidelity in open-world RPGs. It will utilize UE5's Nanite technology for highly detailed environments and Lumen for dynamic global illumination and reflections, resulting in incredibly realistic lighting, shadows, and world detail. |
Audio & Soundtrack | |
N/A | The score will likely be composed by Marcin Przybyłowicz or composers in a similar style, featuring a blend of epic orchestral arrangements, Slavic folk music, and atmospheric soundscapes to create an immersive audio experience. Sound design will be crucial for monster encounters and environmental storytelling. |
User Interface (UI/UX) | |
N/A | Expected to feature a modern, clean UI with customizable elements. Key features will include a 3D world map, a detailed journal for quests and characters, an intuitive inventory and crafting screen, and a streamlined radial menu for selecting signs and items in combat. |
Accessibility Options | |
N/A | Following industry trends and CDPR's recent efforts, the game is expected to have comprehensive accessibility options, including extensive subtitle customization, colorblind modes, remappable controls, audio cues for gameplay, and potentially adjustable difficulty and gameplay modifiers to cater to a wide range of players. |
video_library Media Links | |
Gameplay Video | |
launchWatch | launchWatch |
Walkthrough/Guide | |
launchView | launchView |
settings_applications System Requirements | |
1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (Target: 1080p, 60 FPS, High Settings) (High Preset, Ray Tracing Low/Medium, Upscaling 'Quality') CPU: Recommended desktop CPU for a smooth 1080p/60FPS experience with high fidelity. CPU (Laptop): A strong, modern laptop CPU is needed to maintain 60 FPS in dense city areas. GPU: Recommended desktop GPU for high-fidelity 1080p gaming with some ray tracing. GPU (Laptop): A high-end laptop GPU with at least 8GB VRAM and high TGP will be needed for a quality 1080p experience. RAM: 16GB RAM is recommended, 32GB would offer more headroom. Storage: NVMe SSD is recommended for this tier. | |
— | memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (10GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16GB) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-12700H / AMD Ryzen 7 6800H or newer high-performance CPUs. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU (16GB), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU (8GB, Max TGP). layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 150 GB NVMe SSD |
1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (Target: 1080p, 30 FPS, Low/Medium Settings) (Low/Medium Preset, Upscaling 'Performance' or 'Balanced') CPU: Speculative minimum desktop CPU, representing a solid 8-core baseline from previous years. CPU (Laptop): A modern 8-core performance laptop CPU will likely be the minimum entry point. GPU: Speculative minimum desktop GPU, requiring at least 8GB VRAM and decent rasterization performance. GPU (Laptop): A strong mid-to-high range laptop GPU from the previous generation will be necessary for a playable experience, likely relying on upscaling. RAM: 16GB will likely be the absolute minimum RAM requirement. Storage: SSD is mandatory, though a SATA SSD might suffice for minimum settings. | |
— | memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12GB) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-11800H / AMD Ryzen 7 5800H or better. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU (8GB, High TGP), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB, High TGP). layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 150 GB SSD |
1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (Targets 1080p, High settings, ~60 FPS) (High Preset, 1080p resolution, aiming for 60 FPS in typical gameplay, though drops are expected in intense endgame content.) CPU: Official recommended desktop CPU. Strong single-core performance is key. CPU (Laptop): A strong mobile CPU is needed to handle the game's processing demands and maintain a stable framerate. GPU: Official recommended desktop GPUs. While these can run the game, a more powerful modern card is suggested for a smoother experience. GPU (Laptop): Good laptop GPUs for a solid 1080p experience. The RTX 3050 offers access to driver-level features that may be beneficial. RAM: 16GB RAM is officially recommended and is highly advised for smoother gameplay, especially when multitasking. Storage: An SSD is officially recommended for this tier to ensure fast loading and reduce stutter. | |
memoryCPU: 3.2 GHz Quad Core developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 560 laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-9750H / AMD Ryzen 7 4800H or better. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop (4GB) / RTX 3050 Laptop (4GB). layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 40 GB SSD | — |
1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (Targets 1080p, Low settings, ~30-60 FPS) (Low Preset, 1080p resolution. Framerate can be highly variable.) CPU: Official minimum desktop CPU requirement. A modern quad-core processor is the baseline. CPU (Laptop): Estimated entry-level laptop CPUs for minimum playability. GPU: Official minimum desktop GPU from the developer. These are very old cards, and a more modern entry-level card is highly advisable. GPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop GPUs for minimum settings. Expect dynamic resolution to be active frequently. RAM: 8GB RAM is the official minimum requirement. Storage: An HDD is technically sufficient for the minimum spec, but an SSD is strongly recommended. | |
memoryCPU: 2.6 GHz Quad Core developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti or AMD Radeon HD 7850 laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i5-8300H / AMD Ryzen 5 2500U or better. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce MX350 / GTX 1050 Mobile (2GB). layersRAM: 8 GB saveStorage (Tier): 40 GB HDD | — |
1440p (QHD/2K) - High (Target: 1440p, 60 FPS, High/Ultra Settings) (High/Ultra Preset, Ray Tracing Medium/High, Upscaling 'Quality' or 'Balanced') CPU: Strong modern desktop CPU for a high-refresh 1440p experience. CPU (Laptop): A top-tier laptop CPU is necessary to prevent bottlenecks at 1440p. GPU: High-end desktop GPU for an excellent 1440p experience with ray tracing. GPU (Laptop): A flagship-class laptop GPU with high VRAM and maximum TGP will be required. Heavy reliance on DLSS/FSR Quality. RAM: 32GB RAM is recommended for smooth 1440p gaming at high settings. Storage: A fast NVMe SSD is mandatory. | |
— | memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-13600K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti (12GB) or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20GB) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-13900HX / AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX or newer flagship CPUs. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop (12GB, Max TGP). (A future RTX 5070 Laptop GPU would likely be the target for this tier). layersRAM: 32 GB saveStorage (Tier): 150 GB NVMe SSD |
1440p (QHD/2K) - High (Targets 1440p, High settings, ~60 FPS) (High Preset, 1440p resolution, aiming for 60 FPS.) CPU: A powerful modern CPU with high single-thread performance is crucial to avoid bottlenecks at 1440p. CPU (Laptop): High-performance laptop CPUs are essential for a consistent 1440p experience in a CPU-bound game like PoE. GPU: Desktop GPUs capable of a strong 1440p/60FPS experience. A modern card like the RTX 4060 Ti would provide a more consistent framerate. GPU (Laptop): A high-TGP RTX 4060 or RTX 3070 Laptop is the ideal target for 1440p. A future RTX 5060 Laptop would offer an even smoother experience. RAM: 16GB RAM is the minimum for smooth 1440p gaming; 32GB can help reduce stutters in extremely demanding situations. Storage: A fast NVMe SSD is recommended for the best loading times and performance at 1440p. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i5-12600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12GB). (Future-proof: RTX 4060 Ti) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-12700H / AMD Ryzen 7 6800H or newer. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop (8GB) / RTX 4060 Laptop (8GB). (Future-proof: RTX 5060 Laptop) layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 40 GB NVMe SSD | — |
2160p (UHD/4K) - Ultra (Target: 4K, 60 FPS, High/Ultra Settings) (High/Ultra Preset, Ray Tracing enabled, Upscaling 'Performance') CPU: Top-tier desktop CPU for a no-compromise 4K experience. CPU (Laptop): Only the absolute best flagship laptop CPUs will handle this target. GPU: Flagship desktop GPU for 4K gaming. Future generation flagships (e.g., RTX 5080/5090) would be ideal. GPU (Laptop): The absolute best laptop GPU available at the time of release, heavily reliant on DLSS/FSR Performance mode to achieve 60 FPS at 4K with high settings. RAM: 32GB of fast RAM is essential for 4K gaming. Storage: A fast NVMe SSD is mandatory. | |
— | memoryCPU: Intel Core i9-13900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (24GB) or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24GB) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-14900HX / AMD Ryzen 9 (Future flagship model). laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop (16GB, Max TGP). (A future flagship RTX 5080/5090 Laptop GPU would be required for a native-like experience). layersRAM: 32 GB saveStorage (Tier): 150 GB NVMe SSD |
2160p (UHD/4K) - 4K Ultra Settings (Targets 2160p/4K, High settings, ~60 FPS) (High Preset, 2160p (4K) resolution, aiming for 60 FPS.) CPU: A top-tier desktop CPU with the best possible single-core speed is recommended to minimize CPU bottlenecks at 4K. CPU (Laptop): The highest-end laptop CPUs are needed to pair with flagship GPUs for the most stable 4K experience possible. GPU: High-end 40-series desktop GPUs are needed for a chance at a stable 4K/60FPS experience, though performance will still vary wildly depending on in-game action. A future RTX 5080 would be a much better target. GPU (Laptop): Flagship laptop GPUs are required for a playable 4K experience, but users should still expect frame drops in the most demanding endgame scenarios. RAM: 32GB of fast RAM is highly recommended to provide sufficient headroom and minimize stuttering at 4K. Storage: A fast NVMe SSD is essential for the best possible experience at 4K. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-13700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti (12GB) or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20GB). (Future-proof: RTX 5080) laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-13900HX / AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX or newer. laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop (12GB) / RTX 4090 Laptop (16GB). layersRAM: 32 GB saveStorage (Tier): 40 GB NVMe SSD | — |
save Overall Storage | |
Spec: 40 GB available space (SSD Strongly Recommended) Note: While the game will run on an HDD, an SSD is strongly recommended by the developers to significantly reduce loading times, which are frequent, and to prevent in-game stuttering caused by slow asset loading. Type: SSD | Spec: 150 GB available space (NVMe SSD Mandatory) Note: A fast NVMe SSD will be mandatory for the seamless world streaming and detailed textures expected from an Unreal Engine 5 title of this scale. Type: NVMe |
desktop_windows Operating System | |
Spec: Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64-bit Required) Explanation: A 64-bit version of Windows 10 is the current standard requirement. Windows 11 is fully supported. | Spec: Windows 11 64-bit Explanation: A 64-bit version of Windows 11 will likely be the recommended OS for a 2026 release to best utilize modern hardware and features like DirectStorage. |
gamepad DirectX Version | |
Spec: DirectX 11 / DirectX 12 / Vulkan Explanation: The game officially supports DirectX 11 as the default renderer. Beta versions of DirectX 12 and Vulkan are also available in the graphics options, which can offer better performance on some hardware configurations, though stability may vary. | Spec: DirectX 12 Ultimate Explanation: DirectX 12 Ultimate will be required for advanced graphical features such as mesh shading, sampler feedback, and full ray tracing support (lumen and nanite). |
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.
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Common Recommendations (Handles All Compared Games)
For Path of Exile Specifically
For The Witcher IV 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.