The Witcher 3 next-gen update trailer showcases enhanced graphics and ray-traced lighting

Despite the flack CD Projekt RED took over the Cyberpunk 2077 launch, few can deny that its previous game is a masterpiece through and through. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt may have had its own run of bugs and issues at launch, but its storytelling and worldbuilding overshadows the early rough patches. And soon, you may once again have a good reason to dive back into its world. Next month, The Witcher 3 is getting a next-gen update, bringing improvements to graphics and gameplay, while adding ray tracing — and today you can get a glimpse of how it’ll look in a new trailer.

Spoiler alert: the next-gen update for The Witcher 3 looks rather fantastic, as the trailer will prove. Graphically, the 2015 game certainly looks nicer — although, it is still gorgeous even today. However, the trailer showcases some impressive lighting, from the reflections of Novigrad on the water, to the warm sun beaming onto Geralt’s back. Mood lighting was a major part of the game’s atmosphere. And with the update, it’s certainly looking moodier than ever. The update adds real-time ray tracing, and support for FSR 2.1 and DLS33, along with “Screen Space Reflections, improved foliage, better textures and more.”

What the trailer can’t quite show is how the game performs. With the next-gen update, The Witcher 3 is getting an improved camera and better controls. According to the developer, there’s also a new “alternative camera option that’ll bring you closer to the action.” The update also comes with an “alternative Quick Sign Casting option, map filtering,” and an option to hide the minimap.

The Witcher 3 next-gen update trailer makes the game look better than ever, but there’s more

The update adds plenty of additional goodies. For one, the game will have a photo mode, which is a good idea with the game looking even prettier. CD Projekt also included fixes to quests, like Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear for example. There will also be integrated mods made by the community, cross-progression, and DLC from the Netflix show. The only real concern is whether or not the update will break current mods, but that’s certainly likely.

Check out the full list of details over at the game’s official site. The Witcher 3 next-gen update arrives for PC on December 14.