The Witcher 4 is getting closer, and CD Projekt Red has a tricky balancing act ahead.
On one hand, there is pressure to innovate, especially since Ciri is the new protagonist with a completely different set of abilities.
On the other hand, certain systems from The Witcher 3 still hold up so well that changing them just for the sake of novelty could backfire.
Fast travel is one system that might stay, get changed, or be dropped altogether.
Why Did the Old Fast Travel System Work So Well?
The fast travel mechanic in The Witcher 3 worked around signposts scattered across the map.
click to enlarge
+ 4Players had to reach specific markers before they could fast travel, so it wasn’t instant teleportation from anywhere.
This kept the world feeling realistic and encouraged traveling on foot or horseback.
Cyberpunk 2077 used the same system but replaced signposts with dataterms.
Two games set in different worlds share the same core idea, which is why many expect it to come back in The Witcher 4.
Does Fast Travel Break Immersion or Support It?
The system is designed to offer convenience without being too much or too little for the player.
click to enlarge+ 4It balances the vastness of the open world without making travel tedious. It works well with CDPR’s storytelling approach, which tends to unfold over time through exploration and discovery.
When players travel on foot to a quest marker, they often encounter side stories, hidden enemies, or surprise events, which rarely happen when teleporting freely across the map.
Could Relying Too Much on Fast Travel Flatten the World?
Not everyone agrees with reusing the same method, as some believe that too much fast travel ruins the game's natural pace.
click to enlarge+ 4Players said the Witcher 3 story’s depth isn’t only found in the main quest, but also in the side events and distractions that make the world feel real.
Overusing signpost travel in The Witcher 4 could reduce the sense of richness by limiting player exploration.
So, What’s the Best Way to Handle Travel in The Witcher 4?
The debate isn’t really about having fast travel, but about whether the game world is engaging enough to prevent players from using it constantly.
click to enlarge+ 4Fast travel won’t feel out of place if The Witcher 4 packs its roads with interesting events, environmental storytelling, and surprises for curious players.
Players will have fast travel as one of several tools since CDPR doesn’t need to redo it, but must build a world where using it is a choice, not a way to skip.
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