The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Shows New Region and Weapon

Gamescom Opening Night Live put an unexpected spotlight on a 2015 role-playing game, pairing news of a free Witcher 3 remaster with the first gameplay footage from Songs of the Past. CD Projekt Red's upcoming expansion appears ready to extend Geralt's story with a new setting, unfamiliar enemies, and a weapon that longtime fans may recognize from the franchise's earliest days.

A new look at Letten

The trailer introduces Letten, a region shaped by rural customs, folklore, harvests, and extravagant festivals. Its bright traditions hide a much darker problem, however, leaving Geralt to investigate a long-dormant evil and confront threats not previously seen in The Witcher 3.

The footage moves between flower-crowned dancers gathered for a festival, wetlands glowing in the evening light, and a strange tree-like being that summons Geralt toward the region's hidden truth. The contrast between Letten's idyllic surface and its unsettling secrets gives the expansion a distinctly folkloric atmosphere. The festival imagery also recalls the presentation style used during the reveal of The Witcher 4.

Geralt gets a distinctive new weapon

The trailer's final moments reveal one of Songs of the Past's most striking additions: a chain-based weapon. During a follow-up Gamescom stage interview, CD Projekt Red level design lead Miles Tost explained that the weapon was previously seen in the introduction to the studio's first Witcher game.

In action, Geralt uses the chain to pull an enemy toward him before delivering an immediate beheading. The brief sequence does not establish how broadly the weapon will be used, but it provides a clear visual hook for the expansion and connects the new content to the series' history.

Release plans and what comes next

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past is scheduled to launch next year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC. CD Projekt Red has not included the original Switch in its current platform messaging, making the absence notable for players on Nintendo's older hardware.

The expansion's reveal also arrives alongside a free remaster of The Witcher 3, which is due on September 29. Together, the upgrade and new story content give the game a renewed presence while the franchise moves toward The Witcher 4, which CD Projekt Red has confirmed for 2028 and which will feature Ciri as a playable character.

Key points

  • Songs of the Past is The Witcher 3's first new expansion in years.
  • The story takes Geralt to the folklore-heavy region of Letten.
  • A chain weapon connected to the original Witcher game appears in the trailer.
  • The expansion is planned for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC next year.

Confirmed release details

Item Timing Platforms
The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past Next year PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC
The Witcher 3 remaster September 29 Platforms not specified in the source
The Witcher 4 2028 Not specified in the source

Expert View

Songs of the Past signals that CD Projekt Red is treating The Witcher 3 as an active part of the franchise rather than merely a completed classic. A free remaster can bring players back before the expansion arrives, while Letten and the returning weapon give existing fans fresh reasons to pay attention. The main question is whether the missing original Switch version will limit access for part of the game's established audience.