The Witcher 3 Remake Is the Best Version Yet, IGN Says in Scoreless Review

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remake might just be the definitive way to play one of the greatest RPGs ever made — at least according to IGN.

The outlet published an updated review of the game, and here's the twist: there's no score attached. IGN frames it as a review-in-progress of sorts, a fresh look rather than a final verdict. But after roughly 10 hours with the game, pushing through White Orchard and into later regions, the reviewer already feels confident calling it possibly the best version of The Witcher 3 to date.

So what's actually changed? Combat, for starters, and it's a big deal. Geralt swings faster now, while enemies behave more aggressively. IGN notes tweaked camera and lock-on systems, plus new enemy behaviors — think backsteps, trickier-to-read counterattacks, and some monsters that reappear from behind you. The result is a tighter, more intense fight than the original.

Movement got plenty of love too. Geralt vaults obstacles more quickly and just feels more agile overall, and Roach — his trusty horse — is easier to control and less likely to get snagged on trees or buildings. Best of all, you can now pick herbs while mounted, which means far less hopping on and off your horse every few seconds.

The skill tree has been reworked as well. According to IGN, the new system loosens some of the old restrictions, letting you unlock different types of skills earlier and experiment with builds more freely.

Visually, the remake beefs up lighting, environmental materials, shadows and reflections. Details like Geralt's hair get some extra polish, and there's a photo mode for anyone who likes to stop and smell the roses — or, you know, the monster guts. That said, IGN points out the game still drops frames occasionally on both console and PC.

The bottom line from IGN: this remake isn't trying to bolt on content that was badly missing from the original. Instead, it targets the original's roughest edges — combat, movement and skills — to make a classic RPG play smoother in 2026. No score has been announced yet, though IGN's most recent scored review of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt sat at a hefty 9.3.

Are you planning to dive back into the Continent for the remake, or are you holding out for that score first? Let us know in the comments.