GameTimeline

Release & story order

The Witcher timeline

The Witcher from the 2008 PC debut through The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) and Thronebreaker (2018)—US release dates, Geralt's game chronology, and FAQ for Sapkowski books, Netflix, Enhanced/Complete editions, and the upcoming Witcher 4 (Polaris).

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When CD Projekt RED shipped each chapter—The Witcher (2008 US), The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (2011), The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015), then Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales (2018). Enhanced Editions and the 2022 next-gen Complete Edition are optional—not separate must-play titles.

  • Full saga → The Witcher → Witcher 2 → Witcher 3 (Enhanced/Complete on PC or consoles)
  • Short on time → Witcher 3 Complete Edition alone—recap videos for 1 and 2
  • Thronebreaker → after Witcher 2 or 3—Gwent RPG spin-off
  • Books/Netflix optional—FAQ explains canon layers
Story order tips

Geralt's game saga runs The Witcher → The Witcher 2 → The Witcher 3 in both release and story order. Thronebreaker follows Queen Meve in a parallel tale—release-order titles only. Books and Netflix use different continuity layers—see FAQ.

  • Core games: The Witcher → The Witcher 2 → The Witcher 3
  • Witcher 2 branches to two paths—both lead to Witcher 3 with different prologue state
  • Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine (W3 expansions)—play after main W3 story—FAQ
  • On Story order, Witcher 3 may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. The Witcher

    The Witcher

    PCRPGMainline

    The Witcher (2008) is CDPR’s first Geralt RPG—Temeria, Vizima, and moral gray choices after Geralt’s amnesia.

    Overview
    Isometric-to-3rd-person hybrid combat with timed spells and a dialogue system that remembers harsh consequences.
    In-game setting
    Post-amnesia Temeria. Optional if you only want Wild Hunt, but choices echo faintly into later games.
    Should you play it?
    Series start—dated UI, but Story continuity begins here. Soft link: *Witcher media*. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US PC October 21, 2008. Enhanced Edition patches remain the practical way to play.
  2. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

    The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

    PCXbox 360RPGMainline

    The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings sharpens politics—kingslayer plots across Temeria and Aedirn with major branching acts.

    Overview
    Chapter-structure branching that can rewrite Act 2 entirely; denser tactics than the 2008 debut. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    After The Witcher. Importing saves can color Witcher 3 world states.
    Should you play it?
    Middle chapter. Enhanced Edition recommended. Prep for Wild Hunt politics. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US May 17, 2011 on PC; Xbox 360 later. Enhanced Edition is the current storefront default.
  3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    PCPS4Xbox OneRPGMainlineOpen world

    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the open-world peak—Velen, Novigrad, Skellige, and Ciri’s chase against the Hunt.

    Overview
    Open-world RPG storytelling with monster contracts, political war boards, and two massive story expansions. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    After Witcher 2 for full continuity. Cross-media: *Witcher media* for show/book order.
    Should you play it?
    Default entry for most players. Complete Edition bundles Hearts of Stone + Blood and Wine. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US May 19, 2015 on PC, PS4, Xbox One; next-gen update later. Switch port exists.
  4. Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

    Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

    PCPS4Xbox OneSwitchRPGSpin-off

    Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is a story-driven Gwent adventure—Queen Meve’s Lyria campaign, optional for Geralt’s path.

    Overview
    Single-player Gwent battles wrapped in a choice-driven war narrative separate from Geralt’s trilogy. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Standalone Meve arc. Soft world flavor for *Witcher media* readers—not required for Wild Hunt.
    Should you play it?
    Optional on both tabs. Skip if you only want Geralt; play for Northern Wars flavor and card fans. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US October 23, 2018 on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch.

FAQ

Release vs story order, books vs games vs Netflix, Thronebreaker, remasters, and Witcher 4.

Story & canon

Andrzej Sapkowski's books inspired the games but CD Projekt's story diverges—especially after Witcher 1. Common paths: (1) Games only — 1 → 2 → 3. (2) Books then games — start with The Last Wish / Sword of Destiny, then games knowing they branch. (3) Netflix — separate adaptation; full season and film watch order on [Witcher Netflix timeline](/witcher-media). No single mandatory cross-media order.

Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is a standalone Gwent RPG starring Queen Meve—release-order titles, not Geralt Story order. Set during the Second Nilfgaard war (parallel to Witcher 2/3 era). Play after Witcher 2 or 3; no save import. Optional unless you want more Witcher-world politics and card battles.

CD Projekt RED announced The Witcher 4 (codename Polaris)—optional as of June 2026. It begins a new saga with a new protagonist (not Geralt as lead). This page covers shipped games through Thronebreaker; Witcher 4 gets a release-order title when dated.

Editions & remasters

Optional & upcoming

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.