'The Witcher 3' Loads So Fast On Xbox Series X That It Looks Broken

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt loads so quickly on Xbox Series X that the world can't handle it. I mean that literally, by the way - Geralt can fast travel across the map instantly, moving so fast that his in-game surroundings actually take a beat to appear around him. It's incredible to see loading screens eliminated from such a massive game, but it does look a little broken... if only for a second.

As you can see in the video below, this is the current-gen version of The Witcher 3 running on the next-gen console. Because of this, the game is unable to process the area before the Xbox Series X gets Geralt there, with fascinating results. It's hardly a deal-breaker, of course, but when Geralt lands in a strange white void for even half a second it does break the immersion somewhat.

The good news is that The Witcher 3 will be optimised for Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 in just a few months. Those of us who already own the game on current-gen will be able to upgrade for free, which means this particular... feature will more than likely have been done away with by the time the "real" next-gen version is ready.

"Developed to take advantage of powerful video-game hardware, the next generation edition of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for PC, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5 will feature a range of visual and technical improvements," CDPR wrote in a press release at the time. "Including ray tracing and faster loading times -across the base game, both expansions, and all extra content."

The Witcher 3 next-gen upgrade will also be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC as a standalone purchase if you've never played it before, although I'd advise saving money and getting a cheaper current-gen copy now so that you can make the free upgrade when the time comes.

The souped-up version comes packaged with the excellent expansions Hearts Of Stone and Blood And Wine, which almost double the game's entire runtime between them. Even without the DLC, it's still an incredible game that you'll get plenty out of. And with loading screens all but eliminated? Well, that's my cue to play it through from the start all over again. Sixth time is the charm, after all.

Topics: Xbox Series X, The Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red