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 July 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 FAQ-only—not extra Release rows.

  • 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 row 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

    Geralt's amnesia return—Salamandra and the stolen mutagens.

    Overview
    CD Projekt RED's debut—morally gray choices, alchemy combat, and chapter-based Northern Realms politics.
    In-game setting
    Adapts short-story tone more than later open worlds—still Geralt saga part one.
    Should you play it?
    Dated UI but strong writing—skip only if time-limited (see FAQ).
    Release date
    US launch May 13, 2008 (PC). Enhanced Edition (2008) bundled fixes and extra content—FAQ.
  2. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

    The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

    PCXbox 360RPGMainline

    King Demavend's assassination—Roche vs Iorveth fork.

    Overview
    Tighter narrative RPG with branching chapter 2—choices reshape who allies with Geralt in Witcher 3.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel to The Witcher—political thriller before Wild Hunt's open world.
    Should you play it?
    Essential for Witcher 3 prologue context—import saves when possible.
    Release date
    US launch May 17, 2011. Enhanced Edition (2012) on PC/X360—FAQ.
  3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    PCPS4Xbox OneRPGMainlineOpen world

    Geralt hunts Ciri and the Wild Hunt—open-world masterpiece.

    Overview
    Vast open world, monster contracts, and branching endings—Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions (FAQ).
    In-game setting
    Story climax of Geralt's game arc—Ciri, Yennefer, and Triss threads pay off here.
    Should you play it?
    Most players' entry point—still best with 1 and 2 context.
    Release date
    US launch May 19, 2015. Complete Edition and next-gen update December 14, 2022—FAQ.
  4. Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

    Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales

    PCPS4Xbox OneSwitchRPGSpin-off

    Queen Meve's Gwent-driven campaign—Lyria and Rivia.

    Overview
    Single-player Gwent RPG—map exploration with card battles, not Geralt's story.
    In-game setting
    Set during the Second Nilfgaard war—parallel to Witcher 2/3 era fiction.
    Should you play it?
    Optional spin-off—play after Witcher 2 or 3 if you like Gwent.
    Release date
    US launch October 23, 2018.

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 row, 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)—FAQ only 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 row when dated.

Editions & remasters

Optional & upcoming

More timelines

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