New Witcher 3 mod offers fresh take on iconic Blood and Wine quest

CD Projekt Red's narrative director Philipp Weber has released a new mod for "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" offering an alternative take on the "Blood and Wine" expansion's iconic quest "Beyond Hill and Dale." The mod, dubbed 'Golden Beyond Hill and Dale,' showcases a melancholic version of the Land of a Thousand Fables set in a dying forest—a vision that originally didn't make it to the final release. Although "Blood and Wine" portrayed a vibrant fairytale land, this mod aims to present an initial concept that aligns more closely with the darker tone of the base game's environments. Players can now explore this revised setting, which features an orange sky and dense foliage, adding a new level of depth to the game's immersive fantasy world.

How does the 'Golden Beyond Hill and Dale' mod change the gameplay experience in "The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine"?

The mod alters the aesthetic and mood of the Land of a Thousand Fables, shifting it from a bright and colorful fairytale setting to a more somber and overgrown environment. This change does not affect the gameplay mechanics but provides a different visual and atmospheric experience for players revisiting the expansion.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, developed by CD Projekt Red, is an acclaimed action role-playing game released in 2015. It's the third installment in The Witcher series, based on the fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, and follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher. The game received universal praise for its narrative, world design, and gameplay, and has been expanded with two major expansions: "Hearts of Stone" and "Blood and Wine." Moreover, "Blood and Wine" in itself garnered significant acclaim for its narrative and environment, winning the award for Best Role-Playing Game at The Game Awards 2016.