The wait for The Witcher 4 continues, but Geralt of Rivia is back much sooner than expected. Launching today, February 25, is Reigns: The Witcher—a surprising collaboration between developer Nerial, publisher Devolver Digital, and CD Projekt Red that reimagines the world of monster slayers and moral quandaries through a uniquely minimalist lens .
A Witcher Story, Told by a Bard
If you’re unfamiliar with the Reigns series, the concept is delightfully simple: it’s a “swipe ’em up.” Players are presented with a series of cards depicting scenarios, characters, and dilemmas. Swipe left or right to make a choice, and watch as the consequences ripple outward.
What makes this iteration so clever is its framing device. You aren’t directly controlling Geralt—you’re experiencing one of the bard Dandelion’s famously embellished ballads. This narrative lens allows the game to embrace a lighter, more humorous tone while still respecting the source material. As Dandelion weaves his tale, your every decision shapes the story, with outcomes ranging from the heroic to the hilariously absurd.
More Than Just a Card Game
Beneath its simple exterior, Reigns: The Witcher offers genuine depth. You must balance Geralt’s standing with four key factions: Humans, Non-Humans, Sorcerers, and his dedication to monster hunting. Let any of these meters fall too low or rise too high, and Geralt’s story meets an untimely—and often creatively grim—end.
The game is packed with content for fans:
- Familiar Faces: Yennefer, Triss, and Vesemir all make appearances, woven into Dandelion’s dramatic retellings.
- Monster Slaying: When Geralt’s “Witcher” meter maxes out, you’ll engage in a simple but strategic tile-based combat minigame against iconic foes like drowners and leshens.
- Inspirations System: Each run features specific objectives, or “Inspirations,” that guide your choices, encouraging multiple playthroughs to see all the outcomes.
What the Critics Are Saying
Early reviews praise the game as a clever and addictive diversion that perfectly captures the spirit of making tough choices in a morally grey world. TechRaptor awarded it an 8/10, calling it a “simple game at its core” that delivers “a fresh, hilarious, sometimes tedious experience for Witcher fans”. Gameblog noted it’s a “very clever adaptation” of the Reigns formula to the world of the White Wolf.
Also, Read
- New Witcher 3 Mod Lets You Play as Ciri in a Prequel Quest, as Official DLC Rumors Swirl
- New Witcher 3 Mod “Dawn Over Kovir” Lets You Play as Ciri, Teasing the Future
- Fan-Made Witcher 3 Expansion “The Last Sacrifice” Will Bring Geralt Back in a New Prequel Adventure
Available Now
Reigns: The Witcher is available today on PC (via Steam and GOG), iOS, and Android. With its low price point and pick-up-and-play design, it’s the perfect way to pass the time in taverns, on commutes, or anywhere else while we eagerly await the next mainline saga.