He can specialise in three distinct skill trees and equip various items although, due to lore, swords remain the most effective weapons. The crafting system is useful without being overbearing and weapon degradation is well-balanced. Reflexes remain important in combat, but alchemy can offer an extra boost. Preparing oils and potions to hunt the larger beasts helps the player inhabit the role of a witcher, especially in harder difficulties.

Geralt can also use his witcher abilities to track prey and provide guidance for quest purposes. Said tracking skills also provide an in-world justification for being uniquely equipped to tackle certain quests. There is horseback combat, horse races, and Gwent, a card game along the lines of Magic: The Gathering, which follows a tradition of excellent card games in RPGs, such as Arcomage in Might and Magic VII or Triple Triad in Final Fantasy VIII.

The Witcher III is technically accomplished and mechanically sound, but its biggest accomplishment is the quality of its quests. Side-quests never feel like they're padding out the game's length, as the game deftly sidesteps those cookie-cutter quests that ask you to gather a number of items or kill a number of enemies.

Secondary quests serve to advance storylines or provide insight into the world; monster hunts are tied to everyday life or to the ecology of an area. Even treasure hunts may lead to interesting locations or uncover personal stories. The sheer length of the game invites shades of déjà vu, but quality remains high throughout the hundreds of hours of the game.

The Witcher III is the rare game that lets you memorise lines for a play you produced, and chastises you for not keeping court protocol. You won't help the bard Dandelion for a reward, but because he's that kind of friend who tends to get in trouble.