The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's newest patch is being rolled out on PlayStation 4, and luckily, we've managed to get it downloaded and installed. The update weighs in at a very hefty 7.5GB, and it promises an absolute ton of alterations and fixes. From a new movement mode for Geralt, to supposedly improved technical performance, this one's apparently got it all. As such, we've put together a look at patch 1.07, and detailed the changes - heck, we've even included videos just so you know what we're actually rambling about.
Geralt's alternative movement mode
This is the big change for many players. The Witcher 3's often been criticised for the way in which protagonist Geralt moves and controls. Not too dissimilar to the kind of character movement found in Grand Theft Auto V, Geralt is weighty, meaning that he can't turn on a dime, for example. His movements are staggered, and even jittery in tight spaces - but with the new alternative movement mode that's found in the gameplay section of the options menu, this isn't quite the case any more.
As shown in the above video, Geralt is generally much more responsive when this mode is applied. He turns faster, you have more control over his direction, and you can even spin on the spot. All in all, it's a pretty great addition to the game.
Player stash for storing items
This one's self-explanatory: you can now store unneeded items in chests found throughout the game. This means that you don't have to lug all of your rare armour sets around, and you can finally ditch all of those monster heads. It goes without saying that this is another great addition to the release.
Inventory improvements
Your inventory can be a bit of a mess in The Witcher 3, but patch 1.07 has implemented some considerable improvements. For starters, you can now sort your gear and items via a simple little menu, while alchemy and crafting components no longer weigh anything. This means that you don't have to worry about rummaging through your materials, trying to figure out what you can and can't afford to sell.
What's more, books have been jumbled around, and it's now far easier to find out what you have and haven't read thanks to some bright green text at the bottom of the screen.
Improved performance in foggy areas
The Witcher 3 runs well enough on PS4 but there's always been room for improvement, and one commonly requested performance tweak has to do with the game's fog. Essentially, dense fog can make the frame rate chug a little, all while your console's fan goes into overdrive. As seen in the video above, patch 1.07 actually seems to improve performance when moving in and around fog. The frame rate dips, while still present, don't appear to be as bad as before, and we also noticed that our PS4's fan doesn't turn into a jet engine. Hurrah!
Less pop-in and a better frame rate in dense areas
Novigrad is The Witcher 3's biggest city, and it's quite well known for the strain that it seems to put on the game. Textures can appear muddy until they properly pop, character models can rather annoyingly fade into existence, and the frame rate can take a plunge.
Fortunately, we've noticed marked improvements in Novigrad and other dense locations after installing patch 1.07. While the frame rate still drops, the dips don't seem to be nearly as bad, while texture and character model pop-in has been dramatically improved, as you can see in the video above. Generally, the game seems to render assets far more capably than before. And, needless to say that on foot, the performance is smoother still.
Improved horse behaviour
Roach is Geralt's trusty steed, but sometimes she isn't quite as reliable as he'd like. Roach has a nasty tendency to get stuck on foliage when you call for her, and she's got a habit of zipping straight past you or galloping off when you try to saddle up.
Thankfully, from what we can tell, patch 1.07 improves Roach's behaviour - at least to some extent. Typically, we did find her stuck on a tree at one point, but other than that, she seems to handle narrow roads and bridges much more elegantly. What's more, we generally found that she spawns in slightly better locations when you whistle.
New visual effects options
Delve into the options menu with patch 1.07 installed, and you'll notice that there are new post-processing options. There are two options on offer: motion blur, and blur. Both are enabled by default, and both add blur effects to the game's visuals when you quickly turn the camera, or move at fast speeds. We tried turning both off to see if there was any positive impact on the game's performance, but we didn't notice any immediate differences.
Have you downloaded the latest patch? Are you still playing The Witcher 3? Let us know how your journey's going in the comments section below.
Comments 42
All in all, a pretty great patch!
Downloaded it but haven't got to really check it out much yet. This will be great for when the expansion DLC comes out.
@Splat Now we just need that new game+ and we'll be sorted!
Ok this is weird.. When I check for update it tells me that the latest version is installed and when I look at the game information it says 1.05..
Any ideas?
@ShogunRok - I would jump for joy. New Game Plus should be mandatory in RPG's...
@Tunmats It seems as though the update is being rolled out bit by bit. Some people can download it, others can't. I was able to download it last night, but I had to press the options button on the game's icon, and then select 'check for updates'. If that doesn't work, I'm sure it'll be available soon enough since CD Projekt Red stated that it would be within 24 hours.
@ShogunRok Thanks for the info. So 1.06 doesn't exist on ps4?
@Tunmats Nope - it's because the PC version had an additional patch earlier on, so to avoid confusion, the developer bumped console patches up to the same number.
Yeah, I can't download it yet either. Sounds good, though, thanks for the article!
Still can't download the update...I've been staring at my Witcher disc for weeks now cause I wanted to play it for the first time after this update. WAITING IT HARD ; ;
@get2sammyb
No download for me yet either...hope it comes soon
Dirty Funds quest completion! THANK YOU!
Thanks for the great guide. Can't wait to try it out.
Cool! Now if only it'd find the update for me, I'm still on 1.05 as the latest version. Hopefully it'll ready itself over night.
Yep. Still no sign in the UK.
I wonder how they are rolling this out.
I am in the UK and have it. Played it this evening. Started downloading yesterday at 6 or 7pm when I turned on...
CD Projekt Red has admitted there is a problem with PSN Europe and some countries/people not being able to download the patch. Sony and GOG are looking into it.
Still no update for me
@shogunRok nice video
Some good additions, and nice to see CDPR are really taking in feedback.
Personally Ive never hit the weight cap, as I dont really see a point in keeping armour and weapons I dont use or need, but for those that do, its a welcome addition Im sure.
Still can't download the patch in EU NL??
Is it still possible its coming out today?
Eurogamer has a whole article about how the patch causes the FPS on both consoles to drop considerably. I just started playing The Witcher this week amd havent got any problems with the inventory and movement, and I think Im goimg to wait..
@ToOGoodOfAPlaya same here. I sell all armour and weapons pretty much every time I pass a village...
Someone has commented that if you remove the unnecessary rubbish from the HUD then the framerate can climb. I have taken off the NPC's names and subtitles, the controls on the bottom right.
It looks cleaner but seeing as I am on 1.05 I cannot judge if it makes a difference.
@Flurpsel I did show @ShogunRok that article. He disagrees with it, but it's hard to argue with Digital Foundry's tickers and such. As is always the case with those Face-Off articles, though, they spotlight things that - in real-world practice - are difficult to see.
@get2sammyb I wonder if the smoother control method gives the illusion of a more stable framerate
@Flurpsel @kyleforrester87 I'm not trying to disprove DF - massive respect for those guys and what they do - but all I know is that on my game, Novigrad has never been smoother. That video I recorded is the best proof I can give, but it's also worth pointing out that I've spent over 500 hours playing this, so I like to think I know what I'm talking about at least.
Again, can't argue with DF - they have the facts right there - it's just that I can absolutely promise you that this isn't the case for me on my copy of the game. I can ride Roach around the city with usual dips in frame rate, but it's undoubtedly more stable than it was.
I'd also like to point out that the pop-in, like I said in the article, is dramatically improved. It was near impossible to ride around Novigrad before without seeing whole crowds fade in, and now, they always seem to be there no matter what.
Hope that helps, all I can provide is my own experience!
@ShogunRok it's no biggy, the game runs pretty good as it is. Just like to see how much smoother they can get in running. It's a bit of a shame to see the current gen consoles struggling a bit so early on, so would like to see it can be resolved through optimising the software. Would bode well for future releases.
I've still got nothing. Any chance they decided to hold it back? It's odd that a patch is taking that long to roll out.
This patch hasnt appeared for me yet. I've tried starting the game, I've tried manually checking for an update via the options... nothing. anyone else having this problem?????
@DrClayman Yeah same here dude. are you in the uk too? Im wondering if they're releasing it region by region to avoid too much strain on their servers or something?
@DrClayman @Doomrider It doesn't seem like anyone knows what's going on, to be honest. I got the patch on Friday (UK, physical copy), and many others have been downloading it today, but clearly there are a lot of people who still don't have it yet.
Either it's being staggered in a really, really weird way, or Sony's buggered something up.
it's a pretty big un so maybe that has something to do with the role out. Oh well we can wait!
@ShogunRok @Doomrider Yeah, UK, physical copy as well.
@ShogunRok thanks for the response, Ill give it a go then (as soon as it becomes available here)
It's been buggered up, PC master race are complaining about it...loads of issues. Still no sign of it in Ireland although some people got it on Friday.
Meh....
Well DF showed that this patch made the xb1 and ps4 performance even worse (drops to 19-20 fps are more common) so i guess CDPR stopped the update to look into that
@ShogunRok Just thought I'd point out how truly impressive that 500hrs play time is! I did some quick maths, and that is over 20 days of play. Seeing as the game only released 62 days ago, that is mental! You have spent 1/3 of all your time since the game came out playing it, and seeing as you need to sleep and eat too, I'm amazed you've had much time for anything else full stop!
@SteveButler2210 Yeah, I've hammered it to say the least. And @get2sammyb constantly reminds me of that fact, too! Once you actually work out how long 500+ hours is, it's a bit... yeah, it's a long time. No regrets!
Why can't i still download the patch 1.07? Very frustrating here not being able to download it!!!
I have the update! Now if they could just do something about the gwent cards. I need one (wyvern) to complete the set, but can't find it anywhere, I've battled everyone..at least I think I have & it's kinda annoying! Ive tried everything..saving before a match, quitting out and reloading when you get an impenetrable fog, at least a couple of times, then moving on!
Finally (!) It released in the Netherlands. @Shogunrok youre absolutely right about it feeling better in general. Perhaps in some specific situation DF is right, but overall the games feels smoother plus of course all the other improvements. All in all Im glad it finally released here
The new patch is great, movement and visuals much smoother. Lovely inventory system and "dirty funds" fixed. Thank you CD Projeckt......don't mind the haters.
SCEE undoubtedly screwed up the distribution.
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