Netflix’s The Witcher is the latest adaptation of of the franchise, this time premiering on the streaming platform. From original novels, immensely popular video games, and now this, it seems safe to say that fans are being treated with such a diverse portfolio of adaptations. Note: This article contains minor spoilers for Netflix’s The Witcher.
The Witcher, as mentioned above, was originally published in Poland in the early 1990s and consisted of two collections of short stories featuring Geralt of Rivia and some of the tales that fans have come to recognize him for. After the two short story collections were published, Sapkowski then released a series of novels connected to the collections known as The Witcher Saga. After the novels, a film and TV series were adapted from them for the screen in Poland, almost two decades before the Netflix series. Those iterations of the The Witcher were called The Hexer, which is basically another translation from the original title - Wiedźmin.
CD Projekt Red started its own adaptation of the series through video games with the release of 2007’s The Witcher, the sequels of which brought the franchise to the level of popularity that the Netflix show is currently harvesting to great success. And for fans who want more, here is what fans should consider picking up at first, be it a video game or a book, to continue scratching that Witcher itch.
The Last Wish And Sword Of Destiny
The first season of Netflix’s The Witcher is primarily based on the first two publications in the series - The Last Wish and The Sword of Destiny. The two short story collections feature the same key plot points that are found in the Netflix show and thus would make for a great reading to get some original context (albeit via translation). One of the storylines that carried over include Foltest’s Striga problem which is portrayed in the Netflix show quite accurately.
Episode 4 of the show - Of Banquets, Bastards, and Burials - features another story, a celebration at Queen Calanthe’s palace, and is considered to be one of the most important moments in the show’s plot. The main difference between the novel and the show is the level of Geralt’s reluctance throughout the unfolding chaos in the palace. Going back to read these stories after watching the show should bring up interesting comparisons.
Blood Of Elves
Though it was released after The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, Blood of Elves is considered to be the first of The Witcher Saga. Season two of Netflix’s The Witcher is more than likely going to feature a sizable chunk of source material from Blood of Elves, so it makes sense to get a jump on the show by reading the novel in advance of The Witcher’s second season’s eventual release on Netflix. Some key plot points the show can take from this novel include Geralt’s supervision over Ciri at Kaer Morhen, the sanctuary that holds the former training ground of Witchers.
It could also feature, earlier on than in the novel, Yennefer’s introduction and subsequent relationship with Ciri as one of the main storylines. If the final words of season one, Ciri’s “who is Yennefer" are any indication, then their relationship probably will be explored a little more. The plotlines in Blood of Elves can also be found in The Witcher line of video games.
CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher Games
More specifically, those who have never played any of The Witcher games would probably have the best experience playing The Witcher 3:Wild Hunt, due to it being the most recent and biggest game in the series. The game does show a small optional cut-scene at the beginning that allows for the player to pick pre-generated outcomes that simulate choices from the previous games. Though the more dedicated could enjoy playing the original two games first, most are better off just starting with the third.
With the complete edition of The Witcher 3, which includes the huge expansion packs Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, new players can expect an enormous amount of playable Witcher content that features many of the stories from the novels (and subsequently the show as well). For those who have played The Witcher 3 and are looking for a similar game to get their hands on, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is about as close to The Witcher as the Assassin’s Creed series has gotten. Still, The Witcher 3’s new game plus mode is always there for a replay just in case.
The Witcher is available now on Netflix.
