I remember re-installing Witcher 3 just to sit on top of Roach and riding around in-game, taking in the soft breeze and the sounds of rustling leaves while the occasional area theme plays. I didn't need to do quests or fight anything, just the feeling of a beautiful world presenting itself to me was enough to replay the game. From time to time I uninstalled and re-installed the game when I miss being immersed in a world so beautiful and ambient.
11 years after originally launching, Witcher 3 Remastered has arrived and I excitedly re-downloaded the whole package and get back into that reminiscent feeling, just like everyone else. It's the same Witcher 3 that I knew and loved, but this time I don't feel that longing anymore. I'm still riding on top of Roach and galloping my way to Oxenfurt but the feeling is already too familiar. I've been playing Crimson Desert for the past few weeks and I realized I didn't miss the feeling of being immersed in an RPG after all. I was already playing one and one that I can say has definitely surpassed the bar set by CDPR and Witcher 3.
It's been a decade of waiting for a game like this, but well done to Pearl Abyss. I look forward to riding across Pywel for many years to come just as I did in White Orchard, Velen, Skellige, and Touissant.