Witcher 4 shown running on PS5 in stunning new demo footage

At the State of Unreal 2025, CD Projekt Red unveiled an impressive new tech demo for The Witcher 4, highlighting its cutting-edge graphics, immersive world design, and the debut of nanite foliage, which dramatically enhances the realism of natural environments.

The presentation opened with a cinematic trailer depicting a carriage ambushed by a flying creature. The transition into gameplay is seamless, picking up with Ciri investigating the wreckage. The visual fidelity is immediately striking, and aside from the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, The Witcher 4 stands out as one of the first truly “next-gen” titles. CD Projekt confirmed the demo was running on a standard PlayStation 5 with ray tracing enabled.

We’re introduced to Kelpie, Ciri’s horse companion — a sleek black stallion with a red saddle that matches her red-and-black attire. While riding, the upgraded physics engine is on full display: Kelpie’s body moves with realistic weight, and individual muscles are visibly flexing as she gallops, adding an impressive layer of authenticity.

The camera then pulls back to showcase the surrounding wilderness. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5.6’s nanite foliage, the demo features trees, grass, and plant life rendered with incredible density, lifelike detail, and essentially unlimited draw distance.

Zooming back in, Ciri arrives at a bustling port town. Here, the game’s world responsiveness shines. In a crowded market, townsfolk gather to watch a performing bear, while Ciri weaves through the throng. She bumps into a passerby carrying a crate of apples, prompting him to react and drop a few pieces. Even small details — like being able to seamlessly have your Witcher drop a coin to a beggar — add to the world’s interactivity and depth.

While no release window has been provided, The Witcher 4 is confirmed to be the first installment in a new trilogy. It’s one of three Witcher projects currently in development, alongside a full remake of the original 2007 game and a multiplayer-focused title codenamed Sirius, being developed by Boston-based subsidiary The Molasses Flood.