How to Simulate Witcher 2 Save for The Witcher 3

When CD Projekt Red released The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, they faced an unusual challenge. The franchise’s previous entry, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, boasted a highly branching narrative, with player decisions leading to dramatically different outcomes and world states. Yet, with the global expansion of The Witcher 3—across new platforms and to audiences unfamiliar with prior entries—most players didn’t have a Witcher 2 save file to import. To resolve this, the developers introduced the “simulate Witcher 2 save” feature, letting players define key narrative choices from the previous game.

This guide demystifies the process, explains why it matters, and highlights best practices for shaping Geralt’s history as you begin your journey in The Witcher 3.

Why Your Witcher 2 Decisions Matter in The Witcher 3

The Witcher series is renowned for its consequential storytelling. Unlike many RPGs that offer only cosmetic decision-making, The Witcher 2’s choices have far-reaching consequences—impacting political landscapes, fates of major characters, and even side quest availability in the third game.

For players with continuity in their saves, this meant a seamless transition. For the broader audience, “simulating a Witcher 2 save” became essential. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, the simulated choices you make affect more than just a few lines of dialogue—they can alter character alliances, trigger or block specific side stories, and even determine who lives or dies in Geralt’s world.

As games journalist and Witcher consultant Katarzyna Nowak observed:

“The simulation isn’t just a checklist. It’s an invitation for new players to shape the world’s history and take ownership of Geralt’s path, making The Witcher 3 accessible, yet deeply personalized.”

How to Simulate a Witcher 2 Save: Step-by-Step

1. Selecting the Simulation Option

At the start of The Witcher 3—right after the opening cinematic—players encounter a critical prompt. On PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, the game asks if you want to “simulate a Witcher 2 save.”
– If you have a Witcher 2 save (PC only), importing it will automatically set key decisions.
– If you do not, select Yes to simulation.
– On PlayStation and Xbox, simulation is the only option as there’s no cross-game save importer.

This choice determines whether Geralt’s past is set by your actions or developer-defined defaults.

2. The Imperial Audience: Answering Morvran Voorhis’ Questions

Early in the main quest, Geralt stands before General Morvran Voorhis in Vizima. Here, the simulation takes place through an in-universe interview—a clever narrative device.
Morvran peppers Geralt with questions about his past, essentially covering the major decisions from The Witcher 2.
Common choices include:
– The fate of Aryan La Valette (killed or spared)
– Who Geralt sided with: Vernon Roche or Iorveth
– What happened to Letho of Gulet (the Kingslayer)
– The outcome of Saskia’s story

Each answer you give here updates The Witcher 3’s world-state behind the scenes—affecting dialogue, available quests, and NPC interactions throughout the game.

Key Tip:

Take a moment to consult a summary or decision chart before this section if you aren’t familiar with the branching choices. Wikis and fan guides often provide detailed comparisons of each outcome.

3. Understanding the Consequences: What Changes in The Witcher 3

Unlike some games, The Witcher 3 doesn’t drastically rewrite its main story based on past choices—but the simulation has significant, tangible effects:

• Returning Characters: For example, Letho will appear only if you choose to have spared him.
• Unique Side Quests: Some side quests and optional scenes require specific answers in the simulation.
• Dialogues and Lore: Minor world details, rumors, and letters shift depending on your answers.

This level of continuity has been credited as a benchmark in RPG world-building, inspiring future titles to offer similar narrative bridges.

Best Practices: Making the Most of Simulated Saves

For players who didn’t experience The Witcher 2, the simulation doubles as a crash course in the franchise’s intricate politics and relationships. To get the most out of this feature:

• Research the Choices: Familiarize yourself with the characters and major consequences.
• Consider Role-Playing: Decide how you want your Geralt to be perceived—merciful, ruthless, or pragmatic.
• Replayability: Trying different configurations can unlock previously unseen content, extending the game’s lifespan.

Real-World Example: Letho’s Side Quest

A standout example of the save simulation’s importance is Letho’s side quest in Velen:
– If spared in simulation, Geralt can encounter Letho, gaining an entire questline and valuable story depth.
– If not, this entire thread is inaccessible.

It’s a microcosm of CD Projekt Red’s design philosophy—rewarding attentive, invested players with richer experiences.

Navigating Common Pitfalls

Even with its streamlined interface, the simulation process can be daunting. Some common issues players encounter include:

• Unintentionally skipping the simulation: Choosing “No” on the initial prompt results in default world states.
• Forgetting prior choices: The imperial interview doesn’t offer much backstory, risking confusion for even returning players.
• Missing content due to defaults: Newcomers may later learn they missed beloved side quests or Easter eggs.

To minimize regret, many fans advise a quick refresher on The Witcher 2’s outcomes or reviewing popular “canonical” choices favored by both fans and developers.

Should You Simulate or Use Defaults? A Comparative Analysis

If you skip simulation, the game loads developer defaults: Aryan is dead, Geralt sided with Roche, Letho is dead, and Saskia’s fate is left unresolved. For those seeking the “intended” Witcher 3 experience, this is fine—CD Projekt Red designed the game to stand alone if necessary.

However, simulating your saves—even with a few tailored choices—deepens the lore and rewards thoughtful engagement. The tradeoff is minimal confusion for first-timers versus added replay value and immersion for returning fans.

“The ability to influence The Witcher 3’s world with simulated decisions is a masterstroke, offering both accessibility and meaningful continuity for a diverse player base,” notes RPG historian Marek Pawlik.

Conclusion: Crafting Your Own Witcher Legacy

Simulating a Witcher 2 save in The Witcher 3 is about more than ticking boxes. It’s a unique opportunity to personalize your adventure and see the ripple effects of your decisions play out in a living, breathing fantasy world. Whether you are shaping Geralt’s legacy for the first time or importing a carefully curated backstory, understanding and leveraging this feature elevates The Witcher 3 from an incredible open-world RPG to an interactive epic shaped by your choices.

FAQs

What does “simulate Witcher 2 save” mean in The Witcher 3?

Simulating a Witcher 2 save allows players to define key narrative decisions from The Witcher 2 when starting The Witcher 3, especially useful if you don’t have an importable save file.

Does simulating your Witcher 2 save affect the main story?

While the main storyline remains largely the same, the simulation influences certain character appearances, dialogue options, and unlocks or locks side quests.

Is it possible to change your simulated choices after starting the game?

Once your choices are made during the interview sequence, they cannot be altered in that playthrough. Changing them requires starting a new game.

Will certain characters appear only if I pick specific choices in the simulation?

Yes. For instance, Letho of Gulet will only show up if you choose to have spared him in the simulated decisions.

Should new players bother with the simulation or use the default state?

New players can comfortably use the default state, but simulating choices adds depth and can enhance immersion, even for those unfamiliar with prior games.

Can console players import an actual Witcher 2 save?

No, only PC players have the option to import a Witcher 2 save file. Console users can only simulate prior choices through the interview sequence.