Witcher 3 vs Elden Ring : Which One Is More Thrilling

The RPG genre has surpassed other genres at the speed of light and stands at the pinnacle of the gaming industry. Believe me or not, RPG games like Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, and Dark Souls are among the best creations ever made by humankind. Whether it's the stellar storyline or nerve-wracking battles, these games have emerged as a saviour for many gamers out there. However, if we were to rank the best game between Elden Ring and The Witcher 3, it would be a never-ending debate. 

Both games showcased their true potential and captivated millions of players with their superficial elements. To be very honest, comparing Elden Ring and Witcher 3 is like comparing the 2005 Galacticos and 2017-18 Invinvible Real Madrid.

Even though The Witcher 3 is an embodiment of the RPG genre, the answer will always be Elden Ring from my perspective. So, buckle up and learn to swing swords, as we’ll be dissecting which game is more thrilling and deserves the throne. 

Elden Ring vs. The Witcher 3 : Which Game Highlights the True Essence of RPG Titles

With two absolute titans of the RPG world, we have Geralt of Rivia on the Red corner, and on the blue corner, we have our beloved Tarnished! Choosing a game between Elden Ring and The Witcher 3 totally depends on your mood, and especially “grit to retry missions.” Released by CD Projekt Red in 2015, The Witcher 3 is a game adaptation of the Netflix series, which showcases brutal fights, relationships, and Geralt on a journey finding his daughter. This game should be on your wishlist if you are a hardcore fan of Geralt like me. Eventually, the game sold over 60 million copies, a gigantic figure that answers the question of why the silver-haired demon slayer is so famous in the community. 

On the other hand, Elden Ring is like mentioning a hyperactive kid who just drank 4 shots of espresso. For those who don’t know, FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is influenced by The Witcher 3. Released in 2022, this action RPG game set the benchmark that you can’t even imagine. Being one of the most popular games in the entire industry, Elden Ring redefined the meaning of hardcore gaming. Further selling more than 30 million copies, FromSoftware transcended the level by releasing Elden Ring: Nightreign in 2025. 

By giving a normal gist of the game, I just want to clarify that both games are considered the G.O.A.T and don’t need a forced debate like CR7 vs Messi. 

Which Game Captured the Best Combat Mechanism?

Hands down to the greatest combat mechanism in the gaming industry. If you are craving for good fight scenes, always count both of these prodigious games that are created once in a decade. Speaking of The Witcher 3’s combat and gameplay mechanics, it's simply a hack-and-slash combat, with Geralt using potions, magic, and hand-to-hand combat to slay a variety of demons. However, combat in Elden Ring is just pure skill, forget the word spamming, as hitboxes are low here, and you need precise timing to hit an attack. 

In The Witcher 3, the combat is similar to every RPG game out there; you work on stamina management, deliver an attack, and loot off the rewards like a sadist hero from an Isekai anime. Then what makes the combat mechanism different in The Witcher 3? Instead of spamming attacks or dodges, players need to work on strategic attacks and alchemy that provide buffs in a fight. Featuring a cinematic angle in the fighting choreography is the best thing a player can witness in this game. Besides that, this behemoth offers versatility and fluid, fast-paced attacks that feel like you are the actual Geralt of Rivia throughout the game. On the contrary, Elden Ring is more likely a brutal reality check that every player needs once in their gaming life. From custom-made playstyle and Tarnished, the game offers a physics-heavy combat mechanism and precise attack timings. 

Despite all combat and gameplay mechanisms being the same in both games, enemies are considered to be extremely difficult in Elden Ring. I won’t get flabbergasted if you told me that it took you around 20 tries to defeat your own mimic. Action in here might feel rigid and methodical as every outfit and weapon you bear tolls weight on your movement and blows. 

While The Witcher 3 depicts an already discussed narrative and action from the series, the combat in Elden Ring feels more visceral as one needs to learn the attack patterns instead of “going with a flow mindset”.  As of today, approx. 37% of Elden Ring players have defeated Malenia, Blade of Miquella, despite being an optional boss in the storyline. 

Aura Check : No Lies and no sugarcoating! It took me only 1 try to defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella! 

Which Game Showcases Oscar-Winning Storyline?

For this section, I would personally recommend The Witcher 3, because the entire game is focused on a heavy, cinematic, dialogue-driven storyline that captivates you till the end of the game. The game offers a rich pre-settled storyline, with which most of us are familiar. Storyline is the key aspect that lets an RPG game attain its full potential. If you are seeking a fantasy game where “Hero fights evil and saves the world,” then The Witcher 3 is not the game you are searching for. The narrative dives deeply into political influence, grudges, magic, and the journey of self-discovery and Geralt’s daughter, Ciri. Optional bosses and side quests are no joke; everything is interconnected with each other and plays a significant role in the entire lore.

However, the exploration side is much weaker compared to Elden Ring. Although The Witcher 3 is an Open-World RPG sandbox, due to a set storyline, there are no special moments or unique things to discover that most of the players find in Elden Ring. Even though the game was released in 2015, it has some great cinematic cut-scenes and visually appealing VFX that make the entire fandom addicted to the narration. Moreover, the already discussed protagonist leaves a deep emotional connection that makes the game even more eye-pleasing and captivating. 

Speaking of Elden Ring, the game is a combat-focused action RPG; however, as you dig in further, the storyline becomes unpredictable and covers every learning aspect from the game. Meaning you can’t even imagine that completing this quest will unlock these weapons and armor that once another Tarnished wore on their expeditions. Rather than indulging cinematic cut-scenes and dialogue framing, Elden Ring leans more towards the story-driven approach of exploration, world-building, and object description throughout the tale. 

The world of Elden Ring is harsher than you could imagine, as there’s not even a single indicator that showcases your remaining and completed quests, the entire storyline runs through exploration of distinct landscapes, and don’t you get shocked as each region will bring an unexpected boss whenever you lose grip of your controller. Speaking of visuals and sounds, Elden Ring has the upper hand, and if you are asking me to explain these terms via text…. Sorry, bud, they are captured as emotions can’t be explained through writing. 

Wrapping Up

According to RPG fans and my perception, The Witcher 3 is good, but Elden Ring is just a better game in every aspect. So if you are new to this genre, I would definitely recommend you start your journey with The Witcher 3, as combat is easy compared to this beast. Plus, you’ll get a great overview of the cinematic storyline with 36 distinct endings. But if you have cracked several RPG games and have opted for mental exhaustion, then Elden Ring is a perfect match for you. Featuring 6 main endings, the game will be a pain in the lumbar spine as you’ll need therapy sessions to retry boss fights. Eventually, the game lives best for plot twists and secret revelations so don’t loose your mind over these cause!