The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is currently dominating video game charts around the world. I’ve been playing the PC version and I’ve got to say that it is possibly the best PC game I’ve ever played- even surpassing my beloved Skyrim.

As you would expect with an AAA release like this, there’s also a premium collector’s edition. I’ve been taking a look at The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Xbox One Collector’s Edition.

The Witcher 3 has been a long time coming, but it’s here now and comes with a rather impressive-looking collector’s edition.

As seems to be the norm with these special editions, The Witcher 3 CE comes in a huge and very public transport-unfriendly box. It’s pretty heavy, as well, which is a good sign.

The lid and flaps of the box has been signed by the staff at CD Projekt RED, which is a really nice touch.

On the top of the box is a rather intriguing and nicely finished glossy slipcase.

It’s heavy and a very nice way to present the collectors’ material.

The slipcase pulls apart into two pieces and reveals a tray.

First we have The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Art Book, which I believe is included in digital form with the PC version of the game (it was with my copy, anyway).

It’s a hardbound with a striking metallic cover. It has a introduction by Konrad Tomaszkiewitz, the game’s director and carries a warning that it may contain spoilers.

Not only is the book full of beautiful concept illustration, the images are accompanied by text that gives an interesting insight into the game design process.

It’s great to see locations that you recognise from the game and to see how they were first envisioned on paper.

The production paintings are amazingly intricate, some bordering on fine art.

The art book is nicely designed and wouldn’t at all look out of place on the coffee table.

Under the art book, the next item in the slipcase tray is a cloth map of The Northern Realms.

The map is full of detail, but I wouldn’t say it’s of the highest quality. It’s a screen print on a piece of fraying cloth. Looks good from a distance.

Under the map we start to get into the nitty-gritty with the package’s smaller items (including the game itself).

The finely detailed metal replica of Geralt’s wolf medallion, looks good on the shelf, as a cosplay prop or as a piece of everyday jewelry guaranteed to get you some odd looks on the bus.

The Xbox One version of the collector’s edition features two decks of gwent cards, the card game played in the game.

The decks come complete with a rulebook and winning counters so you can enjoy Geralt’s favourite card game with friends.

The decks provided were those of the Nilfgaardian Empire and the Northern Realms. 

Each house has it’s own unique cards, with two double-sided leader cards. There’s enough cards in a deck for two players to play a round with the same house.

Just as in the game, the cards also depict characters from the story and the series’ lore.

The cards are very nice and a great exclusive collectable item for Xbox One owners.

Now on to the game itself. Which is the reason we are here. This being a CD Projekt RED game, even the vanilla version is packed with extras, which collector’s edition owners get in addition to all special goodies.

Inside the case we find the game, itself, and a fairly detailed manual with just enough information to get you started.

Under the game disc, there’s the soundtrack CD.

In addition to the manual, the game comes with a copy of The Witcher Universe Compendium.

This short guide gives players a bit of background to the exotic world of The Witcher, its inhabitants and its history. At the back there’s a code that can be redeemed for a digital comic from Dark Horse.

There’s also a paper version of the cloth map exclusive to the collector’s edition.

To be truthful, the paper version is a lot better looking.

There’s also a couple of wolf head stickers which may or may not be useful.

The last item in the game box is a bit curious and touching at the same time. CD Projekt RED have included a little thank you note to gamers that purchased the game, thanking them for their support.

Special edition owners that find the game’s regular packaging a bit dull will be please to find a steelbook in the package. On the front is a nice portrait of Geralt.

Whilst on the back is a portrait of the game’s female lead, Ciri. And that’s it for the items in the collector’s edition slipcase.

On to the huge lump of polystyrene underneath.

This huge lump of packaging does, of course, contain the statue of Geralt fighting a griffin.

The top of the packaging is emblazoned with The Witcher’s wolf logo.

The three-piece statue is very well protected.

The main part of the statue is made from weighty polystone, with the griffin’s tail and Geralt’s sword blade being made from plastic, but with quality metal rod fixings. They slot into the main statue easily and are firmly attached.

I’ve got to say that this huge statue is easily the most impressive  piece that I’ve seen in a game’s collector’s edition package.

Hand painted and full of detail, it’s a solid piece that’s a pleasure to take in.

The statue captures a dynamic action pose as Geralt bears down on the stricken griffin.

You can almost hear the griffin’s scream as Geralt brings his blade down.

Geralt wields his silver blade with his steel sword shelthed on his back.

There’s loads of  meticulously modeled tiny details.

Look at the wolf detail on the sword hilt.

Geralt’s face isn’t as finely detailed as I’d perhaps have liked.

But it is still, unmistakably, Geralt (I’m looking at you Ubisoft).

The base says it all.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Collector’s Edition is a huge box packed to the brim with the sort of goodies that’ll excite any fan of the series. The standout item is, of course, the beautiful statue, closely followed by the excellent art book.

All in all, this is a pretty spectacular package, made all the more awesome with the Xbox One version including physical gwent card.

Without a doubt the perfect accompaniment to what is likely to be the game of the year.