The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Hearts of Stone

 PlayStation 4
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 2040 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,860 out of 2040
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 2040
  3. Negative: 132 out of 2040

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  1. Hectik
    Nov 23, 2015
    9
    I'm new to the series, but I fell in love with this game after finishing it and made me download the previous 2.

    Pros: Expansive lore, great story, memorable characters, decisions are not just black and white and are relevant to the ending, decent AI, Gwent! Cons: glitches but most have been fixed with recent updates, combat and overall controls/camera angles can be shoddy    I'm new to the series, but I fell in love with this game after finishing it and made me download the previous 2.

    Pros: Expansive lore, great story, memorable characters, decisions are not just black and white and are relevant to the ending, decent AI, Gwent!

    Cons: glitches but most have been fixed with recent updates, combat and overall controls/camera angles can be shoddy especially in tight areas like inside caverns,    … Expand
  2. RodSal
    Jun 6, 2016
    9
    Bought this last week for a cheap price. All worth it. I love it all but i really missed some contracts and side missions just like the original game. But all i can say the main quest is creepy and all the details should be appreciated. DO IT ALL. Talk to everybody. Understand all the elements involving the main characters in this awsome adventure. Get it now if you enjoyed the witcher 3.
  3. silverXXwolf
    May 15, 2017
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Unrivaled value. I haven't started Blood and Wine yet, but as far as bang-for-buck is concerned, Hearts of Stone takes other developers to the cleaners. This little slice of brilliance fully upholds the core game's master craftsmanship, even surpassing it in some areas. The new monsters and characters are uniquely twisted and interesting, and the main/side quests are well designed and deeply engaging. With that said, I'm docking 1 point for the following reasons:

    ***POTENTIAL SPOILERS***

    1. The final "boss fight" was interesting, but completely underwhelming. Way too short and easy. I was expecting more of a challenge, especially considering how difficult the preceding quests were.

    2. There were a few inconsistencies and unanswered questions relating to the main characters and their motivations.

    3. There is one side quest that is broken and impossible to complete (which was confirmed by numerous online forums). Tech support is no longer addressing the issue, which I found pretty irritating.

    Aside from that, Hearts of Stone is DLC-done-right...very right. Hats off to Projekt Red, once again.    … Expand
  4. Radoslavus
    Mar 30, 2017
    9
    One of only two pre-orders that I ever did. I can't give it a 10 because there is Blood and Wine, but damn it's still amazingly good. It deserves a 9.5/10. In pre-order i payed only 8 euros, for a 12 hour experience. I played it slow to enjoyed every bit of it. Best deal ever.
  5. HonestGamer_123
    May 1, 2017
    9
    I say this with all honesty and sincerity, The Witcher 3's "Hearts of Stone" is the greatest DLC expansion that I have ever played. I love almost everything about it. Everything from Its captivating story to its chilling and yet, breathtaking soundtrack. I was so emotionally involved within the storyline, that I often wondered if I was playing a standalone sequel to the original game or aI say this with all honesty and sincerity, The Witcher 3's "Hearts of Stone" is the greatest DLC expansion that I have ever played. I love almost everything about it. Everything from Its captivating story to its chilling and yet, breathtaking soundtrack. I was so emotionally involved within the storyline, that I often wondered if I was playing a standalone sequel to the original game or a small $10 downloadable mission pack. Honestly, I still can't tell the difference.… Expand
  6. XxAlbertoBuzzxX
    Jun 2, 2020
    9
    THE WITCHER 3: WILD HUNT - HEARTS OF STONE
    ................................................................................................
  7. Berik
    Apr 24, 2019
    9
    Hearts of Stone Expansion:
    This expansion adds several question marks, a new storyline, a few creatures and a runewright.
    The new story is fantastic, and draws you in regarding Gaunter O'Dimm. Regarding the new creatures however, i expected more effort. Enemies like the Arachnoid don't get a proper Witcher contract or an introduction, and it is left to chaotic encounters to introduce    Hearts of Stone Expansion:
    This expansion adds several question marks, a new storyline, a few creatures and a runewright.

    The new story is fantastic, and draws you in regarding Gaunter O'Dimm. Regarding the new creatures however, i expected more effort. Enemies like the Arachnoid don't get a proper Witcher contract or an introduction, and it is left to chaotic encounters to introduce this new monster.

    The order of the flaming rose is also barely explained, which is a missed opportunity. I like the inclusion of more high powered monsters around question marks, and the runewright gives you more options to modify your gear. This expansion is fantastic, i give it a 9/10.    … Expand
  8. Bbplayer
    Nov 1, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This DLC will mess with your head in so many ways. It just gets better and better. If you have it, play it. The only con in the whole dlc in my opinion was the puzzle area painting state. Trying to figure that out was annoying. Besides that, awesome DLC.… Expand
  9. shaggx83
    Jul 25, 2020
    9
    I started playing TW3 when all the DLCs have already come out, so if feels like one game to me as I go from main story and DLCs back and forth. Again, the fact that the DLCs added so much good content, not just filler made the game even more special.
  10. Jonneeyy
    Mar 30, 2020
    9
    Tolle Storyerweiterung für Fans vom Hexer Geralt, die einfach nicht genug bekommen.
  11. 22schrosa
    Aug 4, 2020
    9
    In short, the DLC starts off a little rough, but after that it was almost perfect. The toad Prince boss fight was poorly done, and has some issues with hit boxes, and the fact that those soldiers get there right after you kill it is a coincidence. Then, I just thought that the Mage's tornado attack was BS. But after that the DLC is nearly perfect.
  12. Aapox1
    Jul 17, 2020
    9
    Although I prefer B&W, HOS is also amazing. Great story, cool characters both old and new, some really cool boss fights, as a whole its very enjoyable
  13. LesandroBonucci
    Mar 29, 2021
    9
    i wish this story would last forever
    i wish this story would last forever
    i wish this story would last forever
  14. Jollyolfun
    Mar 16, 2022
    9
    Pretty dope DLC. Not quite as good as blood and wine but still great. Also you get a cool face scar!
  15. george_bondo
    Jan 12, 2023
    9
    fantastic, extraordinary and impressive dlc, i love cd project red so much man
  16. lightyears
    Oct 17, 2015
    8
    For what I have played so far, it looks like another masterpiece. Altough it has a drawback. To start with the good news. The story line rivals that of Witcher 2 and Witcher 3. Some unexpected story changes. New tribes and culures that add a new experience of mystique to the series. The new landscapes in the expansion are among the best in the entire Witcher series. Only drawback is thatFor what I have played so far, it looks like another masterpiece. Altough it has a drawback. To start with the good news. The story line rivals that of Witcher 2 and Witcher 3. Some unexpected story changes. New tribes and culures that add a new experience of mystique to the series. The new landscapes in the expansion are among the best in the entire Witcher series. Only drawback is that the difficulty level seems to have gone up to much. I play for the story. And even on the lowest difficulty settings this expansion pack is challenging. And if you die, the loading times are long and annoying. I dont like to go dead in 1 minute and than have to wait 2 minutes to try again. That annoys and decreases the experience. Therefore I say 85 score.… Expand
  17. Ecresis
    Jun 8, 2016
    8
    I'm writing this review after playing Blood and Wine, and I'll give it a 8/10.

    Great addition to the game, new area to play with, some very clever monsters to beat, once again, epic story and sidequests. You're still in Velen/Novigrad so you won't feel anything really new while exploring. Remember when you discovered Skellige, well here you won't have that feeling, it's just east    I'm writing this review after playing Blood and Wine, and I'll give it a 8/10.

    Great addition to the game, new area to play with, some very clever monsters to beat, once again, epic story and sidequests.

    You're still in Velen/Novigrad so you won't feel anything really new while exploring. Remember when you discovered Skellige, well here you won't have that feeling, it's just east from Oxenfurt.

    Compared to Blood and Wine, it's not as good, as inventive, but it's a good first DLC, and it has the advantage to be in the same region as Novigrad/Velen so you can easily find your marks and do the other sidequests from the main game while playing the DLC.    … Expand
  18. lndroid
    Dec 28, 2015
    8
    Awesome graphics, interesting history but a little bit complicated and hard to get along. If you are really into RPG games you will really enjoy it. But it can persuede some more ocational players like me. Nevertheless I had fun and remained stick with the story.
  19. SuperkenGaming
    Oct 13, 2015
    8
    The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Hearts of Stone
    Kind of an Expansion.
    When I think Expansion I think of a completely new area, Hearts of Stone doesn’t offer us a location like a borderlands or Skyrim expansion would, but it does expand.. at least in Novigrad Hearts of Stone ads about 10 hours and tons of greatness we got from the main game, more undiscovered locations, treasure hunts, side    The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Hearts of Stone
    Kind of an Expansion.
    When I think Expansion I think of a completely new area, Hearts of Stone doesn’t offer us a location like a borderlands or Skyrim expansion would, but it does expand.. at least in Novigrad
    Hearts of Stone ads about 10 hours and tons of greatness we got from the main game, more undiscovered locations, treasure hunts, side quests, boobs, new enemies, new loot, and 13 trophies.
    This is unfortunately just more of the same, most of this dlc is more side quest feely than something that could stand on its own.
    We do however now have the ability to enchant our armor and weapons.
    The recommended level to start this dlc is 30.
    You can start the new dlc with your older save or with a premade level 32 geralt.
    Hearts of Stone Starts out with Geralt killing a giant toad, only problem is, this toad is a prince.
    Geralt is in a bit of trouble, or is he?
    He gets some help and now you have to spend the rest of the game clearing your debt by being David beckhams genie.
    You set out into the for the most part new locations to grant his seemingly impossible 3 wishes.
    You’ll end up doing a heist, find yourself in a painted world, solving puzzles, and taking on some pretty great bosses.
    There are quite a few awesome bosses, so you won’t be missing the lack of contracts too much, but these bosses are nowhere near as awesome as they are in the main game.
    Hearts of Stone in my opinions starts off a bit slow, but once you get over the initial hump 3 hour hump, the much better 2nd half of the dlc and its story will have you hooked.
    I loved the new characters introduced, I loved solving the mystery behind this stone hearted character and this mystery man that’s been following Geralt around.
    If you’re still hungry for more witcher content, grab this dlc
    For what it is

    Action Adventure RPG Expansion: 8/10
    Overall: 8/10    … Expand
  20. Gamecriticpro
    Jun 2, 2016
    8
    This DLC is a great addition to an already great game. It adds new locations, new quest, new armor/weapons, enemies, and a new story line. It'e all very well done and my only complaint is some of the new fights felt unbalanced and tedious.
  21. likevin96
    Jan 10, 2017
    8
    Pros:
    - More of the Witcher 3
    - Fun boss fights - New characters are interesting and captivating - Excellent plot with great emotional highs for a 10 hour game Cons: - Some of the quests, while interesting, drag on a bit too long - Lack of meaningful side quests - New equipment is somewhat limited - Would have appreciated a bit more tie-in with the story of the actual game (even    Pros:
    - More of the Witcher 3
    - Fun boss fights
    - New characters are interesting and captivating
    - Excellent plot with great emotional highs for a 10 hour game

    Cons:
    - Some of the quests, while interesting, drag on a bit too long
    - Lack of meaningful side quests
    - New equipment is somewhat limited
    - Would have appreciated a bit more tie-in with the story of the actual game (even the appearance of a character or two would have been nice)

    True Score: 8.4    … Expand
  22. chrisdan23
    Jun 12, 2022
    8
    Mit dem Hearts of Stone DLC erweitert CD Project Red ihre Witcher 3 Welt nicht nur um eine spannende Quest Reihe, sondern führt auch einige der interessantesten Charakter des Witcher Universums ein. Neben der Hauptquest um die Geschichte von Olgierd von Everec und dessen dunklem Deal mit dem Spiegelmeister, lernen wir hier auch die Ärztin Shani kennen, die naja, wir wissen ja wie das beiMit dem Hearts of Stone DLC erweitert CD Project Red ihre Witcher 3 Welt nicht nur um eine spannende Quest Reihe, sondern führt auch einige der interessantesten Charakter des Witcher Universums ein. Neben der Hauptquest um die Geschichte von Olgierd von Everec und dessen dunklem Deal mit dem Spiegelmeister, lernen wir hier auch die Ärztin Shani kennen, die naja, wir wissen ja wie das bei The Witcher läuft mit den interessanten Frauenfiguren. Neben den neuen Charakteren und deren Geschichten, öffnet sich auch die Karte von Nowigrad Richtung Osten und wir können nun Gebiete bereisen und erkunden, die uns vorher verwehrt waren. Eine tolle Erweiterung für The Witcher 3, die man unbedingt gespielt und in das Main Spiel integriert haben sollten. Auch wegen der tollen Viper Rüstung, die man im DLC erhalten kann.… Expand
  23. rotten_steel
    Oct 3, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The story is so good. I'm impressed with the writing and the walkthrough. But, I think the ending is a little bit unsatisfying. Not like the main campaign, its both good or bad ending has no battle at all (battle that you'll play yourself or in the cutscenes). And when you finished it, you'll feel like "SO, IS THAT ALL?!" In good ending, How geralt repel Gauntier is so light and unsatisfying. I thought there will be fight!… Expand
  24. Mondyjoy
    Sep 23, 2020
    8
    it was overall a very nice dlc, expanding quests and all that we know and love.
  25. B00tador
    Dec 5, 2021
    8
    High quality DLC, but writing not quite at the level of the main game or the 2nd DLC
  26. tsakiym
    Jul 27, 2016
    7
    the style, the atmosphere, the quests is just perfect but on the other hand we have the gameplay... for 2015-16 this is a joke. no combat mechanics, a stupid horse that u cant ride, Gerald's walk-swim style was so unstable that u cant loot in front of you,laggy menu (when you have many items), and much more. but the worst of all is the freaking loading's.

    many times wile i played it i    the style, the atmosphere, the quests is just perfect but on the other hand we have the gameplay... for 2015-16 this is a joke. no combat mechanics, a stupid horse that u cant ride, Gerald's walk-swim style was so unstable that u cant loot in front of you,laggy menu (when you have many items), and much more. but the worst of all is the freaking loading's.

    many times wile i played it i sed "f**k it i quit, this is awful".i finished it, i want to play it again (new game +) but i dont want to break my nerves    … Expand
  27. TheOneLeon
    Dec 21, 2015
    7
    Witcher 3 is probably my game of the year for many reasons, but one in particular is what made it so enjoyable: respect. The game respects both your knowledge of the game's mechanics and your skills in combat by offering tough but fair challenges where you will fight enemies on equal ground. In the Witcher 3, if you die, it is the fault of YOU, not the game in any way. Hearts of StoneWitcher 3 is probably my game of the year for many reasons, but one in particular is what made it so enjoyable: respect. The game respects both your knowledge of the game's mechanics and your skills in combat by offering tough but fair challenges where you will fight enemies on equal ground. In the Witcher 3, if you die, it is the fault of YOU, not the game in any way. Hearts of Stone threw this out the window almost immediately. I absolutely love the preface and the story, but the enemies became so unforgiving all of a sudden that it became a rage-inducing slog through what should have been a grand adventure. From high level enemies in every area that are almost always guaranteed to be able to kill you in one to three hits regardless of your level or skills, to bosses with cheap nearly-instant-death tactics (I'm looking squarely at you, Frog Prince and Olfieri Mage.) to some incredibly awkward forced group fights against hordes of enemies in small, tight rooms that guarantee multiple deaths, this at times felt like I was playing Dark Souls in its degree of difficulty. If you're able to grind your way through, you will find a solid expansion. Just be prepared to spike your controller on more than one occasion.… Expand
  28. Bastrix
    Dec 18, 2015
    6
    I must say I'm not a huge fan of these kind of games, I've played very few RPG games of this kind in my life, but my opinion might still be valuable for other similar gamers.

    Anyway since there are so many good reviews for this game I purchased a digital version on PS4 and gave it a go. I'd been playing Dying light and Batman previous to this title (both awesome games), and my first    I must say I'm not a huge fan of these kind of games, I've played very few RPG games of this kind in my life, but my opinion might still be valuable for other similar gamers.

    Anyway since there are so many good reviews for this game I purchased a digital version on PS4 and gave it a go. I'd been playing Dying light and Batman previous to this title (both awesome games), and my first impression when I started up this game was... "eeermmm ok... I thought graphics where suppose to be stunning"... Well maybe they are on PC, I dunno, but to be honest I found them average.

    On the other hand once I got outside into the huge open world, the lightning effects, the sounds, the music are great. The game is huge, the characters voice acting is great and I can see why people love this game. However, I must be picky because I didn't actually read anything that talked about how damn clunky the character handling is, it's just terrible, slow, sluggish, clunky, fustrating.

    I played this game everyday for a week, I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't get around the terrible handling and poor performance at some points (with framerate drops). Trying to explore the interiors of houses with that handling is just fustrating and boring, It ruins the game for me, and the combats just don't feel satisfying either. So I lost interest.

    I like games where the characters animation and movement and realism is polished and realistic. I like stunning graphics and intense action. Didn't find any of that in this game.    … Expand
  29. t0mmyg
    Mar 16, 2017
    6
    More of the same boring, clunky fetch quest filled Witcher. I got the expansion hoping that with improvements to the gameplay and inventory I would come around to see what all the hype was about. Unfortunately if you didn't already love the Witcher this doesn't add anything to change your mind. If you already love it, then I guess more of the same is right up your ally.
  30. HenriqueV
    Oct 18, 2015
    5
    Hearts of Stone DLC highlights the good and bad things about Witcher 3. The characters are really good and unique. Sometimes the storytelling is just superb. The game introduces some interesting Bloodborne/Dark Souls esk boss fights.

    But, there are problems. Don't get me wrong, I loved W3, but 2 problems with the game strikes really hard here. First one is combat system. Combat in    Hearts of Stone DLC highlights the good and bad things about Witcher 3. The characters are really good and unique. Sometimes the storytelling is just superb. The game introduces some interesting Bloodborne/Dark Souls esk boss fights.

    But, there are problems. Don't get me wrong, I loved W3, but 2 problems with the game strikes really hard here. First one is combat system. Combat in Witcher 3 is just not good enough, and thats a problem with those new boss fights, because they require precision and agility, and thats somethig you won't find in W3 combat system.

    Another huge problem is pacing. Lets think about W3. From the beginning the game sets Geralt's goal: he must find Ciri as soon as possible. Thats really odd, because in order for find Ciri and enjoy the best ending, you must do a lot of side quests that takes your time, not to mention you will killing monsters and playing Gwent, so at the end of the day you just ask yourself: "wait, this game is called Wild Hunt, and is about Wild Hunt trying to catch Ciri, but is that really a big deal?".

    The game also have a bad approach in introducing those side/personal quests. Right after you just completed a quest in the main story, some character will ask for some favor, but if you believe you have more important things to do, you won't be able to start them anymore if you a reach a point of the game that is still far from the ending. For example, after I finally found Dandelion he just asked for a help with his cabaret (!!!), but I already had new information on Ciri whereabouts and went looking for her, but I was shocked when the game told me I would lost that Dandelion quest, so I was really supposed to get involved in a cabaret quest before finding Ciri.

    Thats not something that happens will all open world games, as some say. Just think about GTA V. When you start the game you are controlling 3 different criminals in Los Santos and thats it. There is not a goal set from the beginning.

    The same thing happens here in Hearts of Stone. If Geralt is supposed to give a ghost the night of his life, at some point Geralt will be using (again) his witcher's senses to find someone lost in the woods. If Geralt is supposed to steal some kind of secret treasure, at some point the whole thing will become a family issue between two characters that have nothing to do with the DLC main story and one hour ago you dind't even know they existed and you just don't care.

    The game starts with a boss fight, and for the rest of the main quest you will be only talking to people and using you witcher's senses, before getting into 2 boss fights in the space of 10 minutes or so.

    Despite the word "expansion", its not an expasion at all, just a regular DLC. There is just not enough content. Someone might say the 10/12 hours required to complete the main plot is as long as some "full games" around, but gameplay hours doesn't mean that much. I invested around 80 hours in Dragon Age Inquisition, and the same amount of time in Witcher 3, but Geralt adventure is bigger and offer you so musch more in terms of storytelling and content, but in Hearts of Stone I just got the feeling the game was using tricks to get longer than it should have been.

    The ending was also pretty unsatisfying, and I wish the game invested more in developing its main plot, so HoS is a missing opportunity.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best PS4 Game of 2015
34
#34 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
53
#53 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. GameCritics
    Jan 9, 2016
    90
    It's so good, in fact, that I'm still eager for more. It's a good thing that the next expansion, Blood and Wine, is coming soon...
    Read full review
  2. PSNStores
    Dec 17, 2015
    90
    From the many new locales and scenarios, to character development and the story’s twists and turns, Hearts of Stone is an experience that is absolutely worth checking out for fans of The Witcher 3.
    Read full review
  3. PLAY! Zine
    Dec 8, 2015
    90
    Good story, interesting characters, well written dialogue and new gameplay mechanics all make Hearts of Stone a must buy for Witcher 3 fans.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »