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The Witcher 3 might be the most famous game in the series, but it's not the only one that matters. Both the first and second titles include important details about the series that you won't know if you haven't played them.

RELATED: The Reasons Witcher 2 Is Better Than Witcher 3 And Ones Why 3 Will Always Be The Best

Unfortunately, neither game is available on the eighth or ninth generation of consoles, unlike their predecessor. As a result, anyone playing Witcher 3 on those systems isn't able to import a save. Thankfully, the developers incorporated a way for your Witcher 2 choices to carry over with the inclusion of simulated saves. There's some confusion around the process, however. So, here is everything you need to know about it to decide whether it's right for you.

How Simulating A Witcher 2 Save Affects The Witcher 3

Witcher 3 Screenshot Of Geralt Being Questioned

Many players are unsure when presented with the chance to simulate a save because it sounds like the game will make the past decisions for you. After all, the word 'simulate' in other titles usually results in taking away control. For instance, in FIFA's career mode, if you simulate a game, a result is generated without your input. However, in Witcher 3, it means the exact opposite. By choosing to simulate a save, you get to decide what happened in The Witcher 2.

More confusion arises when you start the save as you don't get the option to dictate your world state immediately. Instead, a few hours into the story - right before meeting Emperor Emhyr - you'll have a discussion with Morvran Voorhis. He will ask you several questions about your escapades in the previous game, allowing you to rebuild the world as you see fit. So, this is the right choice for those wanting their decisions to carry over.

How Playing Without A Simulated Save Affects The Witcher 3

Witcher 2 Screenshot Of Sile De Tansarville

Picking to not simulate a Witcher 2 save doesn't just randomize the decisions of the previous game. The game gives you a set world state that the developers have chosen. Here are the choices that are made:

  • Geralt spared Aryan La Valette.
  • Geralt sided with Vernon Roche over Iorveth.
  • Geralt saved Anais in Loc Muinne; instead of Triss (although Triss still lives).
  • Geralt let the malfunctioning megascope kill the powerful sorceress, Sile de Tansarville.
  • Geralt killed Letho at the end of the game.

All of these choices have some effect on your Witcher 3 adventure. However, none of them are hugely significant.

Related: The Witcher 3: Beginner Traps You Need To Avoid

How An Imported Save Differs From A Simulated One (PC Only)

The Witcher 3 Screenshot Of Geralt's Neck Tattoo

For PC players, it is possible to import a Witcher 2 save, but you can still choose to simulate one if you wish and if you pick the exact same decisions you made in The Witcher 2, then a simulated save isn't too different from an imported one.

Yet, there are a few benefits to importing a completed game. For instance, the process is quicker as you can skip the conversation with Morvran Voorhis, and more importantly, the blue stripes neck tattoo carries over. Therefore, if you want your Witcher 2 world state to remain the same, and it's possible to import, then there's no reason not to do so.

NEXT: The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough