The Witcher 3 Remastered is now available, and its updated presentation has already prompted a debate about lighting. The remaster produces a brighter image, but some players feel that the extra glow makes scenes look washed out compared with the original game.
PC players have a straightforward way to reduce that effect: open the graphics settings and switch bloom off. The change does not restore every aspect of the earlier presentation, but it can bring back stronger contrast and a moodier look.
Since review coverage and screenshot comparisons appeared, players have disagreed about whether the remaster is too bright. Some prefer the bold shadows of the original release, while others favour the remaster’s more realistic and sophisticated lighting. Disabling bloom gives the first group an immediate adjustment to try.
One comparison shared by Alox shows the difference between leaving bloom enabled and switching it off: pic.twitter.com/7Sq6ZkAFvv
— Alox, September 29, 2026
Why the bloom setting matters
Bloom spreads bright light into nearby areas of the image. In this remaster, that effect can contribute to flatter-looking scenes and less separation between light and shadow. Turning it off removes some of the haze and is being described by PC players as a quick way to improve the image.
The reaction on the Witcher subreddit was enthusiastic, with players calling the change dramatic and saying the result looked substantially better.
Another comparison described the lack of contrast as a major complaint and connected the flatter appearance with global illumination: pic.twitter.com/Jsv1LdWDkR
— NikTek, September 29, 2026
Console players have fewer options
The same simple bloom toggle is not available on PS5 or other consoles. Console players can adjust brightness, contrast and gamma, but those controls do not provide the same direct solution.
CD Projekt Red had not provided an update on whether the lighting is working as intended or could be considered a bug, nor had it announced further visual adjustments. Continued tweaking in the days and weeks ahead remains possible, but no additional changes are confirmed.
Other settings worth testing on PC
PC players who want a cleaner, more defined image can also experiment with blur, chromatic aberration and vignetting. Settings preferences vary, so it is worth changing them individually and comparing the result in the scenes that look most washed out.
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