The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone Screenshots Star Monsters and Meddlers

CD Projekt Red has released new screenshots for The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, the first paid expansion for its acclaimed role-playing game.

The images show some of the characters that will feature in the expansion--including returning love interest Shani--as well as some new environments. To avoid spoilers, CD Projekt Red has blurred out text and maps.

Hearts of Stone is expected to deliver about 10 hours of gameplay, comprised of new characters, powerful monsters, a unique romance, and a brand new storyline shaped by player choices.

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Players will venture into an area called No Man's Land, and another called Oxenfurt. Quests assigned by the "mysterious Man of Glass" will be Geralt of Rivia's main concern here.

"Step again into the shoes of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster slayer, this time hired to defeat a ruthless bandit captain, Olgierd von Everec, a man who possesses the power of immortality," the Hearts of Stone description reads.

"The expansion lets you choose your own path through an experience that includes recruiting a crew of break-in artists, spending a night partying with a ghost, and outsmarting the most bizarre creatures Geralt has ever faced."

Hearts of Stone also includes a new "Runeworld" system that its developer says "significantly" affects gameplay.

"Each Runeword will impact different aspects of in-game mechanics, allowing players to experiment with various strategies and tactics."

CD Projekt Red has announced The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone release date as October 13. A second paid expansion, Blood and Wine, will be available before April 2016.

Further reading: Why I Can't Wait for the Witcher 3's New Expansion