The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has long been celebrated for its richly detailed world, compelling storytelling, and engrossing gameplay. Fans of the game have another reason to revisit the lands of Geralt of Rivia thanks to a new mod called Quests Extended, developed by modder PaulR0013. This mod brings fresh life to the already expansive RPG by introducing 15 entirely new quests, adding new layers of immersion and engagement to the game. For an enthusiast community eagerly awaiting CD Projekt RED’s next venture in the franchise, Quests Extended offers a perfect way to dive deeper into the world of The Witcher.

The main allure of the Quests Extended mod lies in its variety and integration. The quests are designed to trigger at different moments throughout your journey, requiring players to take part in diverse activities ranging from quick tasks to longer, more elaborate missions that envelop significant portions of the game. By wrapping brand-new quests around these activities, players gain a rich, cohesive experience tracked through objectives, lore, and maps available in their journals. This level of detail ensures that these activities transcend their initial side-quest nature, becoming critical parts of your adventure in the Northern Kingdoms.

Two of the new quests added by Quests Extended revolve around Gwent, the in-game card game that has appealed broadly to Witcher fans, even spawning its own standalone game. In addition to these, several quests are activated by players' interactions with the game’s crafting systems, particularly in the formulation of oils, potions, and decoctions. This encourages players to engage deeply with the alchemy aspects of the game, which can often be overlooked or undervalued in a rush to progress through the main storyline. This focus on various gameplay elements helps ensure a balanced and comprehensive gaming experience.

Installing the Quests Extended mod is a straightforward process, though there are some nuances to be aware of. Players should download the mod from Nexus and extract files to the appropriate folders within the Witcher 3 directory. While the installation hasn't been extensively tested with mod managers, the author provides clear guidelines to manually integrate the mod successfully. Although Quests Extended was crafted for the Next-Gen version of The Witcher 3, it’s also likely to be compatible with older versions. Players must have both official DLCs, Hearts of Stone and Blood & Wine, installed to ensure seamless functionality.

For those who want to maximize their experience, the modder recommends additional mods like Brothers in Arms, DLC Events, and Grammar of the Path, which promise to deliver an optimal gameplay environment. As CD Projekt RED gears up toward the production of their next title in The Witcher franchise, likely a couple of years from release, Quests Extended and similar mods represent an exciting means for fans to quench their thirst for new content. The release of the REDkit modding tool promises a surge in community-driven content, continuing the legacy of The Witcher 3 with fresh and innovative experiences.

In conclusion, the Quests Extended mod by PaulR0013 brings 15 new quests to The Witcher 3, offering fans new reasons to explore the game's expansive world. By transforming existing activities into fully-fledged quests with objectives, maps, and new lore, the mod ensures increased immersion and engagement. With easy installation guidelines and compatibility with both old and new versions of the game, this mod, along with other recommended ones, enriches the Witcher experience while we await the next official installment from CD Projekt RED.