So I picked the Witcher 2 up during the recent Steam sale because I love RPG's and had a good time playing the first one. The thing is I never actually finished the first one and now I'm wondering if it's worth it to go back and finish up that game before starting the Witcher 2. I seem to remember Vinny talking about this issue when the Witcher 2 originally came out and he played through it but everyone else said he should just play go straight for 2.

So what do you guys think? Is it worth it to redownload the Witcher and finish the story or are they completely separate stories?

The second one continues directly from the first, but it has its own separate story arc, so you don't really need to have played the first. It's hard not to recommend it, though, since it's a fantastic game anyway.

Go for witcher 2 and dont look back. It is better in every way. Although some will say that it is too "streamlined".

Go for Witcher 1, put it on easy.
 
Its a story worth experiencing and you're essentially robbing yourself of some backstory for the second.
I appreciated the second much more after getting into Witcher 1.
 
Unless you don't care for the story and such and just want to hunt monsters and shit yo, but then you probably got the wrong game.

@triple07: Play the Witcher 1 it really is amazing

However if you want to have continuity between 1 and 2 you have to be in a relationship with Triss and oppose the Order of the Flaming Rose Since that's how the Witcher 2 believes things happened beforehand.

I chose Shani and helped the order so I'm going to have some continuity issues. Just a warning!

@Demoskinos said:

Go for witcher 2 and dont look back. It is better in every way. Although some will say that it is too "streamlined".

I wouldn't say that. They're both really good games. I kind of liked Witcher 1 better in some areas.

I just played the Witcher 2 and it was fine. I didn't care for it, though.

@Demoskinos said:

Go for witcher 2 and dont look back. It is better in every way. Although some will say that it is too "streamlined".

I wouldn't say that. They're both really good games. I kind of liked Witcher 1 better in some areas.

I personally liked the first one more its a real traditional pc rpg which you rarely see nowadays. Also it has tons of quests and a satisfying storyline..

I haven't played the first Witcher but i'm playing the Witcher 2 right now and loving every minute. If you already own a copy of the original and have starting playing it before, then why not go ahead and finish it? I don't have a computer capable of playing the first game so i just picked up the sequel when it got its Xbox 360 release. I feel like i understand everything thats going on very well even without playing the first game but if i had the chance to play it i would because more Witcher is never a bad thing (I'm sure Vinny would agree).

Finish the first one. Not because it's required for the second one, but because it's an incredible experience.

Put it this way, if the game is so much better than if you play the second one first you probably won't be able to go through the first one. If you play the first one first however you won't have the same knowledge of how better the second one is.

Play the first one. Really. They are both great, but I actually liked the first one a little more. Played them both back to back, and it was a little disappointing going into the 2ND, despite how much prettier it is. And honestly the first is still pretty good looking. Play it on easy and enjoy the ride.

@triple07: How far are you in the first? If you can, finish it. But if you're only about 50% or less through the first, you don't really need to finish it before going on to 2. They're directly connected, but Witcher 2 is just so great.

You can transfer your save between the games, but other than transferring your silver sword, and a few altered lines, there's practically no difference. You can go into the second game with no knowledge of the first game, and I think it would do a good enough job of filling you in. If you do play them back to back, be prepared for a huge spike in difficulty from the first game to the second though. I played The Witcher 2 on normal, and I died a LOT, almost to the point of quitting several times. I'd probably pick the first game if I had to choose a favorite one, just because the combat in it isn't so punishingly difficult.

@ItBeStefYo said:

@triple07: Play the Witcher 1 it really is amazing

However if you want to have continuity between 1 and 2 you have to be in a relationship with Triss and oppose the Order of the Flaming Rose Since that's how the Witcher 2 believes things happened beforehand.

I chose Shani and helped the order so I'm going to have some continuity issues. Just a warning!

ACTUALLY, if you side with the order, it has the biggest change in the second game if you transfer your save.

I would recommend more that you read The Sword of Destiny first, since the game has good amount callbacks to that one. The Last Wish wont hurt either.

The first two chapters of the original Witcher just drag. If you can get past that part, it's pretty damn good. But you have to power through those two, and I've never been able to do it a second time.