I know the topic looks bad but trust me it's far from what you are thinking.

I'm just wondering if anyone here has not played The Witcher 1 and has major regrets by not playing it? :P I haven't been able to put TW2 down in my spare time because the game is too fun! I really regret not playing TW1, but at that time I was in a diablo 2-like hack-n-slash mood.

Now that I am addicted to TW2 I feel that I have missed out on a lot on the first game. I don't have time to play both right now or else I would do a quick (as quick as possible for a lengthly game) play through of the first game. Maybe after I am finished with the 2nd I will play the first, then a couple more plays of the 2nd again. Does anybody think the first game story-wise will be just as amazing as the first time any of you played through it for somebody that has beaten the 2nd already but never played the 1st or would playing through the 2nd game first ruin a lot of the story?

the fist game has a better overall charm to it.

it feels like its own game and it has its own draw. the first game you feel like a epic character.

it was long and took me DAYS to finish fully!

the new game has much better graphics, the combat is slightly better, it lacks the charm of the first and your character looks awesome. but you dont feel powerful at all. it feels your character does not know how to block right, as he can only block only a few attacks. but he know knows how to use bombs and there is more of a use of knives as he can now throw them. potions dont feel right anymore its now about drinking more when they run out so you always have the effect rather then using them when you need them. potions act right on use so there should be no reason to meditate to use them. just make him look like he forgot how to be a badass fighter so he became badass in looks. although the fighting system itself is better it does not lend well to the story itself

as for the story the first leads directly to the second. but does give only a few things away.

If you play the first game you'll defiantly recognize some names dropped in The Witcher 2, I think you should totally do it. The first game is great, the combat isn't as good in my opinion but make sure you get the enhanced edition directers cut version of the game. I believe thats the one GOG has in the store. And hey, its only 5 bucks! Youll get a new appreciation for importing a Witcher 1 save when you get around to replaying Witcher 2 I bet as well!

Did you mean you never stopped playing to eat or sleep? Because how else are DAYS a long time? Given, I am a very slow player, because I explore everything there is to explore and replay parts before moving on if I feel like it. But one witcher playthrough takes me 3-4 weeks.

twister03, you totally should do it!
But... the bad news: there's THREE distinct paths to play the game. And after you finished it once in vanilla, you should re-play it with FCR-mod, because that will be a completely new game experience (need not be the most difficult setting, the "easiest" FCR has the new, awesome, combat mechanics). But don't think of doing one quick playthrough, you'd cheat yourself out of a great roleplay experience. Every time I played it, when I arrived in Chapter V, I was already thinking of starting the next game and doing things differently.
Also look into general modding, besides FCR, when the forums are online again. There are great mods and quite a few new adventures - but they can wait for later, no need to overwhelm you. ;)

i only took breaks to eat and sleep and maybe a few breaks here and there. i never timed my runs fully, and this was only for the neutral play-though.

i loved first but my opinion is tw2 is as agame and as a story is so much more than the first incredable

The second one does kind of pick up where the first one left off, At the end of the first one after the main quest has been completed, there is an attempted assassination of King Foltest, which you foil. This is the premise of the title of 2 " Assassin of Kings ". You will enjoy the first one. I have played through it at least twice, the last time was after they released a patch to uncensor the thing.

oh yes give it all away im sure the guy who never played it does not mind

*sarcasm*

The first one had a distinct charm to it. The best thing was, it was definitely designed and made for pc only. I also thought the skill tree was better. By then end of the game, you felt really powerful.

best skilltree ever.
an upgrade always felt great. and has a noticeable difference. like makeing your attacks longer and cooler (tho the strong style kind of sucked when it did the lam slash... luckily it was stronger then the others).

this one tho upgrading makes me worry because i dont know what to get... since its limited and you cant get it all (right?) and upgrading is necessary to even live.

I don't think that was giving anything away. They were pretty clear when discussing the game in videos and the like that the second game would pick up right after the end of the first.

It is not as though he told him that X turns out to Y and when you Z you realize how much impact your comments to N had on the whole thing. (pretty sure that was entirely spoiler free)

Hmm I've been busy and haven't had time to play on the 19th or 20th. I bought TW1EE the day before TW2 came out to play but my internet was all messed up. I guess if I don't decide to do another play of TW2 (which I know I'll want to) I'll play TW1 right after instead of starting up any more MMOs.

No spoiler. The thought was should the poaster have played TW1 before playing TW2 and I simply stated that there was a contiuation of sorts from the TW1. I don't think it is necessary as it comes ut in the story within TW2 anyway ( if you pay attention ).

Interesting your getting so many responces from those that HAVE played contrary to the audience intended.

But to join the fray, I think Your better off not playing the first and enjoying TW2(as you said) that way you wont compare the gameplay change and get a bias that way. I agree with most comments here though. TW1 was great because there also wasn't a prequill to compare it too!!