I'd recommend reading the short story that comes included with the game before you play. It's the first Witcher story that Sapkowski ever wrote and it sets the tone really well. It's included in the Extras pack with the game, which you have to download separately, if you haven't already. You can download the whole Extras pack with tons of stuff in it or opt to just download the short story if you don't care about the other Extras.

The game actually takes place after the series of novels. I have not read any of the novels (most are not available in English yet) but I didn't have any trouble figuring out what was happening. So I wouldn't worry about that. There are characters who return from the books but they are introduced well enough that you'll have no problems. I'm sure if you go back and read the books later you will gain some extra insights into the game, but they're definitely not required.

Oh also, you should probably read the manual before playing. The game works differently from pretty much any other game, so it helps to have an idea of how to control things and how stuff works. The opening of the game is a tutorial of sorts, but it's not that great at teaching stuff and it's better to have read the manual first.

Finally, know that the game doesn't have the strongest start. Things really pick up in Chapter 2.

Great, thank you for the advice! It makes sense. I'll try that story out first, it'll probably add extra enjoyment to "get" whatever concepts, people or places carry through to the game.

And of course, the manual, or I really have no one but myself to blame if I send Geralt to any early grave. :P

And I don't really mind a slow start, strangely enough. It's a nice change from every game that comes out these days needing to start with a big blockbuster bang.

I found the events of the Prologue to be pretty exciting, but it's also trying to be a tutorial so it ends up a little awkward. Then Chapter 1 is definitely a slow start. I hear that a lot of players get discouraged during Chapter 1, so I try to encourage everyone to at least make it to Chapter 2.

Chapter 4 is my personal favorite, actually, but everything from Chapter 2 onwards is pretty great.

No worries. A game has to be pretty terrible for me to just give up on it, but your assurance that it gets better is nevertheless nice to hear.

I've heard a LOT of good about this series outside of generic hype, but I'm not expecting it (or any game) to be a nonstop thrill ride. If it's a good, well-told story with interesting characters (and at least decent gameplay), I'm golden.

My friend, don't get hyped by anyone about Witcher 1, just start digging your way into it. It is a great game imo. Experience it yourself ; )

It's a very good game. If I'm going to offer any non-spoiler advice from the "I wish I had known that when I started playing" file, I guess I would say:

1) Try to talk to everyone you encounter, whether or not they are named NPCs. Even generic-looking NPCs can have interesting things to say.

2) The combat system can take some getting used to. Don't give up on it though, because it gets better as your character gets more capable. Also, don't button-mash. Properly timing your button presses is much more effective.

3) The game has a habit of dumping you in dangerous situations at the end of its cut-scenes, so if it looks like your character is going to be in trouble, be ready to act the second you regain control.

4) The first chapter is not bad, but it's mostly about learning the mechanics of the game. The story really picks up once you hit chapter two.

Other than that, just dive in. Try to avoid spoilers and guides until you've finished it. Have fun.

Great! Thank you both as well. I don't really pay attention to hype as I said, but when enough people say "this is a good game" -- and what I read about it sounds interesting -- I'm most definitely intrigued.

And while I knew about not button-mashing, it's nice to learn that they've created such an immersive world that even random passerbys are worth talking to... and a cutscene dropping you into danger does sound a little exciting.

Can't wait!

i realize it is now two weeks past your OP but for anyone else reading :

i have played this particular game 18 times start to finish. and my advise is

1. auto save often. unless you like losing three hours of what you just did because some random critter in a certain swamp mangled you beyond recognition

2. Learn potion making and how to work the poison level system. The game can be a dream with the right ingredients.

3. remember to give gifts to granny and random women and listen to their stories.

4. find the antiquarians in each new part of the city and read their books as soon as you can afford it.

Even after all of these playthroughs, i manage to keep mine at about a hundred hours, Enjoy the time you spend in the Witcher universe.

I don't remember an auto-save feature from my playthrough ( although it does create an auto save whenever you enter a new area, I think ), but it's good advice to save often ( at least every 20-30 minutes or so ) not just here, but in any game. And keep multiple save games, for that matter.

You really seem to love the game. Sadly I never quite got around to complete my playthrough of the first Witcher game, despite multiple attempts. Maybe I'll give it another go some time. Really enjoyed the second one, though, and looking forward to part three.

You don't need to read the books to start playing, but I highly recommend reading all of them. There are community translations in English for those parts which weren't published yet.

i found that there were times in the witcher that seem a little slow moving. when that happens i just spend a day on Morrowind or planescape Torment and suddenly, the witcher seems a lot more vivid.
I meant the F5 or F6 save, sorry i cant remember right now which it is, but use that button often:) or just duck into a cave or inn - both save for you.
i am salivating for the last witcher - have been since announcement and the 15th run of the Witcher 2. Yes i cant wait!

edit, chatting on like i do

For those replaying for the -teenth time: are you getting different experiences to any degree still? Or do you know what you're getting at every turn no matter the decisions you make and are just having fun with it? What makes it so replayable? Great combat? Great story?

Ah, the problem wasn't necessarily the game itself. When I first bought it, my computer at the time couldn't handle it well, so there was stuttering and it wasn't much fun to play. I also lost save games once or twice -- just recently I lost my most recent TW1 save games, and all my TW2 saves ( at least I already finished it once before ) due to hardware problems. :(

Of course, by now the third game is getting close, so I'm not sure I'll bother playing the other two for the time being. Maybe I'll try the first one again if and when I've had enough of the third. Or perhaps I'll even give it another attempt during the next two months or so, before the release of TW3.

And I think you meant to say quick-save, not auto-save. :)

I liked the first Witcher game, but mostly for its setting and atmosphere. The combat and overall gameplay seemed a lot smoother and more polished in the second one.

I still get dialogue i have never seen before. I still cannot yet, not from lack of trying, play on the "light" side. It is the story i love. it is the infinite possibilities to royally screw up a quest or build, requiring a backtrack and try again from a previous save. Just this morning i screwed up on the Hot Potato quest.

Charles Grey: yes i feel your pain. The very first few times i played this game, it was on a terrible computer and i slogged through the game at an average 7 FPS. I have lost several saves as well.

Yep i did mean quick-save (F5).

You All have fun now :)