Surfinjo: I have restarted it over and over, kept a log of each quest, yet still, things are just not in sequence.

icantype: It might be worth bearing in mind that there is also a strategy guide included with the game which you can download from the 'game goodies' section.

I'm not sure if it is exactly what you are looking for, as you seem to have a very specific preference as to exactly what missions should be done in exactly what order. As you noted, the game lets you choose from several quests at once, so the author of the guide may well have a different ordering system than you.

Still though, if you are looking for a bit more structure when playing through the game, you might look at the guide to see if their ordering sequence of quests match your own. If nothing else, it might assist you in keeping logs of the quests.

I hope this helps.

Surfinjo: Understand. I haven't found a strategy guide. I did see a manual and a ReadMe. I assume this is another unofficial fan-made contribution.

icantype: The game guide is not an unofficial fan-made contribution, but an official guide put out by CDProject Red. It is included with the purchase of the game, along with the game's soundtrack, maps, creator interviews, etc.

None of these are automatically downloaded with the game itself, but must be downloaded separately from the 'game extras' section. If you only see a manual and ReadMe, I assume that you have not downloaded any of the extra files.

To access these extras from the GOG website, click on the game in your games library, and select the file to download underneath the section labeled "game goodies". The strategy guide is the file labeled 'game guide'.

To download these files via galaxy, you would click on the game, click on the button labeled 'more', select the 'backups and goodies' tab, and download the game guide that way.

Surfinjo: Very nice.

But it does suggest beginning Chapter 2 by visiting Marlow, (page 11) This is also strongly implied by the cut scene.

Dealing with the ambush is very difficult even with a Temerian Sword. But running to the guards lets them sort it, though does tend to make Geralt seem a bit of a wimp, crying to mommy.

Of course, some may argue, with some justification, that a different build at this point might help. Sadly, that too is not obvious nor guaranteed and what is gained on one attribute will be lost on another.

A second dose of Swallow brought from Ch 1 might help.

More seriously, immediately after, entering the inn, the murder cut scene is played. Coleman is discussed, without any knowledge of who he is and the associated quests are not available. Including his contribution to Berengar.

It seems more logical to wait till later to see Marlow. Geralt collects his stuff and follows a few immediate leads, while they are warm.

There's a lot of valuable XP to be had in the process.

Surfinjo: Playing chapter 2 so it makes any sense is nay on impossible.

I have restarted it over and over, kept a log of each quest, yet still, things are just not in sequence.

It's so maddening, all the more so because it's probably possible to get through it even in the wrong sequence. Just not nearly so satisfying.

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After a few more false starts, I have finally managed to finish chapter 2, with the storyline making some sense.

I've compiled a list of the quests sequences for any who care to look. I have kept comments to a minimum to avoid spoilers.

Before starting Ch 2, At least Lev 10. 1 Swallow.

Prison Break quest.
Finder's Keeper's quest
Witcher's secrets.quest. Do this later.
Speak to BootBlack After 7am.
Prison Break quest. Jethro collect belongings
Beast In The Sewers. quest. Select option 2 collect reward. Do not ask how investigation is going yet.
Memory of a Blade. quest. Speak to Thaler. Berengar's Secret quest. Suspect: Thaler quest. Ask about Salamander
Memory of a Blade. quest.
Memory of a Blade. quest.
Suspect: Vincent Meis. quest.
Suspect: Vivaldi. quest
Wanted. quest.
Berengar's Secret. quest. Speak to Coleman.
The Rat. quest.
Working Girls quest.
A Ghost Story quest. (lev 12)
A Most Uncommon Wine. quest.
Suspect: Vincent Meis. quest.
Finder's Keeper's quest.
Dogcatcher of Vizema. quest.
A Restless Ghost quest.
Wanted. quest.
Witcher's Secrets. quest.
The Crown Witness. quest.
Old Friend of Mine. quest.
Memory of a Blade. quest.
Memory of a Blade. quest.
The Crown Witness. quest.
Suspect: Ramsmeat. quest.
Old Friend of Mine. quest.
Memory of a Blade quest.
Safe Haven. quest.
Vizima Confidential. quest.
Speak to Vaska. Clay Pits quest.Do not speak to Gramps yet.
Flowers and gold quest. Do not ask for more jobs yet.
The Drowned Dead Contract.
The Echinops Contract
The Arghoul Contract.
The Wolf Contract.
Lost Lamb quest.
A Long Way Home. quest.
A Pilgrimage. quest. Gramps.
The Cannibal. quest. Collect book
Collect on Contracts. To Kalkstein.
Mysterious Tower. quest.
Suspect: Vivaldi. quest.
Suspect: Leuvaarden. quest. Mysterious Tower. quest., Buy Sephirot.
To Vaska. Collect Tarot.
Mysterious Tower. quest.
The Sentry. quest.
Vizima Confidential. quest.
Anatomy of a Crime. quest.
Suspect: Thaler quest.
Suspect: Kalkstein. quest.
Vizima Confidential. quest.
A Gravedigger's Gratitude. quest.
A Restless Ghost. quest.
An Old Friend of Mine. quest.
Mysterious Tower. quest.
Monoliths. quest.

aristotle61: Surfinjo,

I will say this. For people who don't like to use strategy guides or watch videos while playing a game, this game can be frustrating. It almost seems like they expect you to use a guide. It's so easy to break quests and make people refuse to talk to you.

Getting back to Marlowe, are you referring to when he tells you he has to go away because they are after him, but then when you leave his house you are ambushed? Then you are given a message after the fight to inform Marlowe of the situation so you go back into his house and he is there and acting like he never left. This is not at the beginning of the chapter, though.