I remember playing the original Witcher game years ago it seems and I never for some reason could actually get into it.
I’ve seen the rave reviews and I’ve seen how it’s gathered fans all over the world, and even inspired a television show, yet still for some reason It just never draws me in.
It feels like I’m the dumb one missing something everyone else can see…?
I had never read any of the books or played either of the previous games until I bought Witcher 3 with the two expansions on special, way back (and I had to look it up) in 2017.
It had me hooked from the beginning. I still haven’t played the first two games but have since read the books, watched and re-watched the TV series.
It is still, IMHO the second best RPG ever and was #1 on my list of RPGs until Baldur’s Gate 3.
I don’t think CD Projekt Red will want to repeat the ‘mistakes’ they made with CP2077 so I’m pretty sure; unless early previews/reviews say it is a total turd, that I will be playing this.
Well, Now I’m looking at the Witcher 3. Pretty cheap on Steam…
But would I like it now, or would it just sit there?
Hmmmmmm…
It has a compelling story, interesting characters, doesn’t pull any punches, adult content (but not gratuitous) and since the graphics update a couple of years ago looks even better than it did when I first played it.
The only criticisms I have are:
It is a huge game. Each of the expansions is a ‘full’ game in itself - I did a complete play-through doing most of the side quests and a Games+ replay of just the main quests in the the base game (post graphics update) and according to Steam I invested 362 hours.
Second ‘gripe’ and related to the first is that there are possibly too many side quest rabbit holes to fall down.
Spend the extra few bucks and get the complete edition. If you hate it, I will will refund your money.
Yikes! Complete edition… Has me thinking of back in my old days, up at all hours of the morning, bleary-eyed, back when I could stay awake for a week and survive on coke and pizza… 
Ahh, those were the days. Out clubbing all night, get home, brush your teeth, go to work…
This might help you: I tried the first Witcher after Magnum50’s review at the other place, and couldn’t keep the interest to finish it. After 3 came out and everybody raved about it, I played through 2 and quite enjoyed it. Hope to have the time next year to play 3 … it seems like they’re adding things I want (story, characters that are actually interesting) to the game every edition.
I’m kind of a graphics hound, so something that old, even enhanced, would probably not do it for me. I would probably have to start with 3 as a minimum.
One of the things that W3 does quite well is weaving in the backstories of major characters so you don’t need to have played the first two games or read the books.
In fact, if you have watched the TV series it follows the books rather than the games, so you will notice some differences there.
Looking forward to Witcher 4. Like @Harry_Bumcrack, I skipped the first two games although I bought them as part of a bundle (I should’ve started with the oldest one but jumped into 3 because I was familiar with Geralt). Anyway, I loved the game. It’s not as big as BG3, but it is huge and your choices matter. I did not get the perfect ending but it was good enough for me considering I enjoyed it.
I hope 4 delivers the same or a better experience.
My top 5 RPG’s of all time:
Witcher 3
Elden Ring
Skyrim
Cyberpunk 2077
Baldur’s Gate 3
Off the top of my head:
Hmm, I’m starting to detect a theme here 
Someone gifted me The Witcher Enhanced Edition on steam about 14 years ago (or thereabouts, can’t remember exactly). It was okay but I initially gave up on it after the prologue and only picked it up just before TW 2 came out. Managed to get through it with the help of a guide whenever I got stuck and couldn’t be arsed to figure it out myself. I quite enjoyed the story but the gameplay was lacking. TW 2 was much better and I played through it two times.
I played through TW3 once and enjoyed it immensely. Fantastic game but I never got around to play Blood and Wine when it came out. I do have it, I just never got around to it. Maybe I can pick it up again some day.
Blood & Wine is my pick of the two but both expansions are well worth it, especially given how cheap they are these days. They also introduce new crafting options:
Hearts of Stone - Runes that give an extra buff to weapons and clothing/armour.
Blood and Wine - Mutagens that enhance Geralt’s witcher abilities.
Both DLC’s are great but “Blood & Wine” is superior in my opinion. The main storyline is just very well written. Touissant is very reminiscent of 15th century France which I felt was an interesting creative choice.