Do I need to know anything about Witcher series to just play Witcher 3?

Board 8

Board 8 » Do I need to know anything about Witcher series to just play Witcher 3?
FFDragon
12/31/2021
12:22 PM
#1
This is one of those things that I've been putting off forever but the complete edition is like 9 bucks right now so I'm ready to pull the trigger if I don't have to do two other games worth of investment.
If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?
#theresafreakingghostafterus
Raka_Putra
12/31/2021
12:26 PM
#2
Tag because I'm interested as well.
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Lightning Strikes
12/31/2021
12:29 PM
#3
Need to? No.

However, I think a read of the Wikipedia pages for at least the first two games will help, it is very much a trilogy and the third game ties it off nicely. I played both of the first two before playing The Witcher 3 and it enhanced my experience as well as both being good games especially The Witcher 2. However if youre not on PC theyre not very accessible.
I just decided to change this sig.
Blaaaaaaargh azuarc
DeepsPraw
12/31/2021
12:30 PM
#4
Probably not, but if you're like me, it will bug you not knowing the references. Hell, even the first game has tons of references to the books which you'll probably miss.
pepsi for tv-game
banananor
12/31/2021
12:33 PM
#5
You really don't! The game does a great job of establishing everything

I was concerned about the same thing. Apparently the previous two games were kind of pointless side quests, during which geralt was an amnesiac
You did indeed stab me in the back. However, you are only level one, whilst I am level 50. That means I should remain uninjured.
neonreaper
12/31/2021
12:36 PM
#6
I didnt play the first two and enjoyed the third one just fine.
Donny: Are they gonna hurt us, Walter?
Walter: No, Donny. These men are cowards.
FFDragon
12/31/2021
12:38 PM
#7
Lightning Strikes posted...
However if youre not on PC theyre not very accessible.

After several we'll say interesting years, I finally finished building my computer over Christmas. Hence the increased interest
If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?
#theresafreakingghostafterus
skullbone
12/31/2021
12:44 PM
#8
I'd recommend watching a youtube video recapping the first 2 games or something that'll set you up with a little bit of lore.

The most confusing thing to me was the different countries and factions that are fighting each other. But honestly the politics is just background stuff so it might not be too important.
skull
mnkboy907
12/31/2021
12:46 PM
#9
I feel like the game did a good job of re-establishing the relationships of the characters Geralt already knew, either through dialog or in the journal. I think I still looked up some background info on the wiki, though. Then when I watched the first season of the Netflix show, I realized some of the stuff they referenced must not have even been from the previous games, like a lot of the history that's referenced about Yennefer in 3 is stuff that was in the TV show (which I believe is based on the books, before the events of any of the games).
Change is weird.
HanOfTheNekos
12/31/2021
12:59 PM
#10
mnkboy907 posted...
I feel like the game did a good job of re-establishing the relationships of the characters Geralt already knew, either through dialog or in the journal. I think I still looked up some background info on the wiki, though. Then when I watched the first season of the Netflix show, I realized some of the stuff they referenced must not have even been from the previous games, like a lot of the history that's referenced about Yennefer in 3 is stuff that was in the TV show (which I believe is based on the books, before the events of any of the games).

Yeah, the games and the show are both based on the books. The games are a separate entity though - out of canon from the rest of the franchise.

As for skipping Witcher 1 and 2 - sure, you can. I think they're worthwhile plays, but they're not nearly as good as Witcher 3. You could mostly skip through Witcher 1 and 2 while ignoring most side stuff. At the very least, if you feel up to it, a youtube watchthrough of cutscenes or plot synopses would be fine.

There are some choices you can make in the games that affect Witcher 3, but I'm not sure if they matter much.
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mnkboy907
12/31/2021
01:11 PM
#11
Oh right, early on in 3, you get asked a series of questions about choices you could've made in the first games, and your answers affect quests and characters that show up later. I think that was another thing I looked up on a wiki or something to understand the consequences of those answers.
Change is weird.
ninkendo
12/31/2021
01:12 PM
#12
Played both Witcher 1 and 2 last year and don't regret it

waiting for the PS5 update to 3 before I play it
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swordz9
12/31/2021
01:16 PM
#13
Nope. I played Witcher 3 without knowing anything about the original source or having played the previous games. I cant say youll know everything since it clearly references previous stuff, but I still immensely enjoyed the game and didnt feel I was missing out on too much
Board 8 » Do I need to know anything about Witcher series to just play Witcher 3?