LogFAQs > #972335504

It's a great game, but not for everyone. It's basically a turn based strategy game, and you'll likely have to take battles slowly (especially on harder difficulties) since the game can be pretty challenging + punishing in certain battles if you make a mistake. If you do play it, it's recommended to use some of the Gift Bag features that are within game. Certain ones are busted and shouldn't be used if you want a challenge, but others like the Fort Joy respec mirror, fast movement out of combat, and restoring your source points by resting (among others) are such great quality of life additions that can help alleviate some of the flaws of the game.

And no, you don't have to play the 1st one to know what's going on. There is 1 ally character that was a playable character in the 1st game and the leader of a major faction within the game is a returning character (and there's probably some other references to the 1st game), but otherwise 2 is pretty self contained.