I loaded up Witcher 3, then immediately quit and figured I should just start from the beginning as I never got into them for some reason when 1 and 2 came out. Beat 1, it's definitely aged, was at least worth playing. Anyway, I've been playing 2 for a few days now and holy crap it looks good even though it's been a few years. I do have a hi res texture pack and some expanded draw distance mod thinger, but even still, I keep wandering around looking at everything and going "damn, this looks nice." Anyone interested in playing this one for the first time will definitely find that it has aged well. Can't wait to finish and play 3.

Ha - funny, I just read somewhere else how someone was complaining how crappy it looks... well, I guess after playing TW3 you might start applying higher standards. Good on you though for finishing TW1, it seems there are not that many who find it worth the bother (I loved it, btw, but there's no arguing that it looks awful compared to the latter two installments).
So, which path did you pick? You are aware that as a true Witcher fan you have to play TW2 at least twice, don't you ? ;)

Which path did I take in TW1? I went neutral. At first I thought I was going to help the squirrels but then I got irritated at their wanton killing. So far I'm only at the end of chapter 1 in TW2, got a bit distracted with work this week but my current guess is that I'll be going neutral.

Regarding playing TW2 multiple times, I'm assuming that's due to multiple different paths. But is it like TW1 where you can really just make a save towards the end (like CH4) and then just choose there, or is TW2 more about the sum of your choices along the way, the whole game?

Ah, I thought you might have been a bit further along. Yes, TW1 neutral is quite sensible, of course you're also helping the lodge in this one (which you may or may not find a good thing).

TW2 is vastly different than TW1 in that regard, the story branches at the end of chapter 1, and according to what you choose you get an entirely different experience (no option to really stay neutral, either). You meet different characters, go to a different location, get different quests... There's some overlap, but not that much.
Both storylines converge again in chapter 3 (which is rather short), but you'll be, again, having a different experience depending on what path you went on.
You may want to keep a save close to the "branching point", so you don't have to replay the prologue etc. (unless you want to, of course).
I think one path is better suited for a first playthrough than the other (I can tell you which, but I wouldn't want to spoil).
Anyway, the best part is just starting, hope you keep enjoying yourself :)

Cool thanks. I just killed the ... I forgot the name of it, but the Kraken looking giant squid thing. I'll keep a save since I'm out of side quests at this point. I'll probably go back and play it again since it looks so rad and check out the other arcs. Good to know that the choices you make early have an effect rather than just a singular branching point. Thanks!