Hi guys,

I wanted to get some opinions about this, and figured if you're here you've likely played the games and have some good input. I've recently got a hold of TW3 on sale and on another platform, but I've resisted playing it as I would very much like to play the first two entries beforehand for the full experience.

Problem is, my computer's native graphics card (or lack thereof) sucks (as in, the game won't even let me play it because the min reqs aren't met), but since it's not really a dedicated gaming machine (and I have other options) I don't want to spend hundreds of $$ (at least) just for a circa 2011, outdated graphics card (since I DEFINITELY can't afford a current, top of the line one).

So I wanted to ask: does anyone know of any plans for re-releases of the first two entries on consoles? I know many here aren't fans of them, and I agree PC is much more powerful, but cost limits my options.

If not, is watching a playthrough of each satisfactory enough to step into this world (via TW3)? I know it's not ideal and I wish it wasn't so, but beggars can't be choosers.

I'd appreciate and welcome any input on the matter. I love what I know of the series, and would really like to play the series in proper chronological order, but it looks like it's just not in the cards...

Witcher 2 is on XBOX 360 and will be very likely on XBOX ONE in a near future as well due backwards compatibility. But that's it, no other plans for console releases as far as I know.

btw. Witcher 1 is not that demanding, I'm playing on notebook with dual core pentium and AMD 6650m and I can play on low/medium settings. Surprisingly I can play even Witcher 2 on low settings with tolerable framerate.

As for watching someone else's playthrough, yeah if you are not that interested in the first two games and you really want to play Witcher 3, do it. However I don't have a gaming rig either and I didn't have a chance to play the third one yet so I'm saving money for new computer and I'm avoiding spoilers as much as I can. I'd say if you can't afford to upgrade your computer in next year and you're eager to play W3, just watch the first two on youtube. I can recommend this guy, he is focusing a lot on story and lore.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ChristopherOdd

Really!? I never upgraded my graphics card so I'm trying to play with my PC's default stuff, so maybe that's why I can't play it. I figured TW1 was old enough to not be an issue, but every time I run it I get a little popup yelling at me for not meeting the minimum requirements :P

Anyway thanks for the info. Hopefully there's ways around this issue, I'd really like to do the series proper justice!

This could help: http://forums.cdprojektred.com/threads/11730-TW1-Minimum-Requirements?p=381451&viewfull=1#post381451

Thanks for the help! I was able to bypass what was blocking me from playing the first Witcher, and am currently playing and loving it so far. I don't know if I will be able to play the second one due to how much more it requires graphics-wise than the first, but I'm happy I'll at least be able to move forward in the Witcher 3 with more of an idea of the world and its inhabitants once I complete the first game.

Well, I have AMD 6650m which is middle class 2011 graphic card for notebooks and I can run W2 on minimum details with sun rays (I really like the effect and I will gladly sacrifice few FPS to get it :-) ) on 1366*768 screen and I have about 25-30 FPS the whole game. Thus if you don't have 5+ years old low end rig, you should be able to get this running.

btw. Witcher 1 is an awesome game, a lot of people give up because the story progression seems to be a little bit slow at the start (it gets better with time) and the time based combat (I personally like it). It's good to hear that you're enjoying it :-)