Patient Gamers

Yes, you don't really need the knowledge from the previous games or the books for that matter. Witcher 3 was my first foray into the universe and it was a blast. Give it a go

Yes, no knowledge of previous games needed, like others already said.

It is good but make sure you can dedicate it as many hours as it takes to complete. The game was certainly longer than I could commit to.

I'll offer a simple 'yes.' The game's story is easy to follow, but if you're unaware there are some NSFW scenes that may take you by surprise. It's combat is engaging, has good replayability through side quests and skill trees, and has great DLC. Hope you enjoy it!

Yeah, but I'd recommend looking up a brief summary - or at least pay attention to the cutscenes and loading screens!

Also be sure to get the GOTY edition, the DLC is the best part of the game (both of them).

And I'd recommend playing on Hard mode or above, it makes the mutagens and oils, etc. actually matter a bit and felt a bit more like Monster Hunter in that respect.

Yeah, I played it never having played the previous games, nor read the books and the TV series didn't exist back then.

I really recommend getting the DLC too, both are incredible.

Yes

Never played the other Witcher games, but TW3 is one of my all-time favorites and I completed the whole story (including DLCs) like three times already.

Yes, absolutely! You could watch a brief summary of the story on YouTube but even that isn't really required.

I think so. I picked it up without playing any of the previous games. Now I’m five books in.

Absolutely, just putting down it after ~80 hours (Have not started the DLC yet). I have not played Witcher 1 and 2 so a little bit confused a bit by some background (geography, who's who, past adventures).

I got the first Witcher game for free or near free with a GoG deal (after playing witcher 3), and it was very silly. I'll never be able to finish it, I don't think it aged well.

Witcher 3 is good and stands alone just fine. I suppose you could read the books if you get really into it and want more context.

You don't need to play any of the previous Witcher games in order to get the story, there is actually a little recap before you start the game.

I played it without playing any previous game and it was a blast, lore and history wise is self contained so no problem there.

Yes go for it. There is obv some history between characters, but the story is pretty self contained.

Absolutely, but I do recommend playing The Witcher 2 at least because it's a pretty damn good game!

Absolutely yes! But TW2 is very much worth playing too.