Should I play The Witcher 2 before playing this one? I never played any games in the series despite owning part 2(bought it new for $10 during Black Friday but haven't opened it yet).
but this looks amazing.
Maybe I am a good person to advice you. I have never played, read or had interest in the Witcher series, because I was just too young and do not like RPG's normally. However, since the first Witcher 3 trailer I found interest, but was afraid, because I did know the story etc.
So I wanted to fill my lack oF Witcher knowledge and bought the 1st and 2nd game. I did play the first, because I do not think it aged well (animations,voiceacting etc), but I read and watched a lot of Story recaps and overall story summaries.
The I started to play the Witcher 2 about two weeks ago and I am almost done. The Game is so much fun and really good, but unfortunately, it has a lot of bugs and a quite few flaws ( I play the EE with combat rebalance mod). I think you should play the game, if you want to play a good RPG with a well written story and to introduce yourself to the Witcher.
But, and here is the but, I do not think you have to play the Witcher 2 to understand the Witcher 3. TBH as far as the Trailers goes, I do not know what the story of 3 is gonna be about or I can just guess. The Witcher 1 and 2 do not have a lot, maybe a little, to do with the Witcher 3. I do think that reading the books gives you a lot better background.
I am reading the last wish ( or hearing - audiobooks ftw) and it makes more sence, who Geralt is, becomes and who the characters are. I am about to the read the other books or hear them too, because I do think it will be better to understand the overall picture.
CD project said themselves, that you do not need to play or read any of it, but I do think this is not 100% true.
Overall:
If you want to experience a good RPG and have a little bit more background on Characters etc, go an play the Witcher. If you just want to understand the story of Witcher 3 then don't and just play the third game. Maybe it will grab you like me and you want to read the book too
PS: sorry for bad english