Are the Witcher 1 and 2 required to enjoy 3?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can be enjoyed as a standalone game without having played The Witcher 1 and 2. While there are references to events and characters from the previous games, CD Projekt Red has designed Witcher 3 to be accessible to new players. The game provides sufficient background information and context to understand the setting and its characters, even if you haven't played the earlier titles.

Despite being able to experience Witcher 3 on its own merits, playing The Witcher 1 and 2 can definitely enhance your overall understanding and appreciation of the world and its lore. You'll get to witness character origins, develop deeper connections with certain individuals, and have a richer context for some of the events taking place in Witcher 3.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether to play The Witcher 1 and 2 before diving into Witcher 3. If you want the complete narrative experience, including the full backstory and character development, playing the previous games can be rewarding. However, if you simply want to jump into an epic adventure without prior knowledge, The Witcher 3 stands strong on its own as a fantastic RPG, regardless of whether you've played the earlier titles in the series.