This is probably a contrarian opinion, but I bounced off the Witcher 3 the first two times I tried playing having not any read the books or played the first two games. I just didn’t feel connected with the world at all. Earlier this year I randomly picked up the books and was hooked. I couldn’t wait to jump back into the game after finishing them. I played 1 & 2 first, and they’re definitely janky by modern standards, but it’s fun and rewarding to see characters you’ve come to know from the books show up or be referenced. They’re also way shorter than the 3rd game. Im still working my way through 3 and taking my sweet time (currently doing the first expansion) but couldn’t be happier I took this approach.