No, you don't have to play Witcher 1. It's just one of many games in the series.
No, you don't have to play Witcher 1. It's just one of many games in the series.
I suggest giving it a try—it's still quite enjoyable. You adapt to the controls easily. Of course, they can feel repetitive and aren't very exciting, but focus on the narrative in Witcher 1 rather than the mechanics.
Note: Similar to the later games, there are many short story moments you might overlook if you don't play through it.