Alchemy helps alot. Swallow and Rook make you much more formidable. Better ^5. Much more coherent story, better graphics, gameplay wise Id say both have ups and downs.
If anyone hasn't played the original, now's the time! On sale for 5 bucks very soon, get ready for the sequel: http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/the_witcher?utm_campaign=atari_strategies&utm_content=game_subject&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter
yeah i got owned in the castle when tryin to get the ballista(first solo battle angainst multiple enemies) wussed out to easy still gettin owned in some really hard fights(5+ enemies generally)
I absolutely loved the first game. The writing and atmosphere of the whole world in the game is just amazing. I found it so much more compelling than Dragon Age for example. But for this new one, I think I'll need a new computer, it looks too pretty for my 5-year old clunker to do it any justice. :(