Thanks Trail-Mystic. I hope I enjoy it as well. Though I've still hot a ways to go on this one.
EDIT: Made it to chapter 4. Boy that Krikamore Lair was tough to get thru.

Excellent progress! You may be joining me in Witcher 3 someday after all.

This is awesome Sharon! So, just a word of advice once you get into Witcher 3, which as you've seen everyone wholeheartedly recommends. I say this only because of your past comments on not playing in the "right way" or "right order". The Witcher 3 story is complex and part of an open world with several expansions. It's done in the best manner of an RPG, your decisions will effect various outcomes including the end. Here's the deal though, DON'T be influenced by the Internet saying what the "best" or "good" ending is, in fact, if you're searching for answers and someone starts to guide you down a particular path, stop reading. If anything, just use guides as "How-To's." The beauty of an RPG like W3 is in it's re-playability. Maybe you don't get the happy ending where the prince kisses the frog and they run away to the Bahamas together. You just play again and wonder, "what would happen if I do it this way instead?" In other words, have fun! I read there's something like over 40 different ways the game can turn out, so lots of play time ahead.

Oh, I so remember the Kikimore lair! Well done on getting through it!

Trail, I still have to get back into Witcher 3 and you are tempting me mightily! Need to get some other house remodel and repair tasks out of the way first though.

Thanks Trail_Mystic. I am trying to play that way with just doing things my way in Witcher 1. Then, of course, I start to obsess about "the right way, as per the guides." But despite knowing that I'm doing things differently than the guide, I still am progressing - so I'm determined to see it thru and see what happens. Unless of course I get stuck - then I'm fortunate enough to be able to go back to the guide and figure out how to get unstuck. I'm really looking forward to Witcher 3, but I've got a long way to go considering I'm still working my way thru Witcher 1. But you're right... there is nothing like playing along not knowing what to expect.

Yes in deedy! I'll eventually get there.

Thanks for the advice Trail_Mystic. You're right of course, about playing it my way. I'm still striving to do that with Witcher 1. I am progressing so I must be doing something right. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. I really enjoy things just happening without my expecting them beforehand. (Does that make any sense?)
Anyway, I've got a long way to go and I'm determined to enjoy it!
EDIT: My previous reply disappeared, so I wrote this one. Now the first reply is back

There must be a glitch in the matrix, I lost two replies earlier today. Although, it could also be a glitch in my matrix

The two things I remembered that make things a bit more difficult in Witcher 2 are related to the new combat system and alchemy. When Geralt's choice of attack isn't the best for the enemy you're fighting, the game randomly simulates you getting stunned or staggered. This can be somewhat frustrating because while you're button mashing, your opponent is taking you apart a piece at a time. That gets kind of critical in the higher levels, when you're facing off with stronger opponents.

With Alchemy, they don't allow you to take a potion during combat. You can buff up before the battle, but once it's on your on your own. As a result, you'll figure out strategies for which potions to use that will compliment your attack against specific enemies or just keep you alive that much longer. Definitely adds more challenge to the frays.

That's why they came up with the saying to try, try, try and try again. Which is my usual modus operandi . I never seem to learn from my mistakes. I'm pretty darn sure that square peg will fit into that round hole! I've been taking a couple days break fro the Witcher. Unfortunately real life is intruding on my game time. But I'm ready to go back now, I think. When last seen Geralt was havung a talk with Beringar after taking care of some nasties in the crypt. I did not find the necklace I was looking for there, unless I missed something. Deciding whether to go back for one last look around or head on to Murky Waters. It's usually the last place you look, isn't it? (What would be the point in continuing to look once you found it? ) Well, thanks for the encouragement.

Well, I hope you are able to get things worked out with your laptop and such, so you can jump back into the Witcher series. Good luck on the procedure next week too.

TM

You know, I was driving myself into an anxiety attack about what's coming up, but a friend "talked me down" and reminded me of something the consultant said and I started to relax. Now, I'm not happy with it, but I'm no longer as afraid as I was. "WaHoo!!". Think I'm making a good choice of my new laptop. In the meantime, my I5 desktop is still going strong. So those monsters in Witcher don't stand a chance...

I wish you the very best of not just luck, but ease of mind about your procedure next week! I think you're doing just fine. My step-daughter's significant other just had a cardiac cath yesterday and he was SO nervous about it! But his surgeon said, "Got it!" Best thing to hear from your surgeon and he now has another stent and is doing awesome. So will you, no matter what your procedure is!

Best wishes from me, too, SharonB

Yes, I hope it goes well and you're back gaming in no time!

Glad to hear you still have a working gaming PC. Good thing about being a gamer is that you always have something to do while you're healing up. Geralt will be waiting when you get back

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and wishes. As for Geralt... His fighting skills improve every day. What does it take for him to get a gold coin to spend on skills? He's coming along. He just killed some kind of priest and went to tell the chief of the village. Time to get his sword reforged I think.

Hagatha I have just noticed your "signature" and laughed out loud.
Does it come from a game?

Haha. No. Well, I guess it does, indirectly. I was describing what I liked about the Gothic games a while back, and that just popped into my head. If you've ever played Gothic, you know what I mean...

I've been laughing at hagatha's "signature" ever since I first saw it.

Love it !!

I smile every time I see it.