Witcher 2 isn't just my fave of the series, it's my fave game of all time. The thing is the real quality of the game is in it's depth & plot layers, so you have to trudge through a lot of gumph at first to get to it.
When I first played it I utterly hated it and quit halfway through the 2nd chapter. On return however it finally clicked and wow, what a game. If I had to break it down I'd say around 15 hours hating it to start with, 300 odd hours loving it after.
Tips for those struggling with it:
*Cutscenes. It isn't so much the cutscens which are boring you at the start, it's the lore-specific dialogue which detatches you from everything because so much of it is unfamiliar, and unrelated to what you're doing. If you haven't played The Witcher 1, and have no intention of doing so, then watch these vids as they'll bring you up to speed & make a lot more of the dialogue make sense………
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB_bHqHzhIA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnvT-23ylPk
Look up any lore or dialogue which you aren't familiar with, so that you can immerse yourself.
*The interigation. When asked what happened PICK THE INTERIGATION CHOICES IN THE ORDER THEY ARE PRESENTED top to bottom, otherwise it's confusing. Lord knows why they included this as a choice option.
*The choice. End of chapter 1 you get a choice of allegiance. On first playthrough one choice is a better experience than the other IMO, so make sure that you create a save towards the end of Chapter 1, and don't be afraid to go back and choose a different path if you aren't enjoying the one you're on. Both paths are brilliant IMO, but one of them is definitely better after experiencing the other path, and seeing the other POV's. Remember, this game is about depth, choice & conciquence. Experiencing it once is like only watching New Hope out of all the Star Wars OT.
*Combat. It is a bit shit, but on Dark Mode it does a very key thing - captures the
feel of being a Witcher (far better than TW3 IMO) as you have to plan ahead, and prepare way more than in TW3. It forces more roleplaying elements (remember, those things we once had before AAA Open World games dudes? lol). Definitely play on Dark Mode as soon as you feel able too, and make your backstab reductions the first upgrades you get, whatever build you go with.
*Exploration. This is old school chaps. Explore by all means, but it's a game where quests take you down the paths your meant to go on. Exploration does yield rewards mind, just don't think of it as an open world game in any way.
It requires work to enjoy chaps, but IMO it's definitely worth it. The best gaming experiences I've ever had were the 2nd, 3rd & 4th playthrough of this game because of all the choices & conciquences available.
I hated TW3, but it did have far more accessibility for the more casual crowd & I respect that. I'd love to see a 4th Witcher game, with Witcher 3's ease of access combined with Witcher 2's C&C and depth, and not watered down by an Open World either.