Yes go for it. There is obv some history between characters, but the story is pretty self contained.
Yeah, but I’d recommend looking up a brief summary - or at least pay attention to the cutscenes and loading screens!
Also be sure to get the GOTY edition, the DLC is the best part of the game (both of them).
And I’d recommend playing on Hard mode or above, it makes the mutagens and oils, etc. actually matter a bit and felt a bit more like Monster Hunter in that respect.
Death March Alchemy build is the most OP way to play.
I played it without playing any previous game and it was a blast, lore and history wise is self contained so no problem there.
Yes
Never played the other Witcher games, but TW3 is one of my all-time favorites and I completed the whole story (including DLCs) like three times already.