Initially, I didn't plan to start the next one so soon, but here we are.
(the view isn't so HD actually, but I love that logo changes according to the story)
This one I played longer, basically because the mechanics of how you earn and where you sleep etc. changed. I think this part of the game which reflect your occupation is pretty cool.
For example in previous game you are just a person, so you sleep at camps or in the inn, but you barter for that sleep.
But in this game you're a hunter, so you can take a rest anywhere. You cook for yourself, this is how you can eat and get energy. Next thing you learn how to brew potions which are essential in the game and also parttime as a blacksmith, which is essential too. You learn a lot of skills in this one.
You grew up with your uncle, because your parents unfortunately passed away, he was the one who taught you hunting. But during the earthquake your house is buried under rocks (honestly, this is brutal), so you're a homeless guy (this is why you camp and it's a separate icon even) which now need to earn his way. Later you hear that the path between villages was blocked but there are many monsters dwelling in the caves which can serve as another way around. You saw orcs before the earthquake. When you travel to another village you slowly find out that orcs occupied the caves leading to mines and people are stuck there. You fight your way there. Later you clear cave by cave occupied by orcs and demons and finally see the castle.
During your journey you have visions of a maiden who got a ruby from the Forbidden Valley, she was enchanted and came to the heart of all evil that is happening - Earthquaker. So the ground shakes a lot. You have to defeat all demons to defeat Earthquaker and release he kingdom from the horrors.
Because of this there is a lot of fighting and this is why it is essential to eventually learn how to make your own weapons and brew potions, since the orcs, zombies, spiders, snakes, demons etc. all require weapons and potions used on them. Because your weapons can break at any time and of course potions disappear after use. You also learn mining to get your own ore and herbalist teaches you how to collect herbs whether alchemist taught you to brew potions.
What is very different from the previous ones too is that looting is infinite.
While resources in the second game were limited so you had to use them sparingly, here everything respawns within time (including enemies). Also if you need something specific you just need to remember the location, flowers or animals will respawn at the same place. The same goes for everything else, like eggs or mushrooms or fish etc. This way you have endless resources. It helps a lot because doing it yourself of course is cheaper than buying it and you need a ton of weapons and potions for all those orcs and demons.
Must say it is fun, but surely is easier. Also because you're mainly fighting in caves, there is only a tiny portion of quests like saving people from caves or doing other stuff. I felt like in general I spent time on looting, hunting etc.
The only thing that bothered me the most is the upgrade of fighting skills, because the more you fight, the more pro you become, but not all creatures give you that option (and respawned ones do not grant you upgrade either), so before I reached 100 I had to look around to find which will help me upgrade. Since everything is in several different locations.
Oh yeah, this one saved the princess who woke the Earthquaker, but did not end up with her, he is a free hero. Which I find a nice nuance. In 2nd game the two princess and you travel together and face adversities, but here the princess is partially responsible and we remember that the hero lost his uncle in the beginning. So we don't ask for anything or a princess (we saw her only in visions too), we're an honorable pal.