I played through W1 (for the second time) in 2017, W2 in Jan (only got 1/3 of the way through originally), and W3 in March (first time). Each game approaches combat in very different ways in terms of mechanics but I felt that each contained the same core essence. I preferred the combat in W2 but I could absolutely understand why someone would prefer W1. I would say that W1 is a deeply flawed but still great game, W2 is simply a great game, and W3 is one of the best games ever.