I agree about most of the game's weaknesses (particularly the overly difficult prologue with little explanation of the combat system), but the review missed out on pretty much all of the strengths.
I particularly liked the little side quest with the elven girl, by the way. The approach Yahtzee took made it seem like a grand "feck you anyway," but my Geralt didn't take either side and I liked how that worked out - the guilty just seemed to punish themselves. Anyway, I agree that the fight against the chapter 1 boss was tough, but the initial cutscene *is* skippable. Just click RMB. Also, if you don't know how to use a particular feature, you should just look at the manual that comes with the game.
When it comes to fighting groups, by the way, different tactics are needed than just blocking or dodging (as you clearly won't be able to avoid everyone if they're all around you). Make bombs and traps during down-time and use those; use Yrden to trap foes magically if you didn't prepare any traps and Igni to, you know, ignite foes if you didn't prepare bombs; put up Quen to deflect damage (though you should really have that up in all fights but the weakest); use Aard to knock foes down and Axii to bewitch foes to fight on your side.
