With rare exception, your progress through the original game was measured in chapters tied to modular areas. Concerning story and theme, the press release confirms the sequel will remain “mature,” while adding that it’ll also be “non-linear,” which is interesting, because The Witcher wasn’t.
The game hasn’t been outsourced (a good sign) and as far as I can tell, the same design team’s running the show.
Can CD Projekt RED pull it off again? We can hope.