OK everyone calm down, you'll all get a chance to answer this question, just stop the pushing and shoving! So who's got ticket #1? Please step forward to deliver your answer.

You're what!? A deaf mute! I'm sorry to hear that, but... What!!! You're all deaf mutes!?!?! The entire forum is an assembage of the deaf and mute!?

Oh well...

Guess I stumped the band! Well thanks anyway, now back to the snoring...

(and tumbleweeds roll down the barren street as the wind echos across the lonesome square)

It connects to the first one. You are told some details about the first but nothing special. You'll also meet persons from the first game so you would kinda miss out. Trilogy time here, so best played in order.

Best played in order. We recommend it for best experience :-)

I thought the first one is a better game but the story follows on from the first one, But this one has better cut scenes, all in all an enjoyable relaxing game for drinking tea on a cold winter morn. Def play the first one before this.

Thanks everyone!

Maybe my answer is just too late...
I think the first game may have a stronger connetion with the second one in the story the whole trilogy tells, but not the game itself. You may find nothing different in game playing but you may realize more facts about the story.
p.s. I've found the prisoner was the priest during my playing, but I could do nothing but pretending I did know...