I find most commentary reads as though people were expecting GTA from CDPR, which is completely unfair. I don't see a lot of "this doesn't play like Skyrim" from TW3 commentary, and there's a lot in common with those comparisons: CDPR titles are more story-driven, less freedom in their protagonist's character and role, and far less "life" outside the main path (ie, townsfolk and little finds along the way).
E: I think it played less buggy on launch than Skyrim, too. PC