If I remember correctly, in W1, Geralt just stopped and stood like an idiot drinking the potions for several seconds, which in an intense fight was deadly and diminished the usefulness to some degree. That was very annoying, it didn't add too much to the tactical aspect, it hampered it a bit.
And it's very good, because you must think, if you want use potion into fight, you must reckon with the fact that you can die
Also the auto refill is starting to make a bit more sense now, if the effects of the potions will be this short.
Having 30-60 second duration (increased through the alchemy tree), would mean that you'd need a lot of potions, and if the required amounts of ingredients is similar to W2, then you'll need lots of ingredients as well, which would turn the game into a constant ingredient farming, and I don't want that.
For me, auto refilling suck the same as all new alchemy system..
Having the potions give you huge boosts for short periods, I think it's the right way.
It's casual way...
It still promotes preparation because you are only allowed to use two potions at a given time. Presumably, you won't be able to swap them in combat, in the 35min video it looked like Geralt had to meditate to "equip" a new potion.
When you waste your potions, your character can become powerless... especially when you fight with much powerful monsters (with bigger level, than geralt)... it's much more anoing, than all drinking animation, etc.
It's a short duration, so you won't be able to prolong some fights with very tough enemies and the limited doses would also help with that This will put accent on the skill of the player, not just mashing the buttons.
Sorry, but no, mechanics only limit the player and have nothing to do with the skills, if you waste your potions, you don't have chance with powerful monsters, where fight can take a few minutes (If you fight with monster with big level, and fight take 10 min, you have only 2 min healing, if these monster get you 50%hp on one hit, you must use swallow, because next hit kill you, 2 hits, and you don't have potions = don't have support), you can't get next potions, even you have it in your backpack, and your toxic is low, because game decides for you. If potions support player as in the previous games (especially TW1), swallow health you for 10 min, but much lower, you decision have much more impact in gameplay. If you make 4 swallows, and get one, you healing regeneration is faster, for long time, but if swallow ends, you can use next (if you have low toxic). When you fight with powerful monsters, and you get hit lose 50% hp swallow don't be waste that is easily...
I hope that what I wrote is understandable
I like when potions support player, but now, it's MMO system... It should be mature game, where you must think (as in previous games), not stupid MMO...