I was a fan of 2 and 3. 1 was great back in the day but was so limited. 2 and 3 expanded a lot. I own 4 but I haven't actually played it.

The only fault with DW was the grinding and some of the BS enemy attacked that just destroy you so quickly. I don't think I've actually beaten 2 though. I have a save game on my cart from who knows when, probbly the 90s, that is in Rhone and I just can't beat Hargon because just getting to him is a chore and then I stupidly equipped that sword that sometimes freezes you.