As a mid-quel or whatever, I can play this without playing 2, right?
Nope. While this happens between 1 and 2, it would spoil a few things about 2.
Finish 2 first, before coming for AE.
Big fan of Trigger Happy Havoc and Goodbye Despair. I havent followed Another Episode that much. Since its as Spin-Off I am a bit afraid I wont like it. Any advise? The CE looks nice, wish they would always include the full Soundtrack.
I wouldn't call a spin-off, since the story is very important and my guess is that we will see some of its consequences on DG3.
That being said, if you liked the story, setting and characters of the first two, you will like this one. Gameplay works, so you can play only for the story without getting bored.