1. When a game wins "Game of the Year", it does so for a reason. In the case of Dragon Age Origins, it was game of the year for a LOT of reasons . . . many of which - it appears - you guys tossed into the proverbial trash so you could create Street Fighter in Ferelden. Sequels to successful games
do not have to be completely revamped. The first game rocked. Give us what made DAO great with a new storyline and new characters and some additional skills and talents. All in all, the fight sequences were silly, cartoonish and childish, with all the (poorly animated) darkspawn blowing up and being cut in half and such nonsense. It appears the combat was designed with the 14 year old and under crowd in mind.
2. An RPG without much of RP is just a G. The conversation system adapted in DA II doesn't cut it for me and I don’t see how it will work for quality PC/NPC RPG interaction. It is a letdown. What drew me in to DA: Origins was the emotional involvement, relationships, friendships and intensity of the interactions with NPCs. Without that, it is just another hack and slash game. When I chose a conversation option on the wheel, I never got what I was expecting. Hawke says something pithy that sort of has something to do with the few choices listed. Let’s see, do I choose the touchy-feely play nice response, the comedic/aloof response, or the violent psychopath response? I would rather go back to my character NOT speaking than use the conversation system I experienced in the demo . . . especially since Hawke didn’t actually ever say what I chose anyway.
3. The animation seemed to move better but the actual artwork is not very good (and I am being kind here). The people look more cartoonish and much less realistic than they did in DAO. This may actually be a graphics issue, since I could play DAO on high definition mode and in this game it appears I am stuck in medium def mode. Unfortunately I have a feeling it is more of a style issue. After I finished the demo a couple times, I went back and booted up DAO and was stunned at the difference in artwork. DAO – the landscape, the people, the attention to detail, the visual environment as a whole – was really well done. The new DA II artwork “style” – if that what it is – is not very impressive. Of course, another person might very well have just the opposite opinion here.
4. In the demo I could hardly hear the characters speak, especially so in the case of Varek and the inquisitor. I had to put the voices on 10 and the music and sound effects on 1 or 2, then crank up my speakers all the way just to hear what people were saying. Even then I couldn’t hear everything that was said. And when I clicked on the Templar, words appeared over his head but I never actually heard his voice (except during the mini movies). I have the latest driver for my sound card, so I am not sure if this is a demo problem or something I will experience in the actual game as well.
5. In general, if this demo really represents what the game will be/feel/play like I am sorry I pre-ordered it back in December. I was REALLY looking forward to DA II coming out on the 8th, but now - not so much. Sorry for the harsh criticism. But that is how I feel.
Modifié par Malagar the Slayer, 25 février 2011 - 02:52 .