As much as I have tried to avoid this thread for numerous reasons (it would have been better if it had been moderated like a previous feedback thread, with only actual constructive feedback kept, really) here are some of my observations having played the PC and 360 versions of the demo:
-My first time playing the PC version of either Dragon Age (my laptop shouldn't have been able to run the demo going by the system specs) and I wasn't disappointed. I can't judge the graphics in the PC version due to having it on very low settings, but the UI was clean and easy to navigate. Definitely still has the edge over the console versions there (naturally). Personally I quite like the style of the UI, although I can see why it wouldn't be to everyones taste.
-The 360 version plays like a dream, huge step up from Origins in my opinion. I played the game last October at Eurogamer and even just in the prologue it's come on a long, long way. Every class feels more responsive, weighty, and fun to play. I would say that comparison can be made with Origins (360) as well, the combat feels exactly the same - just a thousand times better and more responsive.
Now I have never played Origins on the PC so I can't compare there, but I did find combat wasn't quite as intuitive as the 360 when playing it without pausing. With pausing however it quickly became evident it was the best way to experience DA2's combat, even in a fairly easy fight I found I got so much more out of the experience by throwing even the most basic tactics and pause and play into the mix. Still a shame that the consoles cannot recreate that feeling quite as well, but it's still a big step up from Origins for them in that regard and with combat flowing so much smoother anyway I would still expect it to garner greater praise from the press over it's predecessor.
-I love the art style, although I do agree that the Blightlands (however much it made sense to show them off at events etc.) just aren't the best poster child for it. The Darkspawn are, perhaps, the most controversial (or at least, polarizing) change and feature prominently, and the land is bland and devoid of colour and life - it's supposed to be! I don't mind any of the changes I've seen to be honest, but I can certainly understand why it's been a hard pill for some to swallow.
Still don't get the drama about the Qunari though, but that's a debate for another day.
Other little things I adored in this category are the stylistic touches like the fog that appears with the EA and Bioware credits (and in other places, lovely screen wipe using it to cut to Varric's exaggerated sequence, kudos to who set that shot up). The framing in some of the scenes is nigh perfect, and hugely impressive for a video game. Some seem to lament video games taking cues from Cinema, but gaming isn't just about one medium and I support seeing developers experiment and improve the cinematic techniques used in games. Judging by the demo the cinematic department have outdone themselves with DA2.
I'm also a big fan of the outfits. Much as been said about these over the past however many months, but again from what I am seeing in the demo they are a big improvement over Origins fare. Of particular highlight would be the Mages robes Hawke wears, more specifically the functional set worn in the non-exaggerated prologue and the fancier set worn by Lady Hawke in Kirkwall. Very nicely done I thought. I'm also loving the companion outfits, I too wish we could choose from a selection for each companion but failing that I had just hoped each companion would look impressive enough - that is more than the case. Even Aveline's starting outfit has a lot of nice little details, and now we know both she and Carver end up in full armor it should resolve any of those complaints. Isabela and Varric are the stand outs for me so far though, they look rediculously awesome.
-Having tried all the different combat styles, it feels to me like they are all improved somewhat. Archery is fantastic now (something I am very pleased to see being a big fan of Archery in general), but even the two handed and sword and shield style warrior felt more fun to play as. Two handed in particular handled better than it did even last October. I also really like the way Mages skills are mixed, it feels more accessible and enjoyable to experiment with yet retaining most of it's subtlety and complexety from Origins.
-The music and VA are both handled very well, as should be expected from a Bioware game. There wasn't one voice I can think of that didn't fit or I otherwise didn't like, and the soundtrack is at once both so recognisably Dragon Age but also an evolution of what came before.
-I don't have a problem with the new dialogue system either. The wheel is controversial sure, and I'm definitely interested in seeing how well DE:HR's style works in comparison, however I do feel the effect the wheel has gets blown out of proportion by critics of the style. I never felt like I had less options than I had in Origins, nor did I feel like I wasn't sure what Hawke would say, the icons they have added were helpful in this regard at times - especially combined with the new adaptive dialogue/personality system. It isn't hard to aim for a diplomatic Hawke should you want to for instance and getting those little extra unique bits of dialogue based on choices you have made is very cool.
One thing I do think could have been handled better was your siblings death. Everything about the scene is handled well except there is definite room to show the effect it has on Hawke more. You can only argue the situation warranted Hawke being strong thing so far, and an extra line of dialogue (perhaps even one based off your previous dialogue choices) and some extra animation of Hawke could have worked wonders to give the scene just that extra boost of gut wrenching sadness it needed.
Otherwise I can't really think of anything to criticise. I was originally against them showing 'default' Hawke in the exaggerated sequence (I still think the name should be your Hawke's name) but the idea of it being just a side effect of the exaggeration isn't a bad one. Can't say I'd like to see it continue past that point though! Also wish we could have messed around with the character creator, after the team pulled out all the stops to get us a CC for Origins pre-release I would have thought this would be a perfect opportunity to do that again.
Anyway, I probably missed some things but that's enough, roll on March 11th.
Retour en haut
*WINKWINK*
