I would of really liked if somehow during after when either your brother/ or sister goes to where ever they go that you could visit them. Like they give you quests that go along with the story or just side quests. Just like how Aveline is Guard-Captain but she still goes places with you and sometimes has a quest for you.
Your Dragon Age II Review *NO SPOILERS PLEASE*
Débuté par
javierabegazo
, mars 08 2011 04:02
Retour en haut
#2927
Posté 20 mai 2011 - 08:46
Shadow6773
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- Members
- 30 messages
Well I finished playing the game a while ago an after some time and thought I've decide to give my opinion. In regard to the game itself I will say many of the changes and ideas are good ones and some of which I wanted but many were not carried out well or were over the top. As they say, the devil is in the details.
+Enjoy the better looking graphics
-Do not like the redesigned races, elfs and quanari look worse IMO and I saw no need to change them at all
+Like the combat being faster but...
- At times it feels they went overboard with the speed, very hard to pause and play and control the encounter with things happening so fast
+Liked the idea of a story taking place over time
-The idea was good but felt like it was carried out poorly without much change in character development or control
-The lack of usable loot and items as well as the item ranking system was poor
-Would like more armor with the option for people to toggle what they want to appear wether it be a characters designed look or new armor
+Like how Hawke looks
-Why did they make it so hard to create a good looking personalized Hawke? Its like it was done on purpose.
-Very hard to make a balanced class and use better items, the point spread is way to much
-Don't like the ever spawning mobs, they are a waste of time and don't seem to add to the story. I mean how many groups of bandits will really try to attack me over the years after wiping out a few dozen on a daily basis? Almost every single mob in DAO had a purpose.
-The "acts" feel more like a day when years have supposedly passed. In DAO I felt I had a better relationship with any of those characters after a few months(the game) then all the "years" spent in DA2. I know its not fair comparing a game with artificial years in this one... however a half a dozen conversations with large gaps in time and nothing but imagination to fill them and not many apparent changes, does not help. I for one want the experience the changes not have to fill in the blanks and guess.
- The frammed narrative was a good idea, but doesn't work well when your character is not proactive with the story, with so many options in the first game this feels like you are stuck and your character is purely reactive and a pawn to event(sometimes they are and with the story its understandable, but making the entire game feel that way just does not feel fun for players)
-Being trapped in one city...'nuff said
-Very few of the missions felt important, in fact almost all of them felt like side tasks and a waste of time unless you stumbled on one that carried the story forward.
+Like the voice acting
-Do not think the voice acting was worth the cut in party conversation and interaction, I can only have one conversation or two over a few years with a party member? really?
-I just did not like most of the character and would not have cared if half of them died
-No real compelling goals/quest for the player, feels like you are just running around
-Felt nothing when the game ended including the desire to replay it. When I first played through DAO I has a huge mix of emotions.. partly because my character died, but also from an amazing ending and I needed to play again and see what I could change. This was lackluster to say the least with very little to offer in terms of change.
Don't get me wrong. I did enjoy some of the game, however this one feels more incomplete and like it has even more problems then the first when it was supposed to improve on it. The first game was at least done well enough where the complaints were justified but did not overshadow and mar the games overall enjoyment. That was not the case with this game.
+Enjoy the better looking graphics
-Do not like the redesigned races, elfs and quanari look worse IMO and I saw no need to change them at all
+Like the combat being faster but...
- At times it feels they went overboard with the speed, very hard to pause and play and control the encounter with things happening so fast
+Liked the idea of a story taking place over time
-The idea was good but felt like it was carried out poorly without much change in character development or control
-The lack of usable loot and items as well as the item ranking system was poor
-Would like more armor with the option for people to toggle what they want to appear wether it be a characters designed look or new armor
+Like how Hawke looks
-Why did they make it so hard to create a good looking personalized Hawke? Its like it was done on purpose.
-Very hard to make a balanced class and use better items, the point spread is way to much
-Don't like the ever spawning mobs, they are a waste of time and don't seem to add to the story. I mean how many groups of bandits will really try to attack me over the years after wiping out a few dozen on a daily basis? Almost every single mob in DAO had a purpose.
-The "acts" feel more like a day when years have supposedly passed. In DAO I felt I had a better relationship with any of those characters after a few months(the game) then all the "years" spent in DA2. I know its not fair comparing a game with artificial years in this one... however a half a dozen conversations with large gaps in time and nothing but imagination to fill them and not many apparent changes, does not help. I for one want the experience the changes not have to fill in the blanks and guess.
- The frammed narrative was a good idea, but doesn't work well when your character is not proactive with the story, with so many options in the first game this feels like you are stuck and your character is purely reactive and a pawn to event(sometimes they are and with the story its understandable, but making the entire game feel that way just does not feel fun for players)
-Being trapped in one city...'nuff said
-Very few of the missions felt important, in fact almost all of them felt like side tasks and a waste of time unless you stumbled on one that carried the story forward.
+Like the voice acting
-Do not think the voice acting was worth the cut in party conversation and interaction, I can only have one conversation or two over a few years with a party member? really?
-I just did not like most of the character and would not have cared if half of them died
-No real compelling goals/quest for the player, feels like you are just running around
-Felt nothing when the game ended including the desire to replay it. When I first played through DAO I has a huge mix of emotions.. partly because my character died, but also from an amazing ending and I needed to play again and see what I could change. This was lackluster to say the least with very little to offer in terms of change.
Don't get me wrong. I did enjoy some of the game, however this one feels more incomplete and like it has even more problems then the first when it was supposed to improve on it. The first game was at least done well enough where the complaints were justified but did not overshadow and mar the games overall enjoyment. That was not the case with this game.
#2928
Posté 21 mai 2011 - 05:08
raza31
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- Members
- 79 messages
This is youtube review of the game. It gives a short synopes of the game leaving most of the juicy bits out and outlines the gripes that players of Origins complain about. If you didn't play Origins or DA2 and want to know more about the gameplay before making a purchase then here's an unbias review of DA2.
#2929
Posté 21 mai 2011 - 10:31
Verilee
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- 25 messages
I am still enjoying DA:O, and haven't bought DA2 yet.
Since I am a long time fan of Bioware RPGs, I had to have a look though, and so I visited a friend who bought DA2. I visited a few times, to get a good impression.
Honestly, I am shocked.
To label such a game under the DA brand, and label it as an RPG, is a shame.
I know there might be a lot out there loving it, for what it is, and that's fine by me, but in my eyes Bioware clearly offended and annoyed those loyal RPG customers who made Bioware what they had become (before the release of DA2): one of the best companies out there in that Fantasy RPG genre.
So many companies down the drain... and now Bioware as well? Thank you EA.
I cannot believe Bioware intended to release something like that under the DA/RPG brand. It seems as EA forced them to milk the DA franchise even more, with a rushed and slimmed down something, that barely has to do something with traditional RPG.
Maybe it's the problem that companies think that games have to be tailored for the consoles. With that in mind, I fear the worst for Skyrim...
Don't get me wrong, DA2 might be an above average game, but not an RPG, and definitely not the successor of DA:O. Action Adventure might be a better genre for this game.
While the term 'RPG' is not clearly defined, it's my personal expectation that is not at all met when dealing with DA2. I have grown up with games like Bard's Tale (yes, on Amiga in the late 80s), and I have been playing a large amount of all RPGs ever made. All the AD&D games from SSI and from Bioware, Realms of Arkania series, Might & Magic series, Lands of Lore... and of course Elder Scrolls, Arena, Daggerfall...
And most of them weren't top notch, graphically (Morrowind and Oblivion still are top notch to me) but had a wonderful atmosphere, and they all had in common, that they (in variations of course) had all those wonderful elements that I expect in an RPG: Custom Made Characters, an inventory that deserves the name "inventory", items to find and collect, equipping the party with those found or stolen or looted things (what a joy if I found a weapon that increased the stats by a single point lol)
Of course gameplay and priorities have changed a bit, since the technical progress brings so many new possibilities (I just wonder how games like Daggerfall with that huge world and possibilities to develop the character realized with the current graphical standards... wow... or the old SSI classics like Dragonlance or Pool of Radiance...would be like), and it's of course more graphic and effects nowadays than it was back then.
But the finest graphics (I don't like these comic-style graphics in DA2 btw) fail if there is no substance. You cannot build a castle on swampy ground, the foundations have to be there. And the name "Dragon Age" is not enough as a foundation.
Stripping the RPG of almost all RPG elements, and making a console qualified game (a cursor to mark opponents - wtf?) is not what I have thought the wonderful DA:O would be continued with.
If DA3 follows that path even further, will there even be a difference then to the Don Bluth interactive Dragon's Lair series, where you only had to move the joystick into the right direction at the right time? Wonderful graphic they had, given it was late 80s on an Amiga... But again, wonderful graphics and no substance...
Bioware might have attracted a lot of new players to the DA series with this release, but I will definitely not buy it, even if it is offered for a few bucks in a special sale. I wonder if they did the right thing, in attracting SOME new players, but putting off so many loyal RPG fans who stuck with this company for so many years, and, as I said before, made Bioware what they had become (at least before the release of DA2).
Every company needs to earn money, and I don't know how well the sales with DA2 are compared to DA:O, but it's a great pity that Bioware had sacrificed so many of their virtues and delivered a game like this under the DA:O / RPG brand.
If this game WAS really necessary so quickly, why not under a side series like "Dragon Age Action Adventures Vol. 1" or so, and delivering a TRUE RPG successor as DA:O 2 or whatever. Bethesda did the same (not very successful, though) with Redguard and Battlespire, not compromising the original Elder Scrolls series (Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind and Oblivion).
I don't go into too many details here, just some pros and cons of DA2 as I see it:
Pros: some parts of the story, the voiceovers
cons: the action-like combat and the out-of-nowhere-spawning enemie waves, comic like graphics, repetitive and boring dungeons, no RPG elements, like equipping the party and such, stats and abilities reduced to the minimum to call this game an RPG, tailored to consoles (as a PC player I HAVE a precise mouse to place an area spell and I know how to use it, I don't need cursors jumping from one enemy to the other), and a few more.
Personally, I just hope, that Bioware will return to the original path (and atmospheric graphics style) they had built with DA:O, and that DA3 will then again be a true successor and will maybe even improve DA:O. But I have to admit that I have my doubts. If they don't, it will be another buried series and maybe company (RPG wise) like so many before (someone still remembering Origin before they got bought by EA?).
Since I am a long time fan of Bioware RPGs, I had to have a look though, and so I visited a friend who bought DA2. I visited a few times, to get a good impression.
Honestly, I am shocked.
To label such a game under the DA brand, and label it as an RPG, is a shame.
I know there might be a lot out there loving it, for what it is, and that's fine by me, but in my eyes Bioware clearly offended and annoyed those loyal RPG customers who made Bioware what they had become (before the release of DA2): one of the best companies out there in that Fantasy RPG genre.
So many companies down the drain... and now Bioware as well? Thank you EA.
I cannot believe Bioware intended to release something like that under the DA/RPG brand. It seems as EA forced them to milk the DA franchise even more, with a rushed and slimmed down something, that barely has to do something with traditional RPG.
Maybe it's the problem that companies think that games have to be tailored for the consoles. With that in mind, I fear the worst for Skyrim...
Don't get me wrong, DA2 might be an above average game, but not an RPG, and definitely not the successor of DA:O. Action Adventure might be a better genre for this game.
While the term 'RPG' is not clearly defined, it's my personal expectation that is not at all met when dealing with DA2. I have grown up with games like Bard's Tale (yes, on Amiga in the late 80s), and I have been playing a large amount of all RPGs ever made. All the AD&D games from SSI and from Bioware, Realms of Arkania series, Might & Magic series, Lands of Lore... and of course Elder Scrolls, Arena, Daggerfall...
And most of them weren't top notch, graphically (Morrowind and Oblivion still are top notch to me) but had a wonderful atmosphere, and they all had in common, that they (in variations of course) had all those wonderful elements that I expect in an RPG: Custom Made Characters, an inventory that deserves the name "inventory", items to find and collect, equipping the party with those found or stolen or looted things (what a joy if I found a weapon that increased the stats by a single point lol)
Of course gameplay and priorities have changed a bit, since the technical progress brings so many new possibilities (I just wonder how games like Daggerfall with that huge world and possibilities to develop the character realized with the current graphical standards... wow... or the old SSI classics like Dragonlance or Pool of Radiance...would be like), and it's of course more graphic and effects nowadays than it was back then.
But the finest graphics (I don't like these comic-style graphics in DA2 btw) fail if there is no substance. You cannot build a castle on swampy ground, the foundations have to be there. And the name "Dragon Age" is not enough as a foundation.
Stripping the RPG of almost all RPG elements, and making a console qualified game (a cursor to mark opponents - wtf?) is not what I have thought the wonderful DA:O would be continued with.
If DA3 follows that path even further, will there even be a difference then to the Don Bluth interactive Dragon's Lair series, where you only had to move the joystick into the right direction at the right time? Wonderful graphic they had, given it was late 80s on an Amiga... But again, wonderful graphics and no substance...
Bioware might have attracted a lot of new players to the DA series with this release, but I will definitely not buy it, even if it is offered for a few bucks in a special sale. I wonder if they did the right thing, in attracting SOME new players, but putting off so many loyal RPG fans who stuck with this company for so many years, and, as I said before, made Bioware what they had become (at least before the release of DA2).
Every company needs to earn money, and I don't know how well the sales with DA2 are compared to DA:O, but it's a great pity that Bioware had sacrificed so many of their virtues and delivered a game like this under the DA:O / RPG brand.
If this game WAS really necessary so quickly, why not under a side series like "Dragon Age Action Adventures Vol. 1" or so, and delivering a TRUE RPG successor as DA:O 2 or whatever. Bethesda did the same (not very successful, though) with Redguard and Battlespire, not compromising the original Elder Scrolls series (Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind and Oblivion).
I don't go into too many details here, just some pros and cons of DA2 as I see it:
Pros: some parts of the story, the voiceovers
cons: the action-like combat and the out-of-nowhere-spawning enemie waves, comic like graphics, repetitive and boring dungeons, no RPG elements, like equipping the party and such, stats and abilities reduced to the minimum to call this game an RPG, tailored to consoles (as a PC player I HAVE a precise mouse to place an area spell and I know how to use it, I don't need cursors jumping from one enemy to the other), and a few more.
Personally, I just hope, that Bioware will return to the original path (and atmospheric graphics style) they had built with DA:O, and that DA3 will then again be a true successor and will maybe even improve DA:O. But I have to admit that I have my doubts. If they don't, it will be another buried series and maybe company (RPG wise) like so many before (someone still remembering Origin before they got bought by EA?).
#2930
Posté 22 mai 2011 - 10:10
Chippei
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- Members
- 11 messages
I've purchased every Bioware game and all related DLC except Shattered Steel. I have games in my library ranging from Doom, to Command & Conquer, to FF7 going back 20 years. I like console games and am just planning on getting into Tenchu and Ninja Gaiden.
I didn't mind the transition from Mass Effect > ME2 (although consider managing inventory a strategy, and thought it weird (as I saw it) with mining as a method of gathering resources - hey - you said "prepare for a suicide mission" so I mined EVERYTHING! and was still limited because my funds were short). Whatever;- the game was fantastic.
Fallout 1/2 > New Vegas? Well, New Vegas isn't like the originals - but is it a great game for what it is? Yes.
So I can paradigm shift with the best of them. But could not play DA2 beyond the prologue. This isn't just about DA1 being the spiritual successor to BG, and DA2 going off in a totally different direction.
I liked the combat animations ('BG2 two handed sword swing' = reverse kinetic lift/how not to slip a disk while cutting someone in half). But what's with the exploding enemies? I tried to justify it with Darkspawn as "Well they're infected and are just giant pustules" but then I started shredding and exploding normal enemies.
I don't evaluate whether +1 magic longsword is harder than tempered laminated steel, and look for minor details in games to pick apart, but that was weird - I much prefer pressing a button in Assassins Creed.
I love playing games because they are an enjoyable learning process - you have visual art, great music, stories that are just as engaging as any film/book, and even the manipulation of controls to achieve a desired result.
Any teacher will express that as VARK (visual, audio, reading, kinesthetic) learning styles, with games usually leading towards one style more than others. So in trying to pin dow the overall reason why I played it for a bit and then stopped (I've completed every game I own) I realize that even on hardcore difficulty it doesn't differentiate in tactics as battles leave themselves open to the repetition of strategy that only becomes easier as the more able/experienced gamer takes advantage of the character build system.
Thats why (as a hardcore RPG gamer) I mined EVERYTHING! in ME2, it's why I spoke to every character in Planescape Torment, and it's why I will build a strong character in DA:2 who will kick everyone's ass without having to worry about using a +5 longsword or not.
I'm still a loyal Bioware fan, but now know that if I want a traditional RPG I go to the Witcher, and if I want a great action RPG light game I go to DA:2 or Darksiders. The difference is that the start of Darksiders grabbed me before DA:2 did, and with my limited time - played that through instead.
So sorry to say may give DA:3 a miss. I'm not trying to be rude (or sound hard done by) but also work in an area where sometimes you can't help but work with what you've got, within the time given, and hope that constructive feedback and statisitics can sway things for the better.
Of course I may just be part of a statistical group that doesn't actually count!.
I didn't mind the transition from Mass Effect > ME2 (although consider managing inventory a strategy, and thought it weird (as I saw it) with mining as a method of gathering resources - hey - you said "prepare for a suicide mission" so I mined EVERYTHING! and was still limited because my funds were short). Whatever;- the game was fantastic.
Fallout 1/2 > New Vegas? Well, New Vegas isn't like the originals - but is it a great game for what it is? Yes.
So I can paradigm shift with the best of them. But could not play DA2 beyond the prologue. This isn't just about DA1 being the spiritual successor to BG, and DA2 going off in a totally different direction.
I liked the combat animations ('BG2 two handed sword swing' = reverse kinetic lift/how not to slip a disk while cutting someone in half). But what's with the exploding enemies? I tried to justify it with Darkspawn as "Well they're infected and are just giant pustules" but then I started shredding and exploding normal enemies.
I don't evaluate whether +1 magic longsword is harder than tempered laminated steel, and look for minor details in games to pick apart, but that was weird - I much prefer pressing a button in Assassins Creed.
I love playing games because they are an enjoyable learning process - you have visual art, great music, stories that are just as engaging as any film/book, and even the manipulation of controls to achieve a desired result.
Any teacher will express that as VARK (visual, audio, reading, kinesthetic) learning styles, with games usually leading towards one style more than others. So in trying to pin dow the overall reason why I played it for a bit and then stopped (I've completed every game I own) I realize that even on hardcore difficulty it doesn't differentiate in tactics as battles leave themselves open to the repetition of strategy that only becomes easier as the more able/experienced gamer takes advantage of the character build system.
Thats why (as a hardcore RPG gamer) I mined EVERYTHING! in ME2, it's why I spoke to every character in Planescape Torment, and it's why I will build a strong character in DA:2 who will kick everyone's ass without having to worry about using a +5 longsword or not.
I'm still a loyal Bioware fan, but now know that if I want a traditional RPG I go to the Witcher, and if I want a great action RPG light game I go to DA:2 or Darksiders. The difference is that the start of Darksiders grabbed me before DA:2 did, and with my limited time - played that through instead.
So sorry to say may give DA:3 a miss. I'm not trying to be rude (or sound hard done by) but also work in an area where sometimes you can't help but work with what you've got, within the time given, and hope that constructive feedback and statisitics can sway things for the better.
Of course I may just be part of a statistical group that doesn't actually count!.
#2931
Posté 22 mai 2011 - 03:43
Chromie
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Chippei wrote...
I'm still a loyal Bioware fan, but now know that if I want a traditional RPG I go to the Witcher, and if I want a great action RPG light game I go to DA:2 or Darksiders. The difference is that the start of Darksiders grabbed me before DA:2 did, and with my limited time - played that through instead.
the Witcher.Darksiders is a Action/Adventure game like Zelda funny you said it has about as much roleplaying as DA2 kind of says something about DA2.
#2932
Posté 22 mai 2011 - 03:59
Fathnir
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- 18 messages
Well, since you're asking...
I've played Dragon Age II for roughly an hour before uninstalling. Why, might you ask?
For starters, the bit of forced drama at the beginning. I'm not particularly sure how the designers wanted me too feel after Hawke's brother died, but if they intended the scene to be funny, they did a really good job at it.
Hawke himself isn't a likable character. Unlike Shepard, nothing about Hawke stands out except for his blatant, in-my-face homosexuality. I've heard that even gays were offended. I'm pretty sure Shepard, the Exile, Revan, and the Son of Bhaal are looking down at Hawke in disgust right now; I know I am.
The VERY beginning of the game was probably my favorite part. You know, where Hawke and his sister face off against a legion of Darkspawn and brutally obliderate them? That was fun and satisfying. Particularly how a Warrior Hawke could do AoE damage and decapitate five enemies with a single swing. I'd be happier with a hack-and-slash where you fight in such a manner through random dungeons as opposed to how Dragon Age II is now. Too bad this is not so.
The storyline itself just didn't hold my interest. Not only was it a completely linear experience (which is a staple of JRPGs, Bioware- just so you know), it was just... boring. I was supposed to be doing favors for people in Kirkwall? Seriously?
And don't even get me started on the "romances". It just keeps getting worse... I saw the cutscenes, and I facepalmed all throughout. Not surprising, considering the writer for them was a woman who knows absolute **** about videogames and probably has a shrine dedicated to Twilight or something.
I'd give DAII a 5/10. It's a mediocre game, but I've definitely played worse. Doesn't mean I'm going to finish this one, though.
I hope this ****storm opens your eyes, Bioware. You were legendary amongst RPG developers. Now you're going down a path of self-destruction. This wasn't the nail in your coffin, but if things don't change, particularly when you make your next RPG (not Mass Effect), well... requiem in pacem.
END OF LINE.
I've played Dragon Age II for roughly an hour before uninstalling. Why, might you ask?
For starters, the bit of forced drama at the beginning. I'm not particularly sure how the designers wanted me too feel after Hawke's brother died, but if they intended the scene to be funny, they did a really good job at it.
Hawke himself isn't a likable character. Unlike Shepard, nothing about Hawke stands out except for his blatant, in-my-face homosexuality. I've heard that even gays were offended. I'm pretty sure Shepard, the Exile, Revan, and the Son of Bhaal are looking down at Hawke in disgust right now; I know I am.
The VERY beginning of the game was probably my favorite part. You know, where Hawke and his sister face off against a legion of Darkspawn and brutally obliderate them? That was fun and satisfying. Particularly how a Warrior Hawke could do AoE damage and decapitate five enemies with a single swing. I'd be happier with a hack-and-slash where you fight in such a manner through random dungeons as opposed to how Dragon Age II is now. Too bad this is not so.
The storyline itself just didn't hold my interest. Not only was it a completely linear experience (which is a staple of JRPGs, Bioware- just so you know), it was just... boring. I was supposed to be doing favors for people in Kirkwall? Seriously?
And don't even get me started on the "romances". It just keeps getting worse... I saw the cutscenes, and I facepalmed all throughout. Not surprising, considering the writer for them was a woman who knows absolute **** about videogames and probably has a shrine dedicated to Twilight or something.
I'd give DAII a 5/10. It's a mediocre game, but I've definitely played worse. Doesn't mean I'm going to finish this one, though.
I hope this ****storm opens your eyes, Bioware. You were legendary amongst RPG developers. Now you're going down a path of self-destruction. This wasn't the nail in your coffin, but if things don't change, particularly when you make your next RPG (not Mass Effect), well... requiem in pacem.
END OF LINE.
#2933
Posté 22 mai 2011 - 04:35
Blades Of Eternity
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Most of the things I wanted to state were already said in the last 180 pages 
, so I'll save myself the hassle of rewriting them, but to sum it all up, I say that Bioware has done a fine job with this game, but it could have done a much better one, and the game and can be further developed forward, in fact a lot further.
, so I'll save myself the hassle of rewriting them, but to sum it all up, I say that Bioware has done a fine job with this game, but it could have done a much better one, and the game and can be further developed forward, in fact a lot further.
#2934
Posté 24 mai 2011 - 05:51
damnsalvation
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- 50 messages
Its been a while now, and the initial anger has worn off.
You know what? The game is still garbage and it still makes me ill.
Litterally, physically ill. (headaches and nausea)
P.S. Also, ENRAGED.
You know what? The game is still garbage and it still makes me ill.
Litterally, physically ill. (headaches and nausea)
P.S. Also, ENRAGED.
Modifié par damnsalvation, 24 mai 2011 - 05:53 .
#2935
Posté 24 mai 2011 - 04:29
Buddog1967
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- 4 messages
Here are a few of the many things I love about DA2:
- Incredible combat
- In my opinion, a better, more intriguing story than Origins (creating a higher replay value)
- Better graphics (as was expected)
- Better dialog with non-party characters (I'll get to party characters below)
- Nice not to have the camp as your base throughout the entire game
- I already mentioned the overall story, but the timeline of the story makes it so much more enjoyable
- the Black Emporium (need I say more)
- Deeper character personalities
- Though some have mentioned they do not approve of the mini map, I love it
- I like the journal structure better
- Love the skill tree structure
Now for the negative (most of which others have shared):
- Monotonous maps (though surprisingly not as terrible as I initially feared)
- Limited dialog with party members
- Though the facial customization isn’t bad, it could be improved
- Lack of armor customization for party members
- You cannot look at the details of an item that you find before adding it to your inventory
- I would like to have seen minimal environmental differences as the years pass to coincide with political changes
- Potion recharge time (though again, not that important once you embrace the concept)
Overall, I love the game and the good outweighs the bad in my humble opinion.
- Incredible combat
- In my opinion, a better, more intriguing story than Origins (creating a higher replay value)
- Better graphics (as was expected)
- Better dialog with non-party characters (I'll get to party characters below)
- Nice not to have the camp as your base throughout the entire game
- I already mentioned the overall story, but the timeline of the story makes it so much more enjoyable
- the Black Emporium (need I say more)
- Deeper character personalities
- Though some have mentioned they do not approve of the mini map, I love it
- I like the journal structure better
- Love the skill tree structure
Now for the negative (most of which others have shared):
- Monotonous maps (though surprisingly not as terrible as I initially feared)
- Limited dialog with party members
- Though the facial customization isn’t bad, it could be improved
- Lack of armor customization for party members
- You cannot look at the details of an item that you find before adding it to your inventory
- I would like to have seen minimal environmental differences as the years pass to coincide with political changes
- Potion recharge time (though again, not that important once you embrace the concept)
Overall, I love the game and the good outweighs the bad in my humble opinion.
#2936
Posté 24 mai 2011 - 09:41
blitz455
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- Members
- 2 messages
I just finished a second runthrough of this game and want to rewrite my review:
Good:
The game engine on a technical level looks a LOT beter then Dragon Age Orgins faces are sharper chars look more human and in some cases feminine.
- The combat is a interesting take but it needs improvement
Sadly however there is a lot wrong with this game that after a second playthrough only make it more glaring.
GRaphics:
Although on atechnical level the game looks good on a artistic level its a unfinished and uninteresting game. The city is very boring and uses too much of the same palette. But the issue i have is that in Dragonage some levels took me hours to complete you could see the amount of time and love put into each level and you could explore every single dungeon and find something that no other dungeon has. It gave the game a very big sense of exploring and wonder. SAdly however this completly is ommited in DA2 cause well its a tunnel game like Mass Effect. Too much copy pasting has happened or just mirroring a level that for me its really hard to not get bored from the levels.
The storyline gives me too much of a vibe that whatever i decide it will always end up in the same end game with the same problems. I picked A in the game previously now I picked B and even then i still ended up in a fight. For me it gave me the idea that i was playing a story rather then seeing a consequence of my actions. To name one incident.
In the first walkthrough I killed the quanari patrol and saved the mage but then allowed him to commit suicide. Then however in the second playthrough i give him up in the hopes i do not have to fight them sadly however I DO END up fighting them and in the same status quo. And this small example is only a illustration.
Dragonage i was able to take sides and make them come with me in the end and I would hear afterwards the conclusion to my actions.
Another issue I have is that the romance scenes seem to be coming more and more covered and its confusing. I like the romances but atleast keep them at the level they were in DA:O or ME but dont start making them more and more children friendly. Because I doubt having blood smeared all over your face half the time is a very good motivator anyways.
Another big problem with the game however is that it feels unfinished. When you finish the final act you expect something fun to happen something big that your consequences finally unfold everything that has happened so far in dA2 indicates something big is going to happen and ir does but the clifhanger is sadly like Halo 2 we get guided into this scenario and the game stops.
The game prices itself in taking place over a period of 10 years but sadly i ahrdly see a difference anywhere. The times should have been spread moreover acts and also more importatnly chars should age and things should change. For example The elf camp remains static for 10 years and i thin kafter 10 years there would be more elves. I would expect more houses or even new zones but sadly all of that does not happen. the 10 years feel tacked on sadly.
Good:
The game engine on a technical level looks a LOT beter then Dragon Age Orgins faces are sharper chars look more human and in some cases feminine.
- The combat is a interesting take but it needs improvement
Sadly however there is a lot wrong with this game that after a second playthrough only make it more glaring.
GRaphics:
Although on atechnical level the game looks good on a artistic level its a unfinished and uninteresting game. The city is very boring and uses too much of the same palette. But the issue i have is that in Dragonage some levels took me hours to complete you could see the amount of time and love put into each level and you could explore every single dungeon and find something that no other dungeon has. It gave the game a very big sense of exploring and wonder. SAdly however this completly is ommited in DA2 cause well its a tunnel game like Mass Effect. Too much copy pasting has happened or just mirroring a level that for me its really hard to not get bored from the levels.
The storyline gives me too much of a vibe that whatever i decide it will always end up in the same end game with the same problems. I picked A in the game previously now I picked B and even then i still ended up in a fight. For me it gave me the idea that i was playing a story rather then seeing a consequence of my actions. To name one incident.
In the first walkthrough I killed the quanari patrol and saved the mage but then allowed him to commit suicide. Then however in the second playthrough i give him up in the hopes i do not have to fight them sadly however I DO END up fighting them and in the same status quo. And this small example is only a illustration.
Dragonage i was able to take sides and make them come with me in the end and I would hear afterwards the conclusion to my actions.
Another issue I have is that the romance scenes seem to be coming more and more covered and its confusing. I like the romances but atleast keep them at the level they were in DA:O or ME but dont start making them more and more children friendly. Because I doubt having blood smeared all over your face half the time is a very good motivator anyways.
Another big problem with the game however is that it feels unfinished. When you finish the final act you expect something fun to happen something big that your consequences finally unfold everything that has happened so far in dA2 indicates something big is going to happen and ir does but the clifhanger is sadly like Halo 2 we get guided into this scenario and the game stops.
The game prices itself in taking place over a period of 10 years but sadly i ahrdly see a difference anywhere. The times should have been spread moreover acts and also more importatnly chars should age and things should change. For example The elf camp remains static for 10 years and i thin kafter 10 years there would be more elves. I would expect more houses or even new zones but sadly all of that does not happen. the 10 years feel tacked on sadly.
#2937
Posté 24 mai 2011 - 09:50
SpiderFan1217
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- Members
- 1 859 messages
What I liked:
Squadmates, Most were pretty awesome. Props for Varric Isabela, and Merrill.
Story, Good Strayed a little, but I liked it.
Ending, Hopeing for a team-up in DA3.
Combat was fun. Better the DAO.
Graphics were good, Then again to me good graphic are iceing on the cake.
Dislikes
Plotholes, No one noticed me raining down fire and lightening?
Someone's (not gonna say who's) death. NOT COOL!!!
Not a lot of good looking armor.
Weapons looked funny and non-threatening.
I hear that if a player killed Zev he shows up anyway?
Re-used maps, There is a limit to how many times your can do that and still get away with it.
Squadmates, Most were pretty awesome. Props for Varric Isabela, and Merrill.
Story, Good Strayed a little, but I liked it.
Ending, Hopeing for a team-up in DA3.
Combat was fun. Better the DAO.
Graphics were good, Then again to me good graphic are iceing on the cake.
Dislikes
Plotholes, No one noticed me raining down fire and lightening?
Someone's (not gonna say who's) death. NOT COOL!!!
Not a lot of good looking armor.
Weapons looked funny and non-threatening.
I hear that if a player killed Zev he shows up anyway?
Re-used maps, There is a limit to how many times your can do that and still get away with it.
Modifié par SpiderFan1217, 24 mai 2011 - 09:56 .
#2938
Posté 25 mai 2011 - 03:03
Aelbfled
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- Members
- 2 messages
I'm sorry, but I don't like this game much at all. I don't like the mapping, the look or the gameplay. I preordered this game expecting it to have some common features with DAO seeing that it was released under the same banner, but unfortunately this is not the case. Can someone explain to me how you can alter races of people to the extent they have in this game and believe that it meshes with the original story. I have not gone past lvl 7 with my character and probably will take a long time to go back to the game if ever.
#2939
Posté 25 mai 2011 - 02:09
_Davidian_
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- Members
- 3 messages
Hi, i´m going to be honest here 100%. I pirated DAO and when i finished it i really felt bad. You know, i thought that was a game that deserved to be bought. So to redeem myself i bought DA2 when it came out.
I´m sorry but i have to say i don´t like the new direction of the game. The combat is too fast and less tactical than the previous DA. Enemies always coming in waves and the lack of friendly fire is something that really annoys me and in general, all feels more "arcade" than before. I know that the reason is to try to reach more audience, but you know, this is an rpg, a call of duty kind of gamer is not going to buy dragon age. And if the game complexity is watered down to reach new kind of players, the old ones who really liked it are going to be dissapointed. And i guess that that is exactly what happened to me.
after 5-6 hours of gameplay i abandoned DA2. maybe it was because i expected something more like DA1, but you know, the game title is DA2, so i guess i´m supposed to expect something similar
Of course i´m not pro of the gaming industry, but my player-point-of-view recomendation is that you should decide which audience you´re going to target and stick with it. It´s not possible to make a game that please everyone and you know... market is already full of FPS and fast-action games...
i have to add that i recently bought DAO and Awakening pack in a steam offer and right now i´m really having fun with awakening. Now i can sleep at nights cause i finally bought DA1
when DA3 comes out (i guess it will), i´ll read a couple of reviews first and if it continues to follow the trend of DA2 i´m sorry but i´m not going to buy it
thanks for reading
I´m sorry but i have to say i don´t like the new direction of the game. The combat is too fast and less tactical than the previous DA. Enemies always coming in waves and the lack of friendly fire is something that really annoys me and in general, all feels more "arcade" than before. I know that the reason is to try to reach more audience, but you know, this is an rpg, a call of duty kind of gamer is not going to buy dragon age. And if the game complexity is watered down to reach new kind of players, the old ones who really liked it are going to be dissapointed. And i guess that that is exactly what happened to me.
after 5-6 hours of gameplay i abandoned DA2. maybe it was because i expected something more like DA1, but you know, the game title is DA2, so i guess i´m supposed to expect something similar
Of course i´m not pro of the gaming industry, but my player-point-of-view recomendation is that you should decide which audience you´re going to target and stick with it. It´s not possible to make a game that please everyone and you know... market is already full of FPS and fast-action games...
i have to add that i recently bought DAO and Awakening pack in a steam offer and right now i´m really having fun with awakening. Now i can sleep at nights cause i finally bought DA1
when DA3 comes out (i guess it will), i´ll read a couple of reviews first and if it continues to follow the trend of DA2 i´m sorry but i´m not going to buy it
thanks for reading
#2940
Posté 25 mai 2011 - 02:24
Cyberarmy
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- Members
- 2 285 messages
-Combat is now a lot faster thank god i just blow my cooldowns, jump and charge from one enemy to other. No need to spend time to get in a strategic position or scouting enemies with rogues or coming back later for any enemies that is beyond my power and level.And wawe mechaic is so coool.
-No puzzles(oh there is the hard one in the Fade damn you Bio) really thank to that is all holy. No need to numb my precious mind on such things.Just hack&slash.
-Unique and highly memorable companions. Each of them created with profesional care.Another time saver here, İ dont need to talk them to found if they need anything they come to me or telepathicaly send me a quest.Thank god. And another bonus i dont need to spend hours to equip them!
-High replayablity.Oh my the choices.Game changes every time i play.Each playthrough is a vast new game experience.
-The delivery quests are fantastic! No more searching the needlesly created wilds for stupid quest,items or NPCs.
-New artstyle is so stylish.The beatiful Kirkwall and her beatiful residants.DX11 graphic and effects are high above nowadays games.The cave and house designs are also splendid thanks for using them all the time.
the new brilliant "crafting" system.Shame on me for crafting like a fool so long.Let the peasants craft for me.
Thank you for this Awesome game Bioware and EA.Thank you.
-No puzzles(oh there is the hard one in the Fade damn you Bio) really thank to that is all holy. No need to numb my precious mind on such things.Just hack&slash.
-Unique and highly memorable companions. Each of them created with profesional care.Another time saver here, İ dont need to talk them to found if they need anything they come to me or telepathicaly send me a quest.Thank god. And another bonus i dont need to spend hours to equip them!
-High replayablity.Oh my the choices.Game changes every time i play.Each playthrough is a vast new game experience.
-The delivery quests are fantastic! No more searching the needlesly created wilds for stupid quest,items or NPCs.
-New artstyle is so stylish.The beatiful Kirkwall and her beatiful residants.DX11 graphic and effects are high above nowadays games.The cave and house designs are also splendid thanks for using them all the time.
the new brilliant "crafting" system.Shame on me for crafting like a fool so long.Let the peasants craft for me.
Thank you for this Awesome game Bioware and EA.Thank you.
#2941
Posté 26 mai 2011 - 12:38
Eisir
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- Members
- 12 messages
Honestly, I felt that DA2 didn't live up to the original for a number of reasons. They stream lined a classic RPG in a way similar to ME2. This worked with ME2 because the game didn't include items and weapons that stood out as epic. In most fantasy RPGs there are items which epic and not being able to equip those items to my entire party was a big of a bummer.
The idea of staying in kirkwall the entire game seemed appealing at first, but the major problem I had with Kirkwall was that it didn't change and evolve along with the story (a good example of this would be the lack of visible improvement in refugees lives.) Similarly the groups of enemies I fought in DA2 seemed to be a bit more generic, but this may just be because I had prior knowledge of some from DA:O. At the end of the game I felt that the scenery remained relatively bland, where as the first DA allowed me to explore numerous regions of Fereldan. I think that feeling of exploration found in many RPGs, including most bioware games, was absent in DA2.
The story, while entertaining, didn't seem to have the same gravity that the original did. This made me feel like the game didn't really have as much impact on as large a group of people as DA:O. This didn't stop me from enjoying the game, but it did make my choices feel a bit less grand.
On a positive note I loved the characters in DA:O and the interactions/quests involving them.
The combat was a great improvement
Can't wait for ME3! Easily the best story I've ever experienced in a game.
The idea of staying in kirkwall the entire game seemed appealing at first, but the major problem I had with Kirkwall was that it didn't change and evolve along with the story (a good example of this would be the lack of visible improvement in refugees lives.) Similarly the groups of enemies I fought in DA2 seemed to be a bit more generic, but this may just be because I had prior knowledge of some from DA:O. At the end of the game I felt that the scenery remained relatively bland, where as the first DA allowed me to explore numerous regions of Fereldan. I think that feeling of exploration found in many RPGs, including most bioware games, was absent in DA2.
The story, while entertaining, didn't seem to have the same gravity that the original did. This made me feel like the game didn't really have as much impact on as large a group of people as DA:O. This didn't stop me from enjoying the game, but it did make my choices feel a bit less grand.
On a positive note I loved the characters in DA:O and the interactions/quests involving them.
The combat was a great improvement
Can't wait for ME3! Easily the best story I've ever experienced in a game.
#2942
Posté 26 mai 2011 - 12:43
kglaser
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- Members
- 7 341 messages
Aelbfled wrote...
Can someone explain to me how you can alter races of people to the extent they have in this game and believe that it meshes with the original story.
Hey, they replaced Dick York with Dick Sargent on "Bewitched" and people apparently bought it...
Modifié par kglaser, 26 mai 2011 - 12:44 .
#2943
Posté 26 mai 2011 - 02:26
Mysterygent
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- Members
- 40 messages
Played through DAO about 11 times. DA2 falls short of DAO as noted by many others, so I will not discuss DAO's superiority.
I have played through DA2 once as a rogue. For the second playthrough as a mage on "hard", i am beginning to find that my right thumb is beginning to hurt from pressing the X button too many damn times. I will stop playing DA2.
General Dislike: Lack of auto-button: we should of the choice to set the X button on "auto" attack as in DAO.
I have played through DA2 once as a rogue. For the second playthrough as a mage on "hard", i am beginning to find that my right thumb is beginning to hurt from pressing the X button too many damn times. I will stop playing DA2.
General Dislike: Lack of auto-button: we should of the choice to set the X button on "auto" attack as in DAO.
#2944
Posté 26 mai 2011 - 09:49
The Bluebird
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- Members
- 24 messages
I enjoyed DA2 and have done 2 play troughs, so far.
Liked:
The graphicis better.
The dialog wheel,that you got different dialog options depending on if you were sarcastic or diplomatic.
The new concept art for the Qunari and the Elves, made them more distinctive.
The combat was more engaging.
Varric, my favorite companion he’s hilarious.
The second act, it was much more engaging then the other acts.
The new crafting system, much easier to use.
The voice acting, especially Female Hawke.
Disliked:
That you couldn’t have conversations with companions whenever you liked, hated how they just stood
there when you visited them without a quest indication.
The repeating maps.
That you can’t compare items you find with the items you are wearing.
The final act, how it doesn’t matter what choice you make it all ends the same.
That the coercion skill disappeared, loved to talk or intimidate to get wat I wanted.
Liked:
The graphicis better.
The dialog wheel,that you got different dialog options depending on if you were sarcastic or diplomatic.
The new concept art for the Qunari and the Elves, made them more distinctive.
The combat was more engaging.
Varric, my favorite companion he’s hilarious.
The second act, it was much more engaging then the other acts.
The new crafting system, much easier to use.
The voice acting, especially Female Hawke.
Disliked:
That you couldn’t have conversations with companions whenever you liked, hated how they just stood
there when you visited them without a quest indication.
The repeating maps.
That you can’t compare items you find with the items you are wearing.
The final act, how it doesn’t matter what choice you make it all ends the same.
That the coercion skill disappeared, loved to talk or intimidate to get wat I wanted.
Modifié par The Bluebird, 26 mai 2011 - 09:51 .
#2945
Posté 26 mai 2011 - 09:20
Fr0st Fire
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- Members
- 2 messages
DA2 was awesome, I have beaten it multiple times, except a glitch that ruined one of my characters and made him unplayable, http://social.biowar...acter_id=276443
#2946
Posté 27 mai 2011 - 01:00
kurtsquirt
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- Members
- 35 messages
Breifly what i didn't like was the quality of the characters. wHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME IN TERMS OF GAMING. What, i liked, were the choices. The big letdown was the poor companions. MORRIGAN!! (yes i'm one of them) Also not being able to talk openly to charactors freely. I really don't know why bioware would do that apart from to annoy.
Modifié par kurtsquirt, 27 mai 2011 - 01:02 .
#2947
Posté 28 mai 2011 - 05:11
milkduds25
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- Members
- 1 messages
Just bought the game and am roughly 12 hours into it.
Pro's: .......... Hang on, i'm trying to think........ Well the battle play is much faster which makes for some narly fights. Good story attempts but could have been better. Really love the dialogue interactions! That was a definite improvement.
Con's: *yawn* The graphics seem to be half-arsed, no definition to armor or any of the subtleties. Like on poster said, the maps and some of the play areas are just copy/paste jobs, with no thought to creative diversity. I went to 3 different areas of the game in a row and they were the same basic layout and design.
Overall: Meh. Origins was a fantastic game and this is a meager and somewhat pathetic second. Why "fix" something if it ain't broke? There just seem to be alot of sub-par elements to a game that should have been amazing. We all know Bioware is capable of creating epic RPG's so what heck happened here????
Pro's: .......... Hang on, i'm trying to think........ Well the battle play is much faster which makes for some narly fights. Good story attempts but could have been better. Really love the dialogue interactions! That was a definite improvement.
Con's: *yawn* The graphics seem to be half-arsed, no definition to armor or any of the subtleties. Like on poster said, the maps and some of the play areas are just copy/paste jobs, with no thought to creative diversity. I went to 3 different areas of the game in a row and they were the same basic layout and design.
Overall: Meh. Origins was a fantastic game and this is a meager and somewhat pathetic second. Why "fix" something if it ain't broke? There just seem to be alot of sub-par elements to a game that should have been amazing. We all know Bioware is capable of creating epic RPG's so what heck happened here????
#2948
Posté 29 mai 2011 - 03:33
armonistan
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- Members
- 16 messages
I am one of those few people who actually LOVED Dragon Age II. But it's not enough just to say I like it, I would like to explain what I like about it.
PLOT
Contrary to what others say, the plot is actually quite engrossing. The fact you are NOT the "Chosen One" is a nice change (similar to ME where Shepard is one badass but he is not God on steroids). The constant charged atmosphere of tension during the third and especially the second act is electrifying. Unlike DA:O, I felt pervalent themes of xenophobia, bigotry, family and more throughout the game. It was a wonderful analogy to our own dysfunctional society. How Bioware set up questing was far superior to that of DA:O or ME2. I HATED the "hub" quests in both games, wheither it was collecting my squadmates or mustering my army, the style was so...I don't know how to describe it....just...forced I suppose. While the new quest structure needs refinement (like certain side and main quests being optional and affecting the story in both subtle and notiable ways) it was quite enjoyable. Also, unlike many others, I felt the story was quite connected and made good sense, though I concede that the end was rushed.
GAMEPLAY
Ahh, yes the gameplay. The beloved tactical combat of DA:O was "corrupted" in the sequel. Nudge, nudge, sarcasm. Frankly, the combat is great, though like the Plot, should be subject to refinement and perhap mixed some with the old combat. Unlike the boring auto-attack in DA:O, DAII is all about nonstop action. By the end of the game, YOU FEEL POWERFUL, you WILL rip apart anything that stands in the way, and that is SATISFYING. That said, I would like to see the mixing of spells and attacks to make a comeback (Storm of the Century anyone?). While still there, tactics are not in the driver's seat anymore, that said you can't go willy-nilly and mash the Attack Button and expect to come out on top unscathed. The horrible "ninja" enemy waves gets old fast, and may be a detractor. Again, something I hope DA3 will refine. The rather infamous "repeating textures" is about as bad as you would expect. By the end of the game, I was quite tired of seeing yet another mysteriously similar looking mansion/cave/warehouse/you get the point.
COMPANIONS
No doubt, DA:O had some pretty awesome companions (as well as few not so good ones...Oghden I'm looking at you). Varric, the lovable rouge dwarf, fills Alistar's role as likeable funny guy quite well, in addition to having some more serious roles. While there is not Morrigan-esque character (and face it, we will not see Morrigan for a LONG time again) most of the others do well. Most come off as likeable but flawed characters. Merril, the Welsh/Elvish Blood Mage, Aveline, that overbearing friend, and so on. The only character I despise is Anders for reasons I can't explain. Needless to say, my party was never less than a 12 meter stick away from him...But the real star is Hawke. Many of us were sad to see no Warden in sight (I remember my comment on the "Destiny" Trailer being "That's not my Warden!"). Yet, the second my Hawke spoke, I decided my Noble Warden who had scored with Morrigan could stay with the witch, I had a new favorite. For me, a speaking character who exhibits personallity is a must in any game much less an RPG. I was always upset about my tragically mute Warden in DA:O, being able to interact through a voiced Hawke immersed me in the world like nothing else (well except maybe ME). Simply put, I LOVE IT. Bioware, I will hunt you down and kill you and your first born child if you ever give me "silent protagonist" again. *glares*
OVERALL OPINION
In the end, this is all opinion. Many people adored DA:O, I found it to be decent but not great. Many people hated DAII, I loved it. It's matter of taste. In the end DAII is not a sequel, but rather another entry to the Dragon Age series. A different take on things. As a programmer, from game to just simple apps, I recognized that a LOT of content was cut from the game. When I say a LOT, I mean I suspect something like 5 hours+ worth of just main quests plus whatever side quests there might have been. The game is buggy, I once had to restart a boss fight because the boss just disappeared. There were several corners cut. Ultimately that does hurt the experience. However, as a game, DAII is just personally more "fun" than DA:O. I dumped 60+hours into vanilla DA:O I got through a little more than 1 playthrough and couldn't go anymore. I dumped the same amount of time into DAII, and have gone through the game 3 times and now I plan on going through it again. That said, this game would be AMAZING if it was given the time and love DA:O recieved. Hopefully, Bioware will take the best from DA:O and DAII and make DAIII a game to remember, just don't take my Hawke way...please. Read my and fellow forumite reviews carefully. Then and only then can you decide wheither this game is for you.
PLOT
Contrary to what others say, the plot is actually quite engrossing. The fact you are NOT the "Chosen One" is a nice change (similar to ME where Shepard is one badass but he is not God on steroids). The constant charged atmosphere of tension during the third and especially the second act is electrifying. Unlike DA:O, I felt pervalent themes of xenophobia, bigotry, family and more throughout the game. It was a wonderful analogy to our own dysfunctional society. How Bioware set up questing was far superior to that of DA:O or ME2. I HATED the "hub" quests in both games, wheither it was collecting my squadmates or mustering my army, the style was so...I don't know how to describe it....just...forced I suppose. While the new quest structure needs refinement (like certain side and main quests being optional and affecting the story in both subtle and notiable ways) it was quite enjoyable. Also, unlike many others, I felt the story was quite connected and made good sense, though I concede that the end was rushed.
GAMEPLAY
Ahh, yes the gameplay. The beloved tactical combat of DA:O was "corrupted" in the sequel. Nudge, nudge, sarcasm. Frankly, the combat is great, though like the Plot, should be subject to refinement and perhap mixed some with the old combat. Unlike the boring auto-attack in DA:O, DAII is all about nonstop action. By the end of the game, YOU FEEL POWERFUL, you WILL rip apart anything that stands in the way, and that is SATISFYING. That said, I would like to see the mixing of spells and attacks to make a comeback (Storm of the Century anyone?). While still there, tactics are not in the driver's seat anymore, that said you can't go willy-nilly and mash the Attack Button and expect to come out on top unscathed. The horrible "ninja" enemy waves gets old fast, and may be a detractor. Again, something I hope DA3 will refine. The rather infamous "repeating textures" is about as bad as you would expect. By the end of the game, I was quite tired of seeing yet another mysteriously similar looking mansion/cave/warehouse/you get the point.
COMPANIONS
No doubt, DA:O had some pretty awesome companions (as well as few not so good ones...Oghden I'm looking at you). Varric, the lovable rouge dwarf, fills Alistar's role as likeable funny guy quite well, in addition to having some more serious roles. While there is not Morrigan-esque character (and face it, we will not see Morrigan for a LONG time again) most of the others do well. Most come off as likeable but flawed characters. Merril, the Welsh/Elvish Blood Mage, Aveline, that overbearing friend, and so on. The only character I despise is Anders for reasons I can't explain. Needless to say, my party was never less than a 12 meter stick away from him...But the real star is Hawke. Many of us were sad to see no Warden in sight (I remember my comment on the "Destiny" Trailer being "That's not my Warden!"). Yet, the second my Hawke spoke, I decided my Noble Warden who had scored with Morrigan could stay with the witch, I had a new favorite. For me, a speaking character who exhibits personallity is a must in any game much less an RPG. I was always upset about my tragically mute Warden in DA:O, being able to interact through a voiced Hawke immersed me in the world like nothing else (well except maybe ME). Simply put, I LOVE IT. Bioware, I will hunt you down and kill you and your first born child if you ever give me "silent protagonist" again. *glares*
OVERALL OPINION
In the end, this is all opinion. Many people adored DA:O, I found it to be decent but not great. Many people hated DAII, I loved it. It's matter of taste. In the end DAII is not a sequel, but rather another entry to the Dragon Age series. A different take on things. As a programmer, from game to just simple apps, I recognized that a LOT of content was cut from the game. When I say a LOT, I mean I suspect something like 5 hours+ worth of just main quests plus whatever side quests there might have been. The game is buggy, I once had to restart a boss fight because the boss just disappeared. There were several corners cut. Ultimately that does hurt the experience. However, as a game, DAII is just personally more "fun" than DA:O. I dumped 60+hours into vanilla DA:O I got through a little more than 1 playthrough and couldn't go anymore. I dumped the same amount of time into DAII, and have gone through the game 3 times and now I plan on going through it again. That said, this game would be AMAZING if it was given the time and love DA:O recieved. Hopefully, Bioware will take the best from DA:O and DAII and make DAIII a game to remember, just don't take my Hawke way...please. Read my and fellow forumite reviews carefully. Then and only then can you decide wheither this game is for you.
#2949
Posté 29 mai 2011 - 09:45
Predator-FX
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- Members
- 1 messages
Quick opinion:
Loved the story. I agree it felt totally linear. NOT the EPIC I was expecting for a sequel to Dragon Age: Origins. I expected a massive world, lands to explore and wars.
CHARACTERS:
Textures looked a bit better...but still VERY disappointed...I remember a friend saying that he didn't like the graphics of DA:Os. I said that it was probably due to having to render so many (thinking hundreds) units/characters on the screen at once, so it was to be expected.
Now before buying DA II, I had just completed Mass Effect 2...and comparing the character models and textures...I was thinking...WHAT gives!? There are no epic battles with hundreds of active characters...so..ok...then I think back on the games I recently played... DA II textures/models look terrible compared to Mass Effect 2...the same number of characters rendered on screen etc.... O_o
Note: What happened to attractive looking characters? The elves looked great in DA:O and looked horrible in DA II (why the change?). Plus the only attractive female character was Isabella... Avelene was a female version of Arnold Schwarzenegger with a huge jaw line. O_o Merrill had huge 'bug eyes'...well that was my immediate reaction... What's wrong with making elves look human epecially if your intenting to add them as potential love interests? Make them attactive. To each his own...but come on...there are only 3 female choices... lol
Facial animation...please take a page from Mass Effect 2 AND Uncharted 2 for character looks and facial animations please....
ENVIRONMENTS:
Already said in may many of the posts....repetitive...nothing EPIC (look at your competition's games). I also played Assassins Creed 2 and Brotherhood after finishing DA II... and I was blown away at how lively the cities were and interactive the NPCs were in AC2...the cities were beautiful!! Is this a budget problem with BioWare and the DA II team? DAII Environments don't even compare to AC2...plus AC2 barely has any loading...you can walk from one end of a massive city to the other without getting a load screen.
GAMEPLAY:
Liked for the most part. But needs more variety of enemies....after seeing the 500,000th spider...come on...really?
OVERALL:
I liked it and hated it...like I said I was expecting something more, something EPIC. Just look at the past RPGs...Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, Final Fantasy VII, etc...DA II falls far far short or the EPICness I was expecting and felt so rushed...probably more to blame the publisher that the developer...but still disappointing. To make the world seem less sterile...they should really look at what games have already done (ie. AC2 and oblivion) and flesh out the game making it less linear. With such a linear story...the replay factor really isn't there. Hardly anything changes...why not two or three different endings or stories like in Deus Ex? This concept has been done years before and no, changing the first 15 minutes of the game story (a la DA:O) depending on which race you choose doesn't count.
Oh yeah...almost forgot...I hated the armor system...what do you mean I can only buy 90% of my armor for one character? I didn't like that.
Random battles are fine...for me...how else to level up a character in a non-linear fashion? The problem with DA:O was just that...you fight pre-ordained enemies...and pretty soon there are no more enemies to fight and no more loot, no more gold etc. So in DA:O I ended using an in game bug to make money to buy anything decent at the end of the game.
What gives with the blurry/fuzzy/blocky background in the 'in-game' cinematics? Was this supposed to be part of the art direction?
Loved the story. I agree it felt totally linear. NOT the EPIC I was expecting for a sequel to Dragon Age: Origins. I expected a massive world, lands to explore and wars.
CHARACTERS:
Textures looked a bit better...but still VERY disappointed...I remember a friend saying that he didn't like the graphics of DA:Os. I said that it was probably due to having to render so many (thinking hundreds) units/characters on the screen at once, so it was to be expected.
Now before buying DA II, I had just completed Mass Effect 2...and comparing the character models and textures...I was thinking...WHAT gives!? There are no epic battles with hundreds of active characters...so..ok...then I think back on the games I recently played... DA II textures/models look terrible compared to Mass Effect 2...the same number of characters rendered on screen etc.... O_o
Note: What happened to attractive looking characters? The elves looked great in DA:O and looked horrible in DA II (why the change?). Plus the only attractive female character was Isabella... Avelene was a female version of Arnold Schwarzenegger with a huge jaw line. O_o Merrill had huge 'bug eyes'...well that was my immediate reaction... What's wrong with making elves look human epecially if your intenting to add them as potential love interests? Make them attactive. To each his own...but come on...there are only 3 female choices... lol
Facial animation...please take a page from Mass Effect 2 AND Uncharted 2 for character looks and facial animations please....
ENVIRONMENTS:
Already said in may many of the posts....repetitive...nothing EPIC (look at your competition's games). I also played Assassins Creed 2 and Brotherhood after finishing DA II... and I was blown away at how lively the cities were and interactive the NPCs were in AC2...the cities were beautiful!! Is this a budget problem with BioWare and the DA II team? DAII Environments don't even compare to AC2...plus AC2 barely has any loading...you can walk from one end of a massive city to the other without getting a load screen.
GAMEPLAY:
Liked for the most part. But needs more variety of enemies....after seeing the 500,000th spider...come on...really?
OVERALL:
I liked it and hated it...like I said I was expecting something more, something EPIC. Just look at the past RPGs...Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, Final Fantasy VII, etc...DA II falls far far short or the EPICness I was expecting and felt so rushed...probably more to blame the publisher that the developer...but still disappointing. To make the world seem less sterile...they should really look at what games have already done (ie. AC2 and oblivion) and flesh out the game making it less linear. With such a linear story...the replay factor really isn't there. Hardly anything changes...why not two or three different endings or stories like in Deus Ex? This concept has been done years before and no, changing the first 15 minutes of the game story (a la DA:O) depending on which race you choose doesn't count.
Oh yeah...almost forgot...I hated the armor system...what do you mean I can only buy 90% of my armor for one character? I didn't like that.
Random battles are fine...for me...how else to level up a character in a non-linear fashion? The problem with DA:O was just that...you fight pre-ordained enemies...and pretty soon there are no more enemies to fight and no more loot, no more gold etc. So in DA:O I ended using an in game bug to make money to buy anything decent at the end of the game.
What gives with the blurry/fuzzy/blocky background in the 'in-game' cinematics? Was this supposed to be part of the art direction?
Modifié par Predator-FX, 29 mai 2011 - 10:08 .
#2950
Posté 29 mai 2011 - 10:56
empetus
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- Members
- 63 messages
This video review I found to be informative and fairly balanced, for those on the fence it could be helpful to watch it. The combat in particular is focused on, which for me is one of the most important elements in these games. Some good footage too of the game in action and what it looks like. Unlike a lot of video reviews, it has some funny humor in it as well and doesn't drag on, but is short and concise. www.youtube.com/watch
