No game will ever be as unique or good as DAO. Awakenings is so bugged even with online help and bug fixes if you don't do it exactly right you mess up the game, the fact that it is still not fixed should be against the law and I am deserved a refund for that broken hunk of scrap.
However I guess with s much replay value as I get from DAO its okay.
DA2 was actually a very fulfilling game in its own right, its biggest problem is that it is a sequal to a game where we are already in love with everything about it. I would suggest playing it but pretend it has nothing to do with DAO. It is very enjoyable from that aspect, your character has a very developed relationship with their family in particular the siblings Bethany and Carver and Varic absolutely make the game. Its like a really interactive movie and I quite prefer the combat.
DA2 is actually pretty fun but it is no where near the awesomeness that is DAO and that is because of the character interactions, non epic story- the story is good but not epic and all roads lead to the same, there is a very fragile illusion of choice but no real choice to be had. A pleasant diversion from reality where as DAO is immersion in another world.