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[kennydahl]

 So...normally I start playing a Bioware game as soon as it comes out - first day of release etc etc.  However, for DA2 I was getting married very soon after the release date so I made a promise to my other half that I would hold off on playing until after the wedding and honeymoon were done.   

This meant that I've spent the last month avoiding the forums to avoid spoiling myself - but now, 37 hours of gameplay later, I can join in the discussions!

First of all...I *really* liked the game - I see some people were unhappy with it on here, however I've always been a narrative/characterisation man rather than game mechanics - and on this front I felt DA2 really delivered.  

I loved the framing device/unreliable narrator - it lets you see a story in a different way + see the consequences of actions + let you feel that you've lived a bit of a life as your character.  Also, companions were all good - (although it took the destruction of the Chantry for me to actually warm properly to Sebastian).  Aveline was my favourite companion over all - a refreshing female character who wasn't defined by sexuality or sexualised character design.  The actor who did the voice over for her was excellent as well.  In my story - I saw Aveline and Hawke as best pals throughout.  Also it was nice to see a 'lawful' character that wasn'y just potrayed as boring and rigid.

I liked the fact the game had me putting my character in situations (and making decisions) that I really wasn't comfortable with (just like real life).  I sided with the mages - but I really wasn't completely happy about it.  I also like the fact that the narrative made me hate characters I loved (curse you Anders!!!) but in an organic way.  I ended up killing Anders for what he had done - not because I didn't like him as a character, (or that I didn't want him in my party), but because it was what my hawke would do.  If I'd let him live, Aveline would never have looked at me the same way again (and we're best pals).  [We're a long way from Sir Pounce-a-lot now]...

Music was also cracking - and I loved the Flornece and the Machine song over the credits.  (Although, bad form Bioware as it's not on the digital soundtrack I got with the signature edition).  

If I had cavaets it would be about the ending/epilogue.  The big 'gameplay' ending with Meredith I was fine with - but I felt after that the epilogue was a bit weak.  What I loved about the framed narrative was that you saw developments and consequences (for you and your companions) over an extended period of time.  To just end with a brief talk about all the companions leaving your side was a bit 'meh' - and I felt defated the core of the storytelling structure of the game up to that point.  I know there has to be a balance between wrapping things up and leaving things open ended  for sequels/DLC - but I would much rather have had a lot more detail about what happened to everybody.  I'd trade DLC/sequels with DA2 characters for a much more convincing close.  DA2 feels (as a narrative) like a more self contained story anyway - better to close the book with a cracking ending then leave things open but a bit limp?  [Don't know what other felt about that?]

However, ending aside - I thought DA2 was amazing - I really enjoyed it and I think I may go back in a few months and try a totally different playthrough... 

Anyway - my new wife will be glad to have me back in the land of the living again (at least until ME3!!).  (We have a deal that I do house stuff and DIY as long as I get a 'protected block' of time when cool games come out)...  

[whykikyouwhy]

Congratulations!
Perhaps you can convince your wife to give DAII or DAO a go. She might enjoy a trek in Thedas while you're working on the DIY.
Best to you.

[kennydahl]

whykikyouwhy wrote...

Congratulations!
Perhaps you can convince your wife to give DAII or DAO a go. She might enjoy a trek in Thedas while you're working on the DIY.
Best to you.

Thanks for that - sounds like a plan - although I worry that if I get her started, I might never get on the PC again!

[whykikyouwhy]

That is a very valid concern. You could always invest in another PC should things get hostile over gaming time. But the pure bonus would be being able to gush gleefully about the same game together.

[primero holodon]

kennydahl wrote...

 First of all...I *really* liked the game - I see some people were unhappy with it on here, however I've always been a narrative/characterisation man rather than game mechanics - and on this front I felt DA2 really delivered.  

  

My feelings exactly, Though I do still grumble over the gameplay from time to time