It's funny how the little things can matter so much. I was on this forum complaining quite a lot about Dragon Age 2. I still believe that game was immensely disappointing, not terrible mind you, but a bummer. This DLC though? An improvement many times over.
First off, combat is much improved. Battles seem planned and designed now rather than trash mobs. Hard mode seems hard without being annoying, the perfect challenge (this might have been patches, not sure). The times when enemies do still spawn it is done much better (i.e. doors, portals, etc.).
Secondly, choice. A wholey different area for the end of Legacy depending on who you sided with? That's exactly what people wanted in the main game and a huge improvement. I can actually tell Talis to go F herself? Awesome. Not as good as a choice-focused game like Gothic or The Witcher certainly, but much better than the fake choices in DA2 that meant nothing and the moments like Merril using blood magic that you couldn't properly react to.
Lastly, level design. Obviously no repeated content, which isn't surprising but obviously appreciated. Beyond that though I feel the look, art design and layout of the areas is much improved. It might be partly learning how best to use the new aesthetic and partly focusing more on creating proper dungeons, I don't know, but it works much better. It feels like the areas in the DLC were properly designed rather than slapped together, which the main game felt like all too often. Also: longer dungeons.
In short while not everything I disliked about DA2 is fixed (not choosing actual dialogue, not equipping companions, one healer and long heal spell countdown) this DLC is a MASSIVE step toward the right direction. The important statement for Bioware developers is: stay on this track, you are listening and we appreciate it. While DA3 was a wait and see for sure after DA2, after this DLC it is now a buy on release again.
So thanks.
DLC Such an Improvement DA3 Just Became a Must Buy
Débuté par
StingingVelvet
, oct. 18 2011 12:49
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#2
Posté 21 octobre 2011 - 02:43
David Gaider
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- BioWare Employees
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- 4 514 messages
StingingVelvet wrote...
The important statement for Bioware developers is: stay on this track, you are listening and we appreciate it. While DA3 was a wait and see for sure after DA2, after this DLC it is now a buy on release again.
Nice to hear. There are many things that are possible in a full game which aren't possible within the limited scope of a DLC, so any future full game will likely have quite a few more changes-- but it's nice to hear you like the direction, and look forward to seeing the reaction when (and if) we start talking more about those changes to come.
#3
Posté 21 octobre 2011 - 03:00
David Gaider
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- BioWare Employees
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- 4 514 messages
Fiery Phoenix wrote...
If you don't mind my asking, what are the chances of DA2 getting an Awakening-sized expansion at some point in the foreseeable future?
Sorry, but there's no point in asking. Even if we were planning such a thing, I (or anyone else at BioWare) wouldn't be permitted to discuss it prior to an official announcement. This is the way public companies work.
