Second, this is intended to be controversial, as I do know that there are some that like DA2 more than DAO. However, this is not a comparison of story style, or game mechanics. This is a thought of one outsider's view of the Dragon Age World, which all we really know about is the continent of Thedas, and the events we have seen in the first two games. I have stated before, that although I found more flaws that bothered me with DA2, than I have with DAO, I still like DA2. So, it would be unfair to characterize me as a DA2 hater.
Finally, I have not read any of the novels, or comic books, or watched any other content except for DAO, DA2, and their official DLC's. So from my perspective, anything outside of that is not being considered canon.
My premise is, that the story of DA2, which is basically the rise of the Champion, culminating in the battle with the Templars and the Circle, is not
There are several major plotlines that we know of that are currently moving to a head in Thedas. Some of them were touched on in DA2, and through the Champion, we as a player, are allowed to see a different perspective, or to learn of for the first time. I think this is the most important aspect of the story of DA2.
The Qunari threat, was already foreshadowed in DAO. Sten gave us a good source for Qunari viewpoints, and the DAO codex was very informative about Qunari history, at least in the war against Tevinter. In DA2, through Hawke, we get to see the Arishok, who was certainly more hostile than Sten, and much more open in explaining Qunari disgust with those that do not follow the Qun. I think it was already hinted in DAO, that the Qunari may attempt to conquer parts of Thedas again. In DA2, this seems to be even more of a certainty, although I do not believe the events of DA2 can be claimed to be the cause of that happening. However, it gives the player a very good idea of why the Qunari could soon be on the warpath. It also gives the player reason to either sympathize with the Qunari, or to become more resolute in their opposition of them. I do not believe that when (or if) the war comes, that the events of Kirkwall will be pointed at, as the reason the war starts. It will not be a rallying cry of the Qunari, much like the Alamo or Pearl Harbor in American history. The war will come, sooner or later, because the Qunari feels that the Qun compells them to remove the chaos of world around them. They will come when they are ready, and not because of outside events.
The second major issue that the player first experienced in DAO, and then witnessed in DA2, was the struggle of the Chantry and the Circle. In DAO, the dangers of unchecked mages was demonstrated, as well as showing how inhumane some of the efforts to control mages had become. This was obviously, the essential part of the DA2 story, And DA2 should be congratulad to make sure the player saw both sides of the struggle at an even more personal level, throughout the game. However, once again, the trouble with the Chantry/Templars and the Circle, was not isolated in just Kirkwall. The sparks from this growing conflict, I believe were flying thoughout the continent. It could be argued, according to DA2 storyline logic, that the only reason a spark caught fire in Kirkwall first, was because of an ancient lyrium artifact, that drove Knight Commander Meredith over the edge. The fire was going to catch fire somewhere soon, regardless. The proof is how quickly Circle uprisings apparently occurred almost simultaneously, throughout the land. Granted that Kirkwall is the place where someone made a magical thermonuclear device small enough to smuggle into the Chantry and blow it up, but I do not believe that such a huge event was needed to start the certain conflict. It just sped it up a bit, and once more I would suggest, it may not have even happened if Meredith was not having a mind meld with her shiney new lyrium sword.
A third issue, that most of us believe will be a major plot theme in DA3, is the Flemeth / Morrigan and the Ancient Gods theme that was first introduced in DAO. What will happen there is still mostly a mystery. It is my belief, it was this plotline that the writers of DAO were ultimately aiming at. DA2 was a good interlude, to give the old god child (which most of us assumes exists) a chance to mature enough to become a participant in DA3 (or 4). There really was no hint of this at all in DA2, except two instances I can think of. First, was the appearance of Flemeth to get the Hawkes to Kirkwall, which was basically done to show us that Flemeth still lived, and that she was predicting dark times ahead. But seriously, do you believe someone as powerful and as insightful as Flemeth, would allow her fate to be determined by whether or not a band of refugees made their way across an ocean, and then chose to keep their promise to deliver a piece of jewelry? Just me being skeptical, but I bet she had a back up plan. The second reference to this plotline, was when Cassandra and Leliana spoke about the Warden vanishing. So, in this regard, DA2 was not essential to the overall plotline, although what happened in DAO was.
The final possible plotline that we saw hints of in DA2, that may be occurring is they mystery of what the Wardens were doing, running through Kirkwall during the Qunari attack. But, since DA2 only showed us that the Wardens were busy, and did not explain why, it can not be said that the story of DA2 can be considered important for this plot line. It was a good way to start speculation, and to foreshadow upcoming events, and for that, it was good to see it. But, we knew that there were larger contingents of Wardens from DAO, and we learned much more about them there. Once again, DA2 story not important in this plotline.
Other issues in Thedas have been touched on, in both games. Places like Tevinter, Orlais and Antiva do not seem to be havens of peace and tolerance. And there is still a huge world out there, that noone seems to know about, outside of the current continent.
We have Cassandra and the Seekers, throughout DA2, hinting that whatever Hawke did, was the cause of all the upcoming trouble. But, I think Varric gave a pretty good defense, to show that Hawke and his companions were little more than one of the many sparks that were going to sooner or later catch fire in Thedas. The events that happened in DA2, were certainly important for Kirkwall, and the immediate surrounding area. But I contend that nothing that happened there, was the pivotal event that caused whatever happens in Thedas next.
Modifié par Dakota Strider, 19 avril 2012 - 07:16 .
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Without it we'd all be saying "I want to know more about Kirkwall! What actually happened in Kirkwall?!"
