46 Antworten in diesem Thema

[mrs_anomaly]

I have an injury that requires significant recovery- so I've been playing tons of DA2 after a very long hiatus. And I've been enjoying this game so much- I liked it well enough originally but now that I have played all three I feel I truly understand the weaknesses and strengths of each. DA2 is a tragedy with a possible HEA or HFN or completely unhappy ending and it can be role played beautifully imo. Virtually every character you meet or consort with have so much blood on their hands- it's just getting to be neck and neck with my beloved times in DAO.

[BSpud]

I played DA2 for the first time early last year while in a long recovery from a nasty illness (jumped into it not too long after replaying DAO) and yeah, totally fell in love with it. Some may say it's because my expectations were lowered--I'd been hearing about how bad it was for years--but I don't think so. There is a beauty to this game that no amount of recycled dungeons or other technical shortcomings can diminish. I also loved Mark of the Assassin, which I ended up avoiding until late last year because of the bad word of mouth on that, too. Life lesson: the internet likes to ****** about nothing a lot.

[SmilesJA]

Is Dragon Age 2 backwards compatible for Xbox One yet?

[BSpud]

Is Dragon Age 2 backwards compatible for Xbox One yet?

 

There were rumors... But no, not yet.

[Kayodee]

Recently due some stress and illness got few more days off and was browsing my old xbox 360. Accidentally launched Dragon Age II (wanted just to see achievements) and decided to start few games and play with a character creation a bit, for fun, for a few minutes. Ended up creating multiple heroes wtih different classes and reaplying the game through the end, and surprisingly, enjoyed it so very much! I mean, I wasn't even ready to play such big game, leave alone till the very end!

 

I wasn't playing DA games since late 2014 I think. I pre-ordered Inquisition but played only bits, reaching Hinterlands (or whatever the name) and recruting Sera only. I loved DA:O, even though it took me over 15 hours to actually begin to enjoy it and re-starting it like 5 times. Old graphics (started it in 2014 for the first time), clumsy controlls (well, it appears so on xbox 360 anyway) and the whole thing playing RPG on console was kinda odd for me, but anyway, the story kept me going and once I settled into the lore, I was able to enjoy it and got through the end where my Warden died. It was emotional and helped me got through some tough times in my life and I actually started appreciate my family more because of that. Having said all of that (my apology for long introduction, and thank you for reading it that far), I started DA II with mixed feelings. Yeah, I wanted to see a new game, new graphics, new system, dialog wheel and was kinda excited about. However I was going into the second game of DA franchise with negative mindset as there were lots of hate and negativity, which, unfortunately, I have already consumed. At first, I liked it but rather sooner I found myself comparing both titles (DAO & DA II), emotions from DAO experience were still chasing me and I felt short on feelings. I finished the game forcing myself just to do it and it was frustraiting. I did not feel that connection to the world of Thedas anymore and was tend to forget it.

 

This time though it felt like everything changed. And by 'everyting' I mean my attitude and approach to the game. I loved it! I was playing, having big fun, skipping most of the codex (that thing sometimes drove me crazy in DA:O, lots of things to read) and enjoying everything I can find. I recruited Isabela for the first time (haven't done that my first time) and was thinking to get into relationship, even though I really liked the opportunity to romance Merrill. I also played as a mage for the very first time in DA series (well I tried that with Inquisiotion, but played oly a bit of it) and it's now my favourite class. The game somehow felt easier for me, perhaps because I played with dual dagger rogue first time or maybe I built my character more wisely or whatever reason. I even started to diggin Sebastian character and appreciate him more. Really want to explore more time with him, as the first time I basically ignores him. I like Anders and romanced him back in 2014 but that fool broke my heart, destroying the Chantry and forcing Mage/Templar conflict even further. This time I decided to kill him, and as hard and painfull this decision was, I thought it was right this time and got the opportunity to keep Seb till the end.

 

Anyway, playing the game second time, having others opinion-free mindset and appreciation, I found this game incredibly emotional strong, and moral choices, the feel more dramatically, darkier and more complex than it appears. Family, that desire to escape the Blight and survive, will struggle through the whole game and it's possible to reach the end with only Hawke and Gumble at the side, which is incredible. Another thing is a build up for upcoming (well, speaking of times when DA II has been released of course) DA:I game, tension between mages and templars, Cassandra, already wearing Inquision Armor, it has been all planing long before and the role, your Champion of Kirkwall will play in those events may have even bigger impact on the world. And having two games, DAO & DA II basically starting at the same time is amazing.

 

I was never really picky about voice acting, but playing DA II again I realized how actually cool it is to hear your character's voice! And a different one! Sarcastic Hawke is now my preferable choice! Played male this time (first one was female) and it's my first DA male character ever, which I fully immersed with! And man, I also realized my passion for the first year, act 1, where you just saving money on expedition and trying to make a living and change your life. Well, may not be as epic as saving the world, but do we really need to do this 24/7? Different experience.

 

Another point is very strong and very well written DLC. I haven't played Witch Hunt and Awakening as my character died at the end, but I purchased every single bit of DA II content available for my xbox 360 version. I don't remember Legacy well, only that last fight was extremely difficult, and Mark of the Assassin, I loved it so much. Beautiful Tallis, such a shame you cannot get into full relationship with her as she would be my first choice. Strongest point is the difficulty, as it took me alot of effort to beat MOTA, and the final battle of the main plot in DA II when you fight Meredith, seems to be a walk in the park comparing to last fight against Duke Prosper. It was quite hard (most likely because my party was weak but still).

 

Finished Dragon Age II today, took me 60 hours and already want to return. Need to play DA:O however first and it feels like a chore now. For some strange reason, for the very moment DA II now took place in my heart and I adore it so much, my favourite game now till I can finally play the Inquisition again.

 

 

My rambling is over. Sincere apology for such long and incoherent post, was in desire to speak out. Much love to the author of this topic and to all of you who participated in conversation!

 

 

 

[ArcadiaGrey]

I've played DAO and DA2 4 times each in the last 2 years and I've found that I look forward to starting a new run of DAO, then get bored as soon as I leave Ostagar.  It gets very repetitive doing the Brecilian Forest again, Orzammar again etc. 

But with DA2 it's the opposite.  I don't want to play it and have to make myself do it (to complete a world state).  Then around 10 hours in I'm enjoying it way more than I expected to, finding new dialogue, new options with companions and quests, new points of view to stand by etc etc.

 

Overall I have more fun in DA2 than DAO tbh.  Plus the combat is awesome, whereas in DAO I struggle.  

 

I admit I use a mod for DA2 though called Story Mode, making easy mode 3 times easier.  Then when I'm running thru Darktown late at night getting jumped on by endless goons I can sweep thru them super quick. 

Very handy when I'm clearing the road for Aveline and Donnic and I'm losing my rag at how many bloody bandits there are.  

 

DA2 has tonnes of depth and options if you explore them, especially with the DLCs.  It's such a shame so many gamers overlook it.

[Thandal N'Lyman]

I admit I use a mod for DA2 though called Story Mode, making easy mode 3 times easier.  Then when I'm running thru Darktown late at night getting jumped on by endless goons I can sweep thru them super quick. 

Very handy when I'm clearing the road for Aveline and Donnic and I'm losing my rag at how many bloody bandits there are.  

 

If you'd prefer a slightly more nuanced way to enjoy both the story line and challenging combat, you might want to take a look at the "Litany of Adralla" mod instead of "Story Mode".  It gives you the (Sandal-like) ability to one-click-kill-all-hostiles.  So you can play on any difficulty level, but if things get too tough and/or tiresome... Boom!  On to the next part of the adventure. 

[ArcadiaGrey]

If you'd prefer a slightly more nuanced way to enjoy both the story line and challenging combat, you might want to take a look at the "Litany of Adralla" mod instead of "Story Mode".  It give you the (Sandal-like) ability to one-click-kill-all-hostiles.  So you can play on any difficulty level, but if things get too tough and/or tiresome... Boom!  On to the next part of the adventure. 

 

Ooh didn't know about that one!

 

Thank you.  

[sjsharp2011]

I like both DA2 and Origins equally. They're different - I mean, Origins is about saving the world, DA2 is about protecting your new home. While DA2 can be incredibly repetitive, the storyline is good IMO, the characters varied and different, and the hero an unlikely one - perhaps even unwanted. They're pretty different, and no, DA2 isn't for people more or less mature... It's a different story, meant for the same people who liked Origins, though executed wrong, one might say. I loved DA2, and it's the one in the trilogy I can replay over and over again. I also loved Origins though, and what can I say? They're both great, just written differently.

Though, I so agree. The dungeons are ALL the same, it gets boring going through the same two caves, and the Mage-Templar thing seems tacked on to the story. Which isn't a good thing.

It should be said that DA2 is also pretty disappointing for someone who expected Origins 2.0. I played DA2 before Origins, so I didn't get that. Replaying it after Origins, it does seem a tiny bit weaker, but I still love it. While I can wish they'd, say, had more companion conversations, they also worked on it for only eighteen months, right? Not as much time as was put into Origins.

You can have your opinion, like it or dislike it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's a game I will come back to, again and again.

Indeed same here I  think I'll be coming back to all 3 games again and again. I have played them several times already and will likely only be putting down for short periods as they're definitely games I love coming back too. Sam for me with Bioware's other series Mass Effect as well. I just enjoy Boiware's games too much.

[Kayodee]

After my recent DA II playthrough,  I decided to get back to Origins as to make few changes in my save file and this time actually play Awakening in order to understand lore and characters more and to have few more quests in DA II as well.

 

So I started Origins and spent about 5 hours making a character. Man, it was a slow torture. I always suffer from creating a new hero, even if there would be like few choices to make, like two different haircuts, I would still be sitting here all day long thinking what will fit best. That's like a curse for me so I went into this prepared. However, this time, it's just got worst. I wanted to make an apostate elven mage as I enjoyed my Hawke mage, and I just couldn't make any good looking elf character. Why don't them elves cannot have a beard and what's wrong with all the haircuts? Apart from few they all looks horribly similar. Thus after few hours of struggle, I decided to look up humans, what they've got. I hardly ever choose humans as a playable race (only if I have to) but I wanted to see facial hair options. Next thing I discovered made everything more exciting and complicated at the same time. Your last name for human mage will be Amell, which is related to Hawke's family and their Amell origins. I even went to wiki to check it wasn't just a coincidence. The struggle continued as I was deciding who to play now, as I so wanted to make an apostate elf to save the world but at the same time, being able to play someone close to Hawke makes my heart warm. Few more hours later I made a human mage and was exhausted, only to discover the hardest isn't over and now I have to play the game.

 

Started my harrowing I was waiting for my character would drop a word or few, getting used to never silent Hawke, but he was just standing here with always open mouth and a silly expression on his face. The usual wheel dialogue system no longer there and it will take some time to adjust myself to the old one. While speaking with NPC I still try to find a sarcastic option, color it purple in my mind, thinking what would Hawke say there.

 

Going back to Origins after completing DA II I can hardly believe people were comparing two titles, complaining about how bad DA II was. Lots of good things and improvements were added, making the game better, more attractive and believable. It wasn't perfect, never was, but DA II improved on so many things and with the better approach from EA (I remember the game being rushed due publisher) it could have been a masterpiece. For me simply is a unique experience I cannot wait to get back to. 

 

But for now, I have to grind through Origins. I'ts very hard and feels like unbearable pain at the very moment (exaggeration here), but I will thank myself later on. Everything seems like a chore for me, only the good story keeps me going again. The same thing happened I first played it, so I just grind and hustle, love will eventually come

[sjsharp2011]

After my recent DA II playthrough,  I decided to get back to Origins as to make few changes in my save file and this time actually play Awakening in order to understand lore and characters more and to have few more quests in DA II as well.

 

So I started Origins and spent about 5 hours making a character. Man, it was a slow torture. I always suffer from creating a new hero, even if there would be like few choices to make, like two different haircuts, I would still be sitting here all day long thinking what will fit best. That's like a curse for me so I went into this prepared. However, this time, it's just got worst. I wanted to make an apostate elven mage as I enjoyed my Hawke mage, and I just couldn't make any good looking elf character. Why don't them elves cannot have a beard and what's wrong with all the haircuts? Apart from few they all looks horribly similar. Thus after few hours of struggle, I decided to look up humans, what they've got. I hardly ever choose humans as a playable race (only if I have to) but I wanted to see facial hair options. Next thing I discovered made everything more exciting and complicated at the same time. Your last name for human mage will be Amell, which is related to Hawke's family and their Amell origins. I even went to wiki to check it wasn't just a coincidence. The struggle continued as I was deciding who to play now, as I so wanted to make an apostate elf to save the world but at the same time, being able to play someone close to Hawke makes my heart warm. Few more hours later I made a human mage and was exhausted, only to discover the hardest isn't over and now I have to play the game.

 

Started my harrowing I was waiting for my character would drop a word or few, getting used to never silent Hawke, but he was just standing here with always open mouth and a silly expression on his face. The usual wheel dialogue system no longer there and it will take some time to adjust myself to the old one. While speaking with NPC I still try to find a sarcastic option, color it purple in my mind, thinking what would Hawke say there.

 

Going back to Origins after completing DA II I can hardly believe people were comparing two titles, complaining about how bad DA II was. Lots of good things and improvements were added, making the game better, more attractive and believable. It wasn't perfect, never was, but DA II improved on so many things and with the better approach from EA (I remember the game being rushed due publisher) it could have been a masterpiece. For me simply is a unique experience I cannot wait to get back to. 

 

But for now, I have to grind through Origins. I'ts very hard and feels like unbearable pain at the very moment (exaggeration here), but I will thank myself later on. Everything seems like a chore for me, only the good story keeps me going again. The same thing happened I first played it, so I just grind and hustle, love will eventually come

yeah personally I don't think the silent protagonist helps much in that.  To overcome this I usually read the lines out loud. It's not exactly perfect but it helps make things a little better it's just I'm providing the voice instead of a VA. In general thjere are moer good things about the game than bad The graphics and silent protagonist are among the bad parts by todays standards. But story wise DAO is probably one of the best stories I've ever played through in a video game. DA2' sstory is weak compared to DAO's but in every other area for me the game is much better. That for me is the reasonwhy DAI is my fave so far of this series because it has the world is under threat kind of story from DAO in it combined with the great parts of DA2 as well. The only difference being is DAI is more action orientated.

[Kayodee]

yeah personally I don't think the silent protagonist helps much in that.  To overcome this I usually read the lines out loud. It's not exactly perfect but it helps make things a little better it's just I'm providing the voice instead of a VA.

 

The silent protagonist is what bothers me the most at the moment. I know he won't speak, but I still get confused at times, waiting for my mage to say at least something, just a few words and which would provide me a huge relief. And yes, I am too reading out of loud all of his lines so to feel more emotions and be immersed into dialogue. I used to talk with myself while playing games (and not only) so I am fine to be a VA for a while, but I just miss Hawke so much. Never thought I would say that actually. Neither I expected this to be.

 

Old graphics will do for me as I am easily adjusted on that matter. Gameplay, though, much slower yet tactical, I have to get used once again. Of course, it's a great game I loved and still do. It's just DA II magic still going strong and does not let me go.

[Spirit Vanguard]

I suppose I was fortunate that I went into most of this series (and Mass Effect) blind -- which is what I prefer -- and there was very little waiting on my part to play each installment. So, my feelings about any of them are already different from the start. Going into DA2 without really knowing the situation meant 1) My opinion would be free of outside influences, 2) I didn’t have a full understanding of why things were the way they were. That being said: I really enjoyed it on my first run. At first the more “restricting” setting can be disappointing, but getting absorbed into the story and its characters is where I found the heart of the game. I love the layers of each “act” and how they relate to each other. If DA2 had been given the time it deserved to develop it truly could’ve been something very special and unique to the series or even just RPGs in general. Regardless, I still love playing it.

 

It doesn’t hurt that I find DA2 to be the easiest of the 3 to get into and play. And it has Hawke. They might be my favorite PC of the series because they can feel more like a real individual. The Warden’s absent voice didn’t bother me, but I imagine if they did have a voice they’d be similar to the Inquisitor, who can feel plain at times -- even if I favor the joke options. That they put in the effort to have three personalities for Hawke… it’s just awesome.

 

The biggest disappointment that I had for DA2 was the lack of companion dialogue. Coming from Origins when it was possible to spend hours just chatting up your camp-mates, DA2 felt very stripped down. But, when compared to ME where dialogue is much the same, it’s not so bad. I’m not a fan of Tallis, though, so playing that DLC can be… trying at times. Definitely adore Legacy.

[Spirit Vanguard]

...

So I started Origins and spent about 5 hours making a character. Man, it was a slow torture. I always suffer from creating a new hero, even if there would be like few choices to make, like two different haircuts, I would still be sitting here all day long thinking what will fit best...

 

This. Toss in staring at the naming screen for a couple hours and, yeah. I feel your pain.

[A-T-R-A]

DA2 is my favorite of the 3.  I feel like it was sold as an uncompleted game, when you add all the DLC it feels like a full game.  I've played through it 20+ times.

 

I've enjoyed all 3 games, they all do some things well, and other things not so well.

[DA_Jamie]

"I enjoy all 3 games for different reasons."

 

Maybe it's just me, but I look at Origins and Awakening as two different games that just happen to use the same launching interface where other DLC's like Witch Hunt are more of an extended ending to Origins.  So DA II, to me, is the 3rd game and with DA:I there are 4 games that have taken place in the Dragon Age.

 

That is mostly because you can't merely go from Origins to DAII without loosing the Anders/Justice history that you get from Awakening.

[DA_Jamie]

I have to grind through Origins. I'ts very hard and feels like unbearable pain 

 

I've probably played through Origins 20 times and Awakening 10 times, give or take a few on each.  The only part that felt even remotely like a grind was Orzammar.  It always seems like the Orzammar quest list is a mile long.  Other than that, I love Origins and Awakening.  I like DAII as well and don't mind the battle format change and the emotion wheel was an improvement when deciding what to choose, but those choices have lost their impact in DAII.  In Origins, decisions can have a major affect on the outcome of the world as a whole, but in DAII, all choices lead to the same result.  It's a good story line and worth the play for the story line, but I couldn't see playing it more than twice.  Maybe 3 times if you want to play as Warrior, Mage and Rogue.  The only reason to play it more than that would be to complete your world prior to playing DA:I.

[VivainaDX]

What I liked in DAO- The storyline was my favorite, it wasn't as dark as DA2 and DAI. I loved my mabari and visiting him in camp, the quests were better suited to the plotlines, the party characters were all lovable in their own way and considering how old it is, it still looks really good. What I didn't like in DAO- How the mage handled, too slow and awkward, I found myself going in as the mage but fighting with either Lelianna or Zevran. I found combat all around to be too slow and stiff but at least fighting as a rogue was bearable. I also didn't like the mute protagonist, it didn't feel like my Warden had a personality.

 

 

What I liked about DA2- The day/night/Sundermount maps and how easy it was to travel between areas. The graphics were beautiful and colorful, the fighting was smoother and the on screen map was a plus. I also liked that you didn't have to be constantly looking for materials and ingredients, you just had to find a certain number of each.I DID love Zevran's, Nathaniel's& Flemeth's cameos and having Cullen, Sandal and Bohdan involved in the story, they were some of the best NPC's from DAO/Awakening.   What I didn't like was that a lot of the story was dark and depressing, I almost quit the game after what happened with Hawk's mom and the Quinari invasion, it really bummed me out and most of my party members were way too glum and moody.

 

DAI - has the best cutscenes, romances, graphics and it's characters were fun and very well presented. I liked the freedom of movement and I always enjoyed the rift closing maneuver and had fun with the Astrariums. What I didn't like- The writing was too small and I couldn't see were to 'loot' items or read missions/war room information etc, but my vision isn't the greatest. I did find where I could enlarge the writing, it helped a bit but I still had problems there. I prefer having the gold sparkles when there's an item to find. I also felt I was playing Skyrim with the amount of ingredients I had to find and the hugeness of the areas and my attitude was "If I wanted to play Skyrim, I'd be playing Skyrim" IMO You could've cut each area in half and still have had plenty of exploring room. 

[Kayodee]

It doesn’t hurt that I find DA2 to be the easiest of the 3 to get into and play. And it has Hawke. They might be my favorite PC of the series because they can feel more like a real individual. The Warden’s absent voice didn’t bother me, but I imagine if they did have a voice they’d be similar to the Inquisitor, who can feel plain at times -- even if I favor the joke options. That they put in the effort to have three personalities for Hawke… it’s just awesome.

 

That is exactly how I feel right now. Easy to set up, and Hawke. Infinite .

 

 

 

DA2 is my favorite of the 3.  I feel like it was sold as an uncompleted game, when you add all the DLC it feels like a full game.  I've played through it 20+ times.

 

I've enjoyed all 3 games, they all do some things well, and other things not so well.

 

I am a bit jealous in a good way, 20+ times, wow just wow. I officially desire to have more than 24 hours per day so I can have more of my play time! Stupid job eats my time and energy. It requires better use    Time, they say, is an illusion, a man-made concept. Teach me to control it.

 

 

 

I've probably played through Origins 20 times and Awakening 10 times, give or take a few on each.  The only part that felt even remotely like a grind was Orzammar.  It always seems like the Orzammar quest list is a mile long.  Other than that, I love Origins and Awakening.  I like DAII as well and don't mind the battle format change and the emotion wheel was an improvement when deciding what to choose, but those choices have lost their impact in DAII.  In Origins, decisions can have a major affect on the outcome of the world as a whole, but in DAII, all choices lead to the same result.  It's a good story line and worth the play for the story line, but I couldn't see playing it more than twice.  Maybe 3 times if you want to play as Warrior, Mage and Rogue.  The only reason to play it more than that would be to complete your world prior to playing DA:I.

 

Well, I had to use term 'grind' to better explain my feelings rather than actual gameplay. When I was playing Origins for the first time I was enjoying the story, game play and my time (even though it took me about 20 hours to settle and started to love what I see on my screen). It was long, emotional playthrough. However, after I re-played DA II, things have changed. I finally felt in love and enjoyed my Hawke. For some reason, my Keep hasn't kept the Origins state properly and I don't remember well what happened in my save. Also, my Hero Of Ferelden sacrificed herself so I've never played Awakening. I haven't tried neither Witch Hunt, nor Leliana's Song, and now I feel like I want t experience it, at least for the sake of full world state which can be imported in my DA II game and later on, when I will get PS 4, for my Inquisition.

 

But I so want to play DA II so for this moment it's just hard to play Origins. When you do not want to do something, it may feel like a grind. I restarted Origins for the 3d time today and finally made it to Ostagar. My struggle with character creation (I explained it above, usually took me forever to make a one I may like) doesn't help either. Well, I cannot say I am satisfied with my Amell appearance but perfection will take place in the heart, not look, so I will go with him. I enjoyed harrowing (was fun) and mage origins. I also now playing with a male character (my first was female) so new romance options for me. Getting used to slow game play and silent hero, Hawke connection gives me additional motivation and the feel I will have a real Dog soon who will be part of the party, makes me happy. Found reading codex very entertaining as well. So, occasionally love will come.

 

On the other hand, as a person who recently played through Firewatch for 25 hours, the game where all the choices matter only for pure aesthetic, and emotional connection rather than impact, I can safely say I enjoy the small impact rather than saving the world every single day. With the different approach of my character, little choices and decisions, I don't need the visible reaction from the world every time I make a step or kill a foe, or just say a word. if the emotional connection strong enough and I enjoy the story I will be satisfied, knowing my decisions will have an impact for me, personally and the curse my story will take, in my heart and my head. The feeling of choices is important for me even if it seems insignificant enough for the actual game. My imagination will do the rest. So that's where I adore DA II more than DA:O.

 

Saving the world adds lots of pressure which I may not want daily. Sometimes I want to chill in my mansion and contemplate how awesome life actually is

[themikefest]

What stands out the most is playing as sarcastic Hawke.

 

Like to see more of that in future Bioware games

[NerdWithBigStick]

So glad my little thread struck a chord.  I was just really impressed with DA2 after some time had gone by ... there was a lot that was really well done, in terms of the story.  The story was so morally ambiguous, I think it's highly underrated.

[SammyB]

For some reason I ended up playing through DAI again (BAM 70 hours of my life GONE), which led me back to DA2 (BAM 40 hours for two playthroughs). I love all the DA games for their own reasons, but I'm now fresh from two recent run throughs of the second instalment, and I have come to love it.

 

The game would have fared a lot better if it was billed as a spin-off, like Dragon Age: The Legend of Hawke. I think one thing that made DAO so popular was the choices behind character creation, a wider variety of dialogue options, and multiple storylines depending on choices. DA2 is obviously much more focused, which is both a curse because people felt pigeon-holed, but also a blessing as it allowed us to experience a much tighter story and setting.

 

What I love most about DA2 is the story and drama! All the characters suffer such catastrophic loses or are placed in such a plight, it's so easy to sympathise with many angles on alternating play-throughs. When I played the game 3 years ago (or whenever) I didn't really see the Templar's side to the argument at all, and was so pro-mage, however in the last few times I've explored the alternative. I even find Meredith's character (before she goes cray cray) a logical and wise leader, and I always feel betrayed when Orsino reveals his connection to blood magic, Quentin, and transitions to the Harvester. I deliberately look Bethany to the Deep Roads so she would die there, so that Hawke's story is dominated by magic - his mother murdered by blood magic, his sister persecuted for being a mage and so on. The schism of magic/order is black and white from the start of the game, and I love that you're forced to pick a side. And, as it takes place over a 

 

The second thing I really value in this game, which goes hand and hand with story, is the character design, which is for the most part is brilliant. Anders has an extremely compelling argument for freedom which is reasonably complemented by Fenris' hatred of magic, which is matched by mutual distrust of Merill. Isabella is a driving part of the plot, and Aveline and Varic suitably neutral but ingrained in the environment. It's great to have characters that actually feel integral to events, as opposed to say Cole and Blackwall who barely make a mark on DAI if they're not used. From the moment you start with Wesley and Carver/Bethany dying there's a sort of uneasy vibe in the game that doesn't stop - I was pretty disappointed (in a good way) that Leandra was killed and when Anders revealed he destroyed the Chantry.

 

For what it's worth, I don't mind the reused layouts, but it does look pretty unprofessional, rushed and uninspired (like, surely they could've just separated some of the meshes out, instead of just blocking off doors . . ). The elves look bizarre. Kirkwall should be a sprawling city but it has identical figures moving around. There are bugs (SO. MANY. BUGS.). But on the other hand, it's a colourful and vibrant game, the combat looks great, runs smooth and for a basic kid like me I find it really easy to use (I think DAI is the perfect combination of the two prior). 

 

Also, I love the credits music since it introduced me to Florence + the Machine! 

 

Anyway I'm sure I could go on for a while. I can totally see why people hate this game though. I'm not willing to drop like $40 AUS on the DLC so I can't comment on it.