Dragon Age II Review

[Edli1]

DA2 improved on the first? What the hell are you talkin about? It butchered the first on everything that made it great. It killed the strategic part of gameplay, no more different races to pick, limitation on party members equipment, shallow companions, a lot less variety in areas you visit, stupid artstyle with spiky armors, loli elfs and animations that you find in jrpgs. What about the wheel, oh the stupid wheel. Up for good guy, down for bad guy. That's for kids, instead of picking lines you now pick colors and sign because Bioware made it for little kids who didn't knew what reaction a line would trigger.

Saying that DA2 is a pinnacle of rpgs and better than the first is an insult to the rpg genre. I can tell that the reviewer didn't like DA:O and it's a fan of Dmc and flashy "awesome" combat.

 

[Susurrus]

The whole NWN/Morrowwind comparison is rubbish. Morrowwind was Bethesda at its finest, and NWN1 is easily THE WORST game bioware has released (up until DA2, at least.. haven't played it so can't comment).

 

[Susurrus]

The gamespot review seems much more balanced. It gives DA2 a score of 80%, and the reviewer acknowledges a number of problems, whilst also highlighting that he overall enjoyed the experience. It does rather make the out-and-out positive review on the escapist questionable, at best. I can appreciate that Greg might have enjoyed it, but I find it hard to believe that he was blinkered to any and all problems (and failing to highlight missing features like auto-attack for xbox, and instead stating that it IS in, is hardly fine journalistic work.

http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/unnameddragonageprojectworkingtitle/review.html

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Read a couple more reviews from other sources and ones that make more sense to me are giving the game about 60%. The ones that give it 80% make it sound more like a 60% game for my tastes.

Is there a Shogun 2 review coming up? Pretty sure that I'm going to get that instead.

 

[Baby Tea]

I love how many people just stopped giving a shit about this when Skyrim was announced.

Actually the same thing happened in 2002. Bioware released Neverwinter Nights in the spring, and in autumn, Bethesda released Morrowind. The result - NWN is basically forgotten, Morrowind still has quite large and very active community with dozens of mods coming out every single day.

Uhh, that's not true.
Yes, Morrowind still has a wonderfully vibrant community. But to say that NWN is 'basically forgotten' only shows that it's forgotten by you. The community is still quite active with NWN. Tons of servers are still running, MODs are still being released regularly, and tons of people play it.

It's very far from 'forgotten'.
It's not even 'forgotten' when compared with Morrowind's community!

Both are absolutely still alive and kicking.

 

[Necromancer1991]

Either way this review won't be pushing me to purchase this game anytime soon. Maybe when its on a major sales binge on Steam but thats about it. EA has poisoned Bioware and I don't feel that it will recover. I guess its back to the Kotors for me.

Just like Activision ruined Blizzard and Enix ruined Square, look they more or less consolidate funds and both sides benefit, Bioware has been moving towards action RPGs for a while now, and yet everybody seems to love Mass Effect but when they change Dragon Age, how dare they...I mean really people, also Greg's never struck me as one of those nit-picky reviewers that likes to point of every case of texture pop and the like. I mean overall if you HAVEN'T played anymore than the demo than SHUT UP, you're not qualified to critique anything more. Also I'm enjoying the game and that all that matters, I'll keep saying that, is it perfect, no, but it's not as horrible as you twats are making it out to be! In conclusion stop whining about how the series is RUINED FORVER!!1!!!11 [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuinedFOREVER] (God I hate having to say stuff like this because I expect more out of the escapist community)

 

[Antari]

Either way this review won't be pushing me to purchase this game anytime soon. Maybe when its on a major sales binge on Steam but thats about it. EA has poisoned Bioware and I don't feel that it will recover. I guess its back to the Kotors for me.

Just like Activision ruined Blizzard and Enix ruined Square, look they more or less consolidate funds and both sides benefit, Bioware has been moving towards action RPGs for a while now, and yet everybody seems to love Mass Effect but when they change Dragon Age, how dare they...I mean really people, also Greg's never struck me as one of those nit-picky reviewers that likes to point of every case of texture pop and the like. I mean overall if you HAVEN'T played anymore than the demo than SHUT UP, you're not qualified to critique anything more. Also I'm enjoying the game and that all that matters, I'll keep saying that, is it perfect, no, but it's not as horrible as you twats are making it out to be! In conclusion stop whining about how the series is RUINED FORVER!!1!!!11 [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuinedFOREVER] (God I hate having to say stuff like this because I expect more out of the escapist community)

I've watched EA absolutely destroy the quality of games since they started. And all they are doing is continuing the trend with a new company. Sure they've improved graphics but I'd blame ATI and Nvidia alot more than them on that. People keep buying their stuff, and complaining, others don't realize half their "gameplay-advancements" already happened about 12 years ago! I want to see actual innovation and creativity, two things EA has been trying ever so desperately to kill over the years so they can improve the bottom line. The answer is simple for me, I don't buy anything with the EA symbol on it anymore.

If your enjoying Dragon Age 2 ... than thats great. But there are alot of people who don't like the changes to the game. Or in my case, hate the publisher that is destroying a very high quality developer, with its greed inspired game development process. And we're not going to shut up. We have just as much right to be pissed off as you do being happy with your purchase. We can agree to disagree but suggesting we all shut up and go away puts you in the same class as a selfish dictator. Come to think of it Tropico 3 was probably the last game that was worth the purchase, out of a long list of ones that most certainly aren't.

Either way give it time, EA WILL find a way to piss you off eventually. They always do.

 

[CommanderKirov]

Alot of complaints in this thread...

I myself have been playing the thing since exactly 18 hours (Give or take with breaks and having to appease my biological need for sleep). Exploring the town, helping people enjoying stuff.

And i bloody love it. The combat is much more dynamic and flowing, every single quest has a proper story arch not like the sodding board quests from the first DA where you get a quest and than go into instanced area and "Kill soam duudz or talk to soam duudz". The quest in the second one make me actually feel like I'm doing something that affects the world.


Although I do have one bone to pick with the game, and it's the fact that they have cut alot of Companion interaction and chatting. It's done Mass Effect style and it does not feel to nice to me especially since in DA:O I liked to spend some time in camp, chatting to companions and stuffing their pockets with gifts they did not realy want.


Still, a very good title and I'm feeling that after I finish this playthrough I'm going to load up my second save from the first game to see how much will change! Cannot wait.


I'm getting my moneys worth that's for sure.

 

[Macrobstar]

Give me back Baldur's Gate and PlaneScape Torment, damnit.

They haven't gone anywhere, you go back and see that those games just aren't as good by todays standards and leave the newer BETTER games for us

Them's fighting words!

Actually, half a year ago I had another run of BG2. With the mods out there that update to HD textures and a high resolution, it's still absolutely playable.

What I loved about the game is the dialogue system - especially the banter between party members that could actually lead to something, instead of just throwing out some funny lines in a while.

BG2 is one of the games that aged really well. Planescape, I agree, is too fiddly for the modern gamer. And get off my lawn!

Yeh it must of been a good game other wise it wouldn't get such fandom but its getting ridiculous, still play it but please stop going on about it people

 

[Necromancer1991]

I've watched EA absolutely destroy the quality of games since they started. And all they are doing is continuing the trend with a new company. Sure they've improved graphics but I'd blame ATI and Nvidia alot more than them on that. People keep buying their stuff, and complaining, others don't realize half their "gameplay-advancements" already happened about 12 years ago! I want to see actual innovation and creativity, two things EA has been trying ever so desperately to kill over the years so they can improve the bottom line. The answer is simple for me, I don't buy anything with the EA symbol on it anymore.

If your enjoying Dragon Age 2 ... than thats great. But there are alot of people who don't like the changes to the game. Or in my case, hate the publisher that is destroying a very high quality developer, with its greed inspired game development process. And we're not going to shut up. We have just as much right to be pissed off as you do being happy with your purchase. We can agree to disagree but suggesting we all shut up and go away puts you in the same class as a selfish dictator. Come to think of it Tropico 3 was probably the last game that was worth the purchase, out of a long list of ones that most certainly aren't.

Either way give it time, EA WILL find a way to piss you off eventually. They always do.

Eh I'm not quite sure EA is as bad as you make them out to be, IMO Activision is way worse because they are owned/operated by a complete wanker

Spoiler

Frankly I like the IPs EA supports, you may find the quality lacking but that may have more to do with the developers than the publisher, Bioware has come a long way from the original Baldur's Gate & KotoR. I really hope the Extra Credits guys do a episode of Publisher v. Developers soon so as to make differentiating the two easier, and to shed more light on the dynamic. Also I'm all for voicing your opinion but please do so in an intelligent and mature manner, or else you'll just make your stance all the harder to take seriously, you have been fairly reasonable with your criticism whereas I'm speaking against idiots like RenegadePacifist.

P.S: I'm aware everyone has a different taste in games and that multiple opinions are going to cause friction, this is the internet that's like breathing IRL, it's a basic function.

 

[Alpha Maeko]

"Hawke."

"Wrex."

 

[Ashcrexl]

this review is waaaayy too positive. where' your cynicism video game journalist man?

 

[Antari]

I've watched EA absolutely destroy the quality of games since they started. And all they are doing is continuing the trend with a new company. Sure they've improved graphics but I'd blame ATI and Nvidia alot more than them on that. People keep buying their stuff, and complaining, others don't realize half their "gameplay-advancements" already happened about 12 years ago! I want to see actual innovation and creativity, two things EA has been trying ever so desperately to kill over the years so they can improve the bottom line. The answer is simple for me, I don't buy anything with the EA symbol on it anymore.

If your enjoying Dragon Age 2 ... than thats great. But there are alot of people who don't like the changes to the game. Or in my case, hate the publisher that is destroying a very high quality developer, with its greed inspired game development process. And we're not going to shut up. We have just as much right to be pissed off as you do being happy with your purchase. We can agree to disagree but suggesting we all shut up and go away puts you in the same class as a selfish dictator. Come to think of it Tropico 3 was probably the last game that was worth the purchase, out of a long list of ones that most certainly aren't.

Either way give it time, EA WILL find a way to piss you off eventually. They always do.

Eh I'm not quite sure EA is as bad as you make them out to be, IMO Activision is way worse because they are owned/operated by a complete wanker

Spoiler

Frankly I like the IPs EA supports, you may find the quality lacking but that may have more to do with the developers than the publisher, Bioware has come a long way from the original Baldur's Gate & KotoR. I really hope the Extra Credits guys do a episode of Publisher v. Developers soon so as to make differentiating the two easier, and to shed more light on the dynamic. Also I'm all for voicing your opinion but please do so in an intelligent and mature manner, or else you'll just make your stance all the harder to take seriously, you have been fairly reasonable with your criticism whereas I'm speaking against idiots like RenegadePacifist.

P.S: I'm aware everyone has a different taste in games and that multiple opinions are going to cause friction, this is the internet that's like breathing IRL, it's a basic function.

Activision and Electronic Arts are both equally responsible for the state of gaming these days. Niether is better than the other. Both toting mediocrity as grand records never to be broken, until next release. Its one big long line of disapointment. The Developers don't have enough control over timelines and budgets to make properly great games. Blizzard lucked out, but the rest live under impossible deadlines forcing them to release poorly developed and even poorer tested games. The publishers have no risk at all anymore. They can't fail. Because they rely on a constant resupply of new customers (yes, kids), that they can fool into thinking they've just reinvented the wheel, when all they did was paint it a different color. They don't care at all beyond that point when it comes down to the numbers.

Atleast some Indie's have decided to take a different path and make the games they want. And Suprise, Suprise... most of them are doing quite well. I hope both EA and Activision burn in hell playing the same game over and over again until the end of time. Its the only fair payment I can think of for what they've been doing over the years.

 

[TheAmazingHobo]

I don´t know, maybe it is just me, but I found the video supplement somehow very.... off.
What was said did not really seem to match what was shown.
Especially whenever he mentioned the brilliant writing. It was always accompanied by someone saying something utterly unfunny or uninteresting.
And when he mentioned how awesome Kirkwall looks, the video shows a beige blocky building, sorrounded by a couple of blocky, undetailed gardens. Not to mention the statement "one of the best looking games of its generation", which is accompanied by unconvincing, lifeless faces.

I´m sure it is a very nice game and all, but you really should have chosen better examples to illustrate your points.

 

[Necromancer1991]

Activision and Electronic Arts are both equally responsible for the state of gaming these days. Niether is better than the other. Both toting mediocrity as grand records never to be broken, until next release. Its one big long line of disapointment. The Developers don't have enough control over timelines and budgets to make properly great games. Blizzard lucked out, but the rest live under impossible deadlines forcing them to release poorly developed and even poorer tested games. The publishers have no risk at all anymore. They can't fail. Because they rely on a constant resupply of new customers (yes, kids), that they can fool into thinking they've just reinvented the wheel, when all they did was paint it a different color. They don't care at all beyond that point when it comes down to the numbers.

Atleast some Indie's have decided to take a different path and make the games they want. And Suprise, Suprise... most of them are doing quite well. I hope both EA and Activision burn in hell playing the same game over and over again until the end of time. Its the only fair payment I can think of for what they've been doing over the years.

Uber-strict Buisness models arenn't a strictly American phenomenon either, Nintendo was well know for it's draconian policies back in the 90's (Making 3rd party developers bend over backwards to get proprietary hardware and the like as was discussed by Moviebob [http://screwattack.com/videos/TGO-EPISODE-39-The-Emperor-Has-No-Clothes]) TBH at this point in time people like to hate on EA and Activision and until they find a new punching bag it's going to stay like that (Although as I said previously I'm pro-EA, I likes there IPs). Not to say the Indie developers don't have their place, People Can Fly just put out on of my favorite games this year and they're only really know for Painkiller.

 

[Susurrus]

TheAmazingHobo: I see your point.

Also, comparing combat to WoW and Fable, as though that's a good thing, massively concerns me.

 

[Antari]

Activision and Electronic Arts are both equally responsible for the state of gaming these days. Niether is better than the other. Both toting mediocrity as grand records never to be broken, until next release. Its one big long line of disapointment. The Developers don't have enough control over timelines and budgets to make properly great games. Blizzard lucked out, but the rest live under impossible deadlines forcing them to release poorly developed and even poorer tested games. The publishers have no risk at all anymore. They can't fail. Because they rely on a constant resupply of new customers (yes, kids), that they can fool into thinking they've just reinvented the wheel, when all they did was paint it a different color. They don't care at all beyond that point when it comes down to the numbers.

Atleast some Indie's have decided to take a different path and make the games they want. And Suprise, Suprise... most of them are doing quite well. I hope both EA and Activision burn in hell playing the same game over and over again until the end of time. Its the only fair payment I can think of for what they've been doing over the years.

Uber-strict Buisness models arenn't a strictly American phenomenon either, Nintendo was well know for it's draconian policies back in the 90's (Making 3rd party developers bend over backwards to get proprietary hardware and the like as was discussed by Moviebob [http://screwattack.com/videos/TGO-EPISODE-39-The-Emperor-Has-No-Clothes]) TBH at this point in time people like to hate on EA and Activision and until they find a new punching bag it's going to stay like that (Although as I said previously I'm pro-EA, I likes there IPs)

Oh don't get me wrong, EA and Activision aren't the only devil's in the mix. Pretty much all the large players these days have drained the creativity out of gaming by buying up great IP's and driving them straight into the ground. As well as breaking up creative teams that were proven to work, but internal stupidity made a call. I'm disgusted with the large majority of game publishers and even some developers at this point. Most gamers my age just don't bother to care enough anymore to say much of anything. Most days I wonder why I do as well .. as it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

And I like IP's from both EA and Activision, but I know they could do so much more with them. But they don't, because they can, and they'll still make money. So quality really doesn't matter much anymore. I guess I'll go back to older games for now until the cycle finally hits bottom and starts to go up again, but I have been waiting quite a while now. So I'm understandably not too happy with them.