I'd rename Dragon Age II "Dragon Age: Champion."
For one, the first game had a subtitle and I think this would have been a good trend for the series.
Second, the game was a significant departure from the first in terms of story and gameplay, and excepting a few cameos and references, the story had little to do with the first other than being set in the same world. Calling it "Dragon Age: Champion" would have highlighted this fact, rather than setting up expectations that this would be a direct follow-up to Origins. Even though Bioware tried to make this clear in developer interviews and such, not calling it "Dragon Age II" would have made the point much more clear, IMO.
Third, "Dragon Age: Champion" highlights the core experience of the game. Just as Dragon Age: Origins was about exploring the different origins and getting a feel for the different social groups within the world before going on a quest to save the world and become the Hero of Ferelden, "Dragon Age: Champion" was about one person and the choices they make on their way to having greatness thrust upon them by their circumstances. It's not about saving the world, it's about how one man becomes a champion of the people.
Side note: In case you can't tell, I actually liked Dragon Age II (as unpopular as that view seems to be around here). As a huge Origins fan, it did disappoint me in some respects, but I still consider it a solid release.
For one, the first game had a subtitle and I think this would have been a good trend for the series.
Second, the game was a significant departure from the first in terms of story and gameplay, and excepting a few cameos and references, the story had little to do with the first other than being set in the same world. Calling it "Dragon Age: Champion" would have highlighted this fact, rather than setting up expectations that this would be a direct follow-up to Origins. Even though Bioware tried to make this clear in developer interviews and such, not calling it "Dragon Age II" would have made the point much more clear, IMO.
Third, "Dragon Age: Champion" highlights the core experience of the game. Just as Dragon Age: Origins was about exploring the different origins and getting a feel for the different social groups within the world before going on a quest to save the world and become the Hero of Ferelden, "Dragon Age: Champion" was about one person and the choices they make on their way to having greatness thrust upon them by their circumstances. It's not about saving the world, it's about how one man becomes a champion of the people.
Side note: In case you can't tell, I actually liked Dragon Age II (as unpopular as that view seems to be around here). As a huge Origins fan, it did disappoint me in some respects, but I still consider it a solid release.
