Dragon Age II a 'disappointment'?

[Saelune]

I only played the demo, so I only know so much, and honestly, I bet I will still love it, but I still loved Oblivion despite it being vastly inferior to Morrowind.
It does seem to be dumbed down for consoles, which annoys and offends me. I love consoles because they are easier and more intuitive for me, but other than that, I love depth, and alot of things associated with PC games. Mass Effect 2 suffered the way I expect DA2 to suffer. I love lots of skills and variation, and since I favor a mage, I hate having to press A for EVERY basic attack. I want to sit in the back and plan and watch, not sit tapping A.

Hopefully when I play it, it will prove my perception of it wrong, but Im going to be going in skeptical.

 

[Eldarion]

It turned into a rant on these games in general, but I liked dragon age origins enough to play through it once. I also played and really liked both mass effect games, doesn't stop a bunch of things about them from bugging me though.

Fair enough, there are certainly valid criticisms of the series, I was just reading your post in the context of the "AAAAH DIALOGUE WHEELS" threads.

Top-paragon option

middle-you picked wrong

bottom-renegade option

You mean this?

Don't get me wrong, I played female renegade Shepard in both mass effect games because her voice acting is great and her renegade options are the best lines in the games. Its seriously funny top notch writing. One of my favorits;

"This hanar refuses to listen to reason! Why can't it act in an orderly and lawful manner?"

*selects renegade response*

"Because its a big stupid jellyfish!"

LOL

But despite this, she will never feel like my character. Largely because the role-play is restricted to one of these options. Its a lot of fun to listen to her lines, but I don't feel like I am role playing.

 

[loremazd]

Honestly, it's not too far removed from the original, the big change is in story structure.

Though normal is easier. Hard is kicking my rear, but it's not punishingly so. I can usually think my way through the tougher fights after loosing a few times.

As far as the characters go, it may be a taste thing, but I'm rather fond of all the companions. They've got a fair bit more charm collectively than the original crew.

 

[loremazd]

It turned into a rant on these games in general, but I liked dragon age origins enough to play through it once. I also played and really liked both mass effect games, doesn't stop a bunch of things about them from bugging me though.

Fair enough, there are certainly valid criticisms of the series, I was just reading your post in the context of the "AAAAH DIALOGUE WHEELS" threads.

Top-paragon option

middle-you picked wrong

bottom-renegade option

You mean this?

Don't get me wrong, I played female renegade Shepard in both mass effect games because her voice acting is great and her renegade options are the best lines in the games. Its seriously funny top notch writing. One of my favorits;

"This hanar refuses to listen to reason! Why can't it act in an orderly and lawful manner?"

*selects renegade response*

"Because its a big stupid jellyfish!"

LOL

But despite this, she will never feel like my character. Largely because the role-play is restricted to one of these options. Its a lot of fun to listen to her lines, but I don't feel like I am role playing.

You know what, that's fine. Honestly I cant fault you for that. I prefer the voiced protagonist to the unvoiced, as in general, their character it better than my character, but that's just me. Personal preference and tastes vary, and certainly an excellent reason not to purchase a game.

 

[Zaik]

Don't bother with that, it's the Morrowind cultists sad that bioware didn't erect them another shrine of terrible, inconvenient game design.

Normally they stick to trying to talk Bethesda into making Skyrim the most slow, tedious, boring piece of shit that could plausibly exist, but I guess they're coming out in droves to oppose another poorly designed RPG that has a sequel that actually improved on itself.

 

[Jennacide]

Dragon Age 2 is VERY similar to Origins. It's a tiny bit more streamlined, and the combat is many times over improved. I honestly can't think of anything DA2 has done that is demonstrably worse than Origins. Tactics are somewhat improved, combat is a lot better, the dialogue is at least as good... why are people complaining?

Because people are entitled douche holes?

Finally started playing my copy, despite the negative reaction had to the demo it's not so bad. The demo scene they picked was a really awful one. The main thing I have issue with is the same one I've had since the demo though, why the hell did they make two things prettier in exchange for EVERYTHING ELSE being uglier? Better lighting and character models, bland as hell environments, inferior enemy models, and completely stupid and/or ridiculous animations.

I haven't played the game beyond the demo yet [small](damn you, EU release dates!)[/small], but it didn't look quite so bad to me. The darkspawn were pretty bland and zombie-like, but they were always pretty bland and zombie-like. The city in second half, however, was a one hell of a lot prettier than Denerim ever was, and the new animations seemed fine. Yes, they're a little cheesy, but in DA:O it looked like your weapons just weren't hitting. They seem to have fixed that aspect at least.

I should probably point out that I didn't particularly like the art style in the first game.

[small]And that I haven't actually played the game yet.[/small]

[sub]And hey, DX11~[/sub]

Almost all the enemies are kinda bland. Kirkwall is better designed than Denerim, but less interesting to look at. All the world spaces are. DAO's art direction may of been generic, but at least it was visually pleasing ot look at. Most of DA2's environments are really uninteresting, and as someone that is a complete nut for aesthetics, it's almost a deal breaker for me. I put countless hours into games like Fallout 3 just exploring every knock and cranny of every zone, seeing the details the zone designers put in. DA2's zones are boring, and there is FAR too much copy pasting going on.

Oh, and wait till you have the game, the animations ARE really goofy looking. The human combat ones aren't so bad, but just watch how the Darkspawn run, or how Ogre's take damage. It's just...off.

Honestly, it's not too far removed from the original, the big change is in story structure.

Though normal is easier. Hard is kicking my rear, but it's not punishingly so. I can usually think my way through the tougher fights after loosing a few times.

Just wanted to bring this to light. Anyone that has played DAO and ISN'T playing DA2 on hard initially is a wimp, and isn't allowed to whine about difficulty. This is an exceedingly common complaint I see is "game is watered down and easy now" It's easy because you're PLAYING IT ON EASY YOU TARD. Bioware even said they overtuned DAO on launch, and that Hard will be comparable to the experience of DAO's normal. I mean, did seeing "Friendly Fire - Off" not set off a big red flag that maybe you should aim harder, you big chickens?

 

[Smooth Operator]

The small minority who likes hardcore RPG's will hate it, and the other 90% will hail it as the best game ever made, until the next game is released then that will be the best game ever made, ...

Fans will rage, and consumers will consume

 

[Kortney]

Most people who have Dragon Age II right now, I imagine, are perfectly happy with it. It's the few hundred or so who hate the fact that Bioware changed the recipe, so they all flock to Metacritic and give it a 1 out of 10.

It's not to be taken seriously. I'm sure Bioware expected this to happen and I doubt they really care. Most people will enjoy the game.

 

[SillyGodDisco]

I love Origins, I love DA2.

They're both two very different games set in the same world. I didn't realize that just because a game is in the same universe that it had to be EXACTLY like the others.

It's a great buy, those who reviewed in less than 24 hours are just QQ'ing because it's different. End of story.

 

[Mcface]

Let's see if we can solve this mystery. To the lab!

Here's the post. It's not detailed enough, zoom in! Enhance!

Dragon Age II's getting some scathing user reviews across all platforms on Metacritic. I haven't played the game yet so I can't comment on the standard of the game, but I did play the demo, and the only problem I had was regarding the game's user interface. I just dismissed it because it's a demo, but seeing it being played live on 4PP it was mostly unchanged, and I was quite put off by it. I've read a few reviews complaining about the game being dumbed down too much and being a poor PC port. For those who are playing the game, what are your thoughts on it? Is it really that bad?

Zoom in! Enhance!

Dragon Age II's getting some scathing user reviews across all platforms on Metacritic. I haven't played the game yet so I can't comment on the standard of the game, but I did play the demo, and the only problem I had was regarding the game's user interface.

More, damn it!

Dragon Age II's getting some scathing user reviews across all platforms on Metacritic.

We're getting something, but it's grainy. Enhance further!

user reviews

Oh I see.

I love everything you just did there.

So because they don't work for a multi-million dollar company, who makes money off of the game doing well, by ad space and press passes, they shouldn't be taken seriously?

 

[Cadaverezzi]

I have a few gripes with the demo, but nothing that would stop me playing the game. The only major thing is that from what I've seen so far, and correct me if I'm wrong, you only stay in Kirkwall which doesn't sound very appealing.

 

[Bobbity]

I only played the demo, so I only know so much, and honestly, I bet I will still love it, but I still loved Oblivion despite it being vastly inferior to Morrowind.
It does seem to be dumbed down for consoles, which annoys and offends me. I love consoles because they are easier and more intuitive for me, but other than that, I love depth, and alot of things associated with PC games. Mass Effect 2 suffered the way I expect DA2 to suffer. I love lots of skills and variation, and since I favor a mage, I hate having to press A for EVERY basic attack. I want to sit in the back and plan and watch, not sit tapping A.

Hopefully when I play it, it will prove my perception of it wrong, but Im going to be going in skeptical.

Turn the auto-attack on. Problem solved

I have a few gripes with the demo, but nothing that would stop me playing the game. The only major thing is that from what I've seen so far, and correct me if I'm wrong, you only stay in Kirkwall which doesn't sound very appealing.

Yes, apparently you spend most of the game in Kirkwall.

That said, they've put an enormous amount of work into Kirkwall, and now it's far bigger than any other city in a Bioware game. Besides which, I find the change refreshing. It's nice to have a game that's not trying to be an epic about all the forces of the world/nation coming together to defeat an ancient evil; i.e. a Lord of the Rings clone.

 

[MadeinHell]

From what I played so far the game is in my honest opinion quite damn good. I've not encountered any problems with the PC version (graphics are good and optimisation is done right) in 8 hours of gameplay I have not experienced a crash or anything of outstanding negative magnitude.

I don't have anything seriously against the game mechanics and while not being able to customise companions armour might seem silly (or even stupid for some) at first I get the reason why it was done. Remember how in the first game Morrigan had her standard armour in which she looked all sexy and witch-like? Yeah now remember how you got a better armour so you gave it to her and she now looked like an old woman? Oh yeah and later you found one of those ridiculous hats that don't fit any costume at all and made her wear it too? Yeah that's why they did it.

The only real thing I have against the game on the PC version so far is lack of top-down view/isometric camera. WHY is this not there? While it's not a big problem when ordering a warrior it is a real pain in the ass at times to target magic spells at enemies, since you only see them from the perspective of your mages back you can't really aim the damn thing. WHY is this not in the game?! Wasn't it the main thing BioWare was promising as an "exclusive mechanic" for PC versions?
I quite honestly can't get the reason why is it not present in the sequel to a game that had a nearly perfect camera controls!
I hope it was just overlooked and it will be patched in sooner or later, or in the worst case modded in, because right now fighting in interiors (especially tight rooms and corridors or in cases where your controlled character is standing in the door) can be a serious pain in the ass.

 

[Tremore]

I wish I could add something to this discussion. My copy of DA2 arrived today and Securom won't allow me to play the game until ... midnight? Which is here in Germany in about 12 hours.

I payed for it, I preordered it, I can't play the f****** game.

 

[Merkavar]

i wouldnt worry about user reviews. the game only just came out. so i would think that those reviews would be people trolling etc. all the people who think the game is good would be playing it, not reviewing it.

 

[Triangulon]

I've read a few reviews complaining about the game being dumbed down too much and being a poor PC port. For those who are playing the game, what are your thoughts on it? Is it really that bad?

I'm 8 hours in, on the PC version.

Everyone who said the game is now a button masher or 'dumbed-down' is either:

A. Is playing on Casual
B. Hasn't played it
C. Is a moron

Or possibly some combination of the above.

Ah ha, a PC player. I hope you don't mind me questioning a few points? Only I disliked the demo immensley and I could do with an honest opinion before I give up on this.

1) What is the inventory system like? I have heard there is no armour management on NPCs.
2) What is the stat management like? Can you calculate damage, attack speed, accuracy etc? It was possible in DA:O with some digging!
3) Was the regenerating health in the demo due to low difficulty level?
4) Does the PC version look better than the demo?
5) I know there is no isometric view, but is there a decent zoomed out view for party-scale combat?
6) Are the level of gore and kill/death animations as over-the-top as the demo?

Apologies for the wall and thanks in advance for your help!

OT. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and is entitled to games matching their expectations. Just because some of us like our RPGs with plenty of maths doesn't mean that we are wrong. I for one would have been happy with more of the same (but with combat zones so enemies cant just run staight past my warriors!).

 

[NickCaligo42]

It's exactly the same as Origins, but with a better interface, better advancement system, and a better dialogue system. *shrug* Really. I know there's a lot of buzz about the "action-RPG" controls they put in for consoles, but honestly? They just... suck. It's really clear that this was an afterthought more than anything and that the developers meant for players to use the more traditional Bioware-esque "pause-and-play" method. The only real change is that combat moves at a slightly more immediate, fluid pace than before, and I put a lot of stress on slightly.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

I personally like it more than origins so far, though I've spent most of the little I've played of it in one city. I'd like to do more adventuring but that's my only gripe as of now. I'm assuming there's more variety later on.

 

[MrGalactus]

I haven't played the full game either but the demo was bloody awful. I'm not surprised.

 

[Imre Csete]

Well, it obviously could have used a bit more developing time.

All the "It's rushed!" complains were stomped into the ground by the rabid fanboys, but it's the sad truth.