Dragon Age II a 'disappointment'?

[drummond13]

Um, these are User reviews. In other words, they're meaningless. These are the same people that gave Starcraft 2 bad "reviews" even before release because it only contained the Terran campaign. These are the same people who gave Modern Warfare 2 bad "reviews" because of the dedicated server fiasco. There are few things less indicative of a game's actual quality than user reviews.

 

[Duffeknol]

Dumbing down RPGs is the best thing you can do to them. I hate it when they cater to the WoW playing masses that (as Yahtzee once brilliantly put it) only care about numbers, numbers and higher numbers. I just want a good story and some actual FUN gameplay in between the story segments.

 

[JeanLuc761]

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!).

I can answer those for you! Bear in mind I'm only about 2 1/2 hours in.

1) Inventory has been streamlined, but nowhere near the amount that Mass Effect 2 was. Squadmate armor is static, but you can still alter just about everything else.
2) The stat system is fantastic. Every time you level up your character, it gives you detailed information as to what you're improving (critical chance, damage, attack probability, etc)
3) Yes, that was a demo thing. Play on hard and you'll start losing health pretty fast.
4) The PC version looks friggin fantastic, especially with the high res texture pack Bioware released.
5) You can zoom out pretty far.
6) Yeah, they are. I enjoy it, but that's just up to personal preference.

I'm enjoying the game so far. Here's a few screens for ya:

 

[Dragonborne88]

Played it for about 5 hours yesterday. It's pretty fun, and most of those reviews are people 0-bombing the game.

The writing is pretty good, especially on the quests. I like how a few of them I attempted to take the morally high road, and they ended up turning out NOWHERE near how I predicted. I like that feeling, makes me feel personally betrayed by the NPCs.

Combat is pretty much the same as Dragon Age: Orgins, just faster looking. The tactics are also set up a lot better by default, it seems, so I haven't tweaked them too much from the default(thanks for setting the healers to heal at 50%, Bioware!). Had to keep a close eye on everybody's health due to things going so quickly. Pausing (on the console) seems better for some reason, makes it easier to switch to guys to give them quick orders.

I like the new art style, makes everything look more distinct. The character models and textures are REALLY nice, especially compared with the demo. Like damn. You can see the muscles on the tank lady's arms (can't remember her name, too focused on Varric!)

 

[DaJoW]

Metacritic has 130+ reviews of Dragon Age 2 with score 1 or less (out of 255). I don't fully trust it to be honest.

Though DA2 has a score about equal to Assassins Creed 2 and Modern Warfare 2 at least.

 

[m72_ar]

Sorry, I can't get into the second game if I can't continue my character from the first one. Oh, now I have to play as a character with an already defined name? I hated that about mass effect. Its one of my biggest issues with bioware games, you aren't your own character. You play 3 different versions of bioware's character. I don't consider that role playing.

I don't mind that i can't play as my character since he has a case of being dead.

The already defined surname is a gimmick to facilitate the fully voiced thing. So the NPC can call you without using generic term like Hero, or Warrior. Just like everybody called you Revan in Kotor.

Name wise, yeah they got name, but personality wise they're blank slate

 

[AngloDoom]

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.

I just choked on half an apple based on those two posts....

 

[m72_ar]

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.

You're the Champion of Kirkwall. You don't get called Champion of Kirkwall if you don't do a lot of stuff in Kirkwall.

I'll reserve judgement until I actually play the game and I'll see whether Kirkwall area alone are enough

 

[Triangulon]

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!

I can answer those for you! Bear in mind I'm only about 2 1/2 hours in.

1) Inventory has been streamlined, but nowhere near the amount that Mass Effect 2 was. Squadmate armor is static, but you can still alter just about everything else.
2) The stat system is fantastic. Every time you level up your character, it gives you detailed information as to what you're improving (critical chance, damage, attack probability, etc)
3) Yes, that was a demo thing. Play on hard and you'll start losing health pretty fast.
4) The PC version looks friggin fantastic, especially with the high res texture pack Bioware released.
5) You can zoom out pretty far.
6) Yeah, they are. I enjoy it, but that's just up to personal preference.

I'm enjoying the game so far. Here's a few screens for ya:

Brilliant. Thanks a lot! That certainly makes me feel a bit better about it. May have to give it a go after all.

 

[JeanLuc761]

Brilliant. Thanks a lot! That certainly makes me feel a bit better about it. May have to give it a go after all.

I would personally advise you wait about a week or so. By then, all of the rage will have died down (I hope) and opinions from the "average player," for lack of a better term, will start showing up.

It's certainly possible that I could end up hating this game by the end, but first impressions are good.

 

[chinangel]

Bleah, I put it in as the 'omg they changed it! I HATE IT!' mentality. People being contrary for the sake of it.

Dragon Age 2 is great, and it's what a sequel should be: an advancement of the game, while fixing stuff that didn't work the first time around, as well as offering us a new experience so the old one doesn't get stale.

I would have liked them to keep the number of skills you had in the first one, as well as many fun classes, but I can also see why they pulled them out. When the DLC comes around, you can probably imagine that there will be more classes and skills tossed in.

I'm also glad that 'dog' is now a summon and NOT a real party member, as he was a waste of space in teh last game.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

The keyword being "User Reviews". Give it a month and the ratings will skyrocket.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

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?

It could be that some of them quit after a couple of hours. I'm 7 hours in and really enjoying it now, but the first 2 hours are terrible. They felt disjointed and rushed.

 

[Zaik]

Ya know, I am getting a little sick of "if you don't like the game you shouldn't be taken seriously".

I give the game a 7 or 8 but these criticisms are every bit as valid as the praise from those who love the game.

What kind of objective person says "I don't trust user reviews". Geez, you think people dropped $60 just to complain about the game? Isn't spending $60 on a game "giving it a chance"?

The professional reviewer not only doesn't have to buy the game but also gets paid to play and review it. The user has to buy the game. Which do you supposed is more trustworthy?

Nobody is talking about you, we're talking about the drudgery fetishist weirdos who are rating the game 1/10 because it actually improved on itself.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Turn the auto-attack on. Problem solved

You mean the auto attack they cut from consoles ?

Advertised it, and said we would have an option then day before release (when pre orders ship and cant cancel, good timing) then they announce "oh guys btw the auto attack was in the 360 version, but didnt work and we havent fixed it".

Also many find areas recycled, and the import bugged, since the demo, still bugged.
Its rushed. It reminds me of awakening.

I'm playing on the 360. Yeah, the game feels rushed. Clipping during cutscenes, copy and pasted environments, and the bugs you mentioned to name a few things. I will give it this: it added context to choices. Being able to tell when I'm flirting with someone is a godsend. My Shepard hit on every girl on the Normandy, regardless of my intentions.

 

[Ailia]

I've played around 10 hours since I picked it up yesterday; I'm enjoying it more than Origins. I feel like I'm going somewhere, like some of the decisions I make are going to come back and bite me in the ass a few years down the line (in the game's time-line).
The graphics and the combat are MUCH better, especially for the PS3. I can actually swtich between characters fluidly without having to pause, the tactics make much more sense (I haven't had to tweak much of the default ones) and Hard is a damn good challenge. I've walked unprepared into some fights and gotten massacred - I'm being more careful now.
The companions are great, they're endearing and seem to click more as a group compared to Origins' guys (seeing Varric reach out to protect Merril almost instantly was adorable!).
All in all, those reviews make no sense. I don't know if the score will ever survive being 0-bombed so early on, so don't go by it. The game is great, better than Origins in my opinion!

 

[MisterShine]

1) What is the inventory system like? I have heard there is no armour management on NPCs.

Truth, more or less. You can put runes into armor like Awakenings but their overall armor is theres to upgrade when they choose, either during level up or during the time-skips. The inventory system works in a similar system to DA:O. Enemies drop items like armor and weapons and potions and junk, and you only have so much bag space to hold them. Now thankfully, there's a 'junk' tab that is basically useless stuff that sells, along with sorting your items by armor/weapons/accessories/potions/junk. Even though only one kind of armor is good for you (since Hawke can only wear armor designed for whatever his class is, or at least wouldnt be good for you to wear them), the other kinds of armor still drop anyway for you to sell. Or if you wanted to get the stats necessary (like Magic for wearing a robe), you could do so and wear it anyway. Personally, I've noticed more different-looking and cool armor in DA2 than I saw in DA:O

2) What is the stat management like? Can you calculate damage, attack speed, accuracy etc? It was possible in DA:O with some digging!

Exact same stats as origins, but now each is clear on what they do, and each class is more single stat focused. Mages want magic, rogues want dex, warriors want str. Though you have to balance that out with what you need from a few of the other stats. Also, each shows a number next to it as the stat increases what affect it will have. Increase your Con, it shows your new health pool. Increase your str, shows your new dps. You can see all the exact changes when you put the points in

3) Was the regenerating health in the demo due to low difficulty level?

That is only during the Varric-overtelling the story parts. I'm playing on Hard and I've never seen health regen I couldn't explain.

4) Does the PC version look better than the demo

The demo is locked to medium settings on dx9. So yeah, looks a lot better There's also a high texture pack which supposedly makes things look REALLY good, but I haven't downloaded it yet and I've read some people are having optimization issues with it. Might want to wait for a patch

5) I know there is no isometric view, but is there a decent zoomed out view for party-scale combat?

Sadly yes, no iso view. That was almost entirely how I played Origins, and getting used to it took about an hour or so. The zoom out is about as far as it was in O, and Only once have I bitched to myself about the camera not playing with me properly when I wanted to throw down a fireball.

6) Are the level of gore and kill/death animations as over-the-top as the demo?

Not as over the top as the part where Varric is telling the story, but if you kill an enemy with a special ability or crit they tend to explode, yes

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

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!).

Personally I'm very glad they didn't stagnate. I thought Origins was a good game, but it was held back too much trying to honor Baldur's Gate, instead of being its own game. While I can nitpick a lot about DA2, I'm glad it has taken some steps into its own style, I'm enjoying it immensely.

 

[Johnnyallstar]

*FUN STUFFS SNIP

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?

Yes and no. Most people who are paid critics don't just play the game and say if they enjoy it or not. They've been in the industry long enough to not only say if they like it or not, but also why, and have the ability to conduct constructive criticism. Most user reviews come over like idiotic fanboyism either for or against it. I don't have Dragon Age 2, but I could right now go over to Metacritic and throw a line of pure bullshit as a user reviewer and give it a gleaming 10, or a 0, and also sound intelligible while doing it.

All reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt, and genuine reviews should always be considered to see how the developers could make a better game, but user reviews even more so, because there is no legitimate proof that they even played the game. Oft times, I've seen people giving great reviews when they're just pining to buy the game/see the movie/whatever, or giving terrible reviews saying something along the lines of "Xbox suxxx" or "Worst series evar" crap.

Also, let us not forget John Gabriels Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory. Sure, the user reviewers at Metacritic may have to put something in the name category, but it's not like you can't just lie to them.

 

[Triangulon]

*Snip*



Personally I'm very glad they didn't stagnate. I thought Origins was a good game, but it was held back too much trying to honor Baldur's Gate, instead of being its own game. While I can nitpick a lot about DA2, I'm glad it has taken some steps into its own style, I'm enjoying it immensely.

Thanks for the help! Nice to get some reasoned and honest thoughts rather then 'Its amazing cos its not like DA:O' or 'It sucks cos its not DA:O'. As I said to JeanLuc I may well get it now a lot of my main concerns have been (at least partly) laid to rest.

A good point about stagnating. I am impressed they did try something new with a successful formula. There is far too much stagnation in videogames today (/cough COD /cough). It would be rather churlish of me not to admit that. Particularly as I did prefer the second Mass Effect. The difference is I always thought that Mass Effect was a poor RPG and needed to be more streamlined and story-focused.

In terms of honoring Baldur's Gate, I'm not sure DA:O was ever going to, because to be honest I don't think they really got what it was about. Baldur's Gate was just so personal. You weren't saving the world. I always got this feeling that things would be just fine without me (although there would maybe be a few more muggers and crazy wizards).

 

[Seydaman]

Yea I don't understand the bad reviews
I loved the game
Improvement in everything.