Dragon Age II Review

[BigZ7337]

I enjoyed the game, but I don't know any reviewer could give this game a perfect score, and not mention at all any of the many problems in the game. Maybe the version I played (xbox 360) is different than what you played. However, that does not explain how you couldn't mention that there were only a handful of areas and maps that all look the same. Also, to add variety to copy/pasted levels they just locked off certain parts of the level, while still keeping the same exact map.

Look, the author of this review is entitled to his opinion, but his review makes me doubt other Escapist reviews, other than Zero Punctuation whose videos I love. It's just too clean, too glowing, for me to take it as an unbiased review.

(Btw, I won't post all of my problems with the game on this thread, but I did write a pretty long amazon review of my opinions about the game: http://www.amazon.com/review/ROB3R24ONUSF7/ref=cm_aya_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0047TG2R0#wasThisHelpful )

 

[Dustpan]

Buldur's Gate 1+2 is still the pinnicle of RPG's and the reviewer knows not what they speak of. Obviously they've never played D&D table top and is stuck in the console generation (it was an X-Box review afterall).

That must have been another Greg Tito that's in our Classic B/X D&D campaign last night, runs two 4th edition D&D lunch time campaigns, has written about tabletop games in our Check for Traps column and has written for WoTC.

You might not agree with his review, but there is a long standing love for tabletop games across almost all the staff here.

Well looks like Yahtzee somewhat agrees that the game is poo... Yeah that guy that does videos for your website.

 

[Slycne]

Buldur's Gate 1+2 is still the pinnicle of RPG's and the reviewer knows not what they speak of. Obviously they've never played D&D table top and is stuck in the console generation (it was an X-Box review afterall).

That must have been another Greg Tito that's in our Classic B/X D&D campaign last night, runs two 4th edition D&D lunch time campaigns, has written about tabletop games in our Check for Traps column and has written for WoTC.

You might not agree with his review, but there is a long standing love for tabletop games across almost all the staff here.

Well looks like Yahtzee somewhat agrees that the game is poo... Yeah that guy that does videos for your website.

Okay? I don't really see what Yahtzee has to do with whether or not other staff members enjoy D&D and other tabletop games. So if you are trying to make some kind of a point I'm not seeing it.

 

[Dustpan]

Neither do I. Not sure how you read into that. I thought we were talking about the DA:O2 review.

My original point was that the written review does not reflect someone that has a passion for D&D table top games. The overwhelming responses to the review support my argument. I probably came across as harsh and you leapt to defend your friends honour, which is understandable, but that does not excuse why they have given such an uncalled for positive review.

It is blatantly obvious that DA:O2 is dumbed down for a newer, shorter attention spanned generation, that requires no actual technical thinking, and is more about pretty cinematic that actual game-play.

 

[Masterdebator]

Bottom Line: A pinnacle of role-playing games with well-designed mechanics and excellent story-telling, Dragon Age II is what videogames are meant to be.

Words can't describe how utterly wrong this. I understand everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but sweet jesus, Dragon Age II is a disaster on all fronts and pales in comparison to DAO.

"Dragon Age II is what videogames are meant to be."

1. No. Holy Mary Mother of God no. No. No. No. NO.
2. Stop reviewing games because that is one of the dumbest things I've ever read.
3. Play a decent RPG and realize the utter stupidity of that statement.

Yahtzee called this embarrassment to Bioware's name out for what it was (an obvious cash in ala Bioshock 2).

I have no clue how Mr. Tit came to such a stunningly wrong conclusion.

I thought the Escapist was better than this.

 

[aenimau5]

What the hells with all the hate, seriously are we playing the same game, yeah it has problems, the lack of locations etc... but at least it god rid of the dull slog of DAO's combat (all be it by making me manically tap A)

 

[mnjiman]

This Review is pretty off the ball in my opinion. I think it brings up one or two valid points about the positive aspects of the game, but pretty much misses on all the others points it has to make.

I do wish escapist will attempt to redeem themselves in the future with truthful reviews, because this one does seem like it was a paid advertisement.

 

[Orc Town Grot]

I've reconsidered a lot of my hate for DA2 after 2 playthroughs. While I have issues, the game is still actually great. In a way it is a fresh take on the genre. The reason I can't hate the weakness in quest design and RPG elements is because the plot (love it or hate it) is WELL DONE. And the combat (despite being different) is GREAT FUN. It is ridiculous to have enemies teleporting on to you of course, but with this system its actually possible to run circles around them popping off all kinds of amusing stuns and evades as you do so. I mean running for your life with a dragon hot on your arse never gets old, especially when you can pull it off. Also moving out of the path of a charging ogre, only to have it run into a wall is ....HILARIOUS. Thing with this game, is that it is a throw back to an older, more innocent age. It was rushed and its far from perfect, and it is dumbed down, all of that. But when you persevere, and get into the new mechanics it gas a lot to offer and plenty or reason to replay. From hating it I've turned around to hoping for lots of DLC. Despite that I think Greg Tito's review fails to give sufficient warning to potential players of the Game about the negatives of the design, and about the need to prepare themselves for really genre breaking changes in the way this plays. DA2 is not a RPG that allows you to tell your own story. It passifies the player into a passenger for Bioware script writing. For a lot of RPG fans this is a significant negative, so a more cautious approval of the game would have been more appropriate.

 

[Nesco Nomen]

Anyone noticed how sometimes you choose an answer,
NPC says something like "yeah I know what you mean" - but goes on about something completely different, and you're left like WTF?!

I thought that was really indie, and together with that 1 cave shows they ran out of money.

 

[Pandabearparade]

For that, I apologize. I do not apologize for loving a game that you had probably decided to hate even before reading my review.

Greg

That is a complete cop out and you know it. Dismissing people who call you out on something as being 'slanted from the start' is ridiculous. I went into Dragon Age 2 wanting to love it, and when I ran into the first few glaring flaws I shrugged them off... but the failure after failure piled too high for me to pretend. DA2 is not a good game.

You giving the game a perfect score just ruins my opinion of your journalistic integrity. No objective reviewer, no matter how much they love this game, should ignore the objective flaws. Reused environments, completely wrecked models (Darkspawn and Elves), a disjointed story, and a complete lack of choices that affect the outcome. These are flaws, and none of these things are mentioned even in passing so that they could be dismissed.

 

[Price0331]

You giving the game a perfect score just ruins my opinion of your journalistic integrity. No objective reviewer, no matter how much they love this game, should ignore the objective flaws. Reused environments, completely wrecked models (Darkspawn and Elves), a disjointed story, and a complete lack of choices that affect the outcome. These are flaws, and none of these things are mentioned even in passing so that they could be dismissed.

Quoted for truth, I don't mean to be so late to the party, but this review just irks my opinion of the escapist, almost as much as the Jimquisition.

 

[Amaror]

I am Sorry, but this is one of the worst reviews I watched ever.
Let's look at your points:
Improved Gameplay mechanics, Hitting the A- button again and again.
You know that Buttonsmashing isn't a good gameplay mechanic., right?

Improved Graphics, One of the best looking games of this Generation.
I'm Sorry are you blind, or is this the ONLY game you play this year. You aren't REALLY comparring THIS to Crysis 2, Witcher 2, Shogun 2 and all the other actually good looking games, are you?

Improved Dialog - System, Change Character however you want.
Good, bad and funny is NOT however I want, since there are never any other possibilities to answer. And you don't know how the "magicians" changed your tone? They just look what choice you choose the most and change between 3 different voice tones, it's not difficult at all.

Kirkwall, each Quarter is distinct.
Did we played the same game? The Enviroment couldn't be more repetitive, exspecialy (I probably wrote that wrong) the places of the Sidequests. It's Copy and Paste throughout the whole game.

I could mention some more points, I guess. But I just couldn't watch this incredible subjective "Review", you obviously made while you had your pink, shiny Fan - Glasses on, twice.

 

[Panopticon01]

I came back to this review thread to read the later posts, and wow what a turn-around. I guess it took a lot of frustration and some "look at this!" outrage to go from "its not that bad, i like it!" to "holy crap what were you thinking."

Makes me smile to see people come to their senses but what took so long? I understand people differing opinions. I really disliked the game but i still had some fun. It was clearly a step down and poorly put together but it was still Dragon Age and i don't regret buying it (maybe at the initial price, a little)

The biggest beef I had when the article was initially posted was the clear lack of serious though put into the extravagant and honestly careless words from the reviewer. I get it. Greg REALLY liked the game. However, not even my favorite games, or even the best reviewed games should be called flawless or perfect. That just doesn't happen when it comes to things like video games, there is always room for improvement.

A reviewers objective on an article (at least on a commerical website such as this anways) should be to inform the reader as objectively as possible. That clearly did not happen on this review. Not only did it not happen but it didnt happen to the point where people questions the real motives behind the review itself. Was the reviewer compensated in any way? Was it a joke? Those kinds of questions should never be seriously asked by a large percentage of the readers and this is one of the few articles on The Escapist where it has been posed seriously many times. That is a clear indication that something is wrong.

Personally, i know that many disagree and many have echoed this thought about the review itself but I really am disappointed by the editing staff and Greg's co-workers for not calling BS on this article. Its quite silly actually how positive it is. It may be the greatest troll ever or totally genuine but either way it shows a clear lack of genuineness and honesty when it comes to objective video game reviews. I hope everyone learned a lesson from this whole "scandal."

 

[RA92]

YES!

After 8 months of reading, I've finally managed to go through all 15 pages of comments! Most interesting!

By the way, what's Dragon Age? All I could gather is that it's some sort of point-and-click adventure.

 

[ResonanceSD]

It's so good, they were too busy playing the game to actually do a video review of it.

This.

In all seriousness, the video should be working now. Enjoy!

Greg

Pinnacle of RPG's? I hope to god you're not the dude doing the Skyrim review.

 

[Thoric485]

Well, at least DA2 showed us which major gaming sites are paid off and/or simply incompetent.

Spoiler

All of them.

 

[Greg Tito]

Well, at least DA2 showed us which major gaming sites are paid off and/or simply incompetent.

Spoiler

All of them.

You know that is just a silly assumption, right?

(blatant attempt to get this thread up to 500 comments)

Greg

 

[D Moness]

Well, at least DA2 showed us which major gaming sites are paid off and/or simply incompetent.

Spoiler

All of them.

You know that is just a silly assumption, right?

(blatant attempt to get this thread up to 500 comments)

Greg

Lol i will help

Just prove a lot of gamers have the opinion that what they like everyone will like and what they hate everyone should hate(aka my opinion is the only one that matters).

I am one of the few that enjoyed DA 2 more then DA:O. I put in a little below 60 hours in origins and over 150 in DA2. I found the characters in 2 more engaging(the banter was more fun (specially varric/merril and Isabel/Aveline)). It is not the best game out there but it doesn't deserve all the vomit that got spewed upon it.

The recent outrage when DA2 was in the 12 days of christmas games just shows how dumb and shortsighted part of the gaming community can be.

 

[ResonanceSD]

Well, at least DA2 showed us which major gaming sites are paid off and/or simply incompetent.

Spoiler

All of them.

You know that is just a silly assumption, right?

(blatant attempt to get this thread up to 500 comments)

Greg

Best way to judge a gaming site is to look at the score they gave dragon age 2. Not even ign went this far.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

Well, at least DA2 showed us which major gaming sites are paid off and/or simply incompetent.

Spoiler

All of them.

You know that is just a silly assumption, right?

(blatant attempt to get this thread up to 500 comments)

Greg

Best way to judge a gaming site is to look at the score they gave dragon age 2. Not even ign went this far.

If you like to judge people and sites solely based on their opinion on a single game, that's fine. The door is right over there mate though if you think its apparently such a big deal.