How's Dragon Age 2 treating you?

[Nimcha]

-Game takes place in basically one area

Your other complaints are just personal preference but this one I don't get... Yes a large part of the game takes place in Kirkwall but it's pretty huge. There are stark differences between the different parts of the city.

 

[Sabiancym]

-Game takes place in basically one area

Your other complaints are just personal preference but this one I don't get... Yes a large part of the game takes place in Kirkwall but it's pretty huge. There are stark differences between the different parts of the city.

Personal preferences? He asked how the game was dumbed down....I told him. Are you telling me that removing skills isn't dumbing down the game?

And the first game took place over an entire region in multiple cities.....quite a difference.

 

[Jodah]

I would tell you if the game would effing run. Keep getting "There is a problem with your game's setup. Please reinstall your game." error. And before some smart ass says "reinstall" I already did...twice.

 

[JeanLuc761]

And the first game took place over an entire region in multiple cities.....quite a difference.

It's a big difference, but this is also a different story. Focusing the story on a particular location is not an example of a game getting dumbed down.

 

[sjrskl]

it is staring me in the face, moking me, making me wait 2 more days because i live in europe.

 

[Wolfram23]

I was so thrown off by the last BioWare RPGs I tried (DA:O ~30-40hrs played, Mass Effect ~20hrs) I just don't think I want to get this one. I don't have a ton of time to game and I know I'll be plenty busy with The Witcher 2 as well as Battlefield 3 and Crysis 2 and RAGE and Portal 2... and I'm still playing Two Worlds 2 (although I'd bet DA2 is much better than TW2...)

 

[Sabiancym]

And the first game took place over an entire region in multiple cities.....quite a difference.

It's a big difference, but this is also a different story. Focusing the story on a particular location is not an example of a game getting dumbed down.

I disagree. It's not like this is a work of non-fiction. They could have done anything, but chose the way that involved less work. That's lazy and therefore dumbed down.

 

[kurupt87]

Don't know if any of you have already downloaded this or not but here [http://social.bioware.com/page/da2-patches] is a link to a high-res patch for DA2. It didn't get finished in time for the final build but has been put up on the BSN site as a patch.

If you don't trust the link, go to the BioWare Social Network site, the games drop down tab at the top of the page; then to DA2 and the patches link.

It makes some difference for dx 9 and 10 but it is ostensibly for dx 11 compatible cards with at least 1024mb of VRAM.

Can't tell you what difference it actually makes as I'm in Europe and don't have the game yet but nevertheless, have fun gaming.

 

[ShadowsofHope]

I got it today through my pre-order (Signature Edition), but I'm not playing it until I get my new graphics card within the next week or so.

Damn you, slow mail system! *Shakes fist dramatically*

 

[Admiral Stukov]

EU release dates...
*shakes fist*

 

[Broken Orange]

God damn school, forcing me to study when I should be playing DA2! The next two hours is going to be torture!

[sub]Why did I have to buy it now when I can't play it?[/sub]

 

[Jandau]

-The dialog is now summarized response text instead of the entire response. So what? That's a matter of presentation, not of "dumbing down". They could have written the all the responses out and you'd get the same thing. This is nitpicking, at best.
-There are less ways to equip your character. Restrictions on non PC equipment This is the one thing that did get simplified, but not as drastically as you make it out. You have a few less slots for your companions, but at least they don't have to wear clown suits anymore. And you are still free to dress yourself in any horrid thing you might pick up. I'd say the change is sideways, with the good canceling out the bad.
-Gift Giving isn't as open anymore.They removed the rep grind. How's that bad? The old gift system was broken. You could almost max out rep with Morrigan before leaving Lothering. Gifts in DA:O removed any impact the whole companion reputation system might have on the game. Gifts actually mean something now.
-Fewer tactic slots While I admit I haven't went and counted, I'm calling bullshit on this one. There are more tactic slots than I can make use of (you get more as you level up) and there are more conditions/effects than in DA:O. So it's the opposite of "dumbed down".
-Game takes place in basically one area Dragon Age:Origins basically takes place in one area, Ferelden. Yeah, your point is about as valid as mine.
-Fewer skills. Herbalism, Poison making, trap making, etc. have either been removed or combined. The skills were removed because they were a poor mechanic. Survival was useless, Crafting was tedious and everyone maxed Coercion anyway. Skills had close to no impact on how the game played out (except Coercion, which as I mentioned everyone maxed anyway) and I honestly can't say I noticed they were gone. The new crafting system is vastly superior.

That's all off the top of my head......

My replies in bold. Basically, you're mostly nitpicking and whining about changes for the better. The only part where I kinda agree with you is about the armor, but it's not really a big deal.

oh, they didn't bring tactics into the sequel.

oh ffs.

They did. No idea where you got that info.

Not interested in a button mashing action game with less depth, thank you.

There's no button mashing and the game is as deep as DA:O, but suit yourself.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

It's a solid game. I like Origins a little better, so far, but it looks fantastic, plays smooth, and really is just solid. The combat is slightly improved, in my opinion. Not as tedious and time consuming. Oh, I have a 360 by the way, so I guess that makes me some kind of redneck fuck who can't chew properly.

Getting a little sick and tired of all this PC elitism bullshit.

Aye, me too friend. PC elitists remind of me old people. No matter how much you try and argue your side, they still think things should be the same as they were 50 years ago.

 

[Jandau]

Getting a little sick and tired of all this PC elitism bullshit.

What does that have to do with this thread?

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Getting a little sick and tired of all this PC elitism bullshit.

What does that have to do with this thread?

One of the arguments behind why DA 2 is 'dumbed' down, is to cater to the console crowd. Because we're all morons apparently, who dislike micromanagement, even if said micromanagement is a broken mechanic (See: Herbalism, survival, crafting etc).

 

[Bonemonster]

There's no button mashing and the game is as deep as DA:O, but suit yourself.

There is in the xbox version. Bioware had a mixup between devs and productions about auto attacking support. It was accidentally left out.

EDIT: Some stuff to check out

Auto Attack left out:
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/6395493&lf=8

Saves not importing correctly:
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/300/index/6412894
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/6406652/1


I call bullshit on Bioware. Still a good game though. Could do with an auto attack tho... any time...

 

[Diligent]

Heh, weren't people complaining about DA:O being dumbed down and too "console friendly" compared to the likes of Baldur's Gate?
And now people want Dragon Age 2 to be more like DA:O.
Hilarious.
Haven't tried it yet, but will be grabbing it for the PC and all the changes to the game described here sound just fine to me.

 

[AlternatePFG]

I think the game is good so far, I'm surprised at the amount of skill trees there are. I think right now I like it about as much as I did Origins.

I had to put it on Normal though, first playthrough I don't want too much trouble.

Edit: Also, I thought I'd hate the new art style, but aside from the ridiculously oversized swords, the games enviroments are quite stunning.

 

[zombiesinc]

One of the arguments behind why DA 2 is 'dumbed' down, is to cater to the console crowd. Because we're all morons apparently, who dislike micromanagement, even if said micromanagement is a broken mechanic (See: Herbalism, survival, crafting etc).

Or how it's somehow directly our fault as individuals that a developer decides to tweak their approach to a game to allow for better use on different platforms. The whole console vs. PC thing is fucking tiring. I own every console and recently bought a gaming PC, so I can enjoy games, period. Both the console and PC have their pros and cons, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Why so many people are intent on arguing against such a thing is beyond me.

Anyway, OT - I literally just got my copy (on the 360). I was trying to register it, but their website is acting up. Now that I've got all the Signature Edition DLC shtuff out of the way, I'm gonna start. Goodbye world!

 

[Hiphophippo]

Once again Bioware have gone from RPG to Action RPG.

Not pretty.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Combat is mostly the same, only with better animations and controls...

I agree with you. And even if I didn't, nothing wrong with a good action rpg. It's a badass game so far.