I played it for the first time when this game was released, and it was my first introduction to the DA universe. I LOVED this game, and have replayed it twice since then. When replaying, i definitely noticed its flaws more then before, but it was understandable, given the extremely short development time the team had. I think the fast pacing, the GREAT story and characters, and the combat really pulled the game to another level for me. Since i wasn't going into it with expectations from playing the first one, i was able to enjoy it for what it was. Even after playing the origins and inquisition a couple of times each, i love DA 2 and it holds a special, nostalgic place in my heart :) Loved your review. Quite objective, imho.
Currently playing it for the first time and so far I share both your opinions, easy to spot the flaws but also easy to ignore them when you have no expectations. It's different from Origins and Inquisition while being a mix of both. I understand how this was a massive disappointment back then, going back and forth into the same "dungeons" is boring.
I think my main criticism of Dragon Age 2 is that, whatever you do, you options don't really matter by the end of each act. Something happens to your brother or sister. The Vincount ends up dead, your mother too, the Qunari attack Kirkwall, and the conflict within mages and templars implodes... By comparison, each zone of Dragon Age Origins have many different outcomes, and you are the one that make those outcomes happen.
It's true that Hawke is much more a spectator than our Warden was in Origins. It struck me even more by the end when we must pick sides because you end up defeating both "leaders" who have gone mad, so it's more a matter of morality for your RP rather than a different outcome. This goes for every choices in the game, I had more fun regarding the companions quests than the main quests where you can't prevent ANYTHING.
It's true, but it's also kind of the thesis the story presents. You're *not* important or powerful enough to change things that are beyond your control. You can determine your own choices and the relationships you have with your companions, but you can't control them. It's a story that emphasizes characters rather than plot. Anders is a good example of how the relationship you have with him works alongside his actions. If you befriend him he'll be convinced he did the right thing, but if you rival him him he sees Vengeance as a dark force that he can't stop from taking over.
The common defense of 2 is that if it was given more time to develop it would be as good a game as origins. I don't agree with that because even if the game has less crunch issues the story would still have the same issues it already does, where you influences doesn't amount to much in a game that still promised to make them matter.
DA2 is the most visceral, emotionally traumatizing and taxing game in the series, and that's why I love it. Rarely do we get a fantasy RPG where you aren't the hero who saves the world. You're just some poor guy trying to make a life for themselves and keep their family safe, only to ultimately fail.
9:56 I can still see this cave in my dreams at night and I havent touched this game in years!
I played it for the first time when this game was released, and it was my first introduction to the DA universe.
I LOVED this game, and have replayed it twice since then.
When replaying, i definitely noticed its flaws more then before, but it was understandable, given the extremely short development time the team had.
I think the fast pacing, the GREAT story and characters, and the combat really pulled the game to another level for me.
Since i wasn't going into it with expectations from playing the first one, i was able to enjoy it for what it was. Even after playing the origins and inquisition a couple of times each, i love DA 2 and it holds a special, nostalgic place in my heart :)
Loved your review. Quite objective, imho.
* i was going into it WITHOUT expectations.
Currently playing it for the first time and so far I share both your opinions, easy to spot the flaws but also easy to ignore them when you have no expectations. It's different from Origins and Inquisition while being a mix of both. I understand how this was a massive disappointment back then, going back and forth into the same "dungeons" is boring.
I think my main criticism of Dragon Age 2 is that, whatever you do, you options don't really matter by the end of each act.
Something happens to your brother or sister. The Vincount ends up dead, your mother too, the Qunari attack Kirkwall, and the conflict within mages and templars implodes...
By comparison, each zone of Dragon Age Origins have many different outcomes, and you are the one that make those outcomes happen.
It is very true that important choices were way more impactful AND frequent in DA:O
It's true that Hawke is much more a spectator than our Warden was in Origins. It struck me even more by the end when we must pick sides because you end up defeating both "leaders" who have gone mad, so it's more a matter of morality for your RP rather than a different outcome. This goes for every choices in the game, I had more fun regarding the companions quests than the main quests where you can't prevent ANYTHING.
It's true, but it's also kind of the thesis the story presents. You're *not* important or powerful enough to change things that are beyond your control. You can determine your own choices and the relationships you have with your companions, but you can't control them. It's a story that emphasizes characters rather than plot. Anders is a good example of how the relationship you have with him works alongside his actions. If you befriend him he'll be convinced he did the right thing, but if you rival him him he sees Vengeance as a dark force that he can't stop from taking over.
The common defense of 2 is that if it was given more time to develop it would be as good a game as origins. I don't agree with that because even if the game has less crunch issues the story would still have the same issues it already does, where you influences doesn't amount to much in a game that still promised to make them matter.
DA2 is the most visceral, emotionally traumatizing and taxing game in the series, and that's why I love it. Rarely do we get a fantasy RPG where you aren't the hero who saves the world. You're just some poor guy trying to make a life for themselves and keep their family safe, only to ultimately fail.
It's true that parts of the game are ABSOLUTELY brutal... Hawke's glory comes at a heavy price, and his progress is is pretty gradual