Dragon Age 2 Incoming.

[iamlegend]

Launch Trailer

Looks good... I'll have my copy tomorrow after work, and will begin working my way through it. The gameplay looks like it's been upgraded big time - time will tell if I become as attached to the story and characters as I was with the original.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/8701-Dragon-Age-II-Review

One of the best looking games of this generation? I wouldn't go that far.

 

[Benstamania]

I don't get it when people say ME2 wasn't an RPG. Sure, it was an action RPG... but it was still an RPG.

I'd take that kind of RPG over BS like FFXIII anyday.

Allow me to explain this a bit as I know FXIII was more "action orientated" I believe ME2 combined action and RPG very well and I'd be extremely happy if DAII does the same. I'm tired of the old clunky feeling RPG's... how DAO plays, or KotOR. They're STILL good games, but the way they play/control is dated, IMHO. I'm not brought into it more by playing that way... it's almost like tank controls in RE.

I also could careless about customizing my characters anymore, that's no longer fun for me.

I don't think either of those "issues" people seem to have with ME2 (and I assume will have with DA II) make either of the games less of an RPG. I can understand where RPG die hards may be a tad upset... but.. I don't think either game is "dumbed down."

 

[Solidus]

I don't get it when people say ME2 wasn't an RPG. Sure, it was an action RPG... but it was still an RPG.

I'd take that kind of RPG over BS like FFXIII anyday.

To me ME2 was a superb game, yet it felt like a shooter with RPG elements, and not the other way around. And to me this continuation in this line of thought sooner or later they will lose what made them great. I came to BioWare because they made hardcore D&D style RPG's that is what they focused on.

Now they are shying away from what made them great. I understand trying other things, but to me and I know I"m not alone many fans are complaining about it, are tiring of them simplifying it to gather the masses.

Their games sold well before, I just personally don't care for the turns they seem to be making.

Regardless though I am excited to play DA2 this weekend, and I'm not saying any judgment on it yet, I just fear what I've heard, and fear that may be the path BioWare is going down. I may be wrong when I play it though we shall see. I'm sure no matter what it will be a fun game.

 

[Benstamania]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/8701-Dragon-Age-II-Review

One of the best looking games of this generation? I wouldn't go that far.

Maybe not "realistically" but I think the design they went with for II is absolutely amazing. It almost has a cartoonish look to it, which works really well.

 

[Solidus]

Allow me to explain this a bit as I know FXIII was more "action orientated" I believe ME2 combined action and RPG very well and I'd be extremely happy if DAII does the same. I'm tired of the old clunky feeling RPG's... how DAO plays, or KotOR. They're STILL good games, but the way they play/control is dated, IMHO. I'm not brought into it more by playing that way... it's almost like tank controls in RE.

I also could careless about customizing my characters anymore, that's no longer fun for me.

I don't think either of those "issues" people seem to have with ME2 (and I assume will have with DA II) make either of the games less of an RPG.

See but this is where the argument will lie and I guess we will never see eye to eye on it. What you call "streamlining" I call "generalization/simplifying for the masses" ME2 was not near as challenging as ME1 if you like that great. But if you don't want deeper customization and so forth, go play an action RPG or an FPS or BioShock. We are getting saturated in this market with nothing but shooters, and action games, nothing with strategy or spending a moment to figure out a complex puzzle.

But that's fine you like it, but I don't and I know many don't either. Customization has always been to me since Ultima IV a pillar of the RPG. I don't care for action RPG's. I want RPG's, we have enough action games this generation to last a lifetime. But if thats how you feel I know we won't change eachothers minds.

 

[Benstamania]

I'm just a long time BioWare gamer as well... I just endorse the change.

 

[Solidus]

I'm just a long time BioWare gamer as well... I just endorse the change.

No worries my friend I never said you were not. I too have been playing with them since the get go and it's fine that we don't' see eye to eye on it. It's just opinions I mean no harm. But I'm sure both of us will be playing the hell out of DA2 this weekend are we not?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

ME 2 was an RPG/shooter hybrid. People can complain all they want about the shooter part of it, but I enjoyed the hell out of it. I'm not really looking for clear examples of concrete genres when I play games; I'm looking for exciting, fun experiences. ME 2 was certainly that.

Anyway, I just picked up my DA 2 Signature Edition from GameStop. It's installing now, and then I get to go on the long process of unlocking all the billion bonuses I got. Midnight launch + me being sick and sleeping half the day = win.

 

[Solidus]

ME 2 was an RPG/shooter hybrid. People can complain all they want about the shooter part of it, but I enjoyed the hell out of it. I'm not really looking for clear examples of concrete genres when I play games; I'm looking for exciting, fun experiences. ME 2 was certainly that.

Anyway, I just picked up my DA 2 Signature Edition from GameStop. It's installing now, and then I get to go on the long process of unlocking all the billion bonuses I got. Midnight launch + me being sick and sleeping half the day = win.

It was fun I'm not denying that it was probably one of my favorite cinematic events in a game. However I felt that the gameplay itself was better in ME1. To me there are two things I want. Fun and challenge. That is what a game is to me, I felt that ME2 was way less challenging. And that is part of a definition to gaming to me. But again to eaches own.

EDIT: I also picked up my SE at GS. I have to work a few more 13 hour shifts so I won't play till this weekend.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

I didn't find ME1 challenging, truth be told. Too often it seemed to eschew difficulty for frustration due to wobbly mechanics. The game oscillated between incredibly simple when using Biotics and stupidly hard due to one-shot Snipers/Rockets and charging Krogan. On the lower difficulties I'll grant that ME2 is very simple but so is ME1. On Hardcore/Insanity the game becomes much more slow and deliberate.

Some of the class videos (usually by the AverageGatsby if memory serves) are really impressive in a way that ME1's gameplay never quite managed to do and at the end of the day that's what its all about.

 

[Solidus]

I didn't find ME1 challenging, truth be told. Too often it seemed to eschew difficulty for frustration due to wobbly mechanics. The game oscillated between incredibly simple when using Biotics and stupidly hard due to one-shot Snipers/Rockets and charging Krogan. And if you were playing as Biotic the game became a cakewalk. On the lower difficulties I'll grant that ME2 is very simple but so is ME1. On Hardcore/Insanity the game becomes much more slow and deliberate.

Some of the class videos (usually by the AverageGatsby if memory serves) are really impressive in a way that ME1's gameplay never quite managed to do and at the end of the day that's what its all about.

Before I go to bed I will just say that again I guess I see it different. I never felt the challenging parts (especially Saren at the end) were difficult due to wonky controls or interface. It to me was just challenging because he was. There were defiantly some very challenging moments in ME2 as well, but I just did not feel as many as ME1.

But night to all, I can't keep my eyes open, and good luck to you lucky people that get to play DA2 tonight and for the next few days.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

So, first builds? I've decided to go with a male sword-and-shield warrior first. I seemed to have the most fun tanking in the demo.

 

[El Bastardo]

ME2 was as much an RPG as ME1 was. It just didn't have an inventory system. I'm sorry, are inventory systems a part of the definition of "RPG?" I don't think I've ever seen someone describe an RPG by saying "Oh, they have inventory systems. You know. Where you can go in. And look at inventory of stuff you pick up."

That games of a genre have certain conventions is fine. That a game deviates from a certain convention and is suddenly some bastard product of some awful sin is bull****. As for any talk about BioWare compromising their visions for the sake of streamlining, I'd contest by saying that ME2 - I would say DA2 as well, but I've yet to play it at the time of this post, clearly - is a glorious realization of that team's vision. Hence it's, you know, a fantastic game and an incredible RPG.

Just finished Witch Hunt. I have managed to successfully get an import finished before I start DA2 in approximately 12 hours. Yeehaw. Also, Witch Hunt was ace.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

I still don't like Witch Hunt.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Allow me to explain this a bit as I know FXIII was more "action orientated" I believe ME2 combined action and RPG very well and I'd be extremely happy if DAII does the same. I'm tired of the old clunky feeling RPG's... how DAO plays, or KotOR. They're STILL good games, but the way they play/control is dated, IMHO. I'm not brought into it more by playing that way... it's almost like tank controls in RE

I was actually playing Kotor the other day. It handles like crap in my opinion because it was designed badly by Bioware, not because it's dated. It's like they have attemped to make a top down isometric mentality in a third person over the shoulder game and it doesn't work properly. I'm not sure about consoles, but the controls and the UI are terrible on the pc when technically, it should be great. Baldurs Gate for me (and older game) is far more intuitive. I'd say Mass Effect 1/2 are also clunky like KOTOR (like pretty much every Bioware game to date) has a ton of problems with UI and combat.

Personally, I would have probably preferred if Dragon Age had a top down isometric view constantly.

Maybe not "realistically" but I think the design they went with for II is absolutely amazing. It almost has a cartoonish look to it, which works really well.

While I like and prefer the Dragon Age and Old Republic models over the strange uncanny valley kinda plastic people in Mass Effect, I still wouldn't call it "great" by any means. The stylized look look doesn't help the enviroments over-come looking bland and bare or the low res textures get away with looking res. To be honest, if it was an top down isometric view, the game would probably have looked alot better, because we are much further away from the textures and character models.

http://www.play3-live.com/screens/dragon-age-2/dragon-age-2-screenshot-05-aveline-p-1290847689.jpg

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/114/1148168/dragon-age-ii-20110207043651451.jpg

Even saying that though, Shogun 2 (an awesome game you should all run out and buy) can have thousands of character models on screen at once and you can zoom right in as well as out with incredible detail, that's a game I would call an achievement both technically and artistically.

http://cdn.steampowered.com/v/gfx/a...919a1056b51328d97a.1920x1080.jpg?t=1299114594

http://cdn.steampowered.com/v/gfx/a...11ba534529f84631c2.1920x1080.jpg?t=1299114594

http://cdn.steampowered.com/v/gfx/a...aa209dc19b8603c602.1920x1080.jpg?t=1299114594

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Even when it came out the attraction of KoTOR was not in the gameplay which is merely serviceable but not by any means awful. It still is pretty much the best thing to come out of the Star Wars series since the Original Trilogy on the story front.

I agree about ME1 being clunky but ME2 most certainly is not and Baldur's Gate is far from intuitive, great as it is. Show your average gamer that screen and they will look at you like you have three heads.

Anyway,

High-res texture pack available for download.


http://social.bioware.com/page/da2-patches

 

[Swordmaster]

Between yesterday and today I was able to beat Awakening, Golems of Amgarrak, and Witch Hunt. I actually managed to get my ideal Awakening epilogue through sheer luck, and with Witch Hunt I gave my Warden, Deliann, his happy ending. For now.

Bring on Dragon Age 2.

 

[Nathan]

So, first builds? I've decided to go with a male sword-and-shield warrior first. I seemed to have the most fun tanking in the demo.

I'll probably start with the Rogue. I wanted to start out as the Mage for my first playthrough, but I just need my hot sister at my side for the first playthrough.

 

[WildChild]

Just started playing it an hour or so ago.It blew my mind that my family looks like my created character.I thought it was just going to be that generic family no matter what.It was a awesome little surprise.

 

[iamlegend]

I'll probably start with the Rogue. I wanted to start out as the Mage for my first playthrough, but I just need my hot sister at my side for the first playthrough.

I'm probably going warrior myself. I, too, would love to try Mage... But I'm just too aggressive and forward a player to worry about spells. I lose patience and just want to resort to hacking the baddies up...

 

[Soapy]

I'm going with mage. No idea how I'm going to level him though.

 

[Benstamania]

I'm deciding between Warrior or Mage for my first playthrough. I want to play them both, but I AM kind of annoyed that if you go with Mage you're stuck with Hakes brother.... I had plans on making his sister an uber healer.

I have until later tonight to decide.

 

[Raiden]

ME2 was as much an RPG as ME1 was. It just didn't have an inventory system. I'm sorry, are inventory systems a part of the definition of "RPG?" I don't think I've ever seen someone describe an RPG by saying "Oh, they have inventory systems. You know. Where you can go in. And look at inventory of stuff you pick up."

Inventory may not be the prerequisite to define the RPG genre, but it has been a part of RPG for a very long time. I've played alot of RPG over the years, from Baldur's Gate & Neverwinter Nights, to Japanese RPG like Final Fantasy series, and MMO like FFXI and WOW. Finding items and add them to your inventory, and later figure out what pieces to keep, what to enchant, and what to sell off are things that I enjoy experience in RPG. It's unfortunate that Bioware took this feature out in ME2.

That games of a genre have certain conventions is fine. That a game deviates from a certain convention and is suddenly some bastard product of some awful sin is bull****. As for any talk about BioWare compromising their visions for the sake of streamlining, I'd contest by saying that ME2 - I would say DA2 as well, but I've yet to play it at the time of this post, clearly - is a glorious realization of that team's vision. Hence it's, you know, a fantastic game and an incredible RPG.

I enjoy playing ME2, but I do think that for a company who built their reputation on making great RPG, I'm not too happy that they've streamlined their games in an attempt to attract more gamers who like to shoot or destroy things but who aren't too keen on other aspects of the genre. I think there are more and more action games with elements of RPG, and not RPG with elements of action around. ME2 is the former, and ME1 is the latter.

 

[Benstamania]

Why are RPG "elitist" becoming the new Snobby PC gamer? Every time I read "I hate that BioWare dumbed down their games for everyone else..." I want to scream.