Discuss Dragon Age 2

[boogieboy]

As far as reappearing characters from DA:O, Isabella was the only PLEASANT surprise.
Yes, Isabella appeared in DA:O; if you can remember, she was the one who teaches the Duelist specialization to rogues

The Pearl in Denerem

Also the good think in DA2 is that all races now looks different from each other like Elves have different body structure, Qunari's are different etc.

 

[sygnus21]

Well I just finished the game this afternoon and have to say I rather enjoyed it, flaws and all. Let me address these quotes first.....

Later, the changes will feel natural, and you will prefer it, and you won't be able to play without those changes, such as faster combat, jump to action combat, etc.

The game has its flaws though. They dumbed it down a little for console kiddies, that's true. For instance, the injuries now only reduce health, instead of reducing constitution, or magic, etc. You can't customize your companions armors, only for Hawke. And it kind of lost that customization feel of the character.

Like Origins, many scenarios are overused, and i personally think they did it more with Dragon Age 2. The caves are like ALL THE SAME! You enter it, and you think it's a different cave but after a while you notice they used the same cave.

I've heard the complaints about the combat system being dumbed down, and have made mention myself, but I also feel that this was for the better as the combat system in DA:O wasn't exactly easy and intuitive itself. To I think the system is easier to use and a lot less awkward, especially the tactics system. The game flowed a lot better with this one as opposed to DA:O's stop every 5 seconds to adjust stuff. If that's dumbing down the game, well....

Honestly I don't know I feel about the loss of not being able to customize your companions gear. Hmmmm.... they did the same thing in Mass Effect 2 with regards to customizing things. I guess this is the new cheaper way to do things and cut corners.

As far as some of the areas being the same, yeah that did get boring after a while.

As far as reappearing characters from DA:O, Isabella was the only PLEASANT surprise.
Yes, Isabella appeared in DA:O; if you can remember, she was the one who teaches the Duelist specialization to rogues

Hm, I actually never met her in Dragon Age 2, must've missed her somehow. I was quite satisfied with Merrill.

I'm hoping that's a misprint as I can't see how you missed here in DA2. She plays a major part of the game.

Also the good think in DA2 is that all races now looks different from each other like Elves have different body structure, Qunari's are different etc.

I thought the Elves looked horrendous. The artist there must have some type of fantasy about long pointy ears. Really???

Though I don't agree with everything here http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/149768-discuss-dragon-age-2-a-3.html#post1287370 there are some good points in it nonetheless.

Anyway I thought the game was rather good overall.

Performance wise the game ran great UNTIL after the Qunari war. After that I had strange slowdowns and a couple of hard lock ups. I found installing the 11.4 Catalyst Preview drivers fixed whatever issue I was having. I ran the game on ultra-high with the texture pack.

The sound issues are a mess, especially when the characters were speaking - they sounded like they were in a cave. Also the sound of the voices tended to fluctuate between high and low - at times you could barely hear them speak.

I also thought the game was a bit too loud. The sound effects were nice during combat but the loud explosions tended to be a bit much.

Graphics - I really didn't have too much of an issue here considering the game's environment but I do have the say the colors and detail were rather nice with the texture pack added. Unfortunately you needed to run the game on "Ultra High" with a DX11 capable card to enjoy those eye popping graphics.

Gameplay - Overall I did find that the game was easier the beat then DA:O - the only two areas I struggled in was the Bone Pit with the High Dragon - I leveled up one, came back and beat it with ease. The final fight - had to replay the entire level to get the companion I needed to win.

Speaking of "required companions" - I kind of felt like I had to keep a certain companion or life would be very difficult in the end game.

At any rate the bottom line for me is that I enjoyed the game and am definitely looking forward to Dragon Age 3. I'll also be playing the game over from a certain point to change some of my less than steller decisions just to see the different outcomes. Good game nonetheless

Questions/Debates?

BTW I played as a Rogue, same as I did in DA:O

Thanks.

 

[vierasniper]

The big changes that bother me include : not picking a race, the spells and skills, and the over all feel of the interface and my surroundings and interactions. is it me or did blood Mage loose some of its edge? im finding it a bit weird. also, what team set up's do you guys have? mines blood Mage (me) fenris (tank) anders (healer and support) and im switching on and off between Isabella and Sebastian as a rouge.

 

[Hamnat]

The big changes that bother me include : not picking a race, the spells and skills, and the over all feel of the interface and my surroundings and interactions. is it me or did blood Mage loose some of its edge? im finding it a bit weird. also, what team set up's do you guys have? mines blood Mage (me) fenris (tank) anders (healer and support) and im switching on and off between Isabella and Sebastian as a rouge.

I think Mage is much much better actually. The AE thing not hitting your teamates is alone a huge advatage. Makes Mage life far better. I had Aveline tank, me mage dps, then Switch Fenris/Sebastian, Anders for most of my mage time. I never used Merril or Isabella unless I absolutely had to for their companion quests.

Then on my Warrior which i just finished tonight I used Fenris, Me wardps, Merril, then Isabella/Sebastian most of the time I ran with no healer and just used tons of pots and poisons was interesting.

 

[Maguscreed]

Well now that I've played this game 3 times through with all classes, I have to say the mage is probably the most interesting, rogue is fun to but then you are robbed of Isabella who is worth having around if for nothing more than the conversation she gives when you're just running around out of combat.

I have to admit this version grew on me, I started out rather disappointed, the recycled dungeons did start to get on my nerves about half way through the second play through though. After some thought I'm thinking they went with that to keep install size down which I'm glad for with some games pushing 10 and 15 gigs now.

I didn't like having to download my dx11 textures separately, and it took me awhile to adjust to the less gritty feel of the new game over the original.

The characterization is some of the best I've ever seen in any game though.

One thing I did miss was being able to gear up my companions the upgrade system kept my bags from overflowing but also kind of disappointed my gear oriented side that wants to max out all the gear as part of the experience.

I did hate that the end goes down essentially the same regardless of you choices though.

 

[Stormkitty]

On my warrior I mainly used Varric Anders and Bethany, then Isabela after Bethany leaves. Varric is like, mandatory to have at all times if you're not a rogue, he's just too good.

 

[Maguscreed]

yeah, I don't think I dropped varric but for one mission the entire 3 plays through. Didn't find myself really needing anders though, I wound up using merrill as a debilitator, especially with warrior if you go reaver you shouldn't really need heals. The potions and devour will basically keep you going through just about anything.

 

[vierasniper]

i just spent 113 sovereigns without thinking twice. freaking staff was worth it tho :devil:

 

[Maguscreed]

cold blooded? probably the best staff in the game. ...if you are using blood magic

 

[vierasniper]

cold blooded indeed, im a juggernaut as a blood mage.

 

[sygnus21]

On my warrior I mainly used Varric Anders and Bethany, then Isabela after Bethany leaves. Varric is like, mandatory to have at all times if you're not a rogue, he's just too good.

As a Rogue I used Varric, Anders and Avalene most of the game. I also used Isabella quite a few times till she left, and Fenris.

I felt the weak team was with Merrill and Sebastian. If I played with those two I had to have either Avalene or Varric in my party. And as noted Varric with his Bianca is too good not to have around

As a Rogue I found myself needing Anders a lot, maybe a bit too much

On my next complete playthrough I'll have to give Mage a try seeing how you guys loved that role. I've played Rogue in both DA:O and DA2.

As for Area Effects I do have to agree, and like, that the Area Effects not hitting your teamates is a good improvement over DA:O. BTW Fireball is awsome

As for overflowing bags (inventory) - I never had that issue. In fact I pretty much kept my Inventory low everytime I left home. BTW I did manage to find a vendor who had a backpack. It was late in the game and by accident that I found it. I bought it though I didn't need it.

I screwed up the romance thing and in the end wound up romancing no one

I should have got Isabella when I had the chance.

Anyway I did enjoy the story and game and definitely look forward to playing it again

 

[sygnus21]

Total play time in Dragon Age.... thus far

Here's my total in-game playtime for DA2- 76 hours....



Contrast that with Dragon Age Origins 177 hours....



In both games I did every quest possible and then some

In Dragon Age Awakening I put in 46 hours....



Anyway as a side note I was just reminded that in DA2 you don't need the disk loaded to play the game like you do in DA:O. That a nice upgrade in and of itself!

 

[Maguscreed]

The mage gear vendor in hightown offers a single backpack upgrade during each 'chapter' a good place for mage gear (even though it's expensive) is on the coast where you first engage the quanari guys. He'll be at the top of the hill, possibly in chapter 2 but definitely there in chapter 3. He has some very expensive but very good mage gear.

 

[sygnus21]

The mage gear vendor in hightown offers a single backpack upgrade during each 'chapter' a good place for mage gear (even though it's expensive) is on the coast where you first engage the quanari guys. He'll be at the top of the hill, possibly in chapter 2 but definitely there in chapter 3. He has some very expensive but very good mage gear.

Since we're giving locations away - If you activated your online pass you got with the game you should have got the Black Emporium bonus content. Install and visit there and you will find some very nice items as well. You'll also find some potions for upgrading or re-arranging your Attributes and Abilities

 

[vierasniper]

Isabella leaves? Good thing I was able to romance her. I was also able to romance Merrill. Anders and fenris came onto me, however they were barking up the wrong tree. Yeah I also ran into that backpack by accident, it was dirt cheap. Just a few silver's . I keep using the maker's sigh to rearrange my abilities and points, I'm trying to build a killer mage. What Mage gears do you guys have? I'm looking for the overseer set,I just need the robe. Also my blood magic is strong hahaha

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[Maguscreed]

I honestly don't remember where I got the overseer chest piece/ robe, I just remember looking in my inventory after a mission and there it was.

 

[sygnus21]

What Mage gears do you guys have? I'm looking for the overseer set,I just need the robe.

I can't help as I didn't play as a Mage.

 

[vierasniper]

i just finished DA2, and i gotta say: i was impressed with the ending. i loved every minute of it. im gonna give the game another 2 or 3 runs, or until i find something else to play. They better start cranking out DLC, like they did for DA: O . This time however, they better put out more. I read they stopped making dlc for DA: O, because they needed to finish up development on DA2. (bullshit i know :devil: )

 

[sygnus21]

Yeah I loved every minute of the game myself.

BTW I gather you have the Exiled Prince DLC since you have Sebastian? I bought that one when I got the game on release day. Point is that's the only DLC I know of for now.

Anyway the ending is epic. Good game, despite the changes.

 

[Maguscreed]

Yeah the changes are a mixed blessing. Some things needed to be simplified and they were a few others I have the feeling were changed to make it more playable on console.

Still consider it a overall positive experience, despite many reviews I've read stating it became an unmanageable mess in any level of combat... I just assume they were playing on console because I never found myself in a position where I couldn't do exactly what I needed to.

The Rock Wraith fight could use a little tweaking I think, fortunately I didn't play high diff until third run through and I knew I needed lightning resist for him.
AOE is a bit brutal even on casual though.