Does it get better? DAII...

moran · Post by **moran** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:28 am

(xbox 360 version)

I'm about five hours in, still playing Kirwall...

I've recruited: Carver, Varric, Anders, Avaline, Elf Dude and Pirate hottie.

So far, the game hasn't hit me as interesting as DAO did right from the start.

I find myself skipping over conversations just so that I can get this bloody Kirwall area finished.

Without spoilers, does the game get better?

I also don't like the new spells/abilities section, as there is too much flipping from one area to the next, whereas in the previous two installments of the game, you had all their spells/abilities right on one screen to view.

GoldDragon · Post by **GoldDragon** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:40 am

Define "Better". The game story was (apparently, and this is hearsay) designed to show that no matter how powerful Hawke gets, (s)he can't affect everything.

Kirkwall and it's environs, are the main stage of the game.

2 installments? There's only been Origins (Awakening is part of Origins, as it's an Expansion pack) that I know of.

And Hawke's story is far from complete....

(highlight for spoilers)

Spoiler

Without an Ultimate Sacrifice ending, Hawke doesn't die. Varric doesn't believe that Hawke has yet died, either.

Stworca · Post by **Stworca** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:50 am

Does it get better?

If by better you mean "You've already completed a huge part of the game" and "it will be same old for the entire duration", then yes.

moran · Post by **moran** » Thu May 26, 2011 10:18 am

I just find the locations to be very lackluster, and the companions not nearly as entertaining. I consider Awakenings to be a second installment as it takes place after the slaying of the Archdemon, and a second story in itself.

So taking that into consideration... does DAII have that EPIC feel like the other two?

vio · Post by **vio** » Thu May 26, 2011 11:28 am

no, not in my opinion. it's a fairly decent game when weighed on it's own, but compared to Origins it falls far, far short. it does have some good points, but if you're not enjoying it now then you probably won't enjoy the rest either

Moot · Post by **Moot** » Sun May 29, 2011 12:16 am

Not to rain on the parade or anything, but you're in Kirkwall for the entirety of the game (obviously not counting the handful of exploration areas). Also-- just from my personal opinion-- I played a Warrior my first playthrough and really enjoyed it. My second playthrough I'm a Mage and definitely not having as much fun. I recommend you try the Warrior class.

All in all, though, I found DA II to be a much slower-paced game than DA:O was. I personally enjoyed it, but, for you, I doubt the events will "pick up" much until you reach the later game. Once again I'd recommend rolling a Warrior, and grabbing a two-handed weapon-- not because it's the best or anything, but I found it a lot more fun than being a Mage.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Sun May 29, 2011 10:38 am

Moot wrote: Once again I'd recommend rolling a Warrior, and grabbing a two-handed weapon-- not because it's the best or anything, but I found it a lot more fun than being a Mage.

Out of curiosity, why did you find it more fun?

GoldDragon · Post by **GoldDragon** » Sun May 29, 2011 7:09 pm

I played a Mage (Spirit Healer/Force Mage) both times, and the second time I made nice to the Arishok.

Dealing with him at the end of Act 2 (Worthy Rival Achievement earned, btw) with THAT was..... interesting... to say the least. Especially since, when Healing Aura is active, you can't cast offensive spells, and I had it active since I gained level 7/8.

Spoilers (highlight to read)

Spoiler

Keep out of his (very long) reach by running around the pillars. Unless he's doing that charge thing of his (not sure what it's called), Glyph of Paralysis w/upgrade will hold him. While he's held, whittle him down with your staff. Should be able to get off about 5-6 shots. Rinse and repeat.

As for Warrior & Rogue, well... I find the story makes more sense if Hawke is a Mage.

Moot · Post by **Moot** » Sun May 29, 2011 10:31 pm

Faust wrote:Out of curiosity, why did you find it more fun?

Mainly because being a Warrior was a lot simpler.

The OP complained about not getting into the story. As a Mage, I find that there are a lot more elements I have to focus on-- my range, my threat, which spell is more appropriate for the given situation, etc. Though the two are separate elements, I figured that maybe focusing a little less on combat-- or being a little less frustrated with it, depending on the difficulty this person is playing or their own skills-- would help them focus a little more on the story. Also, when starting my Mage character and leveling up, I moved a lot from one skill tree to the next to figure out what I wanted to do with the character-- which is great and allows a lot of customization. However, the OP also mentioned disliking how the skill trees move. While this is only a minor annoyance and not really impacting the game, I didn't use as many trees as a Warrior. Though I can only base my replies on my personal experience, I was trying to suggest a way for the OP to have a little more fun themselves.

Don't get me wrong, I'm having a lot of fun with Mage, too. But I chose the class mainly for a little more of a challenge-- which with the options and extra combat considerations it delivers, it has been.

Lord++Revan · Post by **Lord++Revan** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:14 am

I found DA2 to be quite fun but the only problem I had was it felt like you were doing the same quest over and over again.

I liked the fresh combat system since I'm a big fan of both turn-based and Action-based. The high dragon felt a lot less fun than origins fight and it's called DRAGON age so I was a tad dissapointed.

But I also like how there were countless dragon encounters in DA2 and I liked how you could romance alot of your party members instead of just 4/12 people:laugh:

Overall,it was a great game but it could have been improved and the colors were all saturated on DA2.

moran · Post by **moran** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 4:42 pm

Thanks for everyone's imput...

I've finished all of the side quests, and right now I only have 41 gold...

Quest: Friends in Low Places is the only thing available before going with Bartrand into the Deep Roads... but I don't have enough gold. Why are there no Chanter Board quests, or bartender quests like in DAO?

Also, I've had the opportunity to chat with a few of my party members, but lately they've all been "lets move on" or "I'm with you" and thats it.

vio · Post by **vio** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:27 pm

Friends In Low Places is the alternative quest for if you don't have enough gold

sadly since the game was so rushed there aren't many chantry board quests (some are DLC and some only show up if you side with a certain faction later in the game)

as for party members, ignore them. your journal will always tell you when they have something to say. only thing I'll add is that you should take Fenris for a walk in Act 2 or you miss out on his personal quest

moran · Post by **moran** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:25 pm

Another few questions that I have... in the first act, there have only been one or two romancing topics... I've just finished the rock wraith level.

Does this game have the option of showing hit values when they do hit?

I liked that about DAO... cause I knew that my mage could do mega damage on some spells.

vio · Post by **vio** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:34 am

romances progress much more slowly than in Origins, they work more like those in Mass Effect where they progress along side the main storyline rather than at their own separate pace

Lord++Revan · Post by **Lord++Revan** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:17 pm

vio wrote:romances progress much more slowly than in Origins, they work more like those in Mass Effect where they progress along side the main storyline rather than at their own separate pace

Indeed.

moran · Post by **moran** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:19 pm

More questions...

I cannot find Fenris' sister... I know my journal says to go with Fenris to the Hanged Man during the day, but I can't find her.

Also, is there a way to keep Carver after Act 1, or is he gone for good to either the Templars or Wardens?

GoldDragon · Post by **GoldDragon** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 6:53 pm

Spoilers follow (highlight)

Spoiler

You MAY need to actually talk to Fenris to get that started.

Carver Hawke Options:
Take him to the Deep Roads without Anders in party: Death by Blight.
Take him to the Deep Roads with Anders in Party: He becomes a Grey Warden.
Refuse to take him to the Deep Roads: He joins the Templars, but swears not to reveal your Apostate status.
The Champion is a Warrior or Rogue: He dies by the Ogre in the escape from Lothering. Bethany's options are the same except: if she doesn't go to the Deep Roads, the Templars force her into the Circle.

For Both Siblings: Neither will rejoin the Champion until the final battles of the game (assuming they didn't die, of course), altho there are several places in both act 2 & act 3 where they will be seen.

Best options for each sibling: Carver finds peace as a Grey Warden, Bethany finds peace in the Circle.

moran · Post by **moran** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:56 pm

Thanks for the advice...

I liked Bethany's Grey Warden appearance... she kicked ass in act 3 after she rejoined my party... it also worked out well, because Anders healing abilities were not there after I supported the Templars.

On a side note... I have played the game through three times...

First as a mage goodie goodie... (selected force mage, which I did not like)
Then a rogue (awesome kill factor)
Finally a warriror bitch (who smacked around a few mages, and made rivals of both Anders and Merrill).

I really like the game now... for its quick pace and beautiful graphics. I started playing DAO again, which I now find really clunky looking especially with the mages.

GoldDragon · Post by **GoldDragon** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:17 pm

2 reasons I took Force Mage:

Gravitic Ring works pretty well (use in conjunction with fireball or fist of the Maker, btw)

One of the abilities makes it difficult to be knocked down, which allowed me to continue shooting at the end of the game.

Otherwise, I agree.... Force Mage isn't really that good (Spirit Healer is better, and I never took Blood Mage).

moran · Post by **moran** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:18 pm

I really wish that they had brought arcane warrior, or battlemage into DAII.

Perhaps they'll up the ante once again for DAIII...

I'm looking for a Return of the King type Gandalf who wields a staff in one hand, and a sword in the other... that would be awesome.