Dragon Age II improved?

Scottg · Post by **Scottg** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:33 pm

It's down to $25 at a local Frys store..

I was wondering if it's been patched enough (properly) to be worth the $25?

-Thanks

doady · Post by **doady** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:10 pm

From what I've read, bugs are not the main problem of Dragon Age II.

sear · Post by **sear** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:02 pm

If anything, the patches have ruined the game balance even more than at launch. You really aren't missing much at this point, might as well wait until it's $10-15 or a bit more for the GOTY version if you really want it, it's already been long enough that I'm sure you can find other games to occupy you.

Scottg · Post by **Scottg** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:10 am

sear wrote:If anything, the patches have ruined the game balance even more than at launch. You really aren't missing much at this point, might as well wait until it's $10-15 or a bit more for the GOTY version if you really want it, it's already been long enough that I'm sure you can find other games to occupy you.

Bummer.

How did they ruin the game balance?

Is there anyway to re-balance it?

I don't think it's going to get a lot cheaper within 9 months - and it's usually a two year cycle to really hit the "bargain bin". (..even Origins is currently about $15 including shipping ..I don't buy major titles for "download".)

ushsta · Post by **ushsta** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:03 pm

13 bucks at d2d now.

Scottg · Post by **Scottg** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:26 pm

..looks like I'll have to reply to my own original question.

[Edited]

..If you do purchase it:

Make sure you restart (fresh boot) your system after installing it and DirectX (if it was required). Now that I've thought it over more, I think it was a DirectX problem (without the restart).

Since restarting I've had only one system-wide freeze that caused me to have to turn off the computer.

Frankly Bioware should have had the requirement for a restart after installation, DirectX or not; and they probably should have suggested updating video drivers even before installation (again with a restart after that). Not smart.. but not a "fatal flaw" IMO.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:50 pm

Hm. I've had DA2 for some time, but not started it because I wanted to get all I could out of playing Origins and Awakening (I haven't yet). But your comments stirred my curiosity, so this evening I started the game. Playwise, I had no real problems with it, apart from it sometimes freezing for a few moments.
However, I DO have problems with the format!

:speech:Character creation is needlessly stupid with those fiddly sliders - MUCH easier in Origins/Awakening. Plus, I don't like the faces and the unrealistically shiny hair... and it looks so cartoony in comparison to O/A - I guess they intended to make it more 'realistic'. They failed. The Inventory, etc, is also much clumsier, imo... And I like to control my main character's actions. I don't like her doing rolls and jumps on her own - it's like I'm just a spectator, not a participant. Sigh... I'm going back to O and A!

GoldDragon · Post by **GoldDragon** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 6:39 pm

Just for the record, Mages don't do jumps and rolls, and personally, the story doesn't make much sense if Hawke isn't a mage (I haven't quite figured this part out, tho).

Scottg · Post by **Scottg** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:39 am

I had it *completely* crash my system last night, however up until then it didn't freeze once.

I think one of the differences here is the need to reboot the system after install (of the game).

As for the game itself (if you can get it working properly):

There should be some sort of warning that it is NOT like Dragon Age in several significant aspects.

1st: Forget "grand adventure" - the scope is far more humble in nature, revolving around a city that actually seems like more of a city than anything in Origins.

2nd: the only legitimate setting is Nightmare. No others have party damage.

3rd: Gold is *very* precious. This effects *everything*. Buy potions or injury kits? Weapons or Armor? None of the above if you want an extra talent.

4th: Talents become far more precious, both in the number you have (vs. the total number you can obtain), and their selection vs. their effect. You *really* have to spend some time studying what they can and can't do, and unfortunately this usually requires testing them out in battle.

5th: Mages are often *weak* in this game. See 4th above.

GoldDragon · Post by **GoldDragon** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:09 pm

And yet I managed to defeat one of the bosses in the game single-handedly as a spirit healer, only getting hit twice.

Spoiler

The Arishok, honor duel using only a staff and Glyph of Paralysis

. Mages are only weak if you don't know how to use them.

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:25 pm

GoldDragon wrote:Just for the record, Mages don't do jumps and rolls, and personally, the story doesn't make much sense if Hawke isn't a mage (I haven't quite figured this part out, tho).

Really? Interesting. I made her a Rogue. And Hawke's sister is a Mage (called Bethany, which is the name of one of my Origins mages.. is that a co-incidence?) so ... doesn't the sister remain with her? No - don't tell me that bit! I guess I'll find out when I play it properly.

I liked the way Flemeth looks - sort of - and her dramatic appearance! And was glad they used the same voice actor (or at least someone who sounds very similar). Always liked Flemeth, and though I didn't immediately take to Morrigan, I grew to like her a lot. I'm hoping she shows in DA2 as well. But I still have to play Awakening, and I won't do that until I have an Origins char I like well enough to carry through.
End of rambling! :laugh:

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:31 pm

GoldDragon wrote:And yet I managed to defeat one of the bosses in the game single-handedly as a spirit healer, only getting hit twice.
Spoiler
The Arishok, honor duel using only a staff and Glyph of Paralysis
. Mages are only weak if you don't know how to use them.

I like Rogues and Mages. Pity you can't combine them in DA as you can in Oblivion...
Don't like playing Warriors much. Hack and slash is fine, up to a point, but nothing to fall back on. All you can usefully add is Poisons (Herbalism is handy but anyone can do it); and you can only poison your weapons if have that skill).

Fljotsdale · Post by **Fljotsdale** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:33 pm

Scottg wrote:I had it *completely* crash my system last night, however up until then it didn't freeze once.

I think one of the differences here is the need to reboot the system after install (of the game).

As for the game itself (if you can get it working properly):

There should be some sort of warning that it is NOT like Dragon Age in several significant aspects.

1st: Forget "grand adventure" - the scope is far more humble in nature, revolving around a city that actually seems like more of a city than anything in Origins.

2nd: the only legitimate setting is Nightmare. No others have party damage.

3rd: Gold is *very* precious. This effects *everything*. Buy potions or injury kits? Weapons or Armor? None of the above if you want an extra talent.

4th: Talents become far more precious, both in the number you have (vs. the total number you can obtain), and their selection vs. their effect. You *really* have to spend some time studying what they can and can't do, and unfortunately this usually requires testing them out in battle.

5th: Mages are often *weak* in this game. See 4th above.

Very helpful information, especially with ref to gold and talents.

Scottg · Post by **Scottg** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:27 pm

GoldDragon wrote:And yet I managed to defeat one of the bosses in the game single-handedly as a spirit healer, only getting hit twice.
Spoiler
The Arishok, honor duel using only a staff and Glyph of Paralysis
. Mages are only weak if you don't know how to use them.

-what difficulty setting?

The "how to use them" is of course wrapped-up with which talents to select and why.

I'm personally getting my ass handed to me on nightmare difficulty.

With tactical maneuvering I can wade through a "base" fairly well (though with difficulty), but when I get to any serious boss I'm having problems. (High level rogue bosses are particularly evil.) This of course is only in reference to my level 6 party.. but there in lies the "weak mage" rub:

By level 6 in Origins a mage could totally dominate, but that's not the case here on nightmare difficulty. There really needs to be a thread for Dragon Age II on spell selection. I guess the easiest solution is all Primal+ and both heals.. but I didn't know that before I started.

(..you can spend a little over a gold for "re-spec'ing" your character, which in this game is expensive.. BUT it's worth it for a mage just to have the ability to alter "Mindblast" to something more to your liking.. unless you really like Mindblast. It's in the DLC that comes with the game.. the "Emporium" shop, in the "relics" container under the potions tab.)

Another thing I didn't know: healing potions should be stored in your "chest" at Gamel's (your) house EXCEPT for the most difficult fights. The number you have in your inventory effects your "drops".. Same is true for injury kits as well. Furthermore, you can "by-pass" using injury kits after a tough battle and just go to Gamel's house for (auto) repair - of everyone.

Scottg · Post by **Scottg** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:05 pm

I finally succumbed to reducing the difficulty to "Hard" for a section - specifically the "sanctuary" in the "enemies among us" conclusion..

I think this underlies the need for *very* careful selection of talents/spells - had I kept with cone of cold I *might* have survived.

GoldDragon · Post by **GoldDragon** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:23 pm

DA2 seems to reward those as focus their talents more than those as try to be a master of all trades.

EDIT: In response to the question directed to me above, I don't remember, it's been awhile since I was last in DA2, but it was either Storymode or Normal mode, as I've played in both.

Darth Gavinius · Post by **Darth Gavinius** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 2:29 am

Fljotsdale wrote:I like Rogues and Mages. Pity you can't combine them in DA as you can in Oblivion....

There is a mod for DA:Origins I installed a while back that creates cross classes. You start off as the single class for the origins story but can take on another class at a later point by meeting a skills trainer they added to the game. The restriction was that you were limited to the class specialisations of your first class, so if a fighter - you could only take Berseker, Templar etc, and armor prevented spellcasting. It was also possible like in BGII to triple class your character - to be a jack of all trades, but that I never tried. But combining a rogue and mage, makes for the ultimate ranged support character

.

GawainBS · Post by **GawainBS** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:12 am

Darth Gavinius wrote:There is a mod for DA:Origins I installed a while back that creates cross classes. You start off as the single class for the origins story but can take on another class at a later point by meeting a skills trainer they added to the game. The restriction was that you were limited to the class specialisations of your first class, so if a fighter - you could only take Berseker, Templar etc, and armor prevented spellcasting. It was also possible like in BGII to triple class your character - to be a jack of all trades, but that I never tried. But combining a rogue and mage, makes for the ultimate ranged support character .

What if you combine Warrior with Mage & Arcane Warrior? Does Armour still disable spellcasting then?

Darth Gavinius · Post by **Darth Gavinius** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:14 am

Gawain, I never tried that combination - but I would imagine that Arcane Warriors could use Armor.

Ray-1 · Post by **Ray-1** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 5:40 pm

?????

ushsta wrote:13 bucks at d2d now.

what part of the us r u from cause its still 45 bucks in Georgia US
at any gamestop and 50 at almost any walmart