Dragon Age II Reviews, Wave Fifteen
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RPG Codex recruits Iron Tower's Vince D. Weller for their critique:
Dragon Age 2 is a mediocre and deeply flawed action RPG, rushed out to earn EA a quick buck and betting on Bioware's reputation to pull up the sales. Even though the setting and the events are interesting, and the various options show potential, the overwhelming focus on killing things keeps you from digging into the world and its characters in a satisfying manner, and cripple replayability. Unfortunately, the combat is too repetitive to carry the game on its own. It's bad enough that even the mainstream reporters have noticed, though they are generally quick to make excuses.
I certainly hope that someone, somewhere has learned a valuable lesson.
PC World Australia gives it a 4.5/5:
Dragon Age 2 remains a mature, challenging, modern RPG. It's unfortunate that should there be a Dragon Age 3 Bioware will now be discouraged from trying to do something different.
Lawrence gives it an 8.7/10:
If you like sword-and-sorcery Western RPGs, this is most likely a game you'll enjoy and put dozens of hours into. Yes, it has its flaws and they are almost egregious in some cases but what this game does well, it does very, very well and often. Dragon Age II is addictive fun and fast action that falls just short of brilliance.
Front Towards Gamer gives it a 6.5/10:
If you are looking for an intelligent, well written, and heart felt story filled with great loveable characters, don't get Dragon Age 2. It's shallow, has a weak plot, and the combat is just plain awful. It's all really well made though. It looks nice, has great voice acting, and the music and sounds are terrific. There might be some enjoyment here for for people who have never played a good CRPG. If you have never played Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment, or Knights of the Old Republic, you might like this game. You just don't know what you're missing.
OMGN gives it a 9.0/10:
Lazy level design aside, Dragon Age 2 is great. Not amazing, not breathtaking, and certainly not the second coming of the RPG, but worth a play through and several replays after. It's a promising step in the right direction, and hopefully, Bioware can tighten it up and pull it all together before Dragon Age 3.
And 8bitfix gives it an 8.5/10:
Press a button and something happens instantly, its nice. The art style was a nice change, although the level design definitely needed some work in adding more then one cave, one masion, and one sidestreet. Kirkwall could've also used a boost to the atmosphere in my opinion. The Changes to the Ui are also a welcome, what we got this time around(and first time around for Dragon Age noobs) is a much more fluid menu system, especially with the talent trees. I suggest everyone to play it, hands down case shut, but if you listen to me and haven't played the first Dragon Age, rent that game and play it. You will appreciate everything soo much more after you beat that game. Not saying this game isn't a great entry point, I think it is but to get full value, play the first game first. I am looking forward to seeing where Bioware takes this franchaise next, after the numerous DLC's that are sure to come out. I just hope they take some time and make it the best it possibly can be with better looking areas and a deeper rpg element, because honestly, I think those are the only things holding this great game back.
