Dragon Age II Reviews, Wave Nineteen

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Written by BuckGB on April 3rd, 2011

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Although I question Bioware's prioritization of interactive cinema over interesting and variable gameplay, that doesn't mean Dragon Age 2 isn't worth experiencing. This game grabs and tears at your emotions like few others can and that is worth a lot. For all of its lack of broad gameplay, it's got plenty of style to go around and, though repetitive, the visceral thrill of the combat keeps the experience chugging along even after the actual routine gets old. This is not remotely a bad game, but its supreme lack of ambition with regards to gameplay, combined with the shocking number of cut corners, left me with the impression that it's a compromised effort that was built with more emphasis on speed to market than substance.

It's still far from perfect but Dragon Age II is a considerably more polished, focused and enjoyable experience than its predecessor. The visuals are more distinct, the animations are vastly improved and the voice work and orchestral score is once again fantastic. The core storyline is certainly a disappointment, but the great cast of characters, genuinely interesting moral decision making and brilliantly written dialogue more than make up for it. Dragon Age II might have a bit of work before it reaches the heady heights of Bioware's space opera, but as a fantasy adventure, it'll more than make do until the arrival of Skyrim.

My apathy regarding Dragon Age II could be down to the relative lack of interaction between the characters, the uninspiring quests or the absence of any particular reward. But the painfully average nature of the game's mechanics the console battle system let down by any kind of diversity in terms of the creatures you fight only serves to draw more and more attention to the storyline.

And that's not great either.

You're going to get what you always do with any Bioware game; amazing voice acting, dialogue and a story that will have you playing for dozens and dozens of hours while trying to complete everything before it's all over. There are moments that were compelling and felt very strong but it was too far and in between to keep you hooked like Origins did. I enjoyed the game for what it was but you have to go in expecting a new experience and something different from Origins and I don't want to knock it for what was I expecting, but rather rate it for what it is instead. This may be Dragon Age 2, but it is not Dragon Age: Origins 2.

Judged on its own merits, Dragon Age II is a fairly decent RPG that warrants at least a couple of playthroughs, but as a sequel to one of the best RPGs this generation, it is a disappointment on many levels. Though there are a lot of things to like and the combat is surprisingly fun even though it's on the easier side, it's obvious flaws, especially given its pedigree, seriously hamper the overall experience. It probably could have fared better as an action-oriented spin-off title than a proper sequel.

So, all in all, I would not recommend this game to a single person. I did stick around long enough to get a platinum trophy for completing this unholy slab of ****ness, although afterward I can't think of a single reason as to why.

It's difficult to go into Dragon Age 2 without any preconceptions. Those looking for evidence of dreaded streamlining and simplification will find it. Anyone looking for a fresh experience with great characters and faster gameplay will find that, too. It's those looking for a true sequel that aren't likely to succeed, as the game feels closer to a side story than a full entry in the series. It's too unfocused and narrow to up the ante from its predecessor, despite the length of time and the events it leads to. Within the framework, however, Dragon Age 2 delivers a compelling, engaging journey in a detailed world. It's a smaller game, telling smaller yet important stories with the world of Dragon Age as the backdrop. It's a game of characters and moments, of finding time to make friends and influence people amidst the big, world-changing events right outside. That is, if you're not averse to killing a hundred people just to get to the store.

The game isn't all bad. There were some fun cameos of characters from the previous game. The running dialogue between your companion while running around the city was hilarious. There are some very cool quests including one that has you running around a haunted mansion. The problem is that there weren't enough of those good things to help you overlook the bad. It was a relatively weak game that could have been, and should have been, much better. I'll still buy whatever part comes next, and the ending did pique my curiosity. Still, I have to give Dragon Age II a combined score of (it was okay) and (meh).

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