NotanNPC
First Post
I may have to reconsider this game....
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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
Dragon Age 2
- Thread starter Krug
- Start date
I may have to reconsider this game....
Apparently you gotta be careful what you say on the EA forums with this one...
EA blocks user from game after alleged forum outburst ? reghardware
EA blocks user from game after alleged forum outburst ? reghardware
That's not cool...and definitely grounds for a complaint. Regardless of what they write into their legal agreements, as a customer I don't think you have access to read their agreements, let alone agree to them, until after you've opened the box, and possibly attempted to install the software.
At that point, it's too late to return the software as the stores won't take it back unopened.
Sounds rather draconian to me. EA can't have its cake and eat it too.
Of course, I haven't opened and installed my copy yet, so maybe I should do so before complaining
Colour me disappointed in their behaviour. There are valid points that the limitations built into the ability to outfit party members etc. are similar to what was done in Planescape: Torment, arguably one of the best RPG's of all time. However......it's a massive change from the way the original game was.
DA: O was awesome, and I bought the sequel, not being aware of the level of simplification that's been implemented. Yes, there's a demo....but I rarely try them on games that are sequels of ones I've already enjoyed. Only really if it's a new property I'm unsure of.
I'll reserve judgement until I've played it, but I can say I'm disappointed by what I'm hearing.
Banshee
Banshee
At that point, it's too late to return the software as the stores won't take it back unopened.
Sounds rather draconian to me. EA can't have its cake and eat it too.
Of course, I haven't opened and installed my copy yet, so maybe I should do so before complaining
Colour me disappointed in their behaviour. There are valid points that the limitations built into the ability to outfit party members etc. are similar to what was done in Planescape: Torment, arguably one of the best RPG's of all time. However......it's a massive change from the way the original game was.
DA: O was awesome, and I bought the sequel, not being aware of the level of simplification that's been implemented. Yes, there's a demo....but I rarely try them on games that are sequels of ones I've already enjoyed. Only really if it's a new property I'm unsure of.
I'll reserve judgement until I've played it, but I can say I'm disappointed by what I'm hearing.
Banshee
Banshee
Ahnehnois
First Post
I'm somewhat disapointed. The origin story aspect really made the first game, but that's gone, so I haven't connected to the character much. Combat is not tactical enough, and the graphics are a problem. You used to see your character run a darkspawn through, now they just explode into a bloody mess. They seem to have gone to a more cartoony look; the way my Hawke swings his greatsword is almost out of anime. I've killed a couple of dragons before reaching 10th level, my first revenant was killed almost before I noticed it.
Beyond that, the locations are really limited, as compared to the geographic diversity of Origins. Underground areas are frequently recycled. Music is often recycled from the first one, and none of the new tracks have made any impact. I'm very disappointed to be paying $60 for a game with weak recycled content.
The characters have not made as much impression as those from origins; the few carryovers are at the expense of logic. Anders, having been 'epic' in Awakenings, pops up at the same level you are. Huh? Isabella has been changed a bit for some reason. The Dalish are now Scottish, the Qunari have silly-looking horns (and none of them is match for Sten's voice acting). You can import save data but I haven't seen much impact from it yet.
Mechanically, the new ability trees are good, and I like the way different abilities interact (frozen/stunned/etc. enemies take extra damage) and the fact that there are usually improved versions of each power. The companion interaction system is better than the sometimes silly gift-giving in Origins, and the mass effect dialogue wheel is an improvement as well. The dwarf narrating your tale is an interesting touch but I haven't gotten far into that yet.
I'm only about 10 hours in, and I've avoided the main plot in favor of side quests, having learned from Mass Effect that this is the way to play. It's not a horribly unfun game and there are some technical improvements, but as of yet, it doesn't hold a candle to the original, which I found gripping right away.
Beyond that, the locations are really limited, as compared to the geographic diversity of Origins. Underground areas are frequently recycled. Music is often recycled from the first one, and none of the new tracks have made any impact. I'm very disappointed to be paying $60 for a game with weak recycled content.
The characters have not made as much impression as those from origins; the few carryovers are at the expense of logic. Anders, having been 'epic' in Awakenings, pops up at the same level you are. Huh? Isabella has been changed a bit for some reason. The Dalish are now Scottish, the Qunari have silly-looking horns (and none of them is match for Sten's voice acting). You can import save data but I haven't seen much impact from it yet.
Mechanically, the new ability trees are good, and I like the way different abilities interact (frozen/stunned/etc. enemies take extra damage) and the fact that there are usually improved versions of each power. The companion interaction system is better than the sometimes silly gift-giving in Origins, and the mass effect dialogue wheel is an improvement as well. The dwarf narrating your tale is an interesting touch but I haven't gotten far into that yet.
I'm only about 10 hours in, and I've avoided the main plot in favor of side quests, having learned from Mass Effect that this is the way to play. It's not a horribly unfun game and there are some technical improvements, but as of yet, it doesn't hold a candle to the original, which I found gripping right away.
i will admit I bit the bullet and bought the game from Steam. My thoughts after 12 hours of game play (and please note VERY spoiler heavy and Im playing on normal))
Some observations (and partly based on other peoples thoughts from the above comments)
1. Feels a lot like a console Game to me. The one click attack and play especially.
2. Still disappointed im stuck as a Human. While this lets the story be more focussed, I really do miss the origin story of my Dwarf Noble. Im not fussed so much if the sister dies or brother dies (but for some reason I did feel a lot sadder when Hawkes mother dies after the whole strange white lillies killer fight)
3. Im using tab a lot so I can see all the little books and notes to read so I can read up on Kirkwall and the setting in general . Otherwise I miss stuff.
4. Oh my god. The inside of every second house is the same? Why? Is it that hard to make every house different? Same with the caves. Im getting extremely frustrated with seeing the same rock face doors that I cant open and stairs in every cave I come across.
5. I found out half way through the game that i needed to buy armor upgrades for my companions. Why just have this as armor... surely it would of been easier to do weapons like this too. Seems like they have gone half way with this setup and then decided to stop.
6. Whats up with the kid son of Bodahn? . Mr 'Enchantment!'. Is he possessed?
7. The Gold curve for game seems out of wack. I had 88 gold by the time I needed to fund the expedition. After that and just buying cool team kit, it just keeps going down with no real big paying jobs.
8. Im playing a Human mage. I normally take along emo elf (Lyrium Tattoo dude), Averline and Isabella.
9. I seem to be finding a lot of lost kit and returning it home for an easy 750 exp. All over the place in some really familiar locations
10. Lots of loot stored in crates.
11. Barrels. More loot.
12. Quinari: I like them a lot. Of all the 'races' in 2 they seem to have had the most work. My most challenging battle was against the Arishok but that was basically me running in circles Winter blasting every so often.
13. Ive just started again after killing the Arishok.. is there much left to go? 12 hours seems like not much game time.. and I have been doing every quest. (all bar one extremely irritating Herbalist quest at Sundermount)
14. My most challenging battle has been from memory the trap central Evil Pit destroy or read book quest. Very difficult.
15. My character has been pursuing Isabella most of the game. She came good with her relic for the Arishok before I had to gut him.
16. Am I the only one who disliked Alastair from the previous game? I couldnt stand him.
17. If I have to go back to the Wounded Coast again for some minor thing, I wont be happy
18, Can I please explore the Continent? Please?
Some observations (and partly based on other peoples thoughts from the above comments)
1. Feels a lot like a console Game to me. The one click attack and play especially.
2. Still disappointed im stuck as a Human. While this lets the story be more focussed, I really do miss the origin story of my Dwarf Noble. Im not fussed so much if the sister dies or brother dies (but for some reason I did feel a lot sadder when Hawkes mother dies after the whole strange white lillies killer fight)
3. Im using tab a lot so I can see all the little books and notes to read so I can read up on Kirkwall and the setting in general . Otherwise I miss stuff.
4. Oh my god. The inside of every second house is the same? Why? Is it that hard to make every house different? Same with the caves. Im getting extremely frustrated with seeing the same rock face doors that I cant open and stairs in every cave I come across.
5. I found out half way through the game that i needed to buy armor upgrades for my companions. Why just have this as armor... surely it would of been easier to do weapons like this too. Seems like they have gone half way with this setup and then decided to stop.
6. Whats up with the kid son of Bodahn? . Mr 'Enchantment!'. Is he possessed?
7. The Gold curve for game seems out of wack. I had 88 gold by the time I needed to fund the expedition. After that and just buying cool team kit, it just keeps going down with no real big paying jobs.
8. Im playing a Human mage. I normally take along emo elf (Lyrium Tattoo dude), Averline and Isabella.
9. I seem to be finding a lot of lost kit and returning it home for an easy 750 exp. All over the place in some really familiar locations
10. Lots of loot stored in crates.
11. Barrels. More loot.
12. Quinari: I like them a lot. Of all the 'races' in 2 they seem to have had the most work. My most challenging battle was against the Arishok but that was basically me running in circles Winter blasting every so often.
13. Ive just started again after killing the Arishok.. is there much left to go? 12 hours seems like not much game time.. and I have been doing every quest. (all bar one extremely irritating Herbalist quest at Sundermount)
14. My most challenging battle has been from memory the trap central Evil Pit destroy or read book quest. Very difficult.
15. My character has been pursuing Isabella most of the game. She came good with her relic for the Arishok before I had to gut him.
16. Am I the only one who disliked Alastair from the previous game? I couldnt stand him.
17. If I have to go back to the Wounded Coast again for some minor thing, I wont be happy
18, Can I please explore the Continent? Please?
Ahnehnois
First Post
I hated Alistair.
This is the Dragon Age version of an autistic savant. He can enchant things but in every other way is extremely limited.
Kind of stupid yes. I like that you don't end up carrying around 300 elfroots, but they dumbed down the inventory system too much.
Sure, if you buy another $60 worth of expansions and DLC that is no doubt on its way.
Welverin
First Post
Don't be cynical, that's for the sequels.
Since I haven't yet bought stuff for companions I just want to know what mistake you're talking about so I can avoid it if possible...
do you mean buying armor for the companions? do you mean putting runes on the armor for companions? or is there some other way you're supposed to invest in their armor upgrades?
Victim
First Post
Your companions don't use normal main armor items; they get special armor upgrade items. These armor upgrades don't appear on the armor tab in stores, and instead show up on the one with the gem.
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