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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LightPhoenix" data-source="post: 5491763" data-attributes="member: 115">I like the faster combat; I got very sick of DA:O's slugfests.  However, all of the problems Bioware has with encounter design are still there; numerous trash battles, enemies appearing out of nowhere every battle, tedious boss battles, and so forth.  Saying this is unique to DA2 isn't fair; this is stuff Bioware has done since NWN and before.Inventory/stats/abilities is fine, IMO.  Skills are gone technically, but they're still there per se in various forms; integrated into the conversation system, as passive abilities, crafting benches, and cunning checks.  Honestly, I think a lot of outcry about this stuff is differences in personal likes/dislikes rather than actual problems with the game (see below).Ambiance-wise, the usual Bioware stuff irks; specifically big cities with no people.  One big misstep though, was in level design.  There's not nearly as much visual variety as there was in DAO, and the levels all feel a lot more linear.  Additionally, it's clear that the levels were designed for console first with no thought to the PC.  I've found several places difficult to traverse because I'm using the mouse and not the keyboard to move.  Specifically doorways are a problem.  An overhead camera would fix this very simply.  Playing through DA2 makes me want to return to DAO and experience some of those areas again.Voice acting for the companions and main characters is generally good.  However, a lot of the other characters are not that great.  Specifically, there's been more than one instance I've noted where a line has the wrong inflection and emphasis.  I get that not everyone while be on the level of someone like Mulgrew.  That's why there is someone directing the VO that should have stopped and told these people how to say stuff more naturally.So far the banter has been amusing, but the story is a little on the weak side.  I think a big part of that is because Act I (spoilers) [spoiler]is basically all side-quests with the goal "we need money."  Don't we all.[/spoiler].  DAO felt a lot more epic in this regard - sure, there was openness, but there was a pretty important goal - gain allies to fight the Darkspawn.</blockquote>

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