Review

Anyone who follows my blog knows that Bioware is my favorite developer, and so it should be no surprise that I picked up Dragon Age 2 on opening day. Also that I love this game. To caveat this review know that I play Dragon Age on the 360 just like Mass Effect so none of the issues that some reviewers have about this game are my concerns in fact most of their gripes I actually like.

Graphically the engine had an overhaul everything looks crisper and animations are smoother and more realistic. Not to mention that Kirkwall is a lot brighter and greener than Ferelden, so there is more light and color effects this time around. There is a gripe about recycled locations set up in various ways through out the game but I really didn't care that I was seeing the same places or types of places over and over again.

The soundtrack is composed by the same man (Inon Zur) and it is great. The dialog is better than Dragon Age origins and the fact that your protagonist actually talks now, in the vein of Commander Shepard from Mass Effect, works so much better than the silent protagonist from the Origins.

The gameplay is where some reviewers (mostly the PC gamers) are complaining. It is because the combat has a much more action oriented feel to it this time and the PC version doesn't even have the zoomed out combat camera for strategic views. But as a primarily console gamer the new combat is better it feels more involved and your talents and spells actually have a defined purpose.

The story has taken some jabs as well but that is one place where I disagree completely with those reviewers. The complaint is that in Origins there was a steady and solid narrative and you were on a straight path of stopping the blight. But in DA 2 you are thrown around by a bunch of side quest and such. I think the story works for exactly the purpose of the character you are a regular adventurer type trying to take care of your friends and family and you get involved with all the factions and politics of Kirkwall. The ending did leave a solid opening for a sequel and that is no surprise since this and mass Effect seem to be Bioware's Flagship franchises (and Mass Effect will end when part 3 comes out later this year).

In Closing this game is amazing and I think it is better than Origins. if you like the DA universe there is no reason not to play this game and if you want and RPG with more of an action pace get it as well. Also I played through the campaign the first time as a rouge and I am now going through as a mage in case you are wondering.

Review

Yes I know that Just Cause 2 came out last year, in fact it came out right near Red Dead Redemption which is why it took me almost a year to play it. But I had some interest in the game and it wasn't until recently when I stumbled upon a bunch of videos on YouTube about it that I decided it was finally time to pick it up.

To put something right out there this game has a ridiculous set of characters and an even more ridiculous story. But Just Cause 2 is not about story and the developers knew that.

Graphically the game is right on cue with the current generation but the level of draw distance and the amount of stuff that can happen with out a frame rate drop is impressive.

The sound effects are great making explosions rock and gun fire different for each weapon. The dialog is ridiculous, it isn't actually horrible because it is delivered well like the actors knew they were reading a B movie script.

The gameplay is.....well in truth it is completely ridiculous too, but the awesome side of ridiculous. Seriously where else can you tether a guy to a gas tank and shoot it sending him miles into the air only to have the tank explode and watch him fall to his death. Or ride on top of a jet like a surf board and jump off it at the last minute as it does a nose dive into a gas refinery. And lets not forget your parachute that seems to be able to replicate itself so you always have one to use but every time you release it it still floats off like any other parachute would.

This game get extra love from me simply for the fact that there is an island with little Easter egg secrets dedicated to the TV show LOST. Like the crashed flight and the hatch, not to mention the smoke monster (who doesn't actually hurt you but is just creepy) All in all this game is silly but extremely fun, at this time I have about 45 hours of play time and there is plenty left to do because like all sand box games after you finish the story you are free to roam the world and complete other tasks.