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.