Dragon Age 2

Mr Freeze

The combat definitely seems a bit dumbed down and it seems to be really fast too.

The inventory is locked in the demo, but it looks similar to DA: O. The character screens too seem intact, there is a lot of detail there, It doesn't appear to be streamlined too much, and the skill tree interface is there, and improved too from what I can see.

The visual style of the game was been significantly changed in my opinion. Everyones armor is all chunky and square looking and the world and the characters seem like they are ever so slightly cell shaded. It just looks a bit cartoony compared to the 1st game. Its not a bad thing, but its gonna take a bit of getting used to.

The Demo was very linear, but the 1st game was fairly linear too, hopefully in the full game, the worlds open up a bit more.

I sunk over 100 hours into DA: O and I never even got around to playing Awakenings.

Dcully

Hmm not impressed at all, graphics are very nice but apart from that everything else was shallow to me.
The combat is now just hack and slash,i really hate the new skill tree interface its just so consoley and obviously designed for a joypad.
They have definitely done a ME2 on this,i doubt i will make a purchase.

Kiith

Why is everyone using Mass Effect 2 like a bad word? It was widely regarded as 2010's GOTY. Granted, they took some of the RPG out of it, but it was still an amazing game. Can we not enjoy it, even if the combat has been 'dumbed down'?

Mr Freeze

I think its just cause ME2 RPG elements were significantly "streamlined", I don't think anybody can say that it was a bad game, it was anything but.

Kiith

Any speeding up of the combat from Dragon Age is a good thing in my opinion. It was awfully slow at times, and having a melee character was a massive pain when trying to hit enemies that were on the move.

I still absolutely loved it mind.

sink

I will have to play it and judge for myself. I loved DA:O and ME1 & 2 and imo the combat in ME2 was far better than in ME1.

I didn't have a problem with the combat in DA:O, it had a nostalgic feel harping back to the infinity engine which I quiet liked, however even if DA2 is streamlined like ME2 I might still really like it. It doesn't have to be near the same combat system from the first game for me to appreciate it.

Far more important imo is the levelling system and character customisation. And from what I've read it hasn't been dumbed down/streamlined, that was ME2's main fault.

Mr Freeze

True, speeding up the combat is probably not a bad thing either, it just appears at 1st look a little arcadey.

I wouldn't agree that the game was gone all God of War, as its hasn't got combo's and all that crap, it the same as DAO but faster, and I think that press A once to target and attack and stay attacking is gone, I had to keep pressing A to attack.

I find it hard to believe that they could have removed that, looking at the menu's, tactics and all that from DAO is still there.

My biggest gripe is the change in visual style, looks a bit more like Fable than like Dragon Age.

As for Hawke, its cool that we have a character that speaks now and I like the conversation wheel especially since choosing what would normally be a neutral response is a witty response. But Hawke did seem a bit bland, no doubt in the full game we will probably grow to like him, but I was kinda expecting a Sir Shepard type character if you get me!

wes

Enjoyed the demo. The graphics were a big improvement, and I liked that things were much faster.

humanji

Kiith wrote: »

Why is everyone using Mass Effect 2 like a bad word? It was widely regarded as 2010's GOTY. Granted, they took some of the RPG out of it, but it was still an amazing game. Can we not enjoy it, even if the combat has been 'dumbed down'?

It's a case of ME2 losing a lot of what made ME1 great. It's still a good game, but a lot of people that the game felt so different.

I haven't had a chance to have a go at the demo yet, so I can't comment on it. But I do have a fear that it's almost heralding then end of PC rpg's if Bioware are making things more console and action orientated. I know that's an overly dramatic thing to say, but I'm in a funny mood today, so there :P

I have severe problems with the storyline in ME2 (the side stories were brilliant, it's just that the main one seemed like an after thought), so I'm really hoping that they haven't done the same to DA2. I don't mind a faster, action combat system. It's the RPG and story elements that made the original great, I'd just hate for them to lose that.

richymcdermott

just finished the demo there, loved it combat alittle mashy at times but everything i love bout the first seems its the same with 2 , might pick a female this time around good aul lesbian scene :P

Headshot

I downloaded it for the ps3

Loved the graphics but it kept freezing on me and the characters voices sometimes during cut scenes couldnt be heard

Kadongy

Kiith wrote: »

Why is everyone using Mass Effect 2 like a bad word? It was widely regarded as 2010's GOTY. Granted, they took some of the RPG out of it, but it was still an amazing game. Can we not enjoy it, even if the combat has been 'dumbed down'?

because it was ****ing stupid. Balanced tactical gameplay was replaced with "duck and autoheal" challengeless rubbish. I dont know how you could die.

You also couldn't die as a tank in DA Awakenings, but that was because of a flaw where your armour rating would quickly make you impervious to damage.

I'm disgusted, but unsurprised, to read that they've done this to DA 2.

Magill

Loved it, its so much more console friendly than DA1 which is a great thing. Nice and streamlined and not having to pause to **** about with spells and **** is great.

Great job, cant wait for full game.

YouSavedMyLife

humanji wrote: »

It's a case of ME2 losing a lot of what made ME1 great. It's still a good game, but a lot of people that the game felt so different.

I haven't had a chance to have a go at the demo yet, so I can't comment on it. But I do have a fear that it's almost heralding then end of PC rpg's if Bioware are making things more console and action orientated. I know that's an overly dramatic thing to say, but I'm in a funny mood today, so there :P

I have severe problems with the storyline in ME2 (the side stories were brilliant, it's just that the main one seemed like an after thought), so I'm really hoping that they haven't done the same to DA2. I don't mind a faster, action combat system. It's the RPG and story elements that made the original great, I'd just hate for them to lose that.

Just a hunch but i would guess they sell more copies on consoles than on PC because of piracy...

Gummy Panda

YouSavedMyLife wrote: »

Just a hunch but i would guess they sell more copies on consoles than on PC because of piracy...

Piracy is widespread on consoles.

It's more that they sell more to a bigger audience. Most people in work and friends at home have a console (xbox or ps3). I know less then a handful of people with a gaming pc.

Icyseanfitz

was getting really bad fps with my gtx 460 on dx 11 mode weird texture glitches as well god damn

Gummy Panda

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

was getting really bad fps with my gtx 460 on dx 11 mode weird texture glitches as well god damn

Turning off v-sync helps fps but there was some weird darkspawn shadow artifacts on my 5850.

WolfForager

Just finished the demo (PS3) and all i can say is WANT WANT WANT!

I noticed the audio bugs aswell, mainly that during cut-scenes everytime it switched to a different character the background noises from the previous scene suddenly stopped. Got a bit annoying and hope it's sorted out in the final build!

Jerichoholic

I liked it quite a bit but was getting killed by the big darkspawn gentleman so I turned it off. Unsure so far.

Gunmonkey

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

was getting really bad fps with my gtx 460 on dx 11 mode weird texture glitches as well god damn

Same, dropped it down to Dx9 and was a bit smoother but still got moments where the ground textures went black (or just vanished). Also had the cutscenes jutter round when switching views between the different characters.

But overall I liked it, was very meh on DA:O but cant wait to give DA2 a try, even though the combat (my biggest gripe with DA:O) seems the same

uberpixie

Gunmonkey wrote: »

Same, dropped it down to Dx9 and was a bit smoother but still got moments where the ground textures went black (or just vanished). Also had the cutscenes jutter round when switching views between the different characters.

But overall I liked it, was very meh on DA:O but cant wait to give DA2 a try, even though the combat (my biggest gripe with DA:O) seems the same

Played on a 6950 with 10.12 cats, with everything cranked as high as it would go with the DX11 shader and I have had no issues with gfx

Hopefully things will be smoother for people when the game comes out.....

All in all the combat doesn't annoy me: granted if you like your battles to be a total oldschool grindfest and then spend 20 mins healing everyone after the battle and then wait another 10 mins for everyone's man/stamina to regenerate and repeat EVERY fight then yes you will be disappointed

It def is more KOTOR than Baldurs gate in game mechanics..... Which to be fair will not suit a lot of people who do like the old style D&D tactical grindfest battles.

My main concern will be how light your choices will be on the story. Bioware seem to only have added an extra "smart ass" option and wedged it between paragon and renegade..........

VenomIreland

I miss Baldur's Gate T_T

That said, demo isn't too bad so far. EDIT: Other than **** performance.

Kiith

VenomIreland wrote: »

I miss Baldur's Gate T_T

No RPG will ever have the same effect on me as Baldur's Gate did

humanji

Kiith wrote: »

No RPG will ever have the same effect on me as Baldur's Gate did

It's funny how everyone who's ever played it feels a bit of a pang in their heart when someone says that. It's like realising you'll never replace your first love.

Varik

Did anyone notice the minor difference to how Varric told the legend compared to the truth?

Kadongy

Varik wrote: »

Did anyone notice the minor difference to how Varric told the legend compared to the truth?

You fibber.

VenomIreland

Kiith wrote: »

No RPG will ever have the same effect on me as Baldur's Gate did

I still have yet to finish my first playthrough

It is so awesome so far.

Magill

Never played buldars gate

Looks similar to diablo, i might give it a go because i LOVE diablo.

sink

Magill wrote: »

Never played buldars gate

Looks similar to diablo, i might give it a go because i LOVE diablo.

Looks similar, plays very different. Plays much like DA:O, i.e. mutiple party members, real time with pause, multiple classes, many attributes, large inventory, large number of feats and spells, non-linear story large branching & dialogue intensive conversation trees. It's a proper crpg as opposed to hack n slash dungeon crawler.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

i really want to like baldurs gate, I want an epic sprawling game/story to immerse myself in. but I just cannot get over my dislike of clicky rpgs. I tried again today and after clicking all over the screen to get rid of the fog of war and try to figure out where the hell I was supposed to go, I just gave up again.

Blowfish

Magill wrote: »

Never played buldars gate

Looks similar to diablo, i might give it a go because i LOVE diablo.

You can grab it here cheaply enough.

I actually started it again recently, playing solo on hardest difficulty. Completely different experience to playing it with a full group as it becomes very tactical.

VenomIreland

Blowfish wrote: »

You can grab it here cheaply enough.

I actually started it again recently, playing solo on hardest difficulty. Completely different experience to playing it with a full group as it becomes very tactical.

Are you a bard or a Half-Elf Ranger/Cleric?

Blowfish

VenomIreland wrote: »

Are you a bard or a Half-Elf Ranger/Cleric?

Actually, neither. I'm playing through BG1Tutu so am a sorceror. The first few levels involved a hell of a lot of running away. I also have a few mods installed for smarter AI and more difficult enemy mages.

Skerries

stop bragplaining you show off

ScoreX

love the first on, cant wait for the second

Skerries

why is left and right defaulted to the Q and E keys?
also did anyone else have problems logging into their EA account as it would not let me and then hang my pc?

Anxiety

i lvoed the first dragon age and from what i have seen from the demo for dragon age 2 i will also love it jsut as much if notm ore

Lafortezza

Finished the demo yesterday, I liked it as long as the full game isn't as 'streamlined' as the demo is. Combat seemed a little boring, as in Point - Click - Wait for enemys health to go down. I suppose a whole bunch of talents/spells in the quick bar will make that more interesting.

One thing I didn't like was the camera angles and movement. Unless I was missing something there didn't seem to be a full zoom-out option like there was in DA1.

Your sister has epic boobs as does that chick towards the end of the demo.

mewso

Lafortezza wrote: »

Your sister has epic boobs as does that chick towards the end of the demo.

And the media tries so desperately to stereotype us gamers. Why I will never know.

Kiith

mewso wrote: »

And the media tries so desperately to stereotype us gamers. Why I will never know.

Like you didnt notice

mewso

Kiith wrote: »

Like you didnt notice

Ha I couldn't notice because I haven't played the demo. I still haven't finished the first one but if combat has been dumbed down then I may skip it.

Shiminay

I didn't really play the first, saw someone else playing it and kinda felt that it wasn't the game for me. Not a fan of "fiddly inventory/skills management" sorts of games (probably why I don't get the recent Fallout games). However, I got stuck into the demo last night and really enjoyed it. I'd even go as far as to say that this might be the game Fable 3 could have been (cause I was really disappointed in that). So I'm now at the stage where I'm quite looking forward to this game despite having had zero interest in the first.

Kiith

Interesting that the game is available illegally on the PS3 and 360, but not the pc.

Sisko

lol now that has to be a 1st.

Speaking about 'dumbing down' and the games moving away from classic RPG style.

What are peoples opinions of the characters , or rather the player made main character been given a voice actor instead of traditional 'you read and pick the lines'.


A lot of people just seem to automatically assume voice acting = better. But I don't think its necessarily the case, in fact I've noticed the modern games seem to sacrifice a lot of stuff in order to give the main character a voice. When I was played ME1 I was very disapointed, I now had to put up with a total head wrecker for my main characters voice but what was worse, character interactions where gone for mid game.

In KOTOR you'd have plenty of conversations mid mission with your party, but in ME1 they were no better then Half life 1 bots in terms of conversation until you got them back to your ship.

Still I found my ways to enjoy it, picked Jennifer hale to voice instead and decided to treat the game as more of an interactive movie instead of an RPG.

I was relieved to see Dragon Age kept the classic style, and as a result there was plenty of party conversations to be had mid mission. But when I heard DA2 now gave your main character a voice I was gutted.

I fear DA1 may be the last time we have this classic style. A certain amount of depth and immersion is lost when they do this imo, kinda makes the character creation lose a little meaning also.

Kiith

Kiith wrote: »

Interesting that the game is available illegally on the PS3 and 360, but not the pc.

Nevermind, it's up now :P

Gummy Panda

Kiith wrote: »

Nevermind, it's up now :P

To the interwebs!!

Mike Litoris

Played the Demo. They've annihilated the fcukin thing. I was looking forward to pulling a sickie next week too.:(

blockedPaT

Can't wait for this, loved the first one and the story was great. Not much longer to wait for this now

chrislad

I shall be leaving this alone until I have my two week break in May. Raging that I didn't back up my DA1 save game when I was swapping Xboxes though!

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

gave the demo another try yesterday for a little bit, but no.. they've ruined dragon age. I was looking forward to dragon age 2 so much and this is just such a horrible dissapointment

on the plus side Ijust started playing stalker: shadow of chernobyl for the first time, and I have pripryat bought as well so i wont be stuck for rpg-ish fun. 10 hours straight today playing chernobyl... hell of a game