Dragon Age II
Release Date: March 8, 2011
RPG, TPP, fantasy, classic RPG, Game Pass, EA Play, romances, singleplayer
Steam
A third-person perspective RPG sequel to the greatly received game from 2009. It’s another installment of the series that is considered as a spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate. It was developed by the creators of the legendary series – BioWare studios. The story takes place in the well-known dark fantasy world and it concentrates on a completely new character – a refugee named Hawke who becomes a legend and a hero of Kirkwall.
Dragon Age II for PC, X360 and PS3 is the second installment in the series developed by BioWare, which is best known for the production of many cult role-playing games (e.g. Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Mass Effect). Released in 2009, the first Dragon Age has been recognized by both the players and the press, and is often referred to as the spiritual successor of Baldur's Gate.
Plot
The game takes us back to the dark fantasy world inhabited by humans, elves, and dwarves. It is plagued by new problems. This time, we assume the role of Hawke – the penniless refugee who plays a key role in the future of the game world and later on transforms into a legend known as the Champion of Kirkwall. The game's plot covers ten years of his life, during which he gathers deadly allies and gains both fame and wealth. The whole story is set in the past. All events have already taken place, and the players are listeners of many different storytellers, who often differ in their perspectives and views on the stories recounted.
Mechanics
Major changes have occurred in the approach to the main character. In the previous installment, the players were able to choose between a couple of races. In Dragon Age II, however, we can only play a human character, even though the world is inhabited by a number of races. No freedom of choice in this regard has been rewarded with the protagonist having a specific, clearly defined personality (though, of course, shaped later on by our decisions). All three character classes known from the original game – warrior, rogue, and mage – are playable. This time, the developers made sure they that they are clearly different. Depending on the chosen class, we might feel like a killing machine, a medieval ninja, or mobile artillery. During the adventure, the players develop their character, perform different tasks, and take part in momentous events. Just like in the original, the fate of both the protagonist and the entire world is shaped by the player’s decisions.
The combat system has been significantly improved. It is still real-time (with the possibility to pause at any time), but this time the efforts were made to ensure that the player’s character is always in the center of the battle, regardless of whether it belongs to warrior, mage, or rogue class. Development tree was also altered, so as not to increase the number of talents, but rather to expand the capabilities of individual skills. For example, if someone fancies casting fireballs, the game will allow him to develop and improve this particular skill, so that at the end of the game he will have super powerful version of this spell, perfectly matched to the needs and capabilities of his character. The dialogue system has also been completely changed. The classic list was replaced with attitude icons. Instead of seeing entire possible responses, we get a graphical representation of the general feel of an utterance (e.g. aggressive or sarcastic).
Technical aspects
Dragon Age II for PC, X360 and PS3 uses a modified version of the graphics engine used to power the first game. In addition to the usual technical improvements, the game also offers a heavily revised graphic style. The visual realism gave way to stylization. Shapes are now sharper, surfaces smoother, and the whole excels in a bit of a cartoon version of dark fantasy.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: April 19, 2011
Dragon Age II Game Guide
This enormous guide to Dragon Age II contains a walkthrough of all the missions in the game. The description of each quest consists of consecutive steps which you will have to complete during it, including the possible endings.
Videos and Screens
[4:10] Dragon Age II gameplay #3 - Combat (PL)
[5:31] Dragon Age II Gameplay #2 - Classes (PL)
The main pros of the game
- Compelling Story and Characters: Many users praised the game's writing and the depth of its characters, particularly highlighting the engaging narrative structure and personal stakes involved in the story.
- Strong Character Development: Companions like Varric, Isabela, and Anders received favorable mentions, with players appreciating their unique personalities and relationships.
- Improved Combat Mechanics: The combat was described as more fluid and engaging compared to its predecessor, Dragon Age: Origins. Players enjoyed the faster-paced action and the ability to feel impactful during battles.
- Replayability: Users noted that the game offers multiple playthroughs due to different character builds and choices, particularly in the context of the overarching Dragon Age narrative.
The main cons of the game
- Repetitive Environments: A significant number of reviews pointed out the excessive reuse of locations and assets, leading to a feeling of monotony as players frequently revisited the same areas.
- Simplified RPG Mechanics: Critics mentioned that the RPG elements were toned down compared to Origins, including limited character customization and a lack of meaningful loot.
- Technical Issues: Several users experienced problems with the EA launcher, including crashes and performance issues, which detracted from their overall enjoyment of the game.
- Less Meaningful Choices: Some players felt that their decisions did not carry the same weight as in Origins, leading to a perception that the game lacked genuine player agency.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Variety in Locations: Players expressed a desire for more diverse environments and dungeons, as the game is largely confined to the city of Kirkwall and its repetitive layouts.
- Complex RPG Elements: Users missed the depth of character customization found in Origins, such as the ability to equip companions with gear or a more tactical combat system.
- Greater Consequence for Choices: Many reviews highlighted a lack of significant consequences for player decisions, particularly in comparison to the impactful choices in Origins.
- Expanded Side Quests: Some users noted that side quests often felt like fetch quests, lacking creativity and depth, which diminished the overall experience of exploration.
Summary
- Overall, while Dragon Age II: Ultimate Edition has its share of strengths, particularly in storytelling and character development, it also suffers from notable weaknesses that have led to a mixed reception among fans of the franchise.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 7946 votes. 2857 players anticipated the game.
8
GAMES
in Dragon Age Game Series
Game Series
Dragon Age Series
A series of RPG games set in a dark fantasy universe. The series was started and is being developed by Canadian studio BioWare, known, among others, for such projects as the first two games under the banner of Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire or the brand Mass Effect. Signature productions Dragon Age come primarily to personal computers and consoles.
8 video games
Dragon Age II Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
Xbox 360
PlayStation 3
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Dragon Age II System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium IV 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM (4 GB RAM - Vista/7), graphic card 512 MB (GeForce 8800GTS or better), 7 GB HDD, Windows XP/Vista/7
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