Dragon Age II

[Maiandra]

I've only played through as a rogue so far. As far as combat goes, I noticed a big difference, both in how the rogues skills are setup and how she's animated in combat. My rogue was using all these acrobatics and flipping around the battlefield. It was pretty cool. The way they've implemented backstab reminds me of the shadow strike that Kasumi does in ME2. It's completely different from other incarnations of backstab in any previous BioWare games.

Carver seemed like kind of a twit, so I wasn't too sorry to see him go over Bethany, but it would have been nice to keep both.

Like DPX, I found the interface felt clunky and out-dated. It didn't really have a style that went with the game. However, that's a small complaint in the grand scheme of a game.

I am very happy that the characters look better, especially the hairstyles for the women. They were SO bad in the first one. I can hardly wait to customize my own character!

I was disappointed with Lady Hawke's voice. It wasn't as strong as I would have liked. It was higher than Bethany's and didn't seem appropriate for a rogue or a warrior. It sounded somewhat more engaging later on in the demo, when she had more dialogue, so I hope I end up liking it once I hear it more. Right now, I'm not too impressed.

[AndreaDraco]

Male Hawke did a good job, but indeed his voice is not at all something I can picture for my characters: it's too deep, and masculine, and rough. I didn't like Bethany at all, incidentally, and I very much prefer Carver's voice. The best of the bunch, though, would be Aveline.

[AndreaDraco]

Also, DPX, here it's confirmed that friendly-fire is disabled in the demo, the difficulty being locked at Normal.

Now, that's strange

[DeadPoolX]

Carver seemed like kind of a twit, so I wasn't too sorry to see him go over Bethany, but it would have been nice to keep both.

I agree. Besides, he wasn't okay with taking my orders while Bethany didn't mind.

I am very happy that the characters look better, especially the hairstyles for the women. They were SO bad in the first one. I can hardly wait to customize my own character!

I can imagine how this will go: six hours later, Maia is still making her character's face.

Male Hawke did a good job, but indeed his voice is not at all something I can picture for my characters: it's too deep, and masculine, and rough. I didn't like Bethany at all, incidentally, and I very much prefer Carver's voice. The best of the bunch, though, would be Aveline.

I liked the male Hawke's voice. It was much better than the voice of the male Shepard.

I don't remember Carver's voice, but I do recall that Bethany's voice seemed a little odd. Not bad, just odd. I got used to it quickly, but at first it just sounded off.

Also, DPX, here it's confirmed that friendly-fire is disabled in the demo, the difficulty being locked at Normal.

Now, that's strange

Indeed.

The only explanation I can come up with is that the demo, being based off an earlier build of the game, is buggy at times. It certainly has been for me, specifically with the tactics screen.

I like the idea that spells don't harm party members. That makes spells easier to use, which is great considering your AI-controlled teammates are morons half the time.

[AndreaDraco]

I like the idea that spells don't harm party members. That makes spells easier to use, which is great considering your AI-controlled teammates are morons half the time.

I agree. Moreover, now spells target areas instead of monsters, who can move out of the way to avoid the blast, so it's better that at least the companions can't take damage.

Oh, and about the character's face: I'm with Maia, here. When they released the character generator for DA:O I spent almost four hours shaping a face I was content with

[Tawmis]

Where is the demo downloaded from?

The PC version is on the demo page of the Dragon Age 2 website. Click on the American flag icon to download the English version.

I have no idea where you'd find the 360 demo. Probably somewhere on Xbox Live.

I have Dragon Age on both PC and XBOX. I will probably do the same with Dragon Age II (though only Signature Edition for XBOX). Downloading the demo now and avoiding everything else in this thread until completed.

[Tawmis]

Aside from the audio not working during cut scenes (which was an easy fix)... thus far... I don't know. It looks like it's going to be a fun game... but something feels... off. And I haven't figured it out yet. Only played about 10 to 15 minutes (have to go to work and all)... but it doesn't excite me as much as the first one. Perhaps more playing and getting used to it will change my mind.

And apparently there is indeed X360 and PS3 versions of the Demo available. Not looked into it yet; just doing the PC version thus far, for the demo.

[AndreaDraco]

Keep us posted, Tawm!

[Tawmis]

So I got home and beat the game.

Over all - not SUPER excited. But I feel a little better.

On the PC, I suffered the Black Face Bug when you go into the character profile area. But that appears to be a bug for all GFORCE 7xxxx cards and below (for GForce), since I have a GForce 6800 in my desktop. I was considering getting Dragon Age II for the PC as well as the X360 (which I have the Signature Edition ordered) - but if it's going to require more than a 6800 GForce to run, I may skip on getting it for the PC. I realize that the GForce 6800 is an older video card; but at this time, there's just too many random bills to pay for - and still try to enjoy a few things! (So for example, splurging on the Signature Edition - I am not also going to UPGRADE my video card AND THEN purchase another 60 dollar game I already have a copy of on X360).

Just to get a feel for the game, I did the Warrior since it would probably be the easiest to play and get a feel for the game.

Something I didn't like -

TAB does not seem to target the nearest enemy to attack.
This is a HUGE annoyance for me - especially when I am surrounded by 10 Darkspawn all swinging; and my allies are in the midst of the same battle - and I am trying to select a Darkspawn to attack, without clicking on an ally or clicking on the ground, which just makes my guy run to the spot I clicked on.

They seemed to have gone "Hollywood"
What I mean by that is - sequels often feel the need to go over the top. Dragon Age: Origins had a lot of blood splatter (and I didn't mind it - are you kidding me? I loved Mortal Kombat for crying out loud!) - but this game has bodies exploding when you jump up and cleave them! Occasionally this is a cool effect to see, when it's like a super special finishing off type move - but when I can cleave people in half every 60 seconds? It gets boring very fast. (I couldn't stand Kill Bill for this reason... well, that and because I know Quinten or whatever his name is - is behind that movie - and anything he does typically bugs the crap out of me! But that's neither here nor there! Ahem!) So I just feel like they took the elements that were in Dragon Age and BLEW them up - so it's WAY more in your face. It's fun for the first 5 minutes. Then I was like, "Oh, look I cleaved SOMEONE ELSE in half, like I did 60 seconds ago. Yawn." I was far more excited when I saw this type of action every so often in Origins.

I did like...
The characters. All the NPCs seem far more interesting. I am trying to figure out how Hawke is some "Champion" that was at the center of it all - and that someone (the Seeker) from the Chantry would rather seek them out - then some Grey Warden(s) who survived.

I did like Flemeth's new look - although it VASTLY contradicts her appearance at Origins (which happens before/around the same time) as the fall of Ostagar. So why does she look like she's 60, and an old hag in Origins; and yet, roughly around the same time (after the fall of Lotherin or however you spell it) - she's suddenly FAR more attractive and youthful looking? Still, her appearance was a welcomed one.

[Tawmis]

2. The tactics screen doesn't work. I tried setting tactics for my teammates and the entire system is screwed up. It's nearly impossible to set anything and when you do, it screws it up by choosing something else. Even clicking on the boxes doesn't work right. Everything seems to work in a random manner.

I know BioWare won't do anything about the ugly antiquated status icons, but I hope they fix the tactics screen. I had to disable tactics in the demo and I'd hate to do it for the entire game.

I noticed this too, about the tactics. The first time I ran into the second ogre (not the first one very early on) - I actually lost the fight. So I tried to set up the tactic for other party members to quaff a health potion - and that option isn't even available. You can get as far as, "When health = % do this action" - and the options were like "Attack", "Attack", "Skip To Next Tactic", "Use Skill" - and the Use Skill wasn't the potion or anything.

I am sure this will be fixed on release.

I did think it was kind of stupid that inventory was disabled. Why give us bodies to loot? Why give us weapons and armor to pick up if we can't at least see it? Seems like that would have been enabled to allow new players to get familiar with how to equip, how to tell the different stats between weapons/armor/etc.

[DeadPoolX]

TAB does not seem to target the nearest enemy to attack.
This is a HUGE annoyance for me - especially when I am surrounded by 10 Darkspawn all swinging; and my allies are in the midst of the same battle - and I am trying to select a Darkspawn to attack, without clicking on an ally or clicking on the ground, which just makes my guy run to the spot I clicked on.

Just so you know, pressing "R" targets the nearest enemy and attacks it. Why the "R" key? Hell if I know. I'm sure you can reassign it in the full game.

[Tawmis]

TAB does not seem to target the nearest enemy to attack.
This is a HUGE annoyance for me - especially when I am surrounded by 10 Darkspawn all swinging; and my allies are in the midst of the same battle - and I am trying to select a Darkspawn to attack, without clicking on an ally or clicking on the ground, which just makes my guy run to the spot I clicked on.

Just so you know, pressing "R" targets the nearest enemy and attacks it. Why the "R" key? Hell if I know. I'm sure you can reassign it in the full game.

Something I do like (I just beat it on the X360) - is it remains like Dragon Age: Origins in terms of targeting. If you're remotely close - or at least facing the enemy (and remotely close) and press an attack key - the character will run up to the nearest target (without having to target him; as long as it's an enemy, you're close, and you're facing him) - it will initiate the attack. This made the battle where there's like 10 darkspawn around me - considerably easier. Because I could just keep pressing whatever attack - and my character would automatically attack them without me having to target them. This makes combat MUCH smoother.

I wonder if there will be an Auto Attack Nearest Enemy option in the PC? Because trust me, this makes ALL the difference in the world if the game plans on swarming you with numerous enemies, without having to quickly press a "R" key to target an enemy. You should be able to press an attack key; and as long as you're close and facing the enemy; simply launch into that attack.

[AndreaDraco]

Tawmis, about Flemeth.

I don't think that there's a reason for her change in appearance. The entire world - darkspawn included - underwent a serious graphic overhaul and I reckon that the new Flemeth appeared more hip and catchy. Anyway, a developer, I think it was David Gaider, pointed out that, being a shapeshifter, Flemeth could also modify her appearance (Morrigan confirms this in Origins) and that she perhaps had reasons to present herself to Alistair and the Warden as an old hag (perhaps not to raise suspicion and convince them to bring Morrigan along) or that she has her reasons to appear to Hawke as a younger, more provocative version of herself.

[DeadPoolX]

TAB does not seem to target the nearest enemy to attack.
This is a HUGE annoyance for me - especially when I am surrounded by 10 Darkspawn all swinging; and my allies are in the midst of the same battle - and I am trying to select a Darkspawn to attack, without clicking on an ally or clicking on the ground, which just makes my guy run to the spot I clicked on.

Just so you know, pressing "R" targets the nearest enemy and attacks it. Why the "R" key? Hell if I know. I'm sure you can reassign it in the full game.

Something I do like (I just beat it on the X360) - is it remains like Dragon Age: Origins in terms of targeting. If you're remotely close - or at least facing the enemy (and remotely close) and press an attack key - the character will run up to the nearest target (without having to target him; as long as it's an enemy, you're close, and you're facing him) - it will initiate the attack. This made the battle where there's like 10 darkspawn around me - considerably easier. Because I could just keep pressing whatever attack - and my character would automatically attack them without me having to target them. This makes combat MUCH smoother.

I wonder if there will be an Auto Attack Nearest Enemy option in the PC? Because trust me, this makes ALL the difference in the world if the game plans on swarming you with numerous enemies, without having to quickly press a "R" key to target an enemy. You should be able to press an attack key; and as long as you're close and facing the enemy; simply launch into that attack.

In DA2 your character will auto attack once your press "R". In other words, if you press "R" you'll head to the nearest enemy and start whacking him. Once that enemy is killed, you need to manually select and attack an enemy or once again press "R". I mostly pressed "R" to auto attack the nearest enemy, although that wasn't always the best thing to do, since you'd often switch targets without first killing the enemy you're currently attacking.

As far as I know, the PC and 360 versions handle combat differently. On the 360 you attack by repeatedly pressing a button whereas on the PC, you click on the enemy and the attack commences without further input (unless you want to use skills or powers).

That's what I've read in articles and message board posts. Maybe they were wrong; I don't know since I haven't played the 360 version.

[Tawmis]

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