Dragon Age II

[DeadPoolX]

David is one of the main (if not THE main) writer of Dragon Age. To me, what he presented there was something that George Lucas would have presented after Episodes I, II and III.

I can't help but wonder if David was/is a fan of Star Wars, and what his initial reaction to Episode I was. And if he has moved on to "Accept" it as well if he was a die hard Star Wars fan.

I've accepted Episode I. I didn't like it, but I can accept it as part of SW canon.

As far as I'm concerned, the only good prequel was Episode III. The other two... gah. Although it might not be the actors' fault. The dialogue in those movies really sucked and there's only so much any actor can do with poor writing.

Harrison Ford once said this of Lucas's writing: "You can write this shit, but you can't say it."

BTW, look at the special effects from Episode I (1999) to Episode III (2005) and you'll see a HUGE difference.

[AndreaDraco]

They found a way to fix the DX11 bug and said that a patch correcting the import feature for those who reported problems is in the work... apparently. I was unable, in fact, to find the official post from a developer but it seems that the news of this patch somehow leaked.

[Tawmis]

Well, I have found where they make some mention of my DA:O ending now. But it's only one thing.

I also found and got Anders and Fenris.

Also - and this might be my fault (because I never read the manual, except for the parts that have story content) - but...
I had no idea how to change from day, night and to outside Kirkwall. I found it BY MISTAKE. Wasn't even looking, actually hit the wrong key and suddenly it was night time!

[Tawmis]

Don't set your expectations as high as Dragon Age Origins. I will just say that.

I think the overall let down probably has to do with how BioWare "built up" the excitement around DA2. Whenever that happens, the fans are almost always disappointed to some degree.

And... on that note:

The more I think about David's post, the more I want to go to the site, quote what he wrote and reply with:

"There's a reason why the wheel isn't anything other than round... Because you don't fix what isn't broken."

[Tawmis]

So are the brigands around the city just on endless supply? Could you literally walk around and keep encountering them?

[DeadPoolX]

They found a way to fix the DX11 bug and said that a patch correcting the import feature for those who reported problems is in the work... apparently. I was unable, in fact, to find the official post from a developer but it seems that the news of this patch somehow leaked.

That's definitely good news. As much as I want to import my info from DA:O, I think fixing the bugs DA2 has within itself is more important. I don't want to do something and then have the game forget it or twist it around later on.

There's a reason why the wheel isn't anything other than round... Because you don't fix what isn't broken."

That's my philosophy regarding video drivers. Some people update their drivers monthly, but I'll only do so if absolutely necessary. Why wreck what's already working just fine?

[Maiandra]

Well, I'm incredibly disappointed right now. Somehow the topic of stealth came up when DPX and I were discussing DA2 and he commented that he hadn't seen anything about it in DA2. So I looked it up online in the DA2 Wiki. I found out that rogues can't go into stealth mode outside of combat at all and even then it's only a short duration (not unlike the ME2 's Infiltrator tactical cloak).

This will really lessen my enjoyment of the game. This is way more of a disappointment for me than anything else I've heard so far. I always play a rogue in RPGs and I'm used to using my stealth to explore new areas without getting attacked or to loot treasure I don't feel like fighting for. I love being sneaky and now I can't at all. The stealthy rogue is an archetype in fantasy RPGs. What the hell use is a rogue class if you're not stealthy?

I really hate how the game has become all about combat. I guess they figured that if you can't use it in combat, there's no point in having it as a skill. I've played action hybrids where I've been able to be more stealthy than I'll be able to be here. Even in games like System Shock 2 where you aren't really supposed to be stealthy, I often was, just because I'm more comfortable playing that way. I hate being surprised by combat, so I really like being able to scout out an area undetected.

Since Quest for Glory 1, my favourite class has always been the stealthy rogue and that opportunity is completely gone now. I am so beyond disappointed. Wow. The DA2 rogue is basically a dexterity based fighter. What a waste. How exactly is this an improvement? Now where am I going to be stealthy? I guess I'll have to hold out for DX3, even if it's not really the same.

[Tawmis]

You're not alone in feeling disappointment with DAII.

I explained to a co-worker today, "When I had DA:O, I couldn't wait to get home to play it! I was itching to get out of work - just so I could play it. That isn't the case with DAII."

I think they have done everything wrong with DAII. Everything.

I think if they had made a FEW minor changes here and there - no big deal. But they went through and revamped the entire thing. The ENTIRE thing.

And, from what I have seen, other than graphics - none of those changes have been for the better.

[Maiandra]

I don't have an issue with the proposed combat changes, but I have yet to experience the story or settings, so I can't comment on that. From what little I've seen, the entire game seems kind of rushed and unfinished.

We're going to hold onto the game (unopened) and see what happens in the next 30 days. If the major issues aren't resolved by then, we're going to return it.

[Tawmis]

I don't have an issue with the proposed combat changes, but I have yet to experience the story or settings, so I can't comment on that. From what little I've seen, the entire game seems kind of rushed and unfinished.

You played the Demo, yes? Remember your "Talent" tree? That's all that's there. Remember picking different skills too? Like Poison Making, Trap Making, Survival, etc? None of those exist. Now you can essentially do it all. There is no real sense of uniqueness anymore. And multiple play throughs? Not going to be as interesting, since your main character can already do everything. One character with Origins, I explored Survival and Poison, another I did traps and Survival, etc etc... Now... none of that matters. I am pretty disappointed. Didn't even play tonight at all when I got home - which was NEVER the case with Origins.

I will play it - and I will finish it - because I paid a lot of money for the signature edition. And perhaps, it picks up.

I got the sound track (because of the signature edition) and incidentally had something trivial spoiled for me, because of the title of the track. It was like when I got the soundtrack to EPISODE I of Star Wars and saw the song title of Qui-Gon's Noble End ...

[AndreaDraco]

Well, yesterday I restarted it from scratch to fine-tune my character and I must say that the second time around is a charm!

Let me explain: this time, instead of rushing into things to get the companions, etc., I'm really taking my time to explore everything, talk to everyone, exhaust all possible (and in-character) dialogue options and so on. The atmosphere in and around Kirkwall is really great and I love that if you click on a companion while outside his/her house they always have something poignant to say about where you are right now or what are you doing at the moment. Gone are the long conversations of DA:O, unfortunately, but I find these short sentences very appropriate and coherent with the setting. And the quests... well, this time I'm reading every Codex entry I get and "investigate" with Quest Givers as much as I can, and things get definitely get better.

There are still things I don't like - the apparent lack of focus of the story, the somewhat trivial combat with mindless waves of enemies, the lack of Skills (like Tawmis said in the post above) - and, aside from three/four exceptions, the companions aren't as good as before (I don't like Isabela and Fenris, at least for now, and Merrill is a bit stereotyped. Great work on Aveline, though), but I disagree with Tawmis when he says that there's no room of customization: even without the Skills, there's plenty of chances to personalize Hawke, with many talents and even more upgrade to single talents. As much as DA:O? No, for sure. But the possibility is still there.

[DeadPoolX]

Apparently there's another issue that I hadn't heard of before and it's that gamers with single-core processors can't save their game. I don't mean quick save or auto save, either. To do a regular old-fashioned save, I need at least a dual core because -- and get ready for this -- BioWare has dedicated ONE WHOLE CORE to simply saving your game.

Their excuse is that this allows players to save without interrupting the action. Maybe they have a small point in regards to auto saving and quick saving, but a regular save? As far as I know you go to a separate screen to save. The action is paused during that time, so how is one dedicated core needed?

I don't know why DA2 needs to do this. In ME2, I was able to quick save and keep moving without a break in the action; obviously auto saves happen as usual. Regular saving worked normally, as well.

I know the system requirements specify "dual core or greater," but I've played TONS of games that seemingly "demand" a dual core. DA:O, ME2, B:AA, F3 (among other games) call for "dual core or greater" and I can play ALL of those without a problem.

So now, on top of the importation and internal flag issues, I've got a problem where I can't save the damn game at all. That's just great. Unless they fix that -- and I really hope they do -- I have no way to play DA2.

Although judging from the posts I've read on the BioWare Social board and Steam forums, in addition to Tawmis's comments, I may not be missing a whole lot.

[Tawmis]

Apparently there's another issue that I hadn't heard of before and it's that gamers with single-core processors can't save their game. I don't mean quick save or auto save, either. To do a regular old-fashioned save, I need at least a dual core because -- and get ready for this -- BioWare has dedicated ONE WHOLE CORE to simply saving your game.

And you wonder why I prefer my games on consoles now?

Although judging from the posts I've read on the BioWare Social board and Steam forums, in addition to Tawmis's comments, I may not be missing a whole lot.

Let's be fair though; when have you really ever listened to anything I had to say?

Remember, I also like Neverwinter Nights, D&D, and Save Points too.

[AndreaDraco]

DPX, that's incredible. I hadn't heard of such an idiocy and I do hape that they fix it as soon as possible.

Anyway, like I said before, there's something to enjoy here, in this game. It only takes a lot more time for the player to find it.

[DeadPoolX]

Apparently there's another issue that I hadn't heard of before and it's that gamers with single-core processors can't save their game. I don't mean quick save or auto save, either. To do a regular old-fashioned save, I need at least a dual core because -- and get ready for this -- BioWare has dedicated ONE WHOLE CORE to simply saving your game.

And you wonder why I prefer my games on consoles now?

Well, I never said gaming on consoles is bad. I just prefer the PC (possibly because I'm not comfortable playing games with a controller while sitting on the couch) for multiple reasons. Graphics are also held back by consoles that're getting older, like the 360 (2005) and PS3 (2006), so when companies develop for consoles and PC, the consoles are a limiting factor.

That said, there are definite pluses to consoles, like this issue. It wouldn't occur on a console. Every game is designed with that console in mind so it HAS to work.

I also think sports, racing and local co-op are much better on consoles.

Mario Kart Wii is one of the VERY FEW racing games I actually like and that's due to the motion controls, which somewhat emulate real driving. A gamepad's analogue stick doesn't cut it, but to be fair, neither does a keyboard or joystick.

It's funny, but before I could drive (pre-1995), I thought racing games were realistic. After learning how to drive, my thoughts went to: "WTF?!" One tiny movement and the car spins out of control and lands in a ditch. Ridiculous.

One group of racing games get a free pass: the entire Burnout series.

Although judging from the posts I've read on the BioWare Social board and Steam forums, in addition to Tawmis's comments, I may not be missing a whole lot.

Let's be fair though; when have you really ever listened to anything I had to say?

Law of averages.

Remember, I also like Neverwinter Nights, D&D, and Save Points too.

Don't worry, I won't hold that against you.

DPX, that's incredible. I hadn't heard of such an idiocy and I do hape that they fix it as soon as possible.

Wanna know what's even dumber? I've read that this is even affecting some dual core users, as well!

If they really wanted to dedicate an entire core to something other than the game itself, how about putting it toward making DX11 playable? I realize most of the strain is on the video card, but I have to think a dedicated core would at least help somewhat.