Yeah, this will be great when the DA2 hate threads completely stop. 
 
I like DA2. It's pretty great. I've sunk about 40 hours so far. 
 
I'm mostly tired of the same cave used again and again.

This is one of those games that is going to create annoying posts a year from now when people say "Well of course it's fact that DA 2 was a bad game..." when making a point.   

Short answer is truncated development time happened. Short answer is yearly iteration happened. Turns out, that shit doesn't really work out so great when you try and do it with an RPG. Turns out "its done when its done" is a mantra for a reason.

" Red-neck Americans complaining about British accents and then saying how it was payback by the Brits for the war of independence " 
" overly gay characters ("it's fine if there's some gay characters but i don't want my son just seeing ALL the men being gay, where's the masculinity in this game?")" 
 
I lol'ed. This is either great parody or overwhelming idiocy.

It just has an inescapable feeling of being rushed.
 
IIRC theres a comment from the composer knocking around somewhere from the last few days that effectively says he had to rush it because EA wanted to capitalise on goodwill from DA:O, so you can assume the whole thing was chopped and changed and had the vision curtailed.
 
It's testament to the studio that even when it is a bit rushed and makes some dumb mistakes and false steps, it's still not a bad game. Just miles away from being  a great one.

The only reason I'm disappointed in the game is because it was made by Bioware, and I've come to expect a certain standard of quality that unfortunately was not met in this game when compared to their past successes.  It's not one really big thing that puts me off of the game, but rather an amalgamation of tons of small things that drive me crazy.
 
I know Bioware can do better because I've seen them do better.  I just want them to be at their best.  To be fair, I put a lot of the blame on EA for making them shit out a sequel so soon, as opposed to the first game's long development cycle.

... WE CAN GO TO KIRKWALL

...I'll be honest, most of my complaints in DA2 are similar to ones I had in DA:O. Most people hating on the game are just haters, because it looks like a fine game. 
 
Also, I feel that BioWare has personally insulted me and my mother by not including a mage/warrior hybrid class. But other than that, whatevs.

Finally taken a break from whining like a bitch about CoD huh?

For all the complaints about the potentially gay party members, I have yet to see one complaint about their potentially lesbian counterparts. 
 
I call this the man-child factor.

" I couldn't even play Origins it was so god damn boring and stale.  They added a little life to Dragon Age in the form of Jade Empire and now I'm in love with Dragon Age II.    I have a theory.  A lot of people on this site are your stereotypical nerd (say "gross nerd" in your head a bunch of times until you get a visual).  Most of these kids are now fat and ugly abominations willing to fuck anything that can fold skin together.  I'm sure they look back at their simple childhood and how great it was; that's all a distant memory as you look in the mirror and question if you will start giving birth to Hurlocks (google Broodmother in case you're dense).  So, these kids probably played older RPG's that are styled more like Origins.  And I'm sure these kids, jizzed in their pants every time they got +1 strength.    But times changed, and RPG's started to become more realistic.  Keep that butthole firmly shut, as I'm sure you almost shit your pants when I said "realistic" and "RPG" in the same sentence.  What I mean by this, and I'm sure there are tons of people who enjoy planning every little thing for every little battle, but that's not how it would be if Dragon Age we're a reality.  You would not get the luxury of pausing for an hour so just to come to the conclusion that you should heal.  When I played Origins, I felt like I was watching a badly buffering video on youtube.  For games to really make you entertain the notion of "what if this were real?" they have to play like real life.  And real life is fast, and so for a game to really make you feel like you're the character, it has gotta be fast too, at least for the combat.  Now back to my point.  I'm sure these kids loved their old school RPG's.  But something awful happened in their lives, didn't it?  Yes, they were raped.  Maybe by their father, or even perhaps their mother.  Nonetheless, mass rape occurred on the lives of several nerdy children.  (Side note: it's believed, but not confirmed, that the mass rape was lead by an organization called "ARPG")   Years have gone by and the past, thought to be locked away, is perhaps metaphorically returning in the shape of Dragon Age II.  When they played Origins, I'm sure it reminded them of that innocence before the mass rape of their childhood.  They jumped for joy.  They loved life.  They started losing weight.  They found out what a penis is and what a vagina is AND what they can do in tandem.  But then...  Almost like a black cloud of cancer creeping in on the Japanese (too soon?), came Dragon Age II.  Not only did they believe the past was finally gone for good but they thought that the Dragon Age II would retain the more outdated gameplay of Origins.  But it didn't.  Not only did the game have actual action in it, but it also had gibs.  Gibs.  This was the last straw.  Before being able to even create what your character looks like (referencing when you just get to pick your class), these kids were bombarded with past images of their tortured past.  They could do it no more.  They had been raped for a second time and this time, it was personal. So, what I'm really trying to say here is that most (I didn't say "all" because I didn't want some retard quoting this and being all "blah blah blah") people that don't like Dragon Age II, don't like it just because it's different than Origins and not because it's a bad game, because it isn't.  I really do think it's better than Origins, and part of me really thinks that some people here might have a problem with moving on from the past.  TL;DR  Stop taking what Bioware does with their game personal and just enjoy Dragon Age II, because it really is a good game and you're gonna miss out unless you remove the stick from your ass. "

thats a great strip.

Can we please stop with all the DA2 hate threads. There are already plenty of DA2 hate threads. Go post in one of those instead of creating new one.

8/10? why so low?

Well, it's not a "great" game, but it's okayish imho. I've expected a lot more and was really disappointed at the beginning and had to stop playing for a while to pretty much erase my memories of the first game (I still don't like the new UI and menu). Comparing it to the first game made me kind of sad and if I had to rate it I'd probably give it a C for what it is. I'm only about 10 hours in so far so maybe that will change.. hopefully for the better and not for the worse.
 
To people who say DA:O (PC version) isn't a great game.. I disagree. ;)

" what happened is dragon age origins seemed to be a special case, a throwback, a "love letter" to fans, and then for 2 it seems they made it just like the rest of their (awesome) games and everyone goes batshit it's not just origins again. "

" @onimonkii said:

" what happened is dragon age origins seemed to be a special case, a throwback, a "love letter" to fans, and then for 2 it seems they made it just like the rest of their (awesome) games and everyone goes batshit it's not just origins again. "

I'm pretty sure that's why most people play sequels -- they want more of the same, with a few improvements. Dragon Age II i the antithesis of that concept. "

" @Kombat said:

" @onimonkii said:

" what happened is dragon age origins seemed to be a special case, a throwback, a "love letter" to fans, and then for 2 it seems they made it just like the rest of their (awesome) games and everyone goes batshit it's not just origins again. "

I'm pretty sure that's why most people play sequels -- they want more of the same, with a few improvements. Dragon Age II i the antithesis of that concept. "

and if you just give them the same with a few improvements, they complain it's too much the same, and the improvements are too few or have little impact.  i can't speak to it much past that because i've already stated my opinion based on what i've read, but i'll get back to you on if it's actually SO drastically different it doesn't qualify as a sequel once i finish origins and play it myself. "

"

                    I couldn't even play Origins it was so god damn boring and stale.  They added a little life to Dragon Age in the form of Jade Empire and now I'm in love with Dragon Age II.    I have a theory.  A lot of people on this site are your stereotypical nerd (say "gross nerd" in your head a bunch of times until you get a visual).  Most of these kids are now fat and ugly abominations willing to fuck anything that can fold skin together.  I'm sure they look back at their simple childhood and how great it was; that's all a distant memory as you look in the mirror and question if you will start giving birth to Hurlocks (google Broodmother in case you're dense).  So, these kids probably played older RPG's that are styled more like Origins.  And I'm sure these kids, jizzed in their pants every time they got +1 strength.    But times changed, and RPG's started to become more realistic.  Keep that butthole firmly shut, as I'm sure you almost shit your pants when I said "realistic" and "RPG" in the same sentence.  What I mean by this, and I'm sure there are tons of people who enjoy planning every little thing for every little battle, but that's not how it would be if Dragon Age we're a reality.  You would not get the luxury of pausing for an hour so just to come to the conclusion that you should heal.  When I played Origins, I felt like I was watching a badly buffering video on youtube.  For games to really make you entertain the notion of "what if this were real?" they have to play like real life.  And real life is fast, and so for a game to really make you feel like you're the character, it has gotta be fast too, at least for the combat.  Now back to my point.  I'm sure these kids loved their old school RPG's.  But something awful happened in their lives, didn't it?  Yes, they were raped.  Maybe by their father, or even perhaps their mother.  Nonetheless, mass rape occurred on the lives of several nerdy children.  (Side note: it's believed, but not confirmed, that the mass rape was lead by an organization called "ARPG")   Years have gone by and the past, thought to be locked away, is perhaps metaphorically returning in the shape of Dragon Age II.  When they played Origins, I'm sure it reminded them of that innocence before the mass rape of their childhood.  They jumped for joy.  They loved life.  They started losing weight.  They found out what a penis is and what a vagina is AND what they can do in tandem.  But then...  Almost like a black cloud of cancer creeping in on the Japanese (too soon?), came Dragon Age II.  Not only did they believe the past was finally gone for good but they thought that the Dragon Age II would retain the more outdated gameplay of Origins.  But it didn't.  Not only did the game have actual action in it, but it also had gibs.  Gibs.  This was the last straw.  Before being able to even create what your character looks like (referencing when you just get to pick your class), these kids were bombarded with past images of their tortured past.  They could do it no more.  They had been raped for a second time and this time, it was personal. So, what I'm really trying to say here is that most (I didn't say "all" because I didn't want some retard quoting this and being all "blah blah blah") people that don't like Dragon Age II, don't like it just because it's different than Origins and not because it's a bad game, because it isn't.  I really do think it's better than Origins, and part of me really thinks that some people here might have a problem with moving on from the past.  TL;DR  Stop taking what Bioware does with their game personal and just enjoy Dragon Age II, because it really is a good game and you're gonna miss out unless you remove the stick from your ass.

                   

                "

It's fantastic. That's what happened. It got fantastic.

Less micromanaging  and more pre-developed (less generic) character types are not bad.

I like this game, its more approachable and addicting. 

I completed four playthroughs of Dragon Age 1, and I think that in every area (besides the environments thing), Dragon Age 2 was better. In my opinion, DA2 has better characters, better story, better dialogue, better combat and a better leveling system.

" That meme is funny and sad at the same time. Nonetheless the game is not trash. It's an average game that seems like trash if you compare it to DA:O. If you have never played DA:O it might even be a great game for you. "

" For all the complaints about the potentially gay party members, I have yet to see one complaint about their potentially lesbian counterparts.  I call this the man-child factor. "

" @Lestater: They added life to Dragon Age with Jade Empire? You do know Jade Empire came out way before DA right? "  

" I do enjoy Dragon Age II, it's a solid RPG, but not BioWare's best work. The thing is... Dragon Age II isn't a Dragon Age game. It's artstyle is so different then the first one. Granted, the Origins had was leaning to much towards LOTR in terms of design, but the design of Dragon Age II manages to be worse somehow.   But the answer to your question is simple OP: EA happened to this game. "

I wonder how many people that are complaining about Dragon Age 2 have played Fable 3.

" I couldn't even play Origins it was so god damn boring and stale.  They added a little life to Dragon Age in the form of Jade Empire and now I'm in love with Dragon Age II.    I have a theory.  A lot of people on this site are your stereotypical nerd (say "gross nerd" in your head a bunch of times until you get a visual).  Most of these kids are now fat and ugly abominations willing to fuck anything that can fold skin together.  I'm sure they look back at their simple childhood and how great it was; that's all a distant memory as you look in the mirror and question if you will start giving birth to Hurlocks (google Broodmother in case you're dense).  So, these kids probably played older RPG's that are styled more like Origins.  And I'm sure these kids, jizzed in their pants every time they got +1 strength.    But times changed, and RPG's started to become more realistic.  Keep that butthole firmly shut, as I'm sure you almost shit your pants when I said "realistic" and "RPG" in the same sentence.  What I mean by this, and I'm sure there are tons of people who enjoy planning every little thing for every little battle, but that's not how it would be if Dragon Age we're a reality.  You would not get the luxury of pausing for an hour so just to come to the conclusion that you should heal.  When I played Origins, I felt like I was watching a badly buffering video on youtube.  For games to really make you entertain the notion of "what if this were real?" they have to play like real life.  And real life is fast, and so for a game to really make you feel like you're the character, it has gotta be fast too, at least for the combat.  Now back to my point.  I'm sure these kids loved their old school RPG's.  But something awful happened in their lives, didn't it?  Yes, they were raped.  Maybe by their father, or even perhaps their mother.  Nonetheless, mass rape occurred on the lives of several nerdy children.  (Side note: it's believed, but not confirmed, that the mass rape was lead by an organization called "ARPG")   Years have gone by and the past, thought to be locked away, is perhaps metaphorically returning in the shape of Dragon Age II.  When they played Origins, I'm sure it reminded them of that innocence before the mass rape of their childhood.  They jumped for joy.  They loved life.  They started losing weight.  They found out what a penis is and what a vagina is AND what they can do in tandem.  But then...  Almost like a black cloud of cancer creeping in on the Japanese (too soon?), came Dragon Age II.  Not only did they believe the past was finally gone for good but they thought that the Dragon Age II would retain the more outdated gameplay of Origins.  But it didn't.  Not only did the game have actual action in it, but it also had gibs.  Gibs.  This was the last straw.  Before being able to even create what your character looks like (referencing when you just get to pick your class), these kids were bombarded with past images of their tortured past.  They could do it no more.  They had been raped for a second time and this time, it was personal. So, what I'm really trying to say here is that most (I didn't say "all" because I didn't want some retard quoting this and being all "blah blah blah") people that don't like Dragon Age II, don't like it just because it's different than Origins and not because it's a bad game, because it isn't.  I really do think it's better than Origins, and part of me really thinks that some people here might have a problem with moving on from the past.  TL;DR  Stop taking what Bioware does with their game personal and just enjoy Dragon Age II, because it really is a good game and you're gonna miss out unless you remove the stick from your ass. "

" @Lestater said:

" I couldn't even play Origins it was so god damn boring and stale.  They added a little life to Dragon Age in the form of Jade Empire and now I'm in love with Dragon Age II.    I have a theory.  A lot of people on this site are your stereotypical nerd (say "gross nerd" in your head a bunch of times until you get a visual).  Most of these kids are now fat and ugly abominations willing to fuck anything that can fold skin together.  I'm sure they look back at their simple childhood and how great it was; that's all a distant memory as you look in the mirror and question if you will start giving birth to Hurlocks (google Broodmother in case you're dense).  So, these kids probably played older RPG's that are styled more like Origins.  And I'm sure these kids, jizzed in their pants every time they got +1 strength.    But times changed, and RPG's started to become more realistic.  Keep that butthole firmly shut, as I'm sure you almost shit your pants when I said "realistic" and "RPG" in the same sentence.  What I mean by this, and I'm sure there are tons of people who enjoy planning every little thing for every little battle, but that's not how it would be if Dragon Age we're a reality.  You would not get the luxury of pausing for an hour so just to come to the conclusion that you should heal.  When I played Origins, I felt like I was watching a badly buffering video on youtube.  For games to really make you entertain the notion of "what if this were real?" they have to play like real life.  And real life is fast, and so for a game to really make you feel like you're the character, it has gotta be fast too, at least for the combat.  Now back to my point.  I'm sure these kids loved their old school RPG's.  But something awful happened in their lives, didn't it?  Yes, they were raped.  Maybe by their father, or even perhaps their mother.  Nonetheless, mass rape occurred on the lives of several nerdy children.  (Side note: it's believed, but not confirmed, that the mass rape was lead by an organization called "ARPG")   Years have gone by and the past, thought to be locked away, is perhaps metaphorically returning in the shape of Dragon Age II.  When they played Origins, I'm sure it reminded them of that innocence before the mass rape of their childhood.  They jumped for joy.  They loved life.  They started losing weight.  They found out what a penis is and what a vagina is AND what they can do in tandem.  But then...  Almost like a black cloud of cancer creeping in on the Japanese (too soon?), came Dragon Age II.  Not only did they believe the past was finally gone for good but they thought that the Dragon Age II would retain the more outdated gameplay of Origins.  But it didn't.  Not only did the game have actual action in it, but it also had gibs.  Gibs.  This was the last straw.  Before being able to even create what your character looks like (referencing when you just get to pick your class), these kids were bombarded with past images of their tortured past.  They could do it no more.  They had been raped for a second time and this time, it was personal. So, what I'm really trying to say here is that most (I didn't say "all" because I didn't want some retard quoting this and being all "blah blah blah") people that don't like Dragon Age II, don't like it just because it's different than Origins and not because it's a bad game, because it isn't.  I really do think it's better than Origins, and part of me really thinks that some people here might have a problem with moving on from the past.  TL;DR  Stop taking what Bioware does with their game personal and just enjoy Dragon Age II, because it really is a good game and you're gonna miss out unless you remove the stick from your ass. "

Post of the fucking decade.  Furthermore, I can't stand it when people say it's no longer an RPG because "it's not tactical". RPGs are about playing a role. If you want tactics, go play chess.  Dragon Age II is a fine game, save for a somewhat underwhelming, cliffhanger-y ending. "

EA happened. 
 
Loved Origins. Was gonna play DA2, but after watching a couple episodes of the YogsCast's Let's Play, I'm staying the hell away.

That "I'm Hungry" dialogue choice just sold me on the game.

DA 2 game is shorter, less dynamic in terms of character and plot exposition (a real problem for an RPG too because it makes it really difficult to connect to a character who has just lost a relative and is actually responsible partially and yet shows almost no reaction to this loss and neither does anyone else - even those closely connected and supposedly suffering too.  Suddenly plot segues to 3 years later and almost nothing is mentioned of this linchpin issue or person again. 

to the OP: your PC sucks... 
 

If you genuinely enjoyed DA:O you won't be disappointed by DA2.

" If you genuinely enjoyed DA:O you won't be disappointed by DA2. "

" If you genuinely enjoyed DA:O you won't be disappointed by DA2. "

" @phrosnite said:

" If you genuinely enjoyed DA:O you won't be disappointed by DA2. "

People who were disappointed falsely enjoyed DAO. "

" @phrosnite said:

" If you genuinely enjoyed DA:O you won't be disappointed by DA2. "

People who were disappointed falsely enjoyed DAO. "

" @phrosnite said:

" If you genuinely enjoyed DA:O you won't be disappointed by DA2. "

People who were disappointed falsely enjoyed DAO. "

" @ryanwho said:

" @phrosnite said:

" If you genuinely enjoyed DA:O you won't be disappointed by DA2. "

People who were disappointed falsely enjoyed DAO. "

 People bitching about why can't they change the armor of the companions or that the combat is more actiony and less tactical and that the graphics are on "Nintendo 64 level".  "

" @phrosnite said:

" @ryanwho said:

" @phrosnite said:

" If you genuinely enjoyed DA:O you won't be disappointed by DA2. "

People who were disappointed falsely enjoyed DAO. "

 People bitching about why can't they change the armor of the companions or that the combat is more actiony and less tactical and that the graphics are on "Nintendo 64 level".  "

As for the N64 graphics... I'm very curious as to learn where the fuck you heard anyone use such a insult towards the graphics. "

" @SeriouslyNow said:

DA 2 game is shorter, less dynamic in terms of character and plot exposition (a real problem for an RPG too because it makes it really difficult to connect to a character who has just lost a relative and is actually responsible partially and yet shows almost no reaction to this loss and neither does anyone else - even those closely connected and supposedly suffering too.  Suddenly plot segues to 3 years later and almost nothing is mentioned of this linchpin issue or person again. 

Dragon Age: Origins human noble opening, the entire family is slaughtered, mother, father, sister in law, nephew, as well as several close family friends, with a brother missing. The only reactions are one liners when asked by maybe 2 or 3 people, cause who gives a shit about family when you're a warden. The guy that saved your life is also himself slaughtered, and you have no reaction Alistair on the other hand, NEVER STOPS CRYING ABOUT IT...EVER! Dragon age 2, the Hawkes always talk about the lost sibling, you need to click on them in house and around town. There may not be full conversations outside of their "bases" but there is constant dialogue. If you talk to Bethany in the Kirkwall Chantry, she will say she misses the Lothering Chantry because "Sister Leliana told the best stories".   Origins was a great game, and DA2 is no great fall from grace. It's a different story about a different person in a different place, with different motivations. It is different, not worse. "

" Dragon Age : Origins was neither boring, nor stale.    It was a fucking huge hit for Bioware and EA, so much so that it spawned a wealth of DLC, a strong community following across all three platforms (another mark of its strong success too because both console versions had performance issues which can often turn people away in droves, especially with a new IP), a series of books and this sequel which we're all discussing.  If it was such a boring and stale game then none of that stuff would've happened including DA 2. "

 
Whether or not it was a hit is beside the point when we're talking about personal preference. I enjoyed both games vastly, but I felt all the changes in DAII were for the better, save for a couple of instances. DA:O was longer and thus felt a bit more epic, but from a gaming point of view, it was a lot jankier and graphically and stylistically inferior. Both had somewhat disappointing endings and the main stories were run of the mill. The side quests were good fun in both, but easier to navigate in II. Combat was faster, more fun as opposed to demanding, and the characters and mythology had more personality in the second instalment, and felt like they really came to their own, instead of just trying really hard to set itself apart from a generic LOTR or DnD world.  
 
 

"People who justify this game's myriad shortcomings by attacking the game that spawned it and its fanbase are being extremely silly and most likely didn't even play the first game at all because they were turned off by its RPG nature."  

"A lot of those who never played Origins have been swept in the hype of this sequel's extremely aggressive marketing and they feel a sense of ownership with the game because the game seems a lot more accesible to them (which in some ways is true, the travelling and XP management is simplified vs. Origins) but what a lot of them don't know or realise (because they haven't played the original game) is that DA II is really poorly written in comparison to Origins and that is what many fans are really disappointed with in the sequel beyond the obvious technical and gameplay issues."

"Now in terms of discussing the context of the acronym RPG and its relation to Origins vs II I will only say this : both games use it but only Origins' decent plot and character exposition made sense of the role playing aspect. "