In case you are an idiot, the Dragon Age II demo came out today, and being the Bioware-Fanboy, I checked it out. To put it simply: it owns. I loved Dragon Age: Origins in almost every way, but it was the old-school combat that really set it apart and made it something special.  
 
I was one of those people who were ready to kick a puppy and punch a kitten when I heard about the reported "streamlining" of the combat, but not much has changed, to be honest. It's definitely faster and is certainly streamlined, but it's not dumbed down at all. There is still an amount of depth that I crave in my games, but it is easier to understand and comprehend as well. The combat also feels (forgive me) more visceral. This has been Bioware's tagline for the combat in DA2, and they are not lying. Everything is flashier, more stylish, and gorier; even more so than the first game, as it was bordering on excessive. This amount of gore is only acceptable because of the new art style of DA2, which has its dull spots (much like the first game) , but also allows them to create much more memorable environments. Unfortunately, one of the environments is just plain terrible. The beginning of the demo has you fighting outside of Lothering and near the Korcari Wilds, which in the original Dragon Age looked like your average village (bad) , but DA2, it looks more like a barren wasteland (worse), devoid of any remarkable features. (Of course, this is just the demo, so who knows if we get to see more in the full game) 
 
Of what we are shown, all of the characters are very well detailed, and the voice acting is solid. It does still suffer of the very-forced hand and body animations of Mass Effect and the first Dragon Age, but thats only a minor detriment. Flemeth, in particular, shines. I mean, her hair-extensions are very well done; I should contact her stylist. So yeah, Flemeth has lots of hair, which is completely different of the Flemeth in the first game. Which is a good thing, all things considered, but it still feels a bit off. One of the other things which stick out is the fan-service that is in the game. For example, Hawke has the option to bring up the Grey Wardens at Ostagar, which Flemeth then replies something along the lines of, "They are not dead, but they are far out of your reach." It seems almost as if Bioware came up with that line to give a little wink-wink and a nudge-nudge to all the fans, and it comes off as very awkward and forced.   
 
The Mass Effect-Dialogue Wheel makes its appearance in DA2, along with a fully voiced protagonist. The dialogue wheel is even more simplified than it was before, by adding icons which help players differentiate the mood or choice that the player hopes to convey. This doesn't really change much, but it does make it much easier for me to be a smart-ass at all times, which is all for the better.  
 
All in all, Dragon Age II looks very promising. I pre-ordered way back in January, so kudos to Bioware on giving us a demo; glad to know my money was well-spent. So there you have it, go buy Dragon Age II when it comes out. Or else.  (Oh and here are some screenshots, to make it less boring)