I finished my first play-through of Dragon Age 2 yesterday. For me there is no contest that this version is a far better RPG than the first. I disagree with almost all the complaints about how the first version is better.

First let me explain that I play RPGs for the same reason I watch movies, immersion, so anything that takes away from the suspension of disbelief is usually bad. Most of the changes made to DA: 2 enhance the immersion at the cost of micromanagement. No loss for me here. If I want to micromanage something I’ll play Civilization or even some first or third person shooters where min/maxing a character may actually be part of the gameplay. Since I’ve war-gamed and role-played for 42 and 36 years respectively I’ve always wanted computers to be able to automate the game mechanics so I could focus on the gaming itself. With titles like DA: 2 and ME: 2 Bioware is getting as close to realizing that goal as may be possible with present technology.

I already commented on what I thought of much of the game earlier so I’ll just update my thoughts since finishing the game.

While I liked the more personal nature of the story I was a little disappointed in the story overall especially the ending. It seems like so many first sequels to movie trilogies, to be just a placeholder between the opening and closing acts. Unlike ME: 2 which felt like a story in its own right.

I really liked that there was no “Circle Tower” style quest which simply turned an RPG into a FPS for a much to long mandatory Quest. I also liked that most of the Quests, even those in the main quest line were shorter in DA: 2. I skipped most of the side, secondary and companion (except for my core party) quests so they would be fresh on subsequent play-throughs.

It was a little irritating that they re-used the same maps over and over just blocking and unblocking certain areas. At first I didn’t like the multi-act concept but realized that it allowed them to add more quests to the story while reusing the same location without requiring you to progress through all of them.

In a nutshell if you prefer immersion and storytelling over micromanagement and strategizing in your RPGs then Bioware hits it out of the park with DA: 2. If however, you are a control freak in all aspects of your gaming you will likely hate the changes made to DA: 2.

You may want to hold off on your next play-through until the first big expansion pack is released (coming soon). It can be played after the main story is finished, but it also integrates into the story well (from what I understand). One of the biggest things they've addressed is that the expansion reuses no maps throughout.

Thanks for that info Chris, I had no idea one was coming out already.

Oh, it comes out today.

I just ordered “Deadspace” and “Deadspace 2” to play this weekend. Anyone else out there play through either of these yet. From the reviews it looks like they should be very immersive gaming.

Played the first one. Outstanding atmospherics...a dark scary, and gory as hell game. No RPG here...essentially a very well done shooter. I enjoyed it.

I have both of them, I want to finish the first before I start the second. But they throw a totally different game play mechanic in the middle of the game, and I can't get past that point. It pissed me off, and I never went back. Up to that point, I was loving it, though.

Thoroughly enjoyed both Dead Space games.


Dean, you should really enjoy it with your giant screen and surround sound. Like spoiler mentioned the atmosphere is spot on.

Thanks for the feedback guys. If the atmosphere and immersion are as good as they sound I think I will like it a lot. Well it should get here tomorrow so I can start playing first thing Friday after I workout.

I bought both when they were cheap on Steam, but I haven't started playing. Go figure.

I'm so ready for the new Elder Scrolls: "Setting out in Skyrim"

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the two weeks off in November that I wanted. I was going to play a lot and hopefully write a lot for NaNoWriMo. Maybe I can at least get a couple of days later in the month.