SYSTEM: Windows 7 - PC
----SPOILER ALERT(S)---
Intro and background info.
Bioware's latest release; Dragon Age 2 is sequel to the great selling Dragon Age: Origins.
In the game you play as a member of the 'Hawke' family, specifically a mage, rogue or warrior refugee from the nation of 'Ferelden' where DAO was set. The beginning of the game features you fleeing the lands from The Darkspawn hordes of creatures and settling in the city of Kirkwall in the 'Free Marches' lands.
The course of the game sees Hawke rise from rags to riches - a refugee in the lower city to becoming the Champion of Kirkwall.
Visuals/Sound
To start with, the sleek menu and choral soundtrack does not disappoint.
Entering the game showcases dynamic lighting, anti-aliasing and realistic modelling.
The environments are true to nature, infrequently predictable and finely textured - if higher quality textures are required then a high quality texture pack free DLC can be downloaded.
Background music is of high quality and nice to the ear, the music helps enhance the atmosphere of an ambush in a deserted alley or a suspicious mountain path - realistic sound effects are used and the voice acting is some of the best i have seen in a game.
All in all DA2 features excellent sound and top quality graphics, however problems with Directx11 and Directx10 that are all too common with many players (including myself) cannot help but invoke disappointment.
Visuals/Sound: 8/10
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Gameplay
Oh boy, where do i start.
At the beggining, i suppose. The very beggining.
After the initial cinematic you are plunged straight away into immersive combat, whichever class you choose. You are given a few skills to see whether you chose the right class for you in the tutorial section which is helpful for people unfamiliar with the general play of RPG classes or on the border about what to play.
I yearned to be a mage, as I always do in RPG and MMORPG games and found spells amazingly satisfying and fun to cast.
Story-wise the game is split into three Acts; Act I, Act II and Act III. (Funnily enough)
The game itself is, unfortunately one of the most structured RPGs I've played - as well as only having approximately 5 locations on the map, most of which are disappointingly small. While including multiple side quests they all link to the main storyline and go towards the end result. For example, you are not free to join a thieves guild or chase after non-related quests to save a poor man's farm.
Gameplay: 7/10
I could write on for pages about the ins and outs of player to character relations, weapons and armour and class skills but as I said I wanted to define the good points and where the game falls ever so slightly short of expectations. Overall I recommend the game, it may be short but it is replayable for a different experience.
Official PBAOE rating; 8/10
