Dragon Age II
About the Game
Dragon Age II is a sequel to Dragon Age: Origins . One of the key events early in the first game was the destruction of the village Lothering by the Darkspawn.
Story & Setting
Dragon Age II uses a "framed narrative" format: the story is narrated over a decade later by one of Hawke's companions. Similarly to Alpha Protocol , the narrative is rather flexible; motivations and events vary depending on players's moral choices during the game.
Gameplay & Core Systems
Hawke's family shares the fate with many other Ferelden refugees; the authorities of Kirkwall are suspicious of the newcomers, and the path to financial stability is anything but easy. The game also adopts the "wheel-based" dialogue system from Mass Effect series : short responses that reflect different tones and attitudes players wishes to choose for Hawke. The combat system is quite similar to the one used in the previous Dragon Age game (which, in its turn, dates back to the combat style used in Baldur's Gate I and II ), though it has been noticeably sped up. Hawke can only be human, but players can customize his or her physical appearance and character class (warrior, mage, or rogue). You control Hawke and up to three active party members, either "programming" their actions by assigning actions that should be taken under certain conditions (for example, healing a party member if his HP drops below 20%), or issuing commands to each character manually.
Standout Features
- Similarly to Alpha Protocol , the narrative is rather flexible; motivations and events vary depending on players's moral choices during the game.
- Mass Effect: The game also adopts the "wheel-based" dialogue system from Mass Effect series : short responses that reflect different tones and attitudes players wishes to choose for Hawke.
- Also similarly to Mass Effect , the main character's race and name cannot be changed; however, everything else (appearance, gender, classes) can be freely customized.
- Dragon Age: The combat system is quite similar to the one used in the previous Dragon Age game (which, in its turn, dates back to the combat style used in Baldur's Gate I and II ), though it has been noticeably sped up.
- Hawke can only be human, but players can customize his or her physical appearance and character class (warrior, mage, or rogue).
- The ability tree is also similar, players being able to learn new abilities as the characters level up.
- Many abilities from the first game return, but some are absent or replaced with new ones.
- Hawke's companions have a single approval meter based on friendship and rivalry.
Presentation & Atmosphere
Display support includes HDTV 720p, HDTV 1080i, and HDTV 1080p. Audio support includes Dolby Digital.
