The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
Please vote in the Forum Structure Poll. Polling will close at 2PM EST on January 21, 2025.
Dragon Age Thread - [Please post in new thread]
Dashui
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Experience the epic sequel to the 2009 Game of the Year from the critically acclaimed makers of Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2. You are one of the few who escaped the destruction of your home. Now, forced to fight for survival in an ever-changing world, you must gather the deadliest of allies, amass fame and fortune, and seal your place in history. This is the story of how the world changed forever. The legend of your Rise to Power begins now.
Dragon Age 2 thrusts players into the role of Hawke, a penniless refugee who rises to power to become the single most important character in the world of Dragon Age. Known to be a survivor of the Blight and the Champion of Kirkwall, the legend around Hawke’s rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor. Featuring an all-new story spanning 10 years, players will help tell that tale by making tough moral choices, gathering the deadliest of allies, amassing fame and fortune, and sealing their place in history. The way you play will write the story of how the world is changed forever.
Key Features:
* Embark upon an all-new adventure that takes place across an entire decade and shapes itself around every decision you make.
* Determine your rise to power from a destitute refugee to the revered champion of the land.
* Think like a general and fight like a Spartan with dynamic new combat mechanics that put you right in the heart of battle whether you are a mage, rogue, or warrior.
* Go deeper into the world of Dragon Age with an entirely new cinematic experience that grabs hold of you from the beginning and never lets go.
* Discover a whole realm rendered in stunning detail with updated graphics and a new visual style.
You are a Grey Warden, one of the last of a legendary order of guardians. With the return of mankind's ancient foe and the kingdom engulfed in civil war, you have been chosen by fate to unite the shattered lands and slay the archdemon once and for all.
Key Features:
* Immerse yourself in a shattered world on the brink of annihiliation
* Experience complex moral decisions that have game-changing consequences
* Sculpt your hero in your own image or fantasy
* Engage in bone-crushing, visceral combat against massive and terrifying creatures
News
03/08/2011 - Dragon Age 2 is now available for purchase! And a launch trailer has been released that can be viewed at the following link: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-launch-dragon-age/711123
03/07/2011 - The high resolution texture pack has been released. You can view information and download it at the following link: http://social.bioware.com/page/da2-patches
02/22/2011 - The Dragon Age 2 demo is now available for download.
02/11/2011 - Dragon Age 2 has gone gold!
Older News
02/09/2011 - A Mac version of the game has been announced, and will ship on the same disc as the PC version.
02/02/2011 - A Dragon Age 2 PC, 360 and PS3 demo will be available February 22nd, 2011. All three classes will be available to play, from the prologue up to meeting Isabella in Kirkwall. Upon completion of the demo, you'll unlock a sword to use in the full game. More information can be found at the following link: http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/demo
01/12/2011 - Dragon Age 2 is now available for pre-purchase on Steam.
10/14/2010 - The Dragon Age 2 Signature Edition has been announced. If you pre-order the game between now and January 11, 2011, your order will automatically be upgraded to the Signature Edition. It includes extra in-game weapons, a code for a new playable character, downloadable game soundtrack, and additional downloadable items. More information can be found at http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/info/order/.
09/07/2010 - The final Dragon Age: Origins DLC, Witch Hunt, is now available for purchase. You can view more information at the following link: For more information, visit the following link: http://dragonage.bioware.com/dao/witch_hunt/.
08/17/2010 - The debut trailer for Dragon Age 2 has been released. You can view it at http://dragonage.bioware.com/.
07/08/2010 - Dragon Age 2 officially announced for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360! A debut trailer will be released on August 17th, 2010.
07/06/2010 - Dragon Age: Origins - Leliana's Song addon is now available for purchase!
"Assume the role of Leliana, a young bard involved in a criminal ring that deals in political secrets. Accompanying her mentor Marjolaine on a high-risk mission, Leliana soon finds herself entangled in a game of intrigue that she cannot escape with just her beauty, charm, or stealth. The only way out of this game is to kill or be killed."
05/18/2010 - The Dragon Age: Origins - Darkspawn Chronicles addon is now available for purchase!
"You now fight as the Darkspawn! The city of Denerim, jewel of Ferelden, girds itself for war. As a hurlock vanguard, you alone hold the power to make thralls of your fellow darkspawn and drive them into the heat of battle. Heed the archdemon's call--Denerim must burn!"
03/16/2010 - Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening expansion pack is now available for purchase!
01/29/2010 - Dragon Age: Origins - Return to Ostagar addon is now available for purchase!
"Your memories of the battle of Ostagar will haunt you for years to come. It laid waste to your order and claimed the lives of many great men and women, including the brash young King Cailan and your mentor, Duncan.
Now, there are rumors that a fellow survivor of the battle has escaped from captivity and is seeking the Grey Wardens' help. The time has come for the Grey Wardens to make their return to Ostagar and exact their revenge upon the darkspawn."
11/03/2009 - Dragon Age: Origins is now available for purchase!
10/22/2009 - Dragon Age: Journeys is now available to play.
It's a 2D flash game, free to play in your browser, and set in the Dragon Age: Origins world. Playing the game will allow you to earn exclusives items for use in Dragon Age: Origins. http://www.dragonagejourneys.com/
10/13/2009 - BioWare's Social Network website is now live! http://social.bioware.com/
From here you'll be able to access friends, groups, uploaded character information, and more, as well as being able to download the Character Creator. You can make a character, save it for use with the full game, and even upload your character to the Social Network website.
You can also download the Character Editor directly from the following link: http://files.bioware.com/dragonage_cc_dl/DragonAgeOriginsCharacterCreator_en.exe
02/02/2011 - A Dragon Age 2 PC, 360 and PS3 demo will be available February 22nd, 2011. All three classes will be available to play, from the prologue up to meeting Isabella in Kirkwall. Upon completion of the demo, you'll unlock a sword to use in the full game. More information can be found at the following link: http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/demo
01/12/2011 - Dragon Age 2 is now available for pre-purchase on Steam.
10/14/2010 - The Dragon Age 2 Signature Edition has been announced. If you pre-order the game between now and January 11, 2011, your order will automatically be upgraded to the Signature Edition. It includes extra in-game weapons, a code for a new playable character, downloadable game soundtrack, and additional downloadable items. More information can be found at http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/info/order/.
09/07/2010 - The final Dragon Age: Origins DLC, Witch Hunt, is now available for purchase. You can view more information at the following link: For more information, visit the following link: http://dragonage.bioware.com/dao/witch_hunt/.
08/17/2010 - The debut trailer for Dragon Age 2 has been released. You can view it at http://dragonage.bioware.com/.
07/08/2010 - Dragon Age 2 officially announced for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360! A debut trailer will be released on August 17th, 2010.
07/06/2010 - Dragon Age: Origins - Leliana's Song addon is now available for purchase!
"Assume the role of Leliana, a young bard involved in a criminal ring that deals in political secrets. Accompanying her mentor Marjolaine on a high-risk mission, Leliana soon finds herself entangled in a game of intrigue that she cannot escape with just her beauty, charm, or stealth. The only way out of this game is to kill or be killed."
05/18/2010 - The Dragon Age: Origins - Darkspawn Chronicles addon is now available for purchase!
"You now fight as the Darkspawn! The city of Denerim, jewel of Ferelden, girds itself for war. As a hurlock vanguard, you alone hold the power to make thralls of your fellow darkspawn and drive them into the heat of battle. Heed the archdemon's call--Denerim must burn!"
03/16/2010 - Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening expansion pack is now available for purchase!
01/29/2010 - Dragon Age: Origins - Return to Ostagar addon is now available for purchase!
"Your memories of the battle of Ostagar will haunt you for years to come. It laid waste to your order and claimed the lives of many great men and women, including the brash young King Cailan and your mentor, Duncan.
Now, there are rumors that a fellow survivor of the battle has escaped from captivity and is seeking the Grey Wardens' help. The time has come for the Grey Wardens to make their return to Ostagar and exact their revenge upon the darkspawn."
11/03/2009 - Dragon Age: Origins is now available for purchase!
10/22/2009 - Dragon Age: Journeys is now available to play.
It's a 2D flash game, free to play in your browser, and set in the Dragon Age: Origins world. Playing the game will allow you to earn exclusives items for use in Dragon Age: Origins. http://www.dragonagejourneys.com/
10/13/2009 - BioWare's Social Network website is now live! http://social.bioware.com/
From here you'll be able to access friends, groups, uploaded character information, and more, as well as being able to download the Character Creator. You can make a character, save it for use with the full game, and even upload your character to the Social Network website.
You can also download the Character Editor directly from the following link: http://files.bioware.com/dragonage_cc_dl/DragonAgeOriginsCharacterCreator_en.exe
Dragon Age: Origins - PC Mods
Many of the following links and descriptions are courtesy of Ranadiel!
Graphics and Atmosphere:
Improved Atmosphere -- adds more ambiance to the game world and a lot more, I highly recommend it. This mod changes a lot of things in regards to what characters wear and what they're doing in game, so you may want to read through before you install.
Dragon Age Redesigned -- Another major overhaul of the game in terms of graphics, all good in my opinion.
JB Textures -- Improves the look of the game, giving it a more high-res appearance.
Circles Be Gone -- Removes the targeting circles from the game. Makes it a hell of a lot easier to take screen shots and enjoy the view of the game.
Resized Shale -- Makes Shale a lot bigger than the original in-game model, as fitting for a gigantic stone golem. Makes some cut-scenes look silly due to un-adjusted camera angles, but still a good mod.
Shale Retextured HD -- Improves Shale's bodily textures to a high-res quality.
No Helmet Hack 1.6 - This mod makes helmets invisible "by placing helmets in the cloak slot. Each character maintains their own visibility setting. The helmets are visible on the inventory paperdoll for comparison and easy swapping."
Weapon Enchantment and Poison VFX Remover -- Removes the visual crust from weapon enchantments and poison coatings.
Weapon VFX Remover -- Removes the visual effects from Rune enchantments on weapons.
Personal Annoyance Remover -- Removes/reduces the visual effects from many of the sustained modes. Note that there is an option to download a version of Combat Tweaks with this file already installed
Character Generator:
More Hairstyles -- Adds more hairstyle options to the character generator.
Pineappletree's Vibrant Colors -- Adds more colors and tones options for the character generator.
Silent PC -- Gives you the option to select a "Silent" voice set at the character generator.
Items & Related:
Camp Chest - This adds an invaluable chest to the player camp for all the pack rats out there.
Leliana's True Sacred Ashes Armor - This mod gives you an armor for Leliana modeled after the one she wore in the Sacred Ashes CG trailer.
Gray Warden Runic Armor - This mod gives you a powerful set of armor, three shields, and several swords as a variant of the Warden armor.
Madd Gift Guide - This mod edits the item description for gifts with the name of the companion it is intended for.
Gift Guide - Awakening - This is a companion mod to Madd Gift Guide that adds support for The Stone Prisoner, Return to Ostagar and Awakening.
Gameplay & Combat:
Extra Dog Slot -- Makes Dog a permanent 5th member by allowing him to be summoned by the Warden. Keep in mind he counts as a Summon so if your Warden is a Ranger, you won't be able to have Dog and one of your summoned animals out at the same time.
Full Combatant Dog -- Improves Dog's base stats and gives him access to more abilities, making him more of a contributing party member. I was never able to get it to work exactly how it states in the description, but it works well enough for me.
Advanced Tactics -- Gives you a ton of new tactics options for setting up your AI. A must-have.
Custom Number of Tactics Slots -- Starts you out with 10 Tactics Slots and allows you to gain more per level-up depending on which exptable file you use.
Combat Tweaks -- Overhauls a lot of the spells, talents and formulas in the game. Most of the changes are well-balanced in my opinion and apply to all creatures, not just your party.
No Automatic Deactivation -- Stops the automatic deactivation of certain sustained abilities at the end of combat, such as Berserk and Blood Magic. Really useful.
Skip the Fade - Don't like the Fade mission, or just want to get through it quickly on a another playthrough? This mod teleports you directly to your companions instead of going through the entire section, as well as giving you all the attribute points, experience points, and codex entries you would have normally earned if you completed the Fade.
Lock Bash - This mod allows you to bash or force locked doors and chest opens, with a number of configuration options such as item breakage and stat requirements.
Special:
AddItem Script -- Adds a runscript additem command to the developer console. Very handy.
Console - Add Points -- Adds a runscript givepoints command to the developer console. Very handy and a great way to give spec points to characters who don't normally earn them(Shale, Dog) or ones that "forget" to start out with a spec(Sten).
Console - Respec -- Adds a runscript respec command to the developer console, allowing a quicker/lazier method of respecing your characters. Only works if you already have Character Respecialization installed.
The Winter Forge -- Adds a new crafting skill, "Enchantment" to game, to be used in conjunction with the new Winter Forge added to the campsite. A pretty in-depth system that allows you to create entirely new items or modify existing ones with custom stats, effects and abilities.
Awakening in the OC -- Adds the resources, specializations, spells, skills and talents of the Awakening campaign to the OC. Love it.
slinks s3 RAVAge -- Totally overhauls the game world, mostly in terms of combat encounters, weapons, armor and items. Definitely not for everyone, but good if you're seeking more variety in the game or a bigger challenge. Personally I love it.
Morrigan Restoration Patch Dialogue Fixpack -- Restores lines and scenes that were cut from the game before release. Fleshes her character out a lot more, making her seem less one-dimensional. Worth checking out if only just to see the missing scenes, such as ratting her out to the Templars at the Circle Tower, or the post-Flemeth encounter scene.
Ser Gilmore Party Member -- Brings back Ser Gilmore from the human noble origin and makes him a full-fledged, fully-voiced party member. The only thing that keeps this mod from being perfect is the fact that lacks is interactive party banter, and doesn't comment on interesting things seen by the party. Other than that it's a great mod worth checking out at least once.
Duchells Companions -- A set of face-morphs for the companions. You can pick and chose the ones you want to use. I use the Ser Gilmore V1 morph, since I can't stand gingers and it makes him look a lot more of a badass.
Dragon Age Rules Fixpack -- A set of tweaks and bug fixes, but most importantly a modified events manager file that allows it to take on more of a load without crashing the game. The tweaks and bug fix files are entirely module and don't have to be added, but the Core Files folder does need to be installed for anything to work, as it also includes the events manager files. Very useful.
Character Respecialization - "This addon allows the player to reset the base attributes, specialization points, spells, talents and skills of the hero character and any of the party members to the default values and returns the remaining points so they can be spent again. The addon takes into account every bonus point the characters receive during the game including CE and DLC items, tomes, bonus points from the Fade, etc."
Dialogue Tweaks - This mod "changes companion dialogues for consistency, bug fixing, and adds new minor options. All dialogue is voiced by original game voice actors; these are changes to scripting, text, and dialogue conditions to make use of or correct existing dialogue." The creator suggests using the following two mods in conjunction with Dialogue Tweaks:
Alistair Dialog Patch - This mod "fixes many endgame dialogue issues relating to Alistair and his status, as well as some other adjustments to Alistair's general dialogue and romance-related dialogue."
Endgame Dialogue Fixes - This mod makes "corrections to endgame dialogue issues relating to Alistair and his status, as well as optional endgame slideshow changes to expand on the original story."
Improved Atmosphere -- adds more ambiance to the game world and a lot more, I highly recommend it. This mod changes a lot of things in regards to what characters wear and what they're doing in game, so you may want to read through before you install.
Dragon Age Redesigned -- Another major overhaul of the game in terms of graphics, all good in my opinion.
JB Textures -- Improves the look of the game, giving it a more high-res appearance.
Circles Be Gone -- Removes the targeting circles from the game. Makes it a hell of a lot easier to take screen shots and enjoy the view of the game.
Resized Shale -- Makes Shale a lot bigger than the original in-game model, as fitting for a gigantic stone golem. Makes some cut-scenes look silly due to un-adjusted camera angles, but still a good mod.
Shale Retextured HD -- Improves Shale's bodily textures to a high-res quality.
No Helmet Hack 1.6 - This mod makes helmets invisible "by placing helmets in the cloak slot. Each character maintains their own visibility setting. The helmets are visible on the inventory paperdoll for comparison and easy swapping."
Weapon Enchantment and Poison VFX Remover -- Removes the visual crust from weapon enchantments and poison coatings.
Weapon VFX Remover -- Removes the visual effects from Rune enchantments on weapons.
Personal Annoyance Remover -- Removes/reduces the visual effects from many of the sustained modes. Note that there is an option to download a version of Combat Tweaks with this file already installed
Character Generator:
More Hairstyles -- Adds more hairstyle options to the character generator.
Pineappletree's Vibrant Colors -- Adds more colors and tones options for the character generator.
Silent PC -- Gives you the option to select a "Silent" voice set at the character generator.
Items & Related:
Camp Chest - This adds an invaluable chest to the player camp for all the pack rats out there.
Leliana's True Sacred Ashes Armor - This mod gives you an armor for Leliana modeled after the one she wore in the Sacred Ashes CG trailer.
Gray Warden Runic Armor - This mod gives you a powerful set of armor, three shields, and several swords as a variant of the Warden armor.
Madd Gift Guide - This mod edits the item description for gifts with the name of the companion it is intended for.
Gift Guide - Awakening - This is a companion mod to Madd Gift Guide that adds support for The Stone Prisoner, Return to Ostagar and Awakening.
Gameplay & Combat:
Extra Dog Slot -- Makes Dog a permanent 5th member by allowing him to be summoned by the Warden. Keep in mind he counts as a Summon so if your Warden is a Ranger, you won't be able to have Dog and one of your summoned animals out at the same time.
Full Combatant Dog -- Improves Dog's base stats and gives him access to more abilities, making him more of a contributing party member. I was never able to get it to work exactly how it states in the description, but it works well enough for me.
Advanced Tactics -- Gives you a ton of new tactics options for setting up your AI. A must-have.
Custom Number of Tactics Slots -- Starts you out with 10 Tactics Slots and allows you to gain more per level-up depending on which exptable file you use.
Combat Tweaks -- Overhauls a lot of the spells, talents and formulas in the game. Most of the changes are well-balanced in my opinion and apply to all creatures, not just your party.
No Automatic Deactivation -- Stops the automatic deactivation of certain sustained abilities at the end of combat, such as Berserk and Blood Magic. Really useful.
Skip the Fade - Don't like the Fade mission, or just want to get through it quickly on a another playthrough? This mod teleports you directly to your companions instead of going through the entire section, as well as giving you all the attribute points, experience points, and codex entries you would have normally earned if you completed the Fade.
Lock Bash - This mod allows you to bash or force locked doors and chest opens, with a number of configuration options such as item breakage and stat requirements.
Special:
AddItem Script -- Adds a runscript additem command to the developer console. Very handy.
Console - Add Points -- Adds a runscript givepoints command to the developer console. Very handy and a great way to give spec points to characters who don't normally earn them(Shale, Dog) or ones that "forget" to start out with a spec(Sten).
Console - Respec -- Adds a runscript respec command to the developer console, allowing a quicker/lazier method of respecing your characters. Only works if you already have Character Respecialization installed.
The Winter Forge -- Adds a new crafting skill, "Enchantment" to game, to be used in conjunction with the new Winter Forge added to the campsite. A pretty in-depth system that allows you to create entirely new items or modify existing ones with custom stats, effects and abilities.
Awakening in the OC -- Adds the resources, specializations, spells, skills and talents of the Awakening campaign to the OC. Love it.
slinks s3 RAVAge -- Totally overhauls the game world, mostly in terms of combat encounters, weapons, armor and items. Definitely not for everyone, but good if you're seeking more variety in the game or a bigger challenge. Personally I love it.
Morrigan Restoration Patch Dialogue Fixpack -- Restores lines and scenes that were cut from the game before release. Fleshes her character out a lot more, making her seem less one-dimensional. Worth checking out if only just to see the missing scenes, such as ratting her out to the Templars at the Circle Tower, or the post-Flemeth encounter scene.
Ser Gilmore Party Member -- Brings back Ser Gilmore from the human noble origin and makes him a full-fledged, fully-voiced party member. The only thing that keeps this mod from being perfect is the fact that lacks is interactive party banter, and doesn't comment on interesting things seen by the party. Other than that it's a great mod worth checking out at least once.
Duchells Companions -- A set of face-morphs for the companions. You can pick and chose the ones you want to use. I use the Ser Gilmore V1 morph, since I can't stand gingers and it makes him look a lot more of a badass.
Dragon Age Rules Fixpack -- A set of tweaks and bug fixes, but most importantly a modified events manager file that allows it to take on more of a load without crashing the game. The tweaks and bug fix files are entirely module and don't have to be added, but the Core Files folder does need to be installed for anything to work, as it also includes the events manager files. Very useful.
Character Respecialization - "This addon allows the player to reset the base attributes, specialization points, spells, talents and skills of the hero character and any of the party members to the default values and returns the remaining points so they can be spent again. The addon takes into account every bonus point the characters receive during the game including CE and DLC items, tomes, bonus points from the Fade, etc."
Dialogue Tweaks - This mod "changes companion dialogues for consistency, bug fixing, and adds new minor options. All dialogue is voiced by original game voice actors; these are changes to scripting, text, and dialogue conditions to make use of or correct existing dialogue." The creator suggests using the following two mods in conjunction with Dialogue Tweaks:
Alistair Dialog Patch - This mod "fixes many endgame dialogue issues relating to Alistair and his status, as well as some other adjustments to Alistair's general dialogue and romance-related dialogue."
Endgame Dialogue Fixes - This mod makes "corrections to endgame dialogue issues relating to Alistair and his status, as well as optional endgame slideshow changes to expand on the original story."
Dragon Age 2 - Articles & Reviews
5/5 - The Escapist - "A pinnacle of role-playing games with well-designed mechanics and excellent story-telling, Dragon Age II is what videogames are meant to be."
94/100 - PC Gamer - "The best RPG combat ever. Not gaming's best story, but maybe it's best storytelling. Darker, sexier, better."
94/100 - Xbox360Achievements - "Manages to be the same great epic as its forebear in terms of sheer scale and ambition, while packing in superior visuals, improved gameplay and a stronger grasp on its own unique identity."
92/100 - Gametrailers - "Though it doesn't hold a candle to its predecessor when it comes to sheer breadth, Dragon Age II has quite a bit more soul."
90/100 - Official Xbox Magazine - "Next to its predecessor, Dragon Age II may be a slightly altered beast, but the minute Isabela slyly chirps "I like big boats, I cannot lie" to a Desire Demon in the murky Fade, you'll realize this game offers some of the deepest, nerdiest, most worthwhile 40 to 60 hours you'll ever love losing sleep over."
90/100 - Games Master UK - "BioWare have comprehensively hit back at detractors of the original game and Dragon Age II delivers a distinctive fantasy RPG with far broader appeal and personality than before. Mega-nerds may feel slighted that they can't dig into the mechanics quite so easily but few would argue that this slicker, more streamlined approach isn't a vast improvement."
86/100 - GamingXP - "Unfortunately, Dragon Age 2 has not met my expectations. The epic story of Dragon Age: Origins made me play the game for hours, but Dragon Age 2 lacks a gripping story. Most of the time you create bloodbaths by running through the same dull dungeons. There are some improvements like a talking main character, but it's not a new Dragon Age, it's rather a hack'n'slay with a touch of roleplaying. If you missed some action in Dragon Age: Origins, then you should get Dragon Age 2, but if you loved the atmosphere, the story and the freedom of choice, then you should expect something different."
85/100 - IGN - "The combat is more responsive and bloody, you don't need to fight the inventory system anymore, and conversations are more engaging thanks to the adapted Mass Effect wheel. There are downsides though; the semi-linear story and repetitive environments have a negative effect on what is otherwise a great role-playing game."
83/100 - 1UP - "It really seems like the biggest mistake is calling it "DA2," as it's just different enough from Dragon Age: Origins to not feel like a sequel, but more like a reboot. The different main character, the faster and more streamlined combat, and the overall structure makes it feel like a fine Dragon Age adventure, but not a direct follow-up to DAO."
83/100 - Game Informer - "Part of me was disappointed with Dragon Age II. I hoped for an improvement on the original, but it ultimately feels like a step back."
72/100 - IncGamers - "While the gameplay is far from perfect, Dragon Age II is an absolute must for anyone interested in the world, the lore and a good story - but anyone hoping for something that feels and plays like Origins might want to adjust their expectations accordingly."
70/100 - Gamer Limit - "While Dragon Age II doesn't quite measure up to it's predecessor, the streamlined approach was a solid effort - if Bioware can somehow marry the best parts of Origins and Dragon Age II, it will produce one of the best RPGs the world has ever seen."
70/100 - VideoGamer - "Despite the way narrative has been re-structured and the combat made meatier, this sequel follows the old conventions of the genre too literally to develop an individuality beyond them. Two entries down the pipe, and Dragon Age is still experiencing the growing pains of a series that's more dedicated to studying fantasy games than developing its own personality in the genre."
Dragon Age: Origins - Articles & Reviews
Witch Hunt the Penny Arcade Dragon Age comic
5/5 - Giant Bomb review - "However, as the sort of guy that has lovingly played an Infinity Engine game at least once every year for the past decade, I can think of no higher praise for this throwback than to say that Dragon Age: Origins leaves me feeling fairly confident I won't need to dig out the classics for this ritual next year."
9.5/10 - GameSpot video review - "If you're hungry for a fantastical original fantasy setting, an awesome story filled with memorable characters, and fun multi-layered questing, Dragon Age will fill you up. This is the RPG you've been waiting for, the one that's going to keep you up at night and invade your dreams."
94/100 - PC Gamer UK - "Roleplaying games now have a great deal to live up to."
9.2/10 - UK IGN PC - "Bioware’s achievements in all this are incredible. It cannot be stressed enough at the depth of the universe they have conjured. Every corner you look, there is a sense of age, of something old. Entire mythologies for multiple cultures have been brewed up, entire religions mapped out in their own belief systems, history that stretches back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Cities look lived in, worn – majestic and squalid places that spill with times gone by and a sense of place. The castles look like they have been there for centuries, and truly, there is an uncertain sense that they have been. That Ferelden and its inhabitants were waiting patiently in the wings for all this time, waiting for their chance to shine. Well, like the Grey Wardens, their time has come. Let us unite then, and in the words of an old friend: We shall show those cursed Darkspawn our hearts – and then show them theirs."
92/100 - Absolute Games review - "It has everything that is sought by the most jaded fans of the genre..."
9.1/10 - Gametrailers video review
90/100 - Game Informer review - "Even more than Mass Effect, the nation of Ferelden feels like a fully realized setting with its own history, conflicts, and power groups."
8/10 - Eurogamer PC review - "In its desperation to infuse this setting with 'maturity' - be it of the sober, political kind, or the game's painfully clumsy gore and sex - BioWare has forgotten the key ingredient of any fantasy: the fantastical. Without it, you're still left with a competent, often compelling, impressively detailed and immense RPG, but it's one that casts no spell."
The People of Dragon Age: Origins – An Interview with Sten, Wynne and the Tower Guard
Dragon Age 2 - Screenshots
Dragon Age: Origins - Screenshots
Dragon Age 2 - PC System Requirements
Recommended:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz Processor or equivalent
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 Triple core 2.8 GHz or equivalent
RAM: 2GB (4 GB Vista and Windows 7)
Video: ATI 3850 512 MB or greater
Video: NVIDIA 8800GTS 512 MB or greater
DirectX 11: ATI 5850 or greater
DirectX 11: NVIDIA 460 or greater
Minimum:
OS: Windows XP with SP3
OS: Windows Vista with SP2
OS: Windows 7
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo (or equivalent) running at 1.8 GHz or greater
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 (or equivalent) running at 1.8 GHz or greater
RAM: 1 GB (1.5 GB Vista and Windows 7)
Video: Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256 MB
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS 256 MB cards
Disc Drive: DVD ROM drive required
Hard Drive: 7 GB
Sound: Direct X 9.0c Compatible Sound Card Windows Experience Index: 4.5
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz Processor or equivalent
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 Triple core 2.8 GHz or equivalent
RAM: 2GB (4 GB Vista and Windows 7)
Video: ATI 3850 512 MB or greater
Video: NVIDIA 8800GTS 512 MB or greater
DirectX 11: ATI 5850 or greater
DirectX 11: NVIDIA 460 or greater
Minimum:
OS: Windows XP with SP3
OS: Windows Vista with SP2
OS: Windows 7
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo (or equivalent) running at 1.8 GHz or greater
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 (or equivalent) running at 1.8 GHz or greater
RAM: 1 GB (1.5 GB Vista and Windows 7)
Video: Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256 MB
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS 256 MB cards
Disc Drive: DVD ROM drive required
Hard Drive: 7 GB
Sound: Direct X 9.0c Compatible Sound Card Windows Experience Index: 4.5
Dragon Age: Origins - PC System Requirements
Windows XP Minimum Specifications
* OS: Windows XP with SP3
* CPU: Intel Core 2 (or equivalent) single core running at 1.4Ghz or greater
* AMD X2 (or equivalent) running at 1.8Ghz or greater
* RAM: 1GB or more
* Video: ATI Radeon X850 128MB or greater
* NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB or greater
* DVD ROM (Physical copy)
* 20 GB HD space
Windows Vista Minimum Specifications
* OS: Windows Vista with SP1
* CPU: Intel Core 2 (or equivalent) single core running at 1.6Ghz or greater
* AMD X2 (or equivalent) running at 2.2GHZ or greater
* RAM: 1.5 GB or more
* Video: ATI Radeon X1550 256MB or greater
* NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB or greater
* DVD ROM (Physical copy)
* 20 GB HD space
Recommended Specifications
* CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz Processor or equivalent
* RAM: 4 GB (Vista) or 2 GB (XP)
* Video: ATI 3850 512 MB or greater
* NVIDIA 8800GTS 512 MB or greater
* DVD ROM (Physical copy)
* 20 GB HD space
* OS: Windows XP with SP3
* CPU: Intel Core 2 (or equivalent) single core running at 1.4Ghz or greater
* AMD X2 (or equivalent) running at 1.8Ghz or greater
* RAM: 1GB or more
* Video: ATI Radeon X850 128MB or greater
* NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB or greater
* DVD ROM (Physical copy)
* 20 GB HD space
Windows Vista Minimum Specifications
* OS: Windows Vista with SP1
* CPU: Intel Core 2 (or equivalent) single core running at 1.6Ghz or greater
* AMD X2 (or equivalent) running at 2.2GHZ or greater
* RAM: 1.5 GB or more
* Video: ATI Radeon X1550 256MB or greater
* NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB or greater
* DVD ROM (Physical copy)
* 20 GB HD space
Recommended Specifications
* CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz Processor or equivalent
* RAM: 4 GB (Vista) or 2 GB (XP)
* Video: ATI 3850 512 MB or greater
* NVIDIA 8800GTS 512 MB or greater
* DVD ROM (Physical copy)
* 20 GB HD space
Xbox Live, PSN & Origin: Vacorsis 3DS: 2638-0037-166
Dashui on
0
Posts
Either way: New thread! w00t.
XBL: GamingFreak5514
PSN: GamingFreak1234
Three! Three days!
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Isn't that a record, or something?
XBL: GamingFreak5514
PSN: GamingFreak1234
Man what the fuck, really? I never had Isabella to begin with. Earlier in the thread I asked about her, and they said she appears in a cutscene after you finish the quest "Tranquility." I never got a cutscene with her in it, and thus I've never had her in my game. What a crock of shit.
So now not only did I miss out on a companion, her quests, and the experience provided therein, but I also cannot complete my crafting index? This is bullshit.
Acually 4, unless you want to argue that is was accually 3 days, 23 hours and 20 minutes :P
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
With the two elven criminals, justified or not justified? How about the Arishock's actions in general?
That sucks, dude. My advice: always go to the Hanged Man immediately after Anders joins.
XBL: GamingFreak5514
PSN: GamingFreak1234
I had some trouble because I think the dragon glitched twice and wouldnt come down off his perch and fireballed us all to hell...
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Repeating areas was of course, boring. I mean that one ladder in darktown must be magical, it leads to so many places. The Coast was home to so many different groups, even in the same act. Every sewer was THE sewer, every cave was THE cave. It just got boring after act 1, I really wish there were either less quests in those areas or the areas were somehow more exciting.
The city....was boring. I mean it was well done with after act 1 I got tired of all the bandits and ninjas in hightown or wherever, the city just didn't feel like a city to me anymore. I think the best example would be to take something like Assassins Creed's cities, they had the feel of a city down.
Combat became...less meaningful throughout the game I think. They need to make less encounters and more meaningful encounters. Take a look at WoW, Molten Core was 90 percent trash mobs and 10 percent bosses. Now the new dungeons AFAIK are mostly just bosses, or that is the trend in MMOs I believe. Quality over quantity. This game suffers from too much combat.
Slightly related to that, there needs to be dialogue options to resolve conflicts, as far as I could tell everything was a combat solution. Slight act 3 spoiler...
Cross class abilities were hard to use, on the easier enemies they were pointless and on the harder ones they were very rarely available. There is a middle ground I guess where the higher difficulty normal guys (not sure what they are called) will sometimes get the status effect and then I can use it, but even then playing with Anders, Varric and Hawke it was very rare to use one. Varric and Hawke both had the same status effect that they needed and Anders rarely applied and status on anyone.
This game was a lot of fun though, it does feel like it could have used 6 more months though to polish up some things (I hear there are lots of bugs, I didn't experience anything bad except a quest in Act 3 was not available even though I went to the spot, people were there but seemed bugged out and wouldn't respond to anything) and work on the balance a little bit.
Anyways I am thinking of doing a nightmare run, how bad is the AoE?
That fight is much easier if you get some fire resist. Basically my party was (this is on hard)
Fenris with elemental aegis as well as two rings with fire resist on it, giving him nearly 100% resist. He did damage.
Avaline with improved elemental aegis and another item, giving her a total of around 80% fire resist. She tanked like a mad woman.
Sebastian was the best damage of the bunch. Bought him one of the best bows in the game from the golem merchant and let him do his crazy shit. Also gave him goad to put threat back on Avaline if taunt was on cooldown.
Yeah, I'm all about "We want you to have freedom and to naturally just sort of run into all of your companions and build a relationship from there", but when shit like what happens to your happens, people get screwed.
I'm not saying "Line them up outside of Kirkwall and have them literally block your way into the city", but you know.
Unless the game says that you're joining a preexisting gang/band/group, between the game forcing them on you and the possibility of missing one/some of them, sadly I have to go with the 2nd option. Yes, it does suck, but it's better than the first (at least to me).
Still, at least have a "Rumor" quest about it. "Varric mentioned a particularly busty pirate women hanging out at the Hanged Man, asking for information about a fella named Castillon. You may not know who Castillon is, but with her ass, who cares."
Biggest thing the pops out, looking back, is that there are several parallels between the actions/motivations of Sister Petrice and
...when you think about it...
Well, that's the point, Foefaller.
Shitty Tumblr:lighthouse1138.tumblr.com
How much feedback have you gotten so far?
I do belive that as soon as "Tranquillity" is done, you get a companion quest to talk to Varric at the Hanged Man. Not a deliberate hint/rumor, but at least something that sends you that way.
I've never missed Isabela, and I'm pretty sure I've triggered that cutscene going in during the day as well as night, so I don't know how you could miss her if you done everything in Act 1 unless it was a bug...
People mention how they want missable content, and when it happens, and they miss it, they get mad.
Human nature, eh?
Why I fear the ocean.
You will have opinions so much that you will wish you didn't have so many opinions.
Unless you're some kind of elder opinion void-god, in which case you will simply be nourished until the next great purge.
All right, people. It is not a gerbil. It is not a hamster. It is not a guinea pig. It is a death rabbit. Death. Rabbit. Say it with me, now.
I got to Act 2 a few days ago, but haven't picked the game up since. I'm sure I'll likely come back to it to see how the rest of the game ends up, but mostly because I feel somewhat obligated to do so.
I will say that the party banter is outstanding, and I'm liking most of the party characters I've met so far. The bit where Merrill talks with Anders about his cat is wonderful.
This happened to me both times I have played (well, got a rogue and a warrior to just before the deep roads expedition).
So who knows, it could happen again.
You have to go to the Hanged Man at night after Tranquility.
Does DA2 have something similar to ME2's cerberus network? I went halfsies and am now wondering if one of us will be missing out on content.
OOOHHH...
My criticism is constructive!
Do I PM this stuff or something?
No one knows yet. Until Bioware announces future DLC plans, we have no idea if any of it will be free for people who purchased new or not.
There is the Black Emporium Store and the summonable Dog.
Comics, Games, Booze
A guide to all unique armor pieces.
http://segmentnext.com/2011/03/10/dragon-age-2-unique-armor-location-guide/
A guide to all unique weapons.
http://segmentnext.com/2011/03/09/dragon-age-2-unique-weapons-location-guide/
A guide to gifts and upgrades.
http://segmentnext.com/2011/02/25/dragon-age-2-characters-guide/
Minor spoilers in all of them, so reader beware.
Shitty Tumblr:lighthouse1138.tumblr.com
Damn, so it's a one time use code packed in too? Butts
You should already have mine. Wrote it the right after I had to write up my year end evaluation stuff for work.
Comics, Games, Booze
Its almost funny.
An excellant question. I have no idea.
Shitty Tumblr:lighthouse1138.tumblr.com
Why would anyone want Isabela to be "Not required"?
I wish I could have more badass curvacious pirates who don't wear pants, in my party.
"newly opened cave"