Tuesday 10 May 2011

Title: Dragon Age 2

Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Bioware
Only 2 years after the release of Dragon Age Origins, the release of Dragon Age 2 marks a a rapid turn around for an RPG that brought with it such epic proportions of space to explore, and depth of plot. It is for this reason, that many fans of the Tolkein like storyline and setting of the original, met the release with trepidation. 
Fortunately however, Dragon Age 2 delivers on most fronts. While the game is far from perfect, players once again delve into a brilliant world filled with Elves, Mages and Dragons, asking you to make moral decisions that don’t always have a clear answer.
The game, depending on how much time is spent completing side quests will take around 30 to 40 hours to complete. Once again it is structured around the way the player interacts in the game world, with the aim that the choices made while playing will directly affect the way the story develops, resulting in each player having a unique experience with the game. As is the case with Bioware games, the romance plots are key, which not only adds some spice to the way your personal tale progresses, but adds a kind of emotional attachment to the characters in a way that would be difficult to replicate by other means. The game visuals have been given an overhaul and the varying races in the game have been given distinctive looks that were lacking in the previous game. The gameplay has also been revamped. The developers were clearly targeting the console audience with this release, with the controls keeping the Dragon Age feel, but erring more towards the action side of things. Those put off by the controls of the original title may be won round by this iteration.
Sadly there are some problems. The end of the game is far more uniform than the first, meaning that the choices made by the player have little impact on the end of the game. It is also set largely in one area, so that by time the 40 hours are up, you will be sick of seeing the same caves and streets over and over again.
Overall this game is a must buy for any fans of the first game, and is a brilliant entry point for any new players to the franchise. If you're a fan of RPG games, chances are you will love this. New to the genre? Id suggest trying out the demo before you buy, as it is a heavy time investment, and certainly not for everyone.
3 GOOD POINTS
  • Graphical boost from last time around
  • New controls, not for everyone but me likey likey.
  • Compelling story
3 BAD POINTS
  • Poor variation of environments
  • Save from last game doesn't carry over well.
  • Choices often feel meaningless.




Breakdown
Score
Graphics
Big improvement on the last game, but still nothing special to behold
7/10
Gameplay
Not going to be everyones taste, but a massive improvement on the last game in my opinion, I suspect PC players will not like.
8/10
Story
Good, but I often feel that your choices make no difference, and there are story points that will happen regardless.
8/10
Replayability
Definitely, fun to replaying th game with a different class of character dramatically changes the way the game pans out, and plays.
8/10
Value For Money
A 40+ hour game that allows different experiences each time you play, just a bit worth the money then. Only problem being your lack of impact through choices.
9/10
Overall
Dragon age fans will have a lot to like, but unlikely to win many new fans, even with the shake up of gameplay.
8.5/10
 

No comments:

Post a Comment