Dragon Age II has been the subject of some minor controversy since its release, with fans complaining about a number of Dragon Age: Origins features that were absent in the sequel. Complaints range from removal of full customization of NPCs, map re-use, and a lousy narrative – resulting in many thinking Dragon Age II was taking a step backward from the original.
Mike Laidlaw, the lead designer for Dragon Age II, has taken to the BioWare forums in an attempt to address fans and belay their fears of the company not listening to the complaints.
Laidlaw isn’t the first figurehead from BioWare to address Dragon Age 2‘s reception. Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder of BioWare, has also commented on fan complaints and added his own explanation.
Laidlaw’s forum post talks about some of the complaints fans have regarding Origins‘ sequel and goes on to discuss some of the reasons changes were made. Take a look an excerpt below.
“I am absolutely aware of the concerns voiced here. Issues like level re-use, the implementation of wave combat, concerns about the narrative and significance of choice and so on have all been not only noted, but examined, inspected and even aided me (and many, many others on the team) in formulating future plans.
“Further, I’m not only aware of the concerns, but I agree that there are aspects of DA II that not only can but must be improved in future installments. And that is precisely our intent.”
You can read Laidlaw’s entire post at the BioWare forums.
Our own review of Dragon Age 2 did reflect similar criticisms. Overall, the title offered some very good changes to the series’ formula – although at the sacrifice of some things that made the original great. DA2 definitely seems like a game that was created with consoles in mind – and the changes that came from that decision certainly had some (negative) influence over the final product.
Viewed in a way that expands the universe of Dragon Age, DA2 does a great job. Origins was huge in scope, but the sequel zoomed in and concentrated more on a specific aspect of the world, namely Kirkwall. However, one glaring issue with DA2 was the ending.
Whether or not there will be some sort of continuation via DLC that will focus on Hawke remains to be seen.
Dragon Age 2 is available now for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
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Source: BioWare Forums
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I really liked DA:2′s characters and the interactions w/ them, and I found the combat to be much better. And I loved the open world feel of DA:O and it’s character/party customization.
If they could combine the two for DA:3 it’d be one heckuva a game.
I really liked DA2 with the story and others. I just think they should change the characters and not use the sane characters as the first game. That Is my on critism of thus game. Other than that I loved the game. But I really hope that they change up the characters on DA3.
DA2 is forgettable and yet epic in some way, I didn’t even do a 2nd run cuz there are little or no notable changes in storyline when you make choices throughout the game but my hope is that the DLC would suck me up back into the DA lore. So i hope make good changes this time around
I liked Hawke. I liked the premise. However, I did not like the execution. The recycling of maps made the journey very mundane. Characters from DA: Origins did not bother me so much, in fact, I thought it was pretty cool to have some cameos. I was not a huge fan of Anders, but I understood why they included him.
I hope they change the relationship options as well. I don’t mind the homosexual options, but if you are heterosexual, I would like to have better options than a super slut or weird bloodmage.
Is there supposed to be some DLC for this game or what? I want to platinum this game and need something to get me back into it.
“Dragon Age II has been the subject of some minor controversy since its release@
*Some* minor controversy? We must have been watching a different internet
And judging by the hasty flood of very disingenuous Bioware PR that came out after the many negatives reaction to the demo well, from the people whose reviews cannot be bought by EA Games that is), they are well aware just how much some people loathed DA 2. Sure, some people liked the changes too but a very large number of DA:O fans quit the franchise in disgust.
@ME Lover – I’m gay and I really didn’t want to romance any of the characters either. lol. I’m really hoping they bring back Morrigan, she is my absolute favorite of both games. Really, I didn’t really love any of the characters/ find them interesting in #2. I much prefered everyone in #1 with the exception of Wynne. And that sucked because she was the main healer and I felt compelled to drag the lady with me ha.