Dragon Age II
General Info
| Genres | Action role-playing |
|---|---|
| Artists | Matt Rhodes, Matt Goldman |
| Writers | David Gaider |
| Game Name | Dragon Age II |
| Composers | Inon Zur |
| Languages | English |
| Playmodes | Single-player |
| Developers | BioWare |
| Game Engine | Eclipse |
| Release Date | 2011-03-08 |
| Game Platforms | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, OS X |
| Publisher Name | Electronic Arts |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
| Publishers Websites | https://www.ea.com/ |
Screenshots
Overview
In addition to enhancing personal connection and immersion, the story explores a decades-long saga of political discord, racial tension, and social unrest. An improved dialogue system allows you to dive deeper into the multi-layered consequences of each choice, creating a ripple effect where each decision has far-reaching consequences.
The visually stunning game showcases optimized graphics that simulate the city of Kirkwall and its surrounding environment. The game is enhanced by an improved combat system with fluid mechanics and strategic teamwork, allowing players to exploit enemy weaknesses and protect their party members more effectively.
Additionally, the game's enhanced RPG system encourages players to specialize their skills to suit individual play styles. Whether it's brute force, cunning stealth, or dynamic magic; the player's personal strategy becomes an integral part of his survival. Friendship, love and rivalry constantly shape the story, making Dragon Age II a truly dynamic RPG experience.
Trailer
Gameplay
The game showcases an improved combat system that emphasizes speed and tactics. You can choose to play battles in real-time or pause them to give strategic instructions to your party. The class system is flexible, allowing for character development and specialization. As the game progresses, players can level up and unlock new skills or abilities, making combat scenarios more interesting over time.
Like its predecessor, Dragon Age II focuses heavily on decision-making. Your choices greatly affect the world around you, shaping the game's story and sometimes changing the entire political landscape of Kirkwall.
Also, the game has a lot more dialogue than its predecessor. The introduction of a fully articulated main character and dialogue circle makes conversations more engaging and dynamic.
Side quests are plentiful and not only do they provide a break from the main storyline, they also provide additional context and grounding to the game world. Relationships formed with party members during the game influence their loyalty and can reveal romantic possibilities.
Overall, Dragon Age II offers an enhanced RPG experience that combines strategic combat, immersive storytelling, and deep character development that will delight both seasoned veterans and newcomers to the Dragon Age franchise.
Gameplay video
Plot
At the heart of the story is Hawke's quest for the well-being of his family in the face of various dangers. The plot is divided into three acts, each of which represents a major turning point in Hawke's life. Act I involves Hawke's quest to earn enough to go on an expedition in the dangerous Deep Roads. In the second act, Hawke encounters the Qunari, a warlike and highly disciplined race, and their leader, who refuses to leave Kirkwall. The ripple of Hawke's decisions here includes Act III, which finds Kirkwall on the brink of all-out war between wizards and templars.
Smaller themes such as religious fanaticism, corruption and prejudice are explored in depth and add maturity to the story. Relationships also play a role, with companions influencing Hawke's choices and determining his relationships with others. Also, the choices you make in the timeline don't always have immediate visible results, which gives your decisions a sense of importance.
The story of Dragon Age II is interesting in that it is told retrospectively by one of Hawke's companions, the handsome dwarf Varrik Tetras. Using this unique storytelling system, Dragon Age II brings a more personal and intimate story that ties into the events of the larger Dragon Age series.
Development
The intricate details of the story are revealed through an innovative framed narrative structure, events recounted by one of Hawke's closest associates. This narrative scheme proved effective in highlighting personal choices and their far-reaching consequences, and allowed for a surprising amount of flexibility and reproducibility.
BioWare also faced the challenge of simplifying and improving the game's systems without compromising the depth that fans of the first chapter appreciated. Combat has been optimized to be more immersive and dynamic while maintaining the tactical complexity of the series. RPG elements have been simplified for a smoother and more accessible experience.
A major part of the development process was a complete overhaul of the game's visual style. Theda's game world, characters, and environments were more stylized and expressive, in stark contrast to the "realistic" design of Origins. This new approach was intended to give Dragon Age II a distinct identity and visual style that appealed to many players. Despite the challenges along the way, Dragon Age II was an ambitious sequel that brought change and innovation that influenced not only the Dragon Age series, but the RPG landscape in general.
Release
Dragon Age II thrives on the decade-long personal storyline of a protagonist named Hawke. The player who takes on the role of Hawke witnesses the remarkable evolution of the character from humble refugee to respected champion of Kirkwall. Dragon Age II's trademark lies in a rich story that shows that power and the acquisition of it can be very character-shaping, as a response to adversity.
In addition to the narrative focus, Dragon Age II introduced a new combat technique designed to increase speed and quick strategic action. The art style and graphic details were more stylized than in the first episode. It successfully captured the dark fantasy atmosphere that Dragon Age: Origins created in the universe while developing its identity. The game was a truly iconic sequel, with both legacy and innovation.
Reception
However, Dragon Age II was also criticized for its repetitive environment and changes to the battle system. Some players felt that the game was too simplistic compared to its predecessor, with less emphasis on strategic combat. The environmental redesign also caused a lot of controversy, with many saying it hindered immersion and story telling.
Additionally, the game's epilogue left some players unsatisfied, leading to a polarized reaction. However, Dragon Age II's dedication to character development and progressive storytelling made it stand out in the RPG genre. With a rich story and a complex plot, Dragon Age II, despite its flaws, succeeded in providing an unforgettable gaming experience that left players eagerly awaiting future entries in the franchise.
Cultural impact
Often, the game tackled complex social and political issues through choice-based narratives that allowed players to dive deep into debates that had previously been barely touched upon in games. The players faced political struggles, mutual disagreements and religious disputes. This resulted in complex emotional investment, compelling, thought-provoking decisions, and personal growth experiences throughout the game.
Furthermore, Dragon Age II made a big impact on the gaming world by introducing a player-created story. Unlike its predecessor, where the story was largely driven by a clear enemy, Dragon Age II took a different approach. The story unfolds through personal interactions and arguments with the game's extensive roster of characters, creating a dynamic and immersive environment that draws the player deeper into the story.
In addition, Dragon Age II's innovative dialogue circle has become influential in other RPGs as well. This improved decision-making for players and gave them a greater sense of control over the direction of the story, increasing the level of immersion in the game.
Overall, Dragon Age II had a lasting impact on the gaming industry. With an engaging story, character-based and choice-based narrative, it has expanded players' gaming experience beyond an escapist experience into an immersive socio-political platform that explores human connections and deep social and cultural issues.