Dragon Age II Reviews, Wave Twenty

And so we arrive at my final review round-up for Dragon Age II. If you still haven’t made up your mind about the game, check back later today for our own review.

GamingTruth gives it a 4.5/5:

Dragon Age 2 is different than Origins, but it’s still damn good. Seeing the story come full circle and evolve in the second game is a treat, and seeing decisions made in Origins and Awakening turn into quests, be mentioned throughout and actually make valuable changes to your Dragon Age 2 experience is an even bigger treat. Fans of the series will eat it up, but those who want to start at the second game will want to give Origins a play first to better understand the world, lore and better appreciate the story.

NZGamer gives it an 8.2/10:

So what to make of Bioware’s Dragon Age II? Is there a way to summarise its good attributes and its odd failings? Dragon Age II is an excellent RPG by any objective standard. It has a great story, great characterisation, great intrigue, replayability, and atmosphere in spades. But PC gamers who were perhaps holding out for the title to breathe life back into their medium, they may be disappointed. Dragon Age’s straddling of both worlds comes only at the expense of one, which the hardcore will find dreary. But for those who are looking to have a go, and can afford the price tag that comes with that, should grab this title by its dragon-honed horns. All of its faults should be taken with a good dash of lyrium dust, and balanced against its enjoyable experiences. Because while it has bent some of the staples of the genre out of shape, as a total package it will certainly fill the bellies of any RPG fan, leaving only the loyal few hungry for more.

GameDynamo gives it a 97/100:

The first game was pretty good, so for BioWare to outdo itself in such a fashion for the sequel is jaw-dropping. Dragon Age II might just be in the race for game of the year, with pinpoint accurate controls, moving music, a rich and involving story, and action that will test even elite gamers.

TheGamersPad gives it a 2/5:

Overall I can’t fault the gameplay of Dragon Age 2 in that everything seems to work exactly as it should and I’ve only encountered a handful of bugs, however with the game operating as designed, I just have to question the design. The game is pretty uneventful and boring and has lost pretty much everything that set Dragon Age: Origins out from the pack, but there are a few saving graces in the characters and the visual style of the game. Dragon Age 2 is a good entry point for people who want to play RPG’s but can’t understand the more complex elements, however fans of deeper RPG’s will probably be disappointed.

GameSmack Ireland gives it an 8.5/10:

Characters are likeable and unlikable as the developer intended, the voice acting is excellent and it provides the player with a distinct difference over Origins that’s worth playing. Don’t expect Dragon Age 2 to be a bigger and better in every type of way game. Look at it as a solid sequel to a game that probably deserved a longer development cycle. Dragon Age 2 feels like an experiment at times, but it’s a successful one nonetheless.

Plasma Station gives it a 7.5/10:

All together, I found this game to be a huge disappointment with some pretty addicting gameplay and a story that couldn’t stop wandering. The graphics were a major problem and sound bored me to bits, as it was nothing interesting. I would recommend this game to huge RPG fans, but other than that, hardcore gamers would easily find the same issues I did.

MSXbox-World gives it a 9.5/10:

Dragon Age 2 takes everything that made the original so outstanding, and improves upon it effectively, offering another compelling, extensive, epic experience that will win you over with its rich character and tremendous attention to detail. Being the perfect balance between cinematic action, dramatic storytelling, and strategic RPG, it’s a fantastic achievement that deserves to be played by any self-respecting gamer out there. It’s time it emerged from Mass Effect’s shadow and took its rightful place atop the action/RPG throne. My Chinese calender says 2012 is the year of the Dragon, but they might have to change it after playing this. The original won over 30 Game of the Year awards back in 2009. I just hope they had some left over for 2011.

And Games Abyss doesn’t score it:

Dragon Age II is not winning RPG of the year anytime soon, especially with heavy-hitters Mass Effect 3 and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim still to come in Quarter 4; there is still plenty to enjoy though. Though a diminutive part of the story, there is a path for the continuation of the series already set in place. The world of Dragon Age is well on its way to becoming a strong gaming canon, and much of the lore and history is further revealed through codex entries. The Dragon Age II experience can be richly rewarding for the patient newcomer and devoted alike; it is already an easy candidate for most underrated game of the year.