Dragon Age II Video Interview

GameSpot features a 4-minute video interview lead designer Mike Laidlaw. It shows some gameplay with the follower Fenric and inside the Deep Roads, before he discusses the rivalry system as an improvement on the previous companion approval system, describing it as “agreeing to disagree”. Afterwards, he discusses the “framed narrative”, how two storytellers exploring Hawke’s backstories makes for more interesting a narrative, and how “heroes are made, not born”. Finally, he talks about how the skilltree is “probably the biggest overhaul in the game” as part of their approach to combat, how Origins had too much “awkward” slow movement and careful positioning, whereas Dragon Age II has a “pace that feels more like an action game, even though it isn’t, it requires you to think”.