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Dragon Age II Review – Rising from Ashes to Power

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Dragon Age II Review – Rising from Ashes to Power

8.7

Score

 8.7/10

Pros

  • Engaging narrative spanning a decade.
  • Flexible class system, allowing for custom role development.
  • Non-linear storytelling with decision-based outcomes.
  • Improved combat system with refined AI.
  • Detailed character customization options.

Cons

  • Combat may feel repetitive over time.
  • Character progression might be slow for casual players.

Born from the creative minds at BioWare, Dragon Age II takes players deeper into the dark fantasy world first introduced in Dragon Age: Origins. This action-packed role-playing game delivers an immersive storyline with complex characters, dynamic combat, and strategic decision-making that shapes the fate of the entire realm.

Gameplay

Dragon Age II sets its stage within a narrative that spans a decade, tracing the journey of the player’s character, known as Hawke, from a poverty-stricken refugee to a person of immense influence. The game’s setting in the bustling city of Kirkwall and its surrounding areas offers a wealth of exploration opportunities, quests, and adventures.

The game retains the triad of classes from its predecessor: Mage, Rogue, and Warrior. Each class possesses unique abilities and equipment that are further expandable through progression. The game refrains from the typical class-based roles; instead, the player’s chosen path in skill enhancements defines the character’s role in the squad. This flexibility allows a Mage to either focus on supporting allies or dealing damage, depending on the player’s preference.

Dragon Age II presents its narrative from the perspective of Varric, one of Hawke’s companions, adding a layer of narrative depth. The storytelling technique delivers a nonlinear experience that creates different outcomes based on the player’s dialogue and decision-making choices.

Combat has evolved from the original game, with a refined action system that continues to allow strategic pauses to map out the squad’s tactics. Artificial intelligence has seen an upgrade, with enemies posing a tougher challenge, especially in boss battles. Managing equipment remains crucial, with certain items requiring specific attribute points to be used effectively.

Character customization extends to choosing Hawke’s gender and class at the beginning, with the former having some influence on the narrative’s progression. External features of the character can also be customized to the player’s liking.

Dragon Age II takes the legacy of its predecessor and refines it into a more immersive, action-packed role-playing experience. Its captivating narrative, enriched with non-linear storytelling and decision-based outcomes, draws players into the world of Dragon Age. The improved combat mechanics, paired with a flexible class system, make for engaging gameplay. While it might have its minor drawbacks, Dragon Age II successfully delivers an adventure that fans of the genre will appreciate, marking a solid entry in BioWare’s esteemed RPG lineage.

System Requirements:

Minimum Requirements:

  • Memory: 1 GB RAM
  • Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256 MB; NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS 256 MB cards
  • CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo (or equivalent) running at 1.8 GHz or greater; AMD Athlon 64 X2 (or equivalent) running at 1.8 GHz or greater
  • File Size: 7 GB available space
  • OS: Windows Vista with SP3, SP2 or Windows 7

Recommended Requirements:

  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics Card: ATI 3850 512 MB or greater; NVIDIA 8800 GTS 512 MB or greater
  • CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz Processor or equivalent; AMD Phenom II X3 Triple-core 2.8 GHz or equivalent
  • File Size: 7 GB available space
  • OS: Windows Vista with SP3, SP2 or Windows 7