Dragon Age 2 announced

[Stoney Mason]

Last year, BioWare and EA introduced gamers to a vast new fantasy world with Dragon Age: Origins. Now, after an expansion and plenty of DLC, the renowned RPG developer is ready to unveil the next chapter in the Dragon Age saga. Dragon Age II is a full-fledged sequel, featuring a new hero, a different part of the world, and a ton of surprising improvements that will shed even more light on the lore of the Dragon Age universe. You can learn all the details in our exclusive 10-page cover story in issue 208.

[demi]

PC EXCLUSIVE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[demi]

Hands on 3DS impressions

PC EXCLUSIVE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[archie4208]

Yawn.

[Himu]

goty 2009 returns

[Great Rumbler]

Bioware hasn't made a PC-only game since Neverwinter Nights.

[Himu]

Who gives a fuck

best 3d wrpg is back baby

[Bocsius]

 

Is it out tomorrow?

[demi]

PC EXCLUSIVE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PC EXCLUSIVE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Err where does it say it? I highly doubt it BTW.

Now you doubt it. What happened?

[Stoney Mason]

BioWare has confirmed that Dragon Age 2’s story will last a decade in game time and will release in March 2011.The sequel charts the rise to power of Hawke, a survivor of the Blight. Platforms are now confirmed as 360, PS3 and PC.BioWare boss Ray Muzyka said today that the original Dragon Age “was one of the most successful in BioWare’s 15-year history and one of the most successful new IP launches in the 28 year history of EA.”Executive producer Mark Darrah added that the developer is “amplifying the things that made Dragon Age: Origins such a huge success while introducing a more dynamic combat system, improving the graphics, and telling the most important story in our world.”Dragon Age 2’s story will last ten years of game time, and set that player as Hawke, “a penniless refugee who rises to power to become the single most important character in the world of Dragon Age.”BioWare promised today that “the way you play will write the story of how the world is changed forever.”Epic revealIt’s been a good day for BioWare fans indeed: GI earlier showed Dragon Age 2 as the cover for its next issue, to which EA confirmed that the RPG sequel’s first trailer will be shown during its gamescom press conference next month.First concept art has been released, as you can see below.GI mentioned that the game takes place in “a different part of the world” of Ferelden, and includes “a ton of surprising improvements that will shed even more light on the lore of the Dragon Age universe.”The details were backed up by the following from the game’s official site, giving first bits on plot and confirming a new visual style:Experience the epic sequel to the 2009 Game of the Year from the critically acclaimed makers of Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2. You are one of the few who escaped the destruction of your home. Now, forced to fight for survival in an ever-changing world, you must gather the deadliest of allies, amass fame and fortune, and seal your place in history. This is the story of how the world changed forever. The legend of your Rise to Power begins now.Key Features:
Embark upon an all-new adventure that takes place across an entire decade and shapes itself around every decision you make.
Determine your rise to power from a destitute refugee to the revered champion of the land.
Think like a general and fight like a Spartan with dynamic new combat mechanics that put you right in the heart of battle whether you are a mage, rogue, or warrior.
Go deeper into the world of Dragon Age with an entirely new cinematic experience that grabs hold of you from the beginning and never lets go.
Discover a whole realm rendered in stunning detail with updated graphics and a new visual style.

[Dickie Dee]

just picked up the first from the steam sale (still wasn't all that cheap, but cheap enough for me to say fuckit) - looking forward to it

[cool breeze]

Sounds like they're making it a different and smaller game.  I guess the idea of origins is gone and it is more about action.

If it is an action game with rpg mechanics like how ME2 was as a shooter, I'll be excited for that too.

[Himu]

Sounds like they're making it a different and smaller game.  I guess the idea of origins is gone and it is more about action.

If it is an action game with rpg mechanics like how ME2 was as a shooter, I'll be excited for that too.

 

Best part of DAO was the fact it was BG in 3d. Every other game now is some crappy action rpg anyways. What's wrong with variety? DAO was supposed to revive the whole oldschool rpg thing, right? What's wrong with evolving it?

[Smooth Groove]

Agree with Himu on this.  BG-style combat rules.  Witcher 2 already fills the action rpg niche.

Also, suck it, Demi.  PC always wins, baby! 

[Great Rumbler]

All they need to do is tweak DAO combat and add some more depth to the classes. They don't need to make it some kind of third-person action-rpg.

[Himu]

Well, the pc version is a niche.

[archie4208]

All they need to do is tweak DAO combat and add some more depth to the classes. They don't need to make it some kind of third-person action-rpg.

Developers are catering to Xbros yet again. :'(  Give me my convoluted stats and overhead combat, jerks.

[Smooth Groove]

Elitism has always been a niche.

[maxy]

PC EXCLUSIVE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Great Rumbler]

All they need to do is tweak DAO combat and add some more depth to the classes. They don't need to make it some kind of third-person action-rpg.

Developers are catering to Xbros yet again. :'(

I don't really see the point of that. They said themselves that it was one of their most successful games and one of the most successful launches of a new IP in EA's history, why mess with that and take it in a completely different direction?

[cool breeze]

I don't really see the point of that. They said themselves that it was one of their most successful games and one of the most successful launches of a new IP in EA's history, why mess with that and take it in a completely different direction?

Think like a general and fight like a Spartan with dynamic new combat mechanics that put you right in the heart of battle whether you are a mage, rogue, or warrior.

It's speculation.  Really it can mean anything at this point.

Besides, how many people here played Dragon Age Awakening? I still haven't checked that out myself because I'm waiting for it and the DLC (which is still releasing) to be packaged together, but there is more of that regular Dragon Age stuff to play out there that I don't think most people have touched yet.  I'm just saying that if they take it another direction, I wouldn't be too upset.

I'm more skeptical about the idea of your character starting as a filthy poor.  I liked choosing my character origin.  It's a shame you can't start as in a rich white family anymore with slaves and that whole deal.  Rags to riches   Riches to more riches

[Himu]

Starting out a slave sounds dumb.

I'd rather start out as a rich character who ends up being a slave who then moves his way up ranks to become the richest, bestest warrior ever

but 10 years is a long time so anything could happen. Hopefully it's a quarter as emotional as Dragon Quest V, which spans several decades at the very least.

[cool breeze]

The only character choices at the beginning now are just male or female.  You always start as a poor human.  I thought the poor part would stay, but I guess you're stuck as a human too.

[demi]

pc exclusive!!!!!!!!!

[Smooth Groove]

Specifically, the best looking and playing version is PC exclusive. 

[Great Rumbler]

PC version also has mods and easy modding.

[archie4208]

Which probably consists mostly of nude Morrigan mods.

[Great Rumbler]

Which probably consists mostly of nude Morrigan mods.

More than you'd think! Or not. There are some quest mods though.

[Himu]

Which probably consists mostly of nude Morrigan mods.

 

[cool breeze]

Morrigan disapproves

[Ichirou]

Leliana's Song DLC just came out yesterday.

[Cormacaroni]

Looking forward to this. Just bought the PC version the other day, after making it halfway through on the 360 before getting distracted by shiny-shiny Mass Effect 2.

[Bocsius]

Slave to super powerful warrior in ten years? Yeah right.

Signed,

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[Great Rumbler]

All this Dragon Age talk has me wanting to play it again. I guess I'll snag some cool mods and then play as something other than a wood elf.

[GilloD]

I was hoping DA would stay the "Old timey role play" franchise and ME2 would be like ACTION RPG franchise, but now it looks like they're both just gonna be ACTIONY

[Ichirou]

Are they going to ignore the dangling plotlines left over from the first game and Awakenings?  That would suck...

Also, does this mean the new character in DA2 won't be a Grey Warden?

[demi]

I was hoping DA would stay the "Old timey role play" franchise and ME2 would be like ACTION RPG franchise, but now it looks like they're both just gonna be ACTIONY

Games like Mass Effect 2

[Great Rumbler]

I started playing Dragon Age again, this time as a human mage. I'd forgotten how awesome top-down, point-and-click, party-based RPGs are! I like the mage origin so far, I'd guess that I'm probably about halfway through it.

[maxy]

Think like a general and fight like a Spartan with dynamic new combat mechanics that put you right in the heart of battle whether you are a mage, rogue, or warrior.

I have a feeling that hardcore PC fans won't like this.

[Great Rumbler]

Think like a general and fight like a Spartan with dynamic new combat mechanics that put you right in the heart of battle whether you are a mage, rogue, or warrior.

I have a feeling that hardcore PC fans won't like this.

Yeah, that's what got EB's PC contingent on edge. It sounds like they're taking it the ME2 route of pulling the camera in and making it more about hitting the right button at the right time rather than full party control from a hundred feet up in the air. I'm not going to write the game off, but I'd much rather see a refinement of DAO's combat rather than having it completely ditched.

[Himu]

i thought the whole fuckin point of DAO was to revive oldschool rpg gaming to fill a niche that hasn't been filled in a while.

It makes no sense making it like ME2, because ME is now their action series, DA should remain their hardcore rpg series.

[Stoney Mason]

I think its a bit early to know exactly what changes are being made unless I missed some details that were posted.

[demi]

Nope, not too early. Make it like ME2 and more people will buy it.

[archie4208]

DA outsold ME2 though.

[Stoney Mason]

DA outsold ME2 though.

Well it also came out on three platforms. But I'm still not sure where people are getting this stuff until I actually start seeing something about concrete game features. Not saying it may not happen. Just saying people seem to be going down the Nostradumus route.

[cool breeze]

people claiming to have the issue and posted info about it

The Elite Elite wrote...

Alright, just finished reading the DA2 article in my GI mag. WARNING! I am going to be posting some of the things that really stand out. (To me anyway) So if you don't want to know, skip my post.

1) We will be able to import our DA:O games into DA2.

2) We will see Flemeth at some point.

3) Pissing off party members won't always be a bad thing. "They won't necessarily leave. They may still join you, but they're going to try to show you up, and that may influence battle in a different way."

4) We're getting the ME2 conversation wheel, but this time instead of having some dialogue be a particular color the center of the wheel will show a symbol to show what kind of reply it is. (The article uses the examples of them being something like aggressive or sarcastic)

5) The way the story unfolds will be very different compared to the past Bioware games. "Dragon Age II has a framed narrative structure, which means that the exploits of Hawke occured in the past, but are being retold in the present." "Narrators with unique insights into the events in question tell the tale of his past adventures."

6) We may get to see some of the DA:O events at the start from a different perspective. "Dragon Age II begins as the events of Origins are still taking place, so you may see some familiar events from a different angle."

7) Because of the game spanning a decade, we get to see the consequences of our actions sooner, rather than in a little text at the end of the game.

8.) The PC version's combat system remains mostly the same. "The PC version implements the same strategic approach afforded by a mouse-and-keyboard control scheme." "Rather than try to mimic the PC experience on consoles, Dragon Age II has a battle system more tailored to the strengths of the PS3 and 360."

Well, one of the exact quotes is "You may be controlling a different character in Dragon Age II, but the choices your Grey Warden made in Origins are still imported from your save and reflected in the world."

From reading that section of the article they seem to say that the PC version is pretty much the same, while the console versions have been upgraded to have the action feel faster and more responsive than Origins did.

PC combat is going to remain pretty much the way it currently is. It's the console versions that are being upgraded.

It doesn't talk about the conversation system in great detail. Just says "Dragon Age II uses a conversation system similar to Mass Effect's, where players select paraphrased versions of the dialogue from a wheel. An icon in the middle of the wheel even illustrates the line's basic intent (like aggressive or sarcastic), so you can focus more on the interaction rather than reading and analyzing your dialogue choices."

It made no mention of the dialogue system with party members.

All it really said was that the PC version will have the same ability to "examine the battlefield closely, make decisions from a top-down view, and direct your party like a general." They say they got to play the Xbox 360 version and they can "confirm that it is faster, more responsive, and more fluid than before. As soon as you press a button, something happens. As a warrior, Hawke threw down special strikes and used a new dash move to slash through darkspawn with ease. It isn't on the Dynasty Warriors side of the spectrum, but with obvious improvements to the targeting system and animations, playing Dragon Age II with a controller finally feels natural."

[Great Rumbler]

Conversation wheel sounds kind of like what Obsidian did in Alpha Protocol.

Also, good to know that the combat in the PC version is the same.

[Ichirou]

Finished the Leliana's Song DLC.  It's basically her origin story and how she ended up getting betrayed by her mentor.  I was hoping we'd get a glimpse of Orlais, since that's where Leliana comes from (that sexy accent yum), but the game takes place entirely in Denerim during her last mission as a bard.

I would say the DLC lasts about an hour and a half, maybe two hours at most?  Not horrible for 560 points, I mean, it's about the price of a movie ticket and provides as much entertainment.  Plus I always liked Leliana so getting to hang out with her for a bit more was nice.  Plenty of dialogue and three new achievements worth 100 points, plus a new original armor for rogues.

[Dickie Dee]

8.) The PC version's combat system remains mostly the same. "The PC version implements the same strategic approach afforded by a mouse-and-keyboard control scheme."

"Rather than try to mimic the PC experience on consoles, Dragon Age II has a battle system more tailored to the strengths of the PS3 and 360."

:irrelevant

[Ichirou]

So the console version will be gimped, confirmed.  Fuck.

[archie4208]

The console version was already gimped.  They are just catering to that platform's strengths and making Dragon Effect while the PC version keeps the BG style of combat.

[demi]

What was gimped about DAO console? Aside from NERFING AN ENTIRE CLASS

[Ichirou]

What class did they nerf?  Explain demi.

[demi]

I already did in another thread, to you

[Ichirou]

Are you talking about the...what was it, the dexterity bug?

[demi]

Yes

[Stoney Mason]

What was gimped about DAO console? Aside from NERFING AN ENTIRE CLASS

Maybe he's talking about the control scheme or the camera angle but otherwise math wise it was the same dice rolls going on in the PC version from what I heard.

[Ichirou]

Have there been any screenshots released yet?  I'm curious about the "new visual style."

[cool breeze]

Have there been any screenshots released yet?  I'm curious about the "new visual style."

[Ichirou]

That looks nice, but I'm guessing that's the PC version.  Visual style looks exactly the same to me, though.