Status:
- Complete in Box
- Play Tested
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Dragon Age 2 for the PlayStation 3 is the highly anticipated sequel to Dragon Age: Origins (2009) and offers a more streamlined and action-oriented experience compared to its predecessor. While it retains many of the franchise's core elementsdeep narrative choices, character-driven storytelling, and a fantasy settingit also introduces some significant changes that may divide long-time fans. Below is a detailed review of Dragon Age 2 on PS3.
Story & Narrative
The story in Dragon Age 2 is one of its most prominent aspects, focusing on the rise of Hawke, a human character (who can be customized by the player) from a refugee to the Champion of Kirkwall, a city torn apart by political intrigue, war, and corruption. The game takes place over a period of roughly a decade, with the story divided into three acts, each representing a different phase in Hawke's journey.
The narrative is framed as a recollection by Varric, a witty dwarf companion who provides commentary throughout the tale, giving it a unique storytelling structure. The plot revolves around Hawkes struggle to survive in a city rife with tensions between the mages, templars, and other factions. The story touches on themes of power, loyalty, and sacrifice, but it lacks the broader world-building and high-stakes conflict of the first game, instead focusing on a more personal, localized story.
Although the dialogue and character interactions are strong, the main plot suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle act, where things can feel repetitive. That said, the personal stories of your companions are one of the games high points, and your choices significantly impact the direction of the plot and relationships.
Gameplay & Combat
Dragon Age 2 dramatically overhauls the combat system from the first game. The gameplay is much more action-oriented, with real-time combat that emphasizes fluidity and speed over the tactical pauses of Dragon Age: Origins. Players control Hawke in battle directly, using a variety of weapons, spells, and abilities in fast-paced skirmishes. This approach is in stark contrast to the slower, more methodical combat of its predecessor, which may appeal to action fans but alienate those who appreciated the tactical depth of the original.
The change to more action-oriented combat makes Dragon Age 2 feel more like a traditional hack-and-slash RPG, with less emphasis on strategy and positioning. However, its still satisfying, especially with the use of special abilities and combos between your party members. Each companion has their own unique set of abilities, which can be combined for devastating effects.
While this system is a departure from Origins, its undeniably more dynamic and fluid, providing a more immediate sense of power and excitement. However, some may miss the more complex combat strategies and deeper RPG elements that defined the first game.
Character Customization & Companions
Customization options in Dragon Age 2 are somewhat streamlined compared to Origins. The game offers three distinct classes: Warrior, Mage, and Rogue, each with their own skill trees. However, there is less emphasis on customization compared to the first game, where you could alter every characters skills more freely. While Hawkes appearance can be customized at the start, the
