Dragon Age 2 demo available. Thoughts & impressions?

[QUOTE="Elann2008"]

[QUOTE="guynamedbilly"] Why would you even waste time downloading a demo if you didn't think it was representative of the final product? If you are asking if I think DA2 will be very similar to DA:O as far as mission paths go yes I do, because of the 20 minute demo, the way DA:O was designed, and Bioware's recent history.Empirefrtw

What ever, in over 20+ years of gaming rarely has a demo been a godo representation of the full games, at least for me personally.

Thats why I rarely ever play demos because 95% of the time I hate the demo but the game ends up being fun.

Especially with rpgs.... demos are just not a good representation of games imo.

I actually find screenshots and videos to be more my thing then demos. I can probably count on one hand the amount of demos that made me buy a game, it rarely ever happens.

First off I love demos and wish all games had them, now my2 cents:

Pros:

• Graphics are much better. Characters look great, the women are spectacular, lots of diverse personalities. Facial animations are great compared to DAO.
• Sound effects were crisp and dynamic. Voice acting was great and on par with DAO.
• Combat is faster and more dynamic. I feel like my rogue and warrior have more of an impact on combat and better tactics. Rogue especially is much better, they sucked in DAO.
• I like the dialogue wheel and actually hearing my Character talk.
• More gore, always a plus!
• Skill trees and hotbar is a great improvement over DAO, imo.
• I have no problem with a linear storyline, in fact I prefer it over a sandbox game as the storylines are always better.

Cons:

• No isometric view: I really did miss the tactical feel of iso view. This wasn't so much of an issue playing a fighter or Rogue but it was when I played a mage.
• combat does seem easier but its just the demo and I won't expect them to include really tough battles. I had no problem with the battles, especially the ogre as I kept him stunned most of the time.
• While I enjoyed the dialogue wheel and hearing my Character, the actual dialogue was pretty simplified.
• I still miss being able to queue actions/attacks, not sure why they can't do this

Neutral comments (haven't decided if pro or con):

• lots more pausing needed in order to control each character
• Feels like much more of an action game
• lots of cut scenes in the demo, which gave it a very 'movie' feel.

Conclusion:

The more I played it, the more I got used to the visuals and combat and I genuinely enjoyed the demo. Pausing and being more 'tactical' became easier and I missed the iso view less and less the more I played (but I did miss it a lot when playing a mage). I will buy this game but if I can hold out I will wait for the inevitable 'GOTY' edition.

Major_9000

I was worried about this game but as I play the demo I dont mind the graphics at all. Only issue is I wish I could zoom out a bit more, still only a small thing.

The combat still feels strategic if you want it to be, jsut a bit more faster with much better animations and controls.

I just really hope the story, characters and level design are good. Still on the fence as to how this game will turn out, but the demo made me not so scared (especially with the gameplay and graphics).

Still, its hard to get alot out of a demo for an rpg imo, but it did put my mind at rest about the graphics/controls.

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

I probably buy this game when its price drops to $20.

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

Mr_Ditters

Because reality is boring. I have nothing against all women being Kim Kardashian.

[QUOTE="Mr_Ditters"]

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

Baranga

Because reality is boring. I have nothing against all women being Kim Kardashian.

I think realism is much more interesting than cheezy and juvenile.

[QUOTE="Mr_Ditters"]

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

Because reality is boring. I have nothing against all women being Kim Kardashian.

[QUOTE="Mr_Ditters"]

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

Because reality is boring. I have nothing against all women being Kim Kardashian.

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

I probably buy this game when its price drops to $20.

Mr_Ditters

[QUOTE="Mr_Ditters"]

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

I probably buy this game when its price drops to $20.

Captain__Tripps

[QUOTE="Captain__Tripps"][QUOTE="Mr_Ditters"]

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

I probably buy this game when its price drops to $20.

kieranb2000

They are fake. I can tell.

[QUOTE="Elann2008"][QUOTE="Baranga"]

Because reality is boring. I have nothing against all women being Kim Kardashian.

GeneralShowzer

[QUOTE="kieranb2000"][QUOTE="Captain__Tripps"] Just because a girl has big boobs doesn't equal implants. :-P Maybe the women of Ferelden are just naturally gifted...Mr_Ditters

They are fake. I can tell.

It seemed unpolished and everything is over the top and cheezy. The character design and animations. Its all flash and no depth. Why does every woman in the game have to have breast implants? Its just tacky.

I probably buy this game when its price drops to $20.

Mr_Ditters

Origins had the exact same thing going on with women in the chantry robes, all their bodies looked exactly the same.

[QUOTE="kieranb2000"][QUOTE="Captain__Tripps"] Just because a girl has big boobs doesn't equal implants. :-P Maybe the women of Ferelden are just naturally gifted...Mr_Ditters

They are fake. I can tell.

This forum transaction made me chuckle. That's good.

I want to try the demo. The first time I tried it, I received an error upon install saying that the file was corrupted. I'll have to try another download. From the videos I've seen, I don't have my hopes up. But, I enjoyed Mass Effect 2 so maybe I'll enjoy DA2 for what it is.

[QUOTE="Mr_Ditters"]

[QUOTE="kieranb2000"] Also, considering the styles of their clothes it is very possible most of the women are wearing Corsets. And Corsets do wonders for the bust.StrawberryHill

They are fake. I can tell.

This forum transaction made me chuckle. That's good.

I want to try the demo. The first time I tried it, I received an error upon install saying that the file was corrupted. I'll have to try another download. From the videos I've seen, I don't have my hopes up. But, I enjoyed Mass Effect 2 so maybe I'll enjoy DA2 for what it is.

Same happened to me. 2nd download worked

Am I the only one who noticed that during the exaggerated intro scene, Bethany's ding dongs are bigger than they are during the 'real' story? That's a nice touch right there haha

My thoughts? Combat is DA:O, but faster. I don't see where the 'Devil-May-Cry' naysayers get their complaints from. Did we play the same thing?

The new skill trees are interesting, much more involved than in DA:O if I may be so bold. I especially like the fact that I can do Pommel Strikes with both styles (S&S and 2H) now if I wish, something that always bugged me in DA:O.

Playing as a mage, I had to hold down the right-mouse button to try to simulate an overhead view. Clunky but it works.

Dialog wheel ripped from ME:2 - at first I was pissed at this, but you can't deny that ME:2's dialog system was good (the actual dialogue i.e. Paragon and Renegade stuff, is a whole other issue entirely haha), and if it's a good thing how can it make a game bad? Personally I think it's a good move.

And IMO, if you're looking for an RPG where you can make your own dialogue, play combat as tactically as you want and do whatever you please, go find a tabletop group.

The mage attacks look all martial artsy, the combat is faster, the boobs are big, and it looks like I can romance the girls as a female... I am content.jedinat

Gotta be one of the worst demos I've played in my life. Endless boring combat, horrid landscape, ugly as sin... What happened Bioware?

@KleptoZ

I agree. I really didn't even want to finish the demo but was hoping for something to really wow me. It didn't happen. Def not a pick up until it drops to $20.

Am I the only one who noticed that during the exaggerated intro scene, Bethany's ding dongs are bigger than they are during the 'real' story? That's a nice touch right there hahakimkim01

lol, you're not the only one to notice. I said the same thing a several pages back. I find it hilarious. The dwarf skyrocketed to one of my favorite characters because of that. lol

[QUOTE="jedinat"]The mage attacks look all martial artsy, the combat is faster, the boobs are big, and it looks like I can romance the girls as a female... I am content.kieranb2000

In my point of view, bioware created a new genre of RPGs: romance simulators. Click on a few lines of short text and watch a cutscene + get an achievement. Yeah, so hardcore and mature

[QUOTE="kieranb2000"][QUOTE="jedinat"]The mage attacks look all martial artsy, the combat is faster, the boobs are big, and it looks like I can romance the girls as a female... I am content.zhivago_x

In my point of view, bioware created a new genre of RPGs: romance simulators. Click on a few lines of short text and watch a cutscene + get an achievement. Yeah, so hardcore and mature

[QUOTE="kieranb2000"][QUOTE="jedinat"]The mage attacks look all martial artsy, the combat is faster, the boobs are big, and it looks like I can romance the girls as a female... I am content.zhivago_x

In my point of view, bioware created a new genre of RPGs: romance simulators. Click on a few lines of short text and watch a cutscene + get an achievement. Yeah, so hardcore and mature

That's why i didn't like Mass Effect 2. Instead of game-play, world exploration, character customization, trading, different approaches and stuff like that, the focus was on talking to people from your party. It got boring, really quick. GeneralShowzer

Not sure if serious.

[QUOTE="zhivago_x"]

[QUOTE="kieranb2000"] You could romance the girls as a female in the first Dragon Age :)GeneralShowzer

In my point of view, bioware created a new genre of RPGs: romance simulators. Click on a few lines of short text and watch a cutscene + get an achievement. Yeah, so hardcore and mature

[QUOTE="GeneralShowzer"][QUOTE="zhivago_x"]

In my point of view, bioware created a new genre of RPGs: romance simulators. Click on a few lines of short text and watch a cutscene + get an achievement. Yeah, so hardcore and mature

SkyWard20

I don't mind dialogue, but if that's the main selling part of the game then you did it wrong. Where was the exploration? Different ways to play the game? Customization, trading ?

My playtrough with ME2 went something like 10% combat 10% planet mining The rest were endless talks with party characters.

You say in RPG's but I've never seen any game I spent most of the time talking to my party members.

DA:O had the same thing, but it was an optional thing and it felt like a small part of the game, with the exploration, tons of items, customization, interesting long battles, looting, trading, ect....

[QUOTE="SkyWard20"][QUOTE="GeneralShowzer"] That's why i didn't like Mass Effect 2. Instead of game-play, world exploration, character customization, trading, different approaches and stuff like that, the focus was on talking to people from your party. It got boring, really quick. GeneralShowzer

I don't mind dialogue, but if that's the main selling part of the game then you did it wrong. Where was the exploration? Different ways to play the game? Customization, trading ?

My playtrough with ME2 went something like 10% combat 10% planet mining The rest were endless talks with party characters.

You say in RPG's but I've never seen any game I spent most of the time talking to my party members.

DA:O had the same thing, but it was an optional thing and it felt like a small part of the game, with the exploration, tons of items, customization, interesting long battles, looting, trading, ect....

No. You play RPG's for the wrong reasons. I haven't finished Mass Effect 2, but there was plenty of fighting, different classes and different planets. Every time I got on a planet I killed a lot of stuff. After ( or maybe even before ) I can get all that I want as much good dialogue as possible ( as long as I can interact with it well enough ).

Edit: That's not necessary in all RPG's, of course. But I welcome it.

I'm using my chair on the board of Bioware to ask about the isometric camera! Hopefully I won't be thrown out for being so shrewd of thy tongue! biggest_loser

[QUOTE="SkyWard20"][QUOTE="GeneralShowzer"] That's why i didn't like Mass Effect 2. Instead of game-play, world exploration, character customization, trading, different approaches and stuff like that, the focus was on talking to people from your party. It got boring, really quick. GeneralShowzer

I don't mind dialogue, but if that's the main selling part of the game then you did it wrong. Where was the exploration? Different ways to play the game? Customization, trading ?

My playtrough with ME2 went something like 10% combat 10% planet mining The rest were endless talks with party characters.

You say in RPG's but I've never seen any game I spent most of the time talking to my party members.

DA:O had the same thing, but it was an optional thing and it felt like a small part of the game, with the exploration, tons of items, customization, interesting long battles, looting, trading, ect....

[QUOTE="GeneralShowzer"]

[QUOTE="SkyWard20"] dialogue in RPG's? who the heck thinks these things up!!!zhivago_x

I don't mind dialogue, but if that's the main selling part of the game then you did it wrong. Where was the exploration? Different ways to play the game? Customization, trading ?

My playtrough with ME2 went something like 10% combat 10% planet mining The rest were endless talks with party characters.

You say in RPG's but I've never seen any game I spent most of the time talking to my party members.

DA:O had the same thing, but it was an optional thing and it felt like a small part of the game, with the exploration, tons of items, customization, interesting long battles, looting, trading, ect....

[QUOTE="zhivago_x"][QUOTE="GeneralShowzer"]

I don't mind dialogue, but if that's the main selling part of the game then you did it wrong. Where was the exploration? Different ways to play the game? Customization, trading ?

My playtrough with ME2 went something like 10% combat 10% planet mining The rest were endless talks with party characters.

You say in RPG's but I've never seen any game I spent most of the time talking to my party members.

DA:O had the same thing, but it was an optional thing and it felt like a small part of the game, with the exploration, tons of items, customization, interesting long battles, looting, trading, ect....

SkyWard20

It's not just two young elves getting it on, it's more than that. You just cannot comprehend how an sexual intercourse between to party members is so crucial to the whole narrative and story development. Not to mention general mature atmosphere and a sense of bonding between the player avatar and his party.

[QUOTE="SkyWard20"][QUOTE="zhivago_x"] Exploration, items, customization, interesting battles, looting, trading etc. do not count as essential parts of of modern RPG. It is the depth of narrative and same gender romance that counts. Ask any professional game journalist or bioware forum member. Sooner or later someone will implement a dialogue wheel and romance options into Gear of War 4 or CoD 8 so those games can become modern hardcore RPGs. As a side note I enjoyed Mass Effect 2 more than the original. But I do not consider it an RPG, it is an entertaining corridor shooter with light RPG elements. zhivago_x

It's not just two young elves getting it on, it's more than that. You just cannot comprehend how an sexual intercourse between to party members is so crucial to the whole narrative and story development. Not to mention general mature atmosphere and a sense of bonding between the player avatar and his party.

[QUOTE="zhivago_x"][QUOTE="GeneralShowzer"]

I don't mind dialogue, but if that's the main selling part of the game then you did it wrong. Where was the exploration? Different ways to play the game? Customization, trading ?

My playtrough with ME2 went something like 10% combat 10% planet mining The rest were endless talks with party characters.

You say in RPG's but I've never seen any game I spent most of the time talking to my party members.

DA:O had the same thing, but it was an optional thing and it felt like a small part of the game, with the exploration, tons of items, customization, interesting long battles, looting, trading, ect....

SkyWard20

Whoa whoa wait did you just tell him he played rpgs for the wrong reason did you seriously just tell him the reason he plays rpgs is inferior to the way you do? Talk about a load of ego. In rpgs every part he mentioned is just as important as the dialogue and character interaction.

[QUOTE="SkyWard20"][QUOTE="zhivago_x"] Exploration, items, customization, interesting battles, looting, trading etc. do not count as essential parts of of modern RPG. It is the depth of narrative and same gender romance that counts. Ask any professional game journalist or bioware forum member. Sooner or later someone will implement a dialogue wheel and romance options into Gear of War 4 or CoD 8 so those games can become modern hardcore RPGs. As a side note I enjoyed Mass Effect 2 more than the original. But I do not consider it an RPG, it is an entertaining corridor shooter with light RPG elements. Empirefrtw

Whoa whoa wait did you just tell him he played rpgs for the wrong reason did you seriously just tell him the reason he plays rpgs is inferior to the way you do? Talk about a load of ego. In rpgs every part he mentioned is just as important as the dialogue and character interaction.

so i tried the ps3 demo for a comparison, first impression was that it ran fine and looked ok, combat felt nice with a gamepad when controlling my single rogue with only two abilities. But then, they gave me a party of three characters and I wanted to throw my controller because keyboard and mouse is still just so much better for this game. I dont know how console players can like their version at all.

so i tried the ps3 demo for a comparison, first impression was that it ran fine and looked ok, combat felt nice with a gamepad when controlling my single rogue with only two abilities. But then, they gave me a party of three characters and I wanted to throw my controller because keyboard and mouse is still just so much better for this game. I dont know how console players can like their version at all.

TerrorRizzing

[QUOTE="Empirefrtw"]

[QUOTE="SkyWard20"] Well, think about it this way: do I want to stare at a screen killing monsters, looting corpses and making virtual money... or do I want to see two young elves getting it on? >_>SkyWard20

Whoa whoa wait did you just tell him he played rpgs for the wrong reason did you seriously just tell him the reason he plays rpgs is inferior to the way you do? Talk about a load of ego. In rpgs every part he mentioned is just as important as the dialogue and character interaction.

Is it just me or is the demo not optimised well? Was getting 27-38 fps on medium 1920x1080(DX11 has stability issues and 10 isn't choosable for some reason) with a GTS 450 and an i5 760. I know the GTS 450 isn't the highest of the high end and struggles on 1080p for demanding games, but if I can run SC2 on ultra fine in 1080p and not this, somethings up. Perhaps because I was using 4xaa?

[QUOTE="kimkim01"]

Am I the only one who noticed that during the exaggerated intro scene, Bethany's ding dongs are bigger than they are during the 'real' story? That's a nice touch right there hahassvegeta555

lol, you're not the only one to notice. I said the same thing a several pages back. I find it hilarious. The dwarf skyrocketed to one of my favorite characters because of that. lol

Varric the dwarf is very interesting, the only thing I didn't like was his steampunk crossbow haha

I hope we get to visit places other than the Free Marches in this game though, I'd love to see what Rivain (Isabela's home country) looks like.

so i tried the ps3 demo for a comparison, first impression was that it ran fine and looked ok, combat felt nice with a gamepad when controlling my single rogue with only two abilities. But then, they gave me a party of three characters and I wanted to throw my controller because keyboard and mouse is still just so much better for this game. I dont know how console players can like their version at all.

TerrorRizzing

Exaggeration. To be honest, the camera control for me was little more enjoyable on controller. Visually speaking, PS3 versions looks excellent, sharp textures and good frame-rates.

Party control is the same pretty much. You pause the game the same way, issue order the same way and select single or whole part virtually the same.

DA2 doesn't appear to be tactically challenging and enjoyable like DA:Origins were anyway. That's either good or bad depending on a person. I'm old school RPG gamer and I hate majority of the changes Bioware streamlined the game from Origins.

It's still going to be great game, despite my hopes for better improved Origins version and not action-based aspect they went with, for whatever reasons..

Is it just me or is the demo not optimised well? Was getting 27-38 fps on medium 1920x1080(DX11 has stability issues and 10 isn't choosable for some reason) with a GTS 450 and an i5 760. I know the GTS 450 isn't the highest of the high end and struggles on 1080p for demanding games, but if I can run SC2 on ultra fine in 1080p and not this, somethings up. Perhaps because I was using 4xaa?

Upparoom

I believe the DX11 is bugged and I'm not even sure DX10 is supported in the demo at all.

I was able to select DX10 but not sure if it was displaying it or not - frame were silky smooth on my setup and you have better overall performance from my rig. I wouldn't worry, it's just the demo issues.

[QUOTE="Upparoom"]

Is it just me or is the demo not optimised well? Was getting 27-38 fps on medium 1920x1080(DX11 has stability issues and 10 isn't choosable for some reason) with a GTS 450 and an i5 760. I know the GTS 450 isn't the highest of the high end and struggles on 1080p for demanding games, but if I can run SC2 on ultra fine in 1080p and not this, somethings up. Perhaps because I was using 4xaa?

Sokol4ever

I believe the DX11 is bugged and I'm not even sure DX10 is supported in the demo at all.

I was able to select DX10 but not sure if it was displaying it or not - frame were silky smooth on my setup and you have better overall performance from my rig. I wouldn't worry, it's just the demo issues.

Yeah, the moment I started it up with DX11 and got 2fps for no apparent reason, I knew things weren't going to end well :P

impressions:

• Loving the sound effects
• the combat is different.. it seems it no longer relies on position but on speed and has more of a paper/rock/scissor type of gameplay..
  
• the combat is fun but gets boring once you get it down
• the graphics are really horrible when compared to DAO
• The game seems to be more action based from the combat to the cutscenes (i.e. more slow motion)
• I found the dialogue options not as deep as DAO
• you can kill an Ogre with a 123 pattern I killed the ogre only with my main character backstab, evade, run away, repeat
• Loving the action movie vibe
• this is not DAO
• Flemeth is AWESOME
• Its more of a action game instead of a rpg game...sure feels that way
• The UI was downgraded big time and looks much worse compared to DAO
• cant zoom out:x
  

devious742

Combat is the same...what are you talking about?! You played it on normal for for 5, 6 fights? UI is missing some elements yes but it's prettier then DAO. I don't know if the demo we're just immune to slows,CC or whatever but I saw nothing to indicate that I had a debuff on me. I miss my tactical view if traps are still in the game (I'm assuming) then placing traps would suck now.

Graphics aren't great...but come on DAO is a ugly game. DAII looks better and like Mass Effect 2 is seems to run better. Flemeth looks awesome because now she actually has a unique model not the same model as every other character did. Theimportant characters so farstand out. In DAO a lot of the game was recycled. Clearly the ogre was made to be killed with 3 partners?

After playing through DA:O and Awakening with probably 15 complete playthrough's I can't wait for DAII.

[QUOTE="Sokol4ever"]

[QUOTE="Upparoom"]

Is it just me or is the demo not optimised well? Was getting 27-38 fps on medium 1920x1080(DX11 has stability issues and 10 isn't choosable for some reason) with a GTS 450 and an i5 760. I know the GTS 450 isn't the highest of the high end and struggles on 1080p for demanding games, but if I can run SC2 on ultra fine in 1080p and not this, somethings up. Perhaps because I was using 4xaa?

I believe the DX11 is bugged and I'm not even sure DX10 is supported in the demo at all.

I was able to select DX10 but not sure if it was displaying it or not - frame were silky smooth on my setup and you have better overall performance from my rig. I wouldn't worry, it's just the demo issues.

Yeah, the moment I started it up with DX11 and got 2fps for no apparent reason, I knew things weren't going to end well :P

[QUOTE="devious742"]

impressions:

• Loving the sound effects
• the combat is different.. it seems it no longer relies on position but on speed and has more of a paper/rock/scissor type of gameplay..
  
• the combat is fun but gets boring once you get it down
• the graphics are really horrible when compared to DAO
• The game seems to be more action based from the combat to the cutscenes (i.e. more slow motion)
• I found the dialogue options not as deep as DAO
• you can kill an Ogre with a 123 pattern I killed the ogre only with my main character backstab, evade, run away, repeat
• Loving the action movie vibe
• this is not DAO
• Flemeth is AWESOME
• Its more of a action game instead of a rpg game...sure feels that way
• The UI was downgraded big time and looks much worse compared to DAO
• cant zoom out:x
  

Moloch121

Combat is the same...what are you talking about?! You played it on normal for for 5, 6 fights? UI is missing some elements yes but it's prettier then DAO. I don't know if the demo we're just immune to slows,CC or whatever but I saw nothing to indicate that I had a debuff on me. I miss my tactical view if traps are still in the game (I'm assuming) then placing traps would suck now.

Graphics aren't great...but come on DAO is a ugly game. DAII looks better and like Mass Effect 2 is seems to run better. Flemeth looks awesome because now she actually has a unique model not the same model as every other character did. Theimportant characters so farstand out. In DAO a lot of the game was recycled. Clearly the ogre was made to be killed with 3 partners?

After playing through DA:O and Awakening with probably 15 complete playthrough's I can't wait for DAII.

DA2 does not look better.. same can be said for the UI