Jump to content

What do you dislike/want to improve in DA2?


The Captain

Recommended Posts

Firstly Dragons Age was an excellent game, DA2 was good, but should have been so much better! Much much better....

 

 

1. LOADING screens. Clearly very wrong, just short of thirty seconds every time and a game setup which requires many many trips back and forth across map. I think for every hour of gameplay, ten minutes (or more) has been spent on loading screens. The maker if watching would weep a river...

 

2. No customisation of companion armour.

 

3. Stupid trophies requiring you to collect many many items, across three acts. I don't mind collecting a few items to unlock a demon, but come on, time would be better spend enjoying the game not picking litter up across the whole game.

 

4. Difficulty setting. Surely a hard game complete should be required, and to be able to lower difficulty anytime you like surely makes the glamour and glory of completing game somewhat tarnished and easy...

 

5. Sex scenes. Non existent, not even a flash of elven flesh to be seen. Just the sight of doing up your trousers, even romance cut scene was rubbish.

 

6. There were two main plots, the Quanari and the Meredith/Orsino thing. Otherwise whole game was full of petty quests for money of for favour for your characters, 'great minds alike', another stupid tiresome trophy. There was no direction in the game and more than one playthrough was boring and dull. In DA, you had to choose different storylines e.g werewolves/elves, Bhelen/Harrowmont, Mages/Templars etc and each playthrough you did you would choose different storylines, use different party members, have a variety of background choices in the beginning. DA2 lacks this entirely. meaning each playthrough has almost the same exact same script and story as the previous, making it crap to replay.

 

7. Is that the same cave? Yes it is! Why why do you have to revisit the same caves, the same warehouses over and over? Very, very lazy. And the bloody resources you have to collect in each act across whole map, then re explore in the next act to find new ones which now appear. What joy!

 

8. Arcane defender/Mage Hunter trophies. Not clear at all the choices you make through game for these trophies. Just have clear and concise decision/plot trophies! And why hide them as secret trophies?

 

9. Did I mention loading screens? Its possible to cut these out a lot of the time, look at Merrills 'New path' quest when you have the option to quick travel. In a puff of smoke, you were at bottom of mountain. So loading can be fast if they want to....

 

Makers breath and all that, I really hope Andraste herself zaps Bioware real good, cause this franchise was excellent, and though still good, it lacks replay value and is so frustrating to experience all that dam loading!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 53
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

1.) The BUGS! My god. Enough. I wonder if EA had anything to do with this and forced BioWare to release the game when it wasn't ready yet? Also I'll add the game freezing all the time in here. I hated that.

 

2.) The only other thing I can think of is the repetitiveness of the caves/areas. Come on, after the first game we know you can show some different areas.

 

That's the only two gripes I have with the game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9. Did I mention loading screens? Its possible to cut these out a lot of the time, look at Merrills 'New path' quest when you have the option to quick travel. In a puff of smoke, you were at bottom of mountain. So loading can be fast if they want to....

 

 

The developers at Bioware have no idea how to program a load free game.

You start a quest and wait for load, 5 seconds later you are on another load.

Why does the game have a 5gb load on the hard drive when it needs to load ever few mins. I know of a game that has a 0gb install on HD that runs circles around these Bioware games.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The developers at Bioware have no idea how to program a load free game.

You start a quest and wait for load, 5 seconds later you are on another load.

Why does the game have a 5gb load on the hard drive when it needs to load ever few mins. I know of a game that has a 0gb install on HD that runs circles around these Bioware games.

 

I think it has something to do with Blu-Ray technology and the engine DA2 runs on (Unreal, I think I've read?). Apparently they're not optimized, which is why load times are extreme.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Firstly Dragons Age was an excellent game, DA2 was good, but should have been so much better! Much much better....

 

 

1. LOADING screens. Clearly very wrong, just short of thirty seconds every time and a game setup which requires many many trips back and forth across map. I think for every hour of gameplay, ten minutes (or more) has been spent on loading screens. The maker if watching would weep a river...

 

2. No customisation of companion armour.

 

3. Stupid trophies requiring you to collect many many items, across three acts. I don't mind collecting a few items to unlock a demon, but come on, time would be better spend enjoying the game not picking litter up across the whole game.

 

4. Difficulty setting. Surely a hard game complete should be required, and to be able to lower difficulty anytime you like surely makes the glamour and glory of completing game somewhat tarnished and easy...

 

5. Sex scenes. Non existent, not even a flash of elven flesh to be seen. Just the sight of doing up your trousers, even romance cut scene was rubbish.

 

6. There were two main plots, the Quanari and the Meredith/Orsino thing. Otherwise whole game was full of petty quests for money of for favour for your characters, 'great minds alike', another stupid tiresome trophy. There was no direction in the game and more than one playthrough was boring and dull. In DA, you had to choose different storylines e.g werewolves/elves, Bhelen/Harrowmont, Mages/Templars etc and each playthrough you did you would choose different storylines, use different party members, have a variety of background choices in the beginning. DA2 lacks this entirely. meaning each playthrough has almost the same exact same script and story as the previous, making it crap to replay.

 

7. Is that the same cave? Yes it is! Why why do you have to revisit the same caves, the same warehouses over and over? Very, very lazy. And the bloody resources you have to collect in each act across whole map, then re explore in the next act to find new ones which now appear. What joy!

 

8. Arcane defender/Mage Hunter trophies. Not clear at all the choices you make through game for these trophies. Just have clear and concise decision/plot trophies! And why hide them as secret trophies?

 

9. Did I mention loading screens? Its possible to cut these out a lot of the time, look at Merrills 'New path' quest when you have the option to quick travel. In a puff of smoke, you were at bottom of mountain. So loading can be fast if they want to....

 

Makers breath and all that, I really hope Andraste herself zaps Bioware real good, cause this franchise was excellent, and though still good, it lacks replay value and is so frustrating to experience all that dam loading!!

 

@#1: How many games have you played? Loading are not as bad compared to a lot of other games.

 

@#2: Agree.

 

@#5: See ESRB. I think it's fine the way it is otherwise prude people would get offended and/or I'd just watch porn on the internet. Blame the conservatives.

 

@#7: Agree. A generator of random cave/dungeons is not difficult to write.

 

@#8: Not hard at all to figure out if you're siding with the mages or the Templars.

 

@#9: RPG. RPG gamers in general like exploring. Boring to literally zap from one location to another without any slightest exploration.

Edited by OceanH
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@#1: How many games have you played? Loading are not as bad compared to a lot of other games.

 

@#2: Agree.

 

@#5: See ESRB. I think it's fine the way it is otherwise prude people would get offended and/or I'd just watch porn on the internet. Blame the conservatives.

 

@#7: Agree. A generator of random cave/dungeons is not difficult to write.

 

@#8: Not hard at all to figure out if you're siding with the mages or the Templars.

 

@#9: RPG. RPG gamers in general like exploring. Boring to literally zap from one location to another without any slightest exploration.

 

 

 

 

1. How many games have I played? Lots of games. To even ask is a tad insulting, perhaps you could have worded it different but nevermind.. The loading issue is a long time (PS3 version I assume were talking about). I expect loading times when going into buildings, travelling across maps etc but if you take into account the sheer volume of loading occasions in this game, it soon adds up to a lot. There are nine characters in this game, to complete all their quests/general plot parts, you must speak to them on average 3/4 times each, in all three acts, so thats roughly say 36 loads, times that by three for each act, up to 108 loads. Then you must also add the loads for getting in/out of the buildings, so lets say 150 loads over all, purely on speaking to your party characters. Thats wrong at 30 seconds a pop... If you were to calculate all the other loading screens for everything else, thats a lot of loading.

The party camp in DA resolved at least in part a reduction in loading. I don't mind a single long load to move across the map, because I know I won't face another load as long as that one perhaps for a few hours until I move out of that part of the map.

 

5. Well DA got away with what they did, so surely DA2 should at least be as graphic/detailed. It is an 18 cert game, I don't expect German porn, or to see for real if Zethran was being truthful about his manhood or not. The desire demon was pretty 'horny' if you excuse the pun, if they can sexualise that in that much detail, pointy nipples and all, then its not too much too ask for a little light music, a few candles and a short, but at least naked sex scene when getting it on with your party members. They did in DA, so there is no excuse not to repeat it again. As for the brothel sex scene, are they serious, pay 2 sovereigns and you don't even get a cut scene, just a flash of Hawke getting dressed. You would think it would a useful tool to get your party members to dislike you to gain rivalry points but no..

Besides, not that I'm sexually into elven/dwarven/other sex in games, purely for the entertainment and humour factor that goes with it, and if you've jumped through all the hoops to achieve bonking somebody in this game, I think the player should be rewarded with better..

 

8. There is what seven occasions across three acts where you choose either Mage/Templar side. Some are obvious, like at the end, others are not. Killing Feynrail (don't ask for correct spelling) for example, is that really a Templar choice? Without giving away the plot to those who haven't played game, I think killing someone like that, though not a Mage choice, isn't a Templar choice either. He could turn bad, really bad, so your possibly doing the right thing. Its a minor side quest, not part of the main plot choices, yet if fits into an important role as part of getting Arcane Hunter/Mage Defender. Just needs to be a bit clearer thats all, perhaps have a special mark in the commentary of something to indicate to you that the choice you are about to make is of special importance.

 

9. RPG's are meant for exploring yes, I don't mind looking around the map for hidden weapons, armour etc etc. But in this game, I have to re explore the same few parts of the map, repeated parts of the map, not once, but three times as resources are either there/not there depending in which act you are in. And you can miss resource items on the whole string of quests which aren't related to the main plot, especially Ambrosia. Thats not enjoyable or fun, in DA you could simply return to any one of the numerous locations at any time and visit and pick up anything you may have missed if you wanted to, not because you had to for a trophy. Exploring an exciting new world or parts of, fine. Exploring same parts of same few maps locations is not, that was my point.

 

Also as a added negative marker on this game, applies to DA as well, RPG's require tactics, so give us the tools to be more tactical. Though you can make your whole party hold position, you can't invidually make one member hold position. So if you want your archer or mage to be at a desired safe location whilst in combat, it means freezing say your warrior or rogue as well. And they might not then be able to attack the AI because you've told everybody to freeze. So please, add the ability to be able to make one party member hold position, not be forced to make all members freeze with them.

 

Oh and before I forget, also the weapon set swap thing they had in DA is gone, so you can't switch between sets of weapons like you could before. Bring that back Bioware..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know the chances are high that I'm going to get flamed for playing Devils Advocate here, but people keep complaining about the reuse of dungeon maps in this game, and seem to forget that Bioware did the same in the first game. Every random encounter would occur in the same one or two locations, just with different area's blocked off. If anything, DA2 has more maps of this type than the first game.

 

Granted, considering how huge the original game was, I guess it doesn't compare when you only have Kirkwall, the coast and the mountain to trudge around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Firstly Dragons Age was an excellent game, DA2 was good, but should have been so much better! Much much better....

 

 

1. LOADING screens. Clearly very wrong, just short of thirty seconds every time and a game setup which requires many many trips back and forth across map. I think for every hour of gameplay, ten minutes (or more) has been spent on loading screens. The maker if watching would weep a river...

 

2. No customisation of companion armour.

 

3. Stupid trophies requiring you to collect many many items, across three acts. I don't mind collecting a few items to unlock a demon, but come on, time would be better spend enjoying the game not picking litter up across the whole game.

 

4. Difficulty setting. Surely a hard game complete should be required, and to be able to lower difficulty anytime you like surely makes the glamour and glory of completing game somewhat tarnished and easy...

 

5. Sex scenes. Non existent, not even a flash of elven flesh to be seen. Just the sight of doing up your trousers, even romance cut scene was rubbish.

 

6. There were two main plots, the Quanari and the Meredith/Orsino thing. Otherwise whole game was full of petty quests for money of for favour for your characters, 'great minds alike', another stupid tiresome trophy. There was no direction in the game and more than one playthrough was boring and dull. In DA, you had to choose different storylines e.g werewolves/elves, Bhelen/Harrowmont, Mages/Templars etc and each playthrough you did you would choose different storylines, use different party members, have a variety of background choices in the beginning. DA2 lacks this entirely. meaning each playthrough has almost the same exact same script and story as the previous, making it crap to replay.

 

7. Is that the same cave? Yes it is! Why why do you have to revisit the same caves, the same warehouses over and over? Very, very lazy. And the bloody resources you have to collect in each act across whole map, then re explore in the next act to find new ones which now appear. What joy!

 

8. Arcane defender/Mage Hunter trophies. Not clear at all the choices you make through game for these trophies. Just have clear and concise decision/plot trophies! And why hide them as secret trophies?

 

9. Did I mention loading screens? Its possible to cut these out a lot of the time, look at Merrills 'New path' quest when you have the option to quick travel. In a puff of smoke, you were at bottom of mountain. So loading can be fast if they want to....

 

Makers breath and all that, I really hope Andraste herself zaps Bioware real good, cause this franchise was excellent, and though still good, it lacks replay value and is so frustrating to experience all that dam loading!!

 

Andraste's ass bro. You're taking this shit way too seriously. Relax man. Bioware will fix this shit come DA3.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
I know the chances are high that I'm going to get flamed for playing Devils Advocate here, but people keep complaining about the reuse of dungeon maps in this game, and seem to forget that Bioware did the same in the first game. Every random encounter would occur in the same one or two locations, just with different area's blocked off. If anything, DA2 has more maps of this type than the first game.

 

Granted, considering how huge the original game was, I guess it doesn't compare when you only have Kirkwall, the coast and the mountain to trudge around.

 

I semi agree, but when they bring out a sequel you expect them to expand on the first and have improved on a lot of things.

 

Yes I found the whole crafting revamp a good idea, but the layout of the maps were even worse than DA:O..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For me it was the same twenty maps over and over again with different paths blocked off. I didn't really notice it until Act II, but by Act III I was pretty fed up with going through the same dungeon again. That's something BioWare needs to improve on. It's 2011. Gamers no longer fall for the trick where developers use the same locations over and over again.

 

The loading screens got a bit annoying near the end, especially when you need to clean up finding items and have to sit through three loading screens just to get from the top of a mountain back to your estate. That's just eating up your time... although I do appreciate the loading screens being visually interesting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you release a DA3 with 'monster' trophies eg Supplier, blight queller etc MAKE SURE they do NOT glitch! ah, and no more repetitive maps...

 

ps And please please pleas make the game Darker... a bit or terror and rain never hurt anyone

Edited by SevenAM
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought I was tired of the Dragon Age Origins gameplay...but after forcing myself through DA2 I have to say I miss it. I go through a battle using the same 6 skills and mashing the attack button.

 

And just when I think I am finished with a battle 10 new enemies who were apparently hanging out on the rooftops decide to jump down and join the fight.

 

I miss Origins...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

The main thing I loved over DA2 over DA:O was the main character actually had a voice :p. Always hate games in this day and age that don't talk. Anyway the story kind of sucked compared to the first one. The first one felt more epic in the story scope. The 2nd one was good I think but it was boring a lot of the times. Got tired of seeing Kirkwall 75% of the game and recycled content the other 25%. Hopefully in DA3 Bioware will take the good things from both and make an incredible game like I'm used to from Bioware. I liked most of the characters from the first one better. I didn't really mind all the collecting and such it's fun most of the time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am still in act 1 but to me DA2 feels like one step forward 3 steps back compared to DAO. There were some improvements but overall it felt very unpolished and rushed out compared to DAO.

 

1.The character voice was nice but overall the writing for the dialogue was not nearly as good. DAO had almost excessive amount of dialogue depth, branching and detail that fleshed out the characters very well. The quality of the writing was also much more professional and believable.

 

2.Similar to this is the lack of detail on items. All we get is a name and stats. Even 1 sentence of description makes the game more immersive

 

3.I really don't like having to button mash. I know they were going for more of an action game feel but repeatedly pressing x is not my idea of good action. Using effective strategy and tactics seemed harder to execute the way you want it too.

 

4.Using the same maps for different areas. Are you farking kidding me? This just reeks of lack of effort.

 

5. Anyone else notice that the animation for drinking a shot at the bar was identical from mass effect 2? And that the eyes had the same look. Not complaining, its just obvious that DA2 borrowed a huge amount of tech from ME2 which was also a better game.

 

Anyways, Origins was soooo good it would be almost impossible to top.

 

Origins was such a masterpiece, it really shone through how much effort the team put into creating their dream. DA2 while still a good game was like a crap forced out in a hurry so you can get to work on time

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I've not completed the game yet, but as many have mentioned I think the re-used maps is particularly irritating. Even in other games where they use the same template they at least put a different 'skin' on it to make it appear different. This was literally the exact same 3-4 caves over and over.

 

Also, I felt that while the voice acting was pretty decent for the most part, the actor who did Hawke was terrible. Really wooden.

 

I'm not really a huge fan of the way combat works. I think it is a bit cheap to have cleared a dungeon and then enemies pop up directly behind your mages and wipe them out. It makes tactical positioning pretty obselete when enemies can come from anywhere.

 

However, these are minor gripes and I am enjoying the game. I never played DA:O so I have nothing to compare it to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...