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Dragon Age 2 is Bioware's sequel to Dragon Age: Origins. As you might have guessed, it's the second installment in the series. The game is set to be released on PC, PS3, and 360 on March 8th of next year in the US and March 11th in Europe.
The story is set in the Free Marches, a region mentioned in Origins but one the player never visited. Choices the player made in Origins and its expansion package Awakening will affect the story of DA2, but neither is a requirement. The timeline spans an entire decade, rather than the few short months the Origins storyline took place in. The player's choices will have a greater effect on the story than choices in Origins, as your decisions will affect the entire course of the story and you may end up with different outcomes.
The game's protagonist, named Hawke, is a human who survived the Blight and eventually rises up to become the Champion of Kirkwall. The player doesn't have a choice when it comes to race, but they can choose specialization (most likely either mage, rogue, or warrior). Gender can be chosen as well, but I don't know if you can change his/her appearance as you could in Origins. A cast of new characters are used in DA2, but some characters from Origins make an appearance, including Flemeth (Morrigan's "mother," the famed Witch of the Wilds) and Isabel (who teaches you the duelist specialization).
Speaking of specilizations, Bioware has said it plans on revamping the skill sets for each class. Instead of several rows of specilizations, it will be more like a tree, allowing you to tailor each skill to suit your needs. For example, instead of choosing the shield bash talent and being done with it, you'll be able to mold the attack into exactly what you want it to be. My shield attack may not be the same as yours.
Unlike Origins, Hawke will be fully voiced. Instead of reading all of the dialogue choices before choosing, DA2 features a dialogue wheel similar to what's used in Mass Effect. Players will choose an abbreviated version of what Hawke will actually say, and the intent will be shown through symbols (such as a fist for an aggressive intent). It will be possible to romance both party members and other characters.
The PC version of the game will be similar to Origins, with pause and play tactical combat system. But the console version will be tailored the strength of the controller, with more fighting and less pausing. This is good news for console owners, as the combat system was unimpressive in Origins in the 360 and PS3 versions.
I'm so excited for this game I'm considering pre-ordering a copy, which is something I never do. Dragon Age 2 will be an epic edition to a baby franchise I'm already in love with.
Last edited by Katie on Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:39 am; edited 1 time in total
Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:38 am by 
