Dragon Age II

*Note: This review does not include the DLCs.

I have also included a short entry about Anders after this review. If you have not played Dragon Age II, you can ignore the last part.

Varric Thethras is kidnapped and interrogated by Cassandra Pentaghast, a Seeker, at the start of the game. Varric is a friend to the Champion of Kirkwall, Hawke, who seems to have been involved in a controversial incident several years after the Hero of Ferelden defeated the Archdemon. Hawke has disappeared and Cassandra wants to know the whole story and where to find him. 

Hawke is one of the few refugees who fled Lothering during the fifth Blight. He and his family went to Kirkwall to start over. In a span of 10 years, Hawke has gained power and influence and has overall changed Thedas. The story is told through flashbacks from Varric and is grouped into three major acts which are separated by years. 

What happened during the 10 years will be played out by the player-controlled character.

Bethany (left) and the male Hawke at the start of Varric's narration

Importing the events in Origins/Awakening or picking one of the three pre-written histories will set the backdrop of the events in Varric's narration. I suggest importing the ending you like most in Origins/Awakening (why waste all you hard work?).

The Arishok. The Qunari are stranded. Their presence adds to thee growing tension in Kirkwall.

Like the previous game, the player will choose the gender and class of Hawke. His race, back story, and family name cannot be changed however. Gender will affect some of the conversations, while class will determine which abilities Hawke can learn in the game. However, unlike Origins and Awakening there is more emphasis in the differences of the three classes. Each class has two weapon style options. The mage's staff and the archer's bow can double as melee weapons when the enemy is close. 

One feature that I like in DA II is the added voice of the player-controlled character. It is a lot easier to get immersed in the story because you can hear him/her talking.

As for the supporting cast, there are a total of nine possible companions (including Sebastian Vael in the DLC).  Hawke has a brother (Carver) and a sister (Bethany) at the start of the game. The player can have up to three companions while active. Each companion also has his or her own home base. There are changes in conversations as well. The responses have icons beside them that indicate the tone or type. Conversations can be made while in their home bases, but this is also limited. Moreover, unlike the previous games you can become either friends or rivals with your companions. Romance is possible with all but four of the companions.

It is not possible to change the armor of your companions, but you can upgrade them. I like this change because it allowed me to focus on other things. I remember spending so much time assembling armor for my companions in Origins/Awakening. The companions also have their specific weapon styles.

Other additions and/or improvements also include cross-class combos, new behavior in tactics, improved organization of the inventory, improved crafting, and talent trees in abilities. 

Aveline Vallen, former soldier in King Cailan's army

The narrator Varric Tethras

Fenris, escaped elven slave from Tevinter

Isabela, ship captain and pirate

Merrill, Dalish mage

Familiar face. Anders, mage and former Grey Warden; possessed by Justice (companion in Awakening)

A screenshot of my character (center) with some of the possible companions.

The overarching story in Dragon Age II is just as engaging as the story of the Hero of Ferelden in the previous games. I like the focus on the various stories and the conversations with other characters. Perhaps more than half of DA II is spent in talking, arguing and speculating. I'm a bit disappointed however with the very limited conversation options and even the romantic encounters. I have also noted that the possible romance partners do not mind if you're male or female (except for Sebastian). 

I have to commend the staff for certain events in the game in which the player has to make very difficult decisions, sometimes omitting a neutral stance. This is only possible through the creation of a supporting cast with unique beliefs and experiences. Some characters are not easy to deal with, while the others that seem to be predictable can actually surprise you later.

The combat isn't so bad either despite some of the changes that were made, especially the limited control over the companions' armor and weapon styles. There are some bosses that are harder to beat, but overall the game isn't very difficult if you know how to make the most of what you have (tactics, weapons, certain spells). 

The time it takes to complete the game is shorter than I expected. The locations are limited and some of the areas have the same layout. Those who are expecting something bigger than DA Origins might be disappointed. If you enjoyed the story and the interactions with companions in the previous games, DA II will not disappoint.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Garrett Manu Hawke. Male warrior specializing in two-handed weapons. Picked Fenris as his lover.

***   ***   ***

The Anders Dilemma

Like most of the people who have played DA Origins, Awakening and DA II, I have not failed to notice the troubles Anders had to deal with. I have also noticed that the changes he has gone through after the events in Awakening have made some people upset. I've read people describing him as whiny, scheming, a liar, emotionally imbalanced, and even a bad lover.

I don't really think he's very different from the easygoing and naughty mage in Awakening. He already had a penchant for trouble but he was not burdened with the feelings of Justice. Some might find him annoying but I appreciate the effort into making him such a complex character. You can't claim his actions are entirely evil nor innocent. He just made a stand and he was aware of the consequences. He wanted it to happen, but it was not entirely his fault. The signs were all there, all Anders did was to fan the flames. He can be sweet and funny (I'm talking about both Awakening and DA II here), but he isn't easy to understand sometimes. I can say the same thing however about Sten, Shale, Velanna, and even the Arishok. They aren't easy to deal with, but that makes them really fun and challenging to talk to.

As for the part about being a bad lover, it did seem like he used Hawke. But do not forget that he lost his previous lover because of the templars. That quest in which Hawke had to gather ingredients for him (which turned out to be components for a bomb) also gave the impression that he was blackmailing Hawke. But didn't the other characters also do the same (take Merrill for example)? His schemes just seemed more sinister because he blew up people and his actions had a bigger impact overall. But Merrill was selfish and bordering on childish when she wanted the damned mirror fixed. But unlike her, Anders was ready for the consequences. 

I don't get all the hate, but that only proves his characterization was so effective to have generated such reactions. I like most of the characters in the three games, but some of them are cliche and predictable (Fenris is one. Oh yes he's sexy but he's not all unique and complicated). I guess I just like the really difficult ones, those characters whose actions and thoughts aren't easy to read and therefore make the experience more rewarding.