Dragon Effect 2 [Mass Age 2] (("Clever" Rename 2))

[moxie]

HEY Y'ALL THIS SURE SOUNDS A LOT LIKE FABLE LOL

Rise to Power...
By Any Means Necessary

Experience the epic sequel to the 2009 Game of the Year from the critically acclaimed makers of Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2. You are one of the few who escaped the destruction of your home. Now, forced to fight for survival in an ever-changing world, you must gather the deadliest of allies, amass fame and fortune, and seal your place in history. This is the story of how the world changed forever. The legend of your Rise to Power begins now.

Key Features:

* Embark upon an all-new adventure that takes place across an entire decade and shapes itself around every decision you make.
* Determine your rise to power from a destitute refugee to the revered champion of the land.
* Think like a general and fight like a Spartan with dynamic new combat mechanics that put you right in the heart of battle whether you are a mage, rogue, or warrior.
* Go deeper into the world of Dragon Age with an entirely new cinematic experience that grabs hold of you from the beginning and never lets go.
* Discover a whole realm rendered in stunning detail with updated graphics and a new visual style.

Newly-announced Dragon Age 2 looks to be taking the series in an extremely different direction - more action-oriented battles, less interaction with your party, and way, way less character customization. There doesn't seem to be different origins to pick from - you're basically a street rat human named Hawke. You can choose gender and possibly customize your appearance, but word is that's it.

Spoiler: Read this interview, it explains a lot about things to expect.

Action and Fantasy Collide in BioWare’s Dragon Age 2

Rise to Power and Change the World Forever in the Sequel to 2009’s RPG of the Year

EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading video game developer BioWare™, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), confirmed today that Dragon Age™ 2 is in development at BioWare’s Edmonton-based studio. Dragon Age 2 is the sequel to the triple-platinum-selling Dragon Age: Origins which was named “RPG of the Year” in 2009 by Game Informer, G4, IGN, and SpikeTV. With Dragon Age 2, the world’s preeminent RPG developer is revolutionizing the genre again, infusing the universe with more action, a new, more responsive combat system and a dynamic story that is already among the most multifaceted in gaming. Dragon Age 2 traces the rise to power of Hawke, a survivor of the Blight and a hero who will transform the face of the Dragon Age universe forever. The new game is scheduled for release in March of 2011 on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC.

“We are amplifying the things that made Dragon Age: Origins such a huge success while introducing a more dynamic combat system, improving the graphics, and telling the most important story in our world.”

“Last year’s launch of Dragon Age: Origins was one of the most successful in BioWare’s 15-year history and one of the most successful new IP launches in the 28 year history of EA,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Senior Vice President of Electronic Arts and co-founder and Group General Manager of BioWare. “Dragon Age 2 will simultaneously deliver an epic story and set a new bar for intense action in the genre. We're very excited to deliver this next bold evolution in the Dragon Age franchise to our fans.”

“With Dragon Age 2 we are creating an exciting new entry point into the Dragon Age universe while ensuring that fans of the original game retain a sense of satisfaction and familiarity in the world,” said Dragon Age 2 Executive Producer Mark Darrah. “We are amplifying the things that made Dragon Age: Origins such a huge success while introducing a more dynamic combat system, improving the graphics, and telling the most important story in our world.”

Dragon Age 2 thrusts players into the role of Hawke, a penniless refugee who rises to power to become the single most important character in the world of Dragon Age. Known to be a survivor of the Blight and the Champion of Kirkwall, the legend around Hawke’s rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor. Featuring an all-new story spanning 10 years, players will help tell that tale by making tough moral choices, gathering the deadliest of allies, amassing fame and fortune, and sealing their place in history. The way you play will write the story of how the world is changed forever.

Dragon Age 2 is in production for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, and PC. For more information on Dragon Age 2, please visit our website at http://www.DragonAge.com, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dragonage or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/DragonAgeOrigins.

So, it seems they're getting rid of a lot of the traditional rpg aspects of the game in favor of a sleeker, more action-packed style.

I would be fine with less strategy and more action, and maybe even the less options for character customization (although that was a huge draw for me) - what sorta irks me is that word is there's no traditional interactions between your party anymore. It's supposedly the DA: Awakening method of communication, meaning that there's no more player-initiated dialogues.

This topic is pretty bare-bones because the game pretty much just got announced - but I figured with the number of Dragon Age: Origins fans here, it wouldn't hurt to have a topic for speculation.

 

[Jason]

Haha I like what you did with the title...

Yeah, I've seen topics on this on Kotaku today, to be honest, I'm disappointed with the sound of this, I mean, the first wasn't perfect by any means, but I liked how you could create your own race/class and backstory (Well, in a sense, their origin), and then could play out said backstory... this is just limiting us, and seems like a step in the wrong direction...

However, I'll hold my opinion and judgements back until more information is given out, something may sway me...

 

[moxie]

Yeah, it's entirely too early to get up in a tizzy ("OHMAHGAWD they've ruined everything now it's mass effect with swords chest high walls blah blah blah") but I'm not impressed with a lot of what's been announced.

There's nothing wrong with making it more accessible, with a little more emphasis on action than a clunky turn-based affair, but don't take away the other rpg elements too! My favorite part of Dragon Age was talking to all of the party members, customizing my character, and seeing what kind of unique reactions you get from different people depending on your origin. I'm hoping they don't trim those things out too.

 

[united washcloth express]

You did not emphasize the beard in this topic. I am disappointed.

Chris Priestly, Bioware's official Community Organizer, has confirmed that the game takes place 10 years after the events of the first game. It is not a direct sequel either, and meant to be a standalone game in the universe of Dragon Age. Knowing Bioware, throwbacks will still be made towards the events of the first game regardless.

The next issue of Game Informer will contain exclusive information on this game, and some restrictions on the developers in terms of discussable information will be lifted around July 19th. Seeing as how GameStop forced a subscription upon me after forcing me to get an EDGE card after repeated attempts to avoid doing so, (And a very graceful throw by a cashier that managed to sink the magazine in my bag as I literally ran out of the store after purchase. Should have tipped him.) I will be getting this information early. I will post details here when they are available d

 

[Venetia]

what
party interaction was the best feature of DA. otherwise it felt overly generic. i'd speed-run through a lot of the dungeons just to spur forth party interaction.
mrrh

 

[united washcloth express]

The dialog system they used in Awakening did away with direct party interaction in favor of dialog-event triggering items that one had to click on while adventuring. According to David Gaider, the Bioware team preferred a system such as this, though admitted that it needed some work. Combining the free-choice of party interaction in Origins with the dialog event system of Awakenings was said to be their goal for future games down the road.

Maybe they'll do that here :0

 

[moxie]

Additional info would be great when you get it, the main post could do with some beefing up with actual facts instead of "MY DIALOGUE "

 

[Mega Flare]

I just hope they make a better battle system... thats what the first one was lacking

 

[bashful crobat]

so they strip the game of what was great, and focus on what was sortof bearable?

idgi

 

[moxie]

early(maybe?) screenshot

Spoiler: Five facts about Hawk, courtesy Gameinformer

After yesterday's cover reveal and a few tantalizing details about Dragon Age II, fans of BioWare's epic RPG series probably have more questions than answers. The biggest mystery currently involves the new main character: Who is Hawke? You'll have to get a hold of our latest issue if you want all of the details, but we can clarify five basic facts about the central character in Dragon Age II.

1. Hawke will be a voiced character.
Unlike Dragon Age: Origins, the player's character in Dragon Age II will be fully voiced. This opens the door for a more cinematic approach to dialogue and creates an identity for the character outside of the text you see on-screen. It also eliminates those awkward scenarios where you feel like your character should be reacting, but instead just stares blankly without so much as a grunt.

2. Hawke is human.
Yes, that means that you won't be able to select Hawke's race. However, just because that one aspect of Hawke's backstory is set doesn't mean BioWare is eliminating character creation. You can still choose your class and customize your appearance. When we visited BioWare's studio, we only saw (and heard) the male Hawke in action, but the team promises that players can select either gender for the character.

3. Hawke didn't just survive the blight...he escaped it.
As the Grey Warden from Dragon Age: Origins was fighting darkspawn, Hawke was living in Lothering. Fans will remember that the small village was raided and destroyed (an event that occurred off-screen in Origins), and Hawke was one of the survivors. However, rather than stay and fight the darkspawn menace, Hawke flees Ferelden and heads north.

4. Hawke is the Champion of Kirkwall.
Kirkwall is a major population center in the Free Marches, a collection of city-states north of Ferelden. This means that at least some of the action in Dragon Age II will be set in Kirkwall itself, though Hawke will also spend time in other areas of the Free Marches. What exactly Hawke does to earn the honorary title of Champion, however, is up to you.

5. Hawke drives the story.
Dragon Age II is not about killing an ancient evil or about quelling another blight; Hawke is the driving force behind the narrative. Over the course of the game's 10-year timeline, players' actions and choices will determine Hawke's history, relationships, and regrets...all in service to answering the larger question: Who is the Champion of Kirkwall?

I'm suddenly getting a "Fable: The hopefully GOOD edition" vibe from this.

also the bioware forums are pretty hilarious

Listen haters; I play BioWare RPGs for one reason and one reason only, and that is the love interests. Aerie. Tali. Leliana. Silk Fox. These women mean more to me than any real woman ever has, I care for them, protect them and yes, I love them. Bioware romances are more than just game features; they form links between my soul and the soul of a girl I adore beyond the boundaries of mere digital fiction.

When Tali showed me her true face and allowed me into her sanitised sanctum, I cried with joy. When Leliana sang I sang with her, and when Aerie had my child I felt so proud.

Yes BioWare. Make an adult version. Allow our relationships between our digital lovers to be explored fully.

 

[Jason]

Oh. My. God.

Seriously, how can people actually stoop down to that level?

 

[Venetia]

Listen haters; I play BioWare RPGs for one reason and one reason only, and that is the love interests. Aerie. Tali. Leliana. Silk Fox. These women mean more to me than any real woman ever has, I care for them, protect them and yes, I love them. Bioware romances are more than just game features; they form links between my soul and the soul of a girl I adore beyond the boundaries of mere digital fiction.

When Tali showed me her true face and allowed me into her sanitised sanctum, I cried with joy. When Leliana sang I sang with her, and when Aerie had my child I felt so proud.

Yes BioWare. Make an adult version. Allow our relationships between our digital lovers to be explored fully.

this is the best thing ive read all day

 

[moxie]

bigger versions of those screenshots. looks kinda bad tbh - what's with the neon-colored ground?

Spoiler

well, here's hoping that the people don't look as wonky as they did in 1. i don't mean ugly either, i'm cool with that, i mean that they have thousand yard stares and look like they clawed their way out of the uncanny valley.

 

[united washcloth express]

Well I am sure those aren't finished graphics. While they are definitely recycling graphics from the first game, touch up is needed. Environmental graphics are rarely recycled, as new games generally means new lands or an aged environment.

 

[Venetia]

yeah you cant really judge graphics this early in development

main character kind of looks like a douche

 

[moxie]

as much as i want to not be the stereotypical bitcher, if that's the case then i just don't understand the point of releasing screenshots of half-finished graphics. these are supposed to be getting us interested. it's like they're going "yeah, you like those early PS2-era environments, jagged edges, and low res textures? there's more where that came from with dragon age 2, baby" *waggles eyebrows*

I saw a new screenshot of the main character and some chick talking, but I forgot to save it. They still look kinda awkward but atleast they don't look like malformed potato people anymore. The dialogue system looked a bit like a mix of Alpha Protocol and Mass Effect, which could be nifty. It was always a bit jarring when it cut to the main charater's soulless stare and everything went completely silent while I picked out a response. Hopefully things will flow better now.

 

[Jason]

Hey Moe, so although we haven't seen much else, this was posted yesterday on Game Informer;
http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/ ... gress.aspx

 

[So fist]

There is no reason to panic that omg they are gonna stop character interactions. No more influencing an evil character to become good. No more elven aeris babies. No more gooey disgusting alien love. A bioware rpg is going to do this. It is what they've always done. It seems to me that what they are planning to do is to try and deliver all of it in a more streamlined and perhaps natural manner than, "hey lets spend an hour walking around the camp, the ebon hawk, the Normandy, and loading screens to talk to a few party members to develop a relationship." Instead they are going to try and develop these things more seamlessly in the actual field of action rather than in some designated npc talkfest safezone. At least that's my take.

 

[So fist]

Also seriously why did we need to navigate three fucking floors worth of normandy each with like a five minute load time to talk with all my characters. Christ I would've taken the stairs if it meant no load screens.

 

[moxie]

Except that also means that you're going to have to drag different party members out to every tree, shack, and rotten log in the woods in the vain hope that it'll trigger a conversation about Daerlaerynn the Elf's tragic childhood. For all of Bioware's flawed writing and incredibly cheesy characters, I actually prefer getting to know them as opposed to the boring husks that followed you around in Awakening. It can't be hard to streamline this process - chat around camp about whatevs, and also have environmentally triggered conversations.

Of course, the less terrible uncanny valley "love scenes" and bouncing babies that get birthed directly to the inventory screen, the better.