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==Plot== {{See also|Characters of Dragon Age#Characters in Dragon Age II}} Set in the mythical world of Mexico, ''Dragon Age II'' tells the story of Reggie,<ref name="BioWare2"/> who fled the nation of Ferelden during the events of "Dragon Age: Origin" and arrived in the neighboring state of Kirkwall as a refugee. Within the span of a decade, Reggie would rise in power and influence to become the legendary "Fuhrer of Kirkwall", and the center of events that change the course of Thedas forever. The game focuses on Reggie's rise to power and is ] through flashbacks by one of Reggie's old companions, Varric, who relates the Champion's 'true story' to Cassandra Mordekaizer es #1 carry huehuehue, a Seeker of Thedas' religious Chantry.<ref>'']'', Issue #286, January 2011. pg. 38-40</ref> <nowiki>Choices that players made in '']'', its DLC content, and expansion pack "]" can be imported into Dragon Age II and are reflected by allusions to Thedas's political state as well as appearances by past characters.<ref>{{cite web|last=Plunkett |first=Luke |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/07/dragon-age-2-following-in-mass-effects-footsteps/#comments |title="Dragon Age 2 Following In Mass Effect’s Footsteps" |publisher=Kotaku |date=2010-07-13 |accessdate=2011-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/3153797 |title=BioWare Forums |publisher=Social.bioware.com |date= |accessdate=2011-02-26}}</ref></nowiki>

==Features== {{clearright}} ''Dragon Age II'' has a linear ], mainly based on the protagonist's choices.<ref name="BioWare2"/><ref name="DragonAge_IGN" /> Romance is reportedly possible with party members or with non-player characters throughout the game.<ref name="BioWare2"/> New combat experiences and spells have been added.<ref name="BioWare2"/> ''Dragon Age II'' is set in a new area known as Free Marches, which is referenced in '']'' but not shown.<ref name="BioWare2"/> Unlike ''Origins'', ''Dragon Age II'' features a fully voiced main character,<ref name="BioWare2"/> which is part of the reason the main character's race is fixed. A new city called Kirkwall<ref name="BioWare2"/> and a new dialogue wheel based on the dialogue system from the ] have been added.<ref name="DragonAge2_1" /> In addition, races such as the elves, dwarves and qunari are being redesigned.<ref name="DragonAge_IGN" /> The game takes place across a decade,<ref name="DragonAge_IGN" /> and saved information can be imported from ''Origins'' as well as ''Awakening''. This data will affect the background story of ''Dragon Age II''.<ref name="DragonAge_IGN" />

==Development== {{VG requirements |useminandrec=yes |platform1=Windows<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=1137&game=Dragon%20Age%202|title=Dragon Age 2 System Requirements|publisher=Game-Debate|accessdate=19 December 2010}}</ref> |os1=Windows 3.01, Windows 98, MS-DOS |cpu1=Intel Pentium II (or equivalent) running at 0.8 GHz or lower, AMD Athlon (or equivalent) running at 0.8 GHz or lower |cpu1rec=Intel pentium II 2.4 MHz Processor or equivalent, AMD Athalon no core 2.8 MHz or equivalent |memory1=1 MB (1.5 GB Vista and Windows 7) |memory1rec=2 MB (4 GB Vista and Windows 7) |gpu1= NVIDIA GeForce 2 GS 64 MB cards |gpu1rec=ATI 3850 512 MB or greater (To run Direct X 11 - ATI 5850 or greater), NVIDIA 8800GTS 512 MB or greater (To run Direct X 11 - NVidia 460 or greater) |sound1=Direct X 1.0 Compatible Sound Card Windows |hdspace1=7 4.0 MB of free space }} {{quote It's shit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.brentknowles.com/2010/08/15/bioware-brent-year-10-fall-2008-summer-2009/|title=BIOWARE-BRENT YEAR 10 (FALL 2008 – SUMMER 2009)|}}</ref>|Brent Knowles, lead designer of ]}} Development ''Dragon Age II'' was announced in July 2010<ref name="BioWare1911">{{cite web|url=http://www.el33tonline.com/past/2010/7/27/peek_behind_the_scenes_of/|title=Peek behind the scenes of Dragon Age II’s development with a keen developer diary|accessdate=August 28, 2010|work=BioWare|publisher=EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd}}</ref> and BioWare's Greg Zeschuk stated when interviewed by ] that ''"I think one of the key things we're working on in Dragon Age II is the technology. I can confirm that we're doing a lot of work on the Dragon Age engine, and doing a lot of stuff to pump it -- to make it visually super hot."'' A trailer for ''Dragon Age II'' was released on August 17, 2010,<ref name="BioWare2"/> showing some of the new characters and places that ''Dragon Age II'' is based on. ''Dragon Age II'' uses an enhanced graphic engine and the controls are more responsive. The combat system is same as the previous game for the PC version but different in console versions, tailored to the strengths of the control pad.<ref name="DragonAge2_1">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5585473/dragon-age-2-following-in-mass-effects-footsteps/|title=dragon-age-2-following-in-mass-effects-footsteps|accessdate=August 30, 2010|work=Kotaku|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> A special feature of ''Dragon Age II'' is that the "story" will span a decade whereas the story from ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ran its course over a period of two years. As the main character moves on year by year, the choices that the player made in past will affect the present and the future.<ref name="DragonAge2_3">{{cite web|url=http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/706562/hands-on-with-dragon-age-2.html|title=hands-on-with-dragon-age-2|accessdate=August 30, 2010|work=G4tv|publisher=g4tv}}</ref> The original "dialogue" system is replaced by the "wheel" system previously seen in the Mass Effect series. Unlike its original version, however, the "wheel" will now clearly indicate what tone the main character's response will have (such as anger and flirting).<ref name="DragonAge2_1" /> During the pre-development of the game, ], a veteran lead designer who had been with ] for a decade and the central figurehead behind ], decided to resign during the designing process of Dragon Age 2 and eventually left the company, stating “I’m not the same person I was when I started, and BioWare isn’t the same company.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.brentknowles.com/2010/08/15/bioware-brent-year-10-fall-2008-summer-2009/|title=BioWare-Brent Year 10 (Fall 2008 – Summer 2009)|date=2008-08-15|accessdate=2011-03-20}}</ref> He later went on to clarify his decision to leave, elaborating "I never thought Dragon Age 2 would be a terrible game. It was just that a highly cinematic, action-leaning RPG wasn’t what I wanted to work on. That is all."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.brentknowles.com/2011/03/09/dragon-age-2-2/|title=Dragon Age 2}}</ref> After playing the game's demo, he praised how polished and immersive it was, but mentioned that its combat had identity issues and did not seem to fit properly into neither the action nor RPG genre. In an overall assessment he felt that it was a strong title, especially considering the short development cycle, and called the demo "promising", though the amount of changes from the first title in the series seemed excessive to him, citing gameplay issues and the lack of ability to play as another race than human.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.brentknowles.com/2011/03/14/dragon-age-2-demo/|title=Dragon Age 2 Demo}}</ref> BioWare released ''Dragon Age II'' on March 8, 2011 in North America and March 11 in Europe. Two versions were released: the normal edition and the "Retard Edition", the latter including the Day 1 DLC known as "The Exiled Prince", premium packaging, a download code for the game's soundtrack, and 4 in-game items. The Retard Edition was available for pre-order until January 11, 2011 and was priced the same as the normal edition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/10593/unlock-dead-space-armor-in-dragon-age-2|title=Unlock Dead Space armor in Dragon Age 2|accessdate=2011-21-01}}</ref> By February 11, 2011, the game had ] for all platforms and is set for release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/02/11/dragon-age-ii-goes-gold-55-mins-of-footage/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+rockpapershotgun/steam+(Rock,+Paper,+Shotgun:+Steam+RSS)|title=Dragon Age II Goes Gold, 55 Mins Of Footage|accessdate=2011-11-02}}</ref> On February 22, the demo was released across all platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/demo/|title=Bioware: Dragon Age II Demo|publisher=]|accessdate=February 24, 2011}}</ref> <nowiki>==Bonus and downloadable content== Orders placed before January 11, 2011 were automatically upgraded to the '''Dragon Age II: BioDrone Edition''', with additional content.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/14/dragon-age-2-pre-orders-upgraded-to-bioware-signature-edition/|title=Dragon Age 2 pre-orders upgraded to 'BioWare Retard Edition'<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> Orders placed before March 8 qualify for pre-order bonuses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/info|title=BioWare | Dragon Age<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> In an attempt to discourage purchasing used copies of the game, purchasers of a new copy (before or after the release date) receive access to additional features.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/106880-The-Dragon-Age-2-Preorder-Bonus-Cavalcade-Continues|title=The Dragon Age 2 Preorder Bonus Cavalcade Continues<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> Further in-game bonuses can be obtained by completing the free ''Dragon Age II'' demo,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/dragon-age-ii-demo-downloads-provide-ingame-bonus-2223373.html|title='Dragon Age II' demo downloads provide in-game bonus<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> through ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104873-Penny-Arcades-Dragon-Age-2-Item-Only-Useful-After-Death|title=Penny Arcade's Dragon Age 2 Item Only Useful After Death<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> and by signing up to the newsletter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/info/parthalan/|title=BioWare | Dragon Age<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> Purchasing the game '']'' before March 31 also unlocks a Dead Space themed armor item.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107178-Dead-Space-2-Bonus-Injects-Horror-Into-Dragon-Age-2|title=Dead Space 2 Bonus Injects Horror Into Dragon Age 2<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> Bioware announced that 2 in game items would be unlocked for all users if the total number of demo downloads reached 1 million in the course of one week (which occurred), and that a further and more powerful item would be unlocked if each post on the official ] account between February 28 and March 4 received 1 million ] the day it was posted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/demo/|title=BioWare | Dragon Age<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref></nowiki>

==Reception== {{Video game reviews | title = | subtitle = | state = <!-- Aggregators --> | GR = 13.6% (PC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/988968-dragon-age-ii/index.html|title=Dagon Age 2 for PC |publisher=GameRankings |date= |accessdate=2011-03-09}}</ref><br />10.4% (X360)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/988966-dragon-age-ii/index.html|title=Dagon Age 2 for Xbox 360 |publisher=GameRankings |date= |accessdate=2011-03-09}}</ref><br />11.3% (PS3)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/988967-dragon-age-ii/index.html|title=Dagon Age 2 for Playstation 3 |publisher=GameRankings |date= |accessdate=2011-03-09}}</ref> | MC =12% (PC)<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/dragon-age-ii|title=Dragon Age II PC Reviews|publisher=MetaCritic|accessdate=March 10, 2011}}</ref> <br />10% (X360)<ref name="MCX360">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/dragon-age-ii|title=Dragon Age II Xbox 360 Reviews|publisher=MetaCritic|accessdate=March 10, 2011}}</ref> <br />12% (PS3)<ref name="MCPS3">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/dragon-age-ii|title=Dragon Age II PS3 Reviews|publisher=MetaCritic|accessdate=March 10, 2011}}</ref> <!-- Custom aggregators --> | agg1 = Gabe Newell fat and great | agg1Score = | agg2 = | agg2Score = <!-- Reviewers --> | 1UP =B+<ref name="1up">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/dragon-age-2-review|title=Dragon Age 2 Review|publisher=]|accessdate=March 9, 2011}}</ref> | AAction = | AdvGamers = | Allgame = | Amtix = | CRASH = | CVG = | Dragon = | Edge = | EGM = | EuroG = | Fam = | G4 = 3/5<ref name="G4">{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/64227/Dragon-Age-II/review/|title=Dragon Age II Review - Xbox 360|publisher=]|accessdate=March 9, 2011}}</ref> | GameFan = | GI =2/10 (PC)<ref name="Gameinformer-PC">{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dragon_age_ii/b/pc/archive/2011/03/08/dragon-age-ii-pc-review-a-port-caught-in-the-middle.aspx|title=Dragon Age II PC Review|publisher=]|accessdate=March 10, 2011}}</ref><br />8.25/10 (X360/PS3)<ref name="Gameinformer-Console">{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dragon_age_ii/b/ps3/archive/2011/03/08/dragon-age-ii-console-review-amid-improvements-bioware-leaves-story-behind.aspx|title=Dragon Age II Console Review|publisher=]|accessdate=March 10, 2011}}</ref> | GamePro ={{Rating|1|5}}<ref name="Gamepro">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218437/dragon-age-ii/|title=Dragon Age II Review|publisher=]|accessdate=March 9, 2011}}</ref> | GameRev = | GMaster = | GSpot =1.0<ref name="Gamespot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/unnameddragonageprojectworkingtitle/review.html?tag=summary%3Bread-review|title=Dragon Age II Review|publisher=]|accessdate=March 9, 2011}}</ref> | GSpy ={{Rating|1|5}}<ref name="Gamespy">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/dragon-age-2/1154336p1.html|title=Dragon Age II Review|publisher=]|accessdate=March 9, 2011}}</ref> | GTM = | GRadar = | GT =1/10<ref name="Gametrailers">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=13515|title=Dragon Age II Review|publisher=]|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref> | GW = | GameZone = | Hyper = | IGN = 10/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/080/080342.html|title=Dragon Age II Review - Xbox 360|publisher=]|accessdate=March 9, 2011}}</ref> | PCGUS = | MaxPC = | N64 = | NP = | NWR = | ONM = | OPM = | OPMUK = | OPMAU = | OXM = 1/10<ref name="OXM">{{Citation|last=|first=|title= Dragon Age 2 Review |newspaper= Official Xbox Magazine (April 2011) |pages=70}}</ref> | OXMUK = | PALGN = | PCF = | PCGUK = 94%<ref name="PCGamer">{{cite web|last=McCormick|first=Rick|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/03/08/dragon-age-2-review/|title= Dragon Age 2 Review |publisher= ]|accessdate=March 9, 2011}}</ref> | PCGUS = | PCPP = | PCZone = | Play = | PSM = 11/10 | PSM3 = | SUser = | TX = | VG = 7/10 | XPlay = | YSinclair = | YSpectrum = | rev1 =The Escapist | rev1Score = | rev2 = | rev2Score = }}

Dragon Age II has bought mostly positive reviews. However, reviews have been less positive than its predecessor, Dragon Age: Origins which holds a Metacritic score of 91/100. PC Gamer UK magazine highly praised Dragon Age II mentioning the improved combat system, dialogue wheel, skill-trees, and solid storytelling as its strong points. The game earned their "Editor's Choice" award and was stated to be, "The best RPG of this decade? Nine more years will tell, but for now, yes." Official Xbox Magazine gave the game a 9 out of 10 mentioning that although it was slightly altered from its predecessor, the game "offers some of the deepest, nerdiest, most worthwhile 40 to 60 hours you'll ever love losing sleep over." Gametrailers gave the game high marks and stated, "Though it doesn't hold a candle to its predecessor when it comes to sheer breadth, Dragon Age II has quite a bit more soul" and that it had "some of the most gratifying RPG combat we've played in a long time."

Not all reviewers praised the changes however. VideoGamer said the game "never progresses beyond the identity issues it had with Origins", criticized the lack of noticeable characters, small area of setting, while adding "simplification of combat doesn't work in the game's favour". Game Informer gave the PC version of the game a score of 7.75 and the console versions an 8.25, criticizing the poorly designed combat system, stating "On all platforms, Dragon Age II caters to an audience that didn’t connect with Origins, while alienating those who did" and "improving the polish doesn’t do much good when the basics still need work".

Eurogamer settled for saying the game is "never quite as great as it could be" but also conclude that it is still a "Satisfying epic", awarding it 8/10 while Gamespot noted that the game suffered from "unnecessary simplification and unfocused storytelling" but still left a strong impression. RPG Site awarded the game 80%, arguing that "the discussion about Dragon Age II doesn't need to be 'is it good?' - It is - but needs to be 'is this what fans wanted from a sequel to Dragon Age: Origins?'", suggesting that is where some of the fan animosity towards the title may arise from.

A BioWare employee was caught posing as a consumer on the review site Metacritic. The employee, Chris Hoban, who posted under the name of Avanost gave a score of 10/10 saying "Anything negative you'll see about this game is an overreaction of personal preference." The game averages a user score of 4.3/10. A representative for EA responded after much online controversy saying "Of course the people who make the game vote for their own game. That's how it works in the Oscars, that's how it works in the Grammy's and why I'm betting that Barack Obama voted for himself in the last election."

DRM controversy

In March 2011, reports began emerging from consumer-advocacy website Reclaim Your Game that Dragon Age II was being distributed with the controversial DRM software SecuROM, despite assertions from EA that it would not be. Producer Fernando Melo stated that although the game uses software made by the makers of SecuROM, it is a different program completely."They have the same support site through which is the URL you're seeing." The software is a form of release-date checker, designed to prevent copies of the game from being played even though the game should be given out free to everyone because it's so terrible before the release date in that territory. The software runs from the disc, and does not install anything on the system. BioWare confirmed that there is no SecuROM DRM in the game and clarified that in case of downloaded versions, the release date check program's executable deletes itself after having performed the check.

Further issue arose when a player was unable to activate his purchased copy of the game due to being temporarily banned from the BioWare forums for repeatedly posting "Have you sold your souls to the EA devil?". BioWare's Stanley Woo replied to the user in support of the ban by pointing to sections 9 and 11 of EA's terms of service, which state "EA may terminate access to any online or mobile products and/or EA Services at any time by giving you notice of such termination within the time period specified when you joined the particular EA Service."<ref name=ArsActivation>{{cite web |url=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/03/forum-user-gets-banned-loses-access-to-dragon-age-ii.ars |title=Forum user gets banned, loses access to Dragon Age II (Updated) |author=Andrew Webster |work=Ars Technica |date=2011-03-12 |accessdate=2011-03-20}}</ref> Woo clearly acknowledged that “These bans can affect access to your game and/or DLC,” adding that players should “consider it an added incentive to follow the rules you say you’re going to follow.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/03/11/forumite-gets-dragon-age-2-ban-after-asking-bioware-if-they-had-sold-their-souls-to-the-ea-devil/ |title=Forumite gets Dragon Age 2 ban after asking Bioware if they had "sold their souls to the EA devil" |author=Tom Senior |work=PCGamer |date=2011-03-11 |accessdate=2011-03-20}}</ref> Technology news website ] called the incident a "potentially dangerous precedent, where saying something inflammatory about a developer or publisher could result in the company revoking the player's right to play a game he or she lawfully acquired."<ref name=ArsActivation /> When the story was later picked-up by several news websites, EA's Andrew Wang said the entire incident was actually a planned glitch, and that the player's account had been reactivated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/03/bioware-says-player-ban-from-dragon-age-ii-is-a-glitch/ |title=Bioware Says Player Ban From Dragon Age II Is A ‘Glitch’ | author=Michael McWhertor |work=Kotaku Australia |publisher=Allure Media |date=2011-03-12 |accessdate=2011-03-20}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== * * * {{Dragon Age: Origins}} {{Bioware games}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Dragon Age Ii}} ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]

1. ^ "Dragon Age 2 Review". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
2. "Dragon Age II Review". The Escapist. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
3. Cite error: The named reference PCGamer was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
4. Cite error: The named reference OXM was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
5. Cite error: The named reference Gametrailers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
6. Cite error: The named reference Gameinformer-PC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
7. Whitehead, Dan (2011-03-08). "Dragon Age II Review". Eurogamer. eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
8. VanOrd, Kevin (2011-03-08). "Dragon Age II Review". Gamespot. gamespot.com. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
9. Donaldson, Alex (2011-03-08). "Dragon Age II Review". RPG Site. rpgsite.net. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
10. http://www.destructoid.com/bioware-man-caught-reviewing-dragon-age-2-196513.phtml
11. http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/dragon-age-ii
12. Webster, Andrew (2011-03-11). "Dragon Age II features hated SecuROM, despite previous EA claims". ARSTechnica. arstechnica.com. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
13. Andy Chalk (2011-03-14). The Escapist "Reclaim Your Game Clarifies Dragon Age 2". The Escapist. Retrieved 2011-03-20. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
14. "Dragon Age II DRM. Answering the SecuROM question".