"Atleast I Tried" - My Attempt AT Dragon Age II

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So you want to play an RPG, do you?

Looking back at all the games I've played over the years, Baulder's Gate II has to be up there in amount of man hours clocked in. I ran through Bioware's epic story and later expansion Throne of Bhaal atleast a half dozen times, trying out different classes, party members, etc. I remember my cousin and I, one summer while working together cleaning toilets(just as fun as it sounds), used to spend our brakes scrawling out different combinations of characters before our next run through to maximize efficiency. To this day, I still remember that feeling of sheer contentment at reading through what happened to my companions after our journey was over. It was epic. It was awesome. It was unforgettable.

Dragon Age II on the consoles is none of these things. You've teased me again Bioware.

I played through Origins on a whim and, while I had some trouble really getting into the story, I finished it and even flirted with going through with a second playthrough to see what would have happened if I changed alot of my choices and alliances through the story. It wasn't great though. The combat was slow and I never really felt in control of everything, having to make my way awkwardly through the bumpers and such to assign my fellas their tasks. Nonetheless, when DAII was announced, I knew I was onboard. Awesome looking dude in the trailer? Check. Promised better combat? Check. Engrossing story? Check. I got my butt to the evil Gamestop store and bought that puppy, ready to get my RPG on!

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You like mashing buttons, don't you?

After about 10 hours or so of DAII, I think my high expectations have gotten the best of me and I think I'm walking away, which is rare for me. The new "fast-paced" combat is a bit too fast and I'm having flashbacks of playing Dynasty Warriors, just spamming the attack button while waiting for my special attacks to recharge. While you certainly can employ some strategy, pausing the game and assigning each of your party to a specific action, it's ultimately unnecessary and just quicker to let your gang just go crazy. Most critiques have written that this is the one area that has improved greatly from the first. I'm not feeling it as much. In Mass Effect, with the shooting and all, I was contempt with just controlling my main guy and letting the others do their thing. In a medieval setting, where character classes play a much more integral role, I want control. But you have made it so hard! Blast you!

I realize that playing the PC version would probably lend more to the strategic experience I am hoping for. But alas, I have a trophy addiction and can't get myself to playing something that isn't adding to my Gamer Rank. I need help...

I like how Hawke is an active participant in the story, but he and the rest of the initial never really struck a nerve for me. I hope things turn out well for them. But, in the end, I'm not gonna waste 20-30 hours trying to make sure. Dragon Age II, rather than feel like a step forward, feels like a step sideways. If they want to make this Mass Effect meets D&D, stop fiddling around and do it. I'll be fine with that. Just let me control one guy with the exception of a few commands and let's just go.Don't try to be a tactial RPG when all I really need to do is spam the attack.

Maybe down the line I'll give DAII another whirl, but my first foot forward with this was a misstep. Time for the shelf.