Dragon Age 2

Dragon Age 2 is the sequel to the epic 2009 game, Dragon Age.: Origins. Made by Bioware, Dragon Age: Origins was a critically acclaimed game that was well-loved by gamers.

I’m not one of them.

I thought Dragon Age: Origins was good but I didn’t find it to be “that good” and maybe that’s why I took my time before getting Dragon Age 2. Not helping was the fact that Dragon Age 2 is considered one of the more controversial role-playing games of recent time. People complaining of the game’s narrative, story structure and gameplay had been vocal.

Dragon Age 2 has you in the character of Hawke, a refugee from Lothering. If you recall, Lothering was a town that was destroyed early in the original Dragon Age game and as you escaped the destruction of your home with your family, you will land in Kirkwall. In a fight for survival in a chaotic world, you must gather allies, fame and fortune to eventually be a Champion of Kirkwall.

I might get in trouble for saying this but after playing the game, I can honestly say I think the complaints are overblown. In a way, I can understand it. The story is told by Varric, a dwarf companion of Hawke, some time after the story had ended. As the story was about Hawke’s rise to power in Kirkwall, the geography is strictly in the city of Kirkwall and its surrounding regions. Also at the end of the story, Hawke didn’t save the world but arguably made things worse with his actions.

In short, Dragon Age 2 is a game that takes chances. It tried to take the unconventional route. And I enjoyed it for it!

I can understand why some people dislike it. The narrative of the story sort of limit the excitement and things can get tiring after the 10^th you go up Sundermount, but the way the story is structured, it make perfect sense why you are around Kirkwall.

Dragon Age 2 is not for everyone, that I have to agree, but for gamers who are tired of run-of-the-mill role-playing game, this is a game you want to try out. It’s not perfect but Dragon Age 2 certainly tired to attempts something different. And for that, it’s a game worth playing.