Dragon Age II: Ultimate Edition

Dragon Age II: Ultimate Edition is a divisive entry in the Dragon Age series, praised for its compelling characters, rich storytelling, and unique setting focused on the city of Kirkwall. Players appreciate the game's strong narrative arc centered on Hawke, with memorable companions and complex political themes. The game offers a more action-oriented combat system compared to Origins, which some find engaging despite its simplicity. However, the game suffers from significant technical issues related to the EA app integration, causing crashes and DLC access problems. The reuse of environments and limited locations also detracts from the experience for many. While the story and characters are often highlighted as the game's strengths, pacing issues and repetitive combat scenarios are common complaints. Despite its flaws and rushed development, many players still find value in the game, especially with mods that improve gameplay and pacing. Overall, Dragon Age II is recommended mainly for fans of the series or those interested in its narrative depth.

Highlights

Players consistently praise the deep character development and voice acting, especially the companions like Varric and Aveline. The storyline's focus on political intrigue and human nature rather than epic battles is noted as a refreshing change. Combat improvements over Origins, such as smoother animations and interactive cooldowns, are appreciated by some. The game's unique setting within Kirkwall provides an intimate and immersive world-building experience. Additionally, the DLCs are recognized for adding quality content and enriching the lore. The narrative's emotional depth and tragic hero elements resonate strongly with players, making the story a key highlight despite other shortcomings.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the technical instability and frequent crashes caused by problematic EA app integration, which frustrates players and hampers gameplay. The heavy reuse of environments and dungeons leads to a feeling of repetitiveness and visual monotony. Combat, while improved, is often described as simplified and can become tedious over time. The game's pacing is uneven, with time progression feeling unnatural. Some players find the story outcomes less impactful than expected, with choices having limited consequences. The limited character customization compared to Origins and occasional bugs, such as companion quest glitches, also detract from the experience. Lastly, the need to manage multiple launchers and accounts for DLC access is a frequent source of annoyance.