Summary
Dragon Age 2had big shoes to fill by followingDragon Age: Origins, and while it wasn’t the game that many were expecting, it’s still one worth playing with fun combat, an interesting story, and insight into a different corner of Thedas. Despite its innocuous setting,Dragon Age 2’s Kirkwall and lore found throughout the game may hold clues to the plot ofDragon Age: Dreadwolf, and anyone looking to visit the series shouldn’t overlookDragon Age 2because of its smaller scope.
Exploring Kirkwall
Revisit Old Areas in Each Act
Thanks to its limited production time,Dragon Age 2has a small number of maps, so areas and dungeons are repeated often. This can make it seem pointless to revisit places like The Wounded Coast or the peak of Sundermount, but these areas change from act to act and players miss out on non-essential, yet valuable, plot points if they’re skipped.
Make Use of Vendors
Potion-making and rune-making work differently inDragon Age 2than inDragon Age: Origins. Instead of crafting them, Hawke instead finds a schematic, then brings it to a vendor and orders the completed item from them. This means that all potions, runes, and poisons need to be crafted while in Kirkwall during the day, rather than in the field. These items are extremely helpful and can make or break a playthrough. And, while companion armor can’t be changed, it can be upgraded through certain runes, so keep an eye out for those.
Make Use of Crowd Control
Combat inDragon Age 2primarily involves large groups of enemies that drop from the sky in waves. It’s one of the biggest criticisms of the game, but luckily many of the abilities in the game are also designed for crowd control. Mages, particularlyBlood and Force Mages, can force large groups of enemies into a single area and then open fire with AoE damage along with warriors in the party. Rogues are best at taking down individual boss enemies, so direct them towards mob leaders.
Get the Most Out of Dragon Age 2’s Story
Play the DLCs at the Right Time
There are two story-based DLCs forDragon Age 2: Mark of the AssassinandLegacy.While it’s possible to play both of them at any point inDragon Age 2once Kirkwall is reached, it’s better to delay starting them until the later stages of the game, at least Act 2 or Act 3. This is because they come with weapons and armor that are leveled with Hawke’s current level, and therefore get better and last longer as Hawke progresses through the game.
The DLC Mark of the Assassincan be played at any point between the midpoint of Act 2 or the beginning of Act 3, whileLegacy is best played just before the endgame events trigger. This will get Hawke the most powerful weapon inDragon Age 2for the final showdown. Legacyis also a great introduction toDragon Age: Inquisitionand can be played post-game.
Pick a Side
UnlikeDragon Age: OriginsorDragon Age: Inquisition,Dragon Age 2has a Friendship/Rivalry systemwhere getting rivalry points is a good thing rather than a bad one. Rather than functioning as disapproval like the otherDragon Agegames to the point that the companions leave the party, rivalry is just a different type of relationship.
Attempting to fix this after getting too many rivalry points will also mess this up and end up with the relationship bar in the middle: this is what players need to avoid. A relationship that isn’t Friendship or Rivalry means there isn’t any relationship there to speak of. This means that they won’t open up to Hawke and, in times of crisis, the NPC will leave rather than remain loyal. Players instead need to aim to get the meter to one side of the scale.
Dragon Age 2
WHERE TO PLAY
You’re Hawke, a refugee seeking to escape the darkspawn-plagued land of Ferelden and become Champion of Kirkwall. Rise to power and fight epic battles while making decisions that determine the course of civilization. Your pursuit of power begins now. How will you seal your place in history?Cinematic storytelling— Experience a decade’s worth of battles and intrigue thanks to a nonlinear narrative that keeps the action coming. A redesigned dialogue system gives more context to your decisions and helps players create a fully realized, multi-dimensional character.Customize your fight— Dozens of spells and 3 battle companions give players endless options. Stay in the moment with fast-paced combat, or pause the battle and make every move count by issuing individual orders.Make bigger moves— Your actions carry greater weight than ever, and you’ll need to think long-term because you have an entire decade to reach your goal. Every dialogue and battle decision affects your standing with party members. Maximizing your friendship opens up even more options.
