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Врезка: Intersection. The saucy Isabela is an old friend from Origins - and is still good with daggers.

We have the sequel to the hit role-playing game Dragon Age: Origins played. What changes is what remains - and how much fun the entry?

What Bioware only with Dragon Age 2 before? Promo video with tough action fight scenes, a meager fair demo level and the emphasis of console optimizations have provided for subtle unrest in the PC fanbase that built the predecessor Origins published two years ago. Dragon Age is finally something like the guardians of the tactically challenging story role-playing game with a sophisticated party management. Threat of slipping into action camp to now more likely to satisfy the appetites of the masses?

To examine the state of things in the fantasy continent Thedas, we launched together with other media-travelers a December expedition to the legendary Edmonton in the Canadian province of Alberta. There we are greeted with typical season for the outside world, temperatures of minus 20 degrees, but also a warm office with pleasant schnurrendem PC to a whole day trying out Dragon Age 2. Finally, we see what happens after the introductory chapter in the capital, Kirkwall, and get a first hand impression of the feel and the changes to about Origins.

As us a limit on the Bioware staff in the late afternoon friendly, but the evacuation of the playroom thrusts, we are slightly desperate. So many interesting quests have accumulated in the logbook, you can not just leave undone? Our personal suffering is a good sign: The Best of Dragon Age 2, it immediately "click", the rhythm in story and game progress is perfectly in the beginning.

Врезка: Come down to business. Faster at the opponents turn, short casting time - this work flow term and direct the battle.

Врезка: Group dynamics. Tactical battles with the Quartet, in Origins, you can pause the action at any time and issue commands.

The fun factor has risen markedly, as far as we can judge from the first game hours ago. Many of us come draughty, firmer, more direct than at Origins before. Tactical combat maneuvers may order to stop the action and switch to the four-party from character to character, all this still works. Faster execution of attacks, the optimized animations and short cast-response times, we might not miss more soon.

Lead Designer Mike Laidlaw is aware of the worries in the PC-bearing aware about the level of struggle: "I hear constantly, that we were all ruined with an action-combat system, but does not worry about coordinated team tactics are essential... " What makes him hard in Origins annervte that getippelten baby steps and small blocks, the characters before the implementation of a combat action were lodged. "Fast close with the enemy" is the motto for warriors and rogues, mages will be a drastic shortening of the spell-response times in the exercise of their profession accelerated. This kind of speed gains is not at the expense of safety planning, as usual you can always print the pause button and issue commands without time pressure. Here you change between characters, his view back and forth or trusts whose artificial intelligence. As in Origins, there is a Taktikmenu, but at the behavior of party members let preseed THE EASIEST WAY IS, TO CHOOSE ONE OF SIX ROLES: RANGED COMBAT, TANK, AGGRESSIVE, DEFENSIVE, CAUTIOUS OR PASSIVE. Who's will have the selling agency shall, for each character down precise conditions when that ability is used.

>> CHARACTER CLASSES AND SKILLS.

>> The levels of the hero's desire. Thanks to newly structured talent tree and upgrades makes learning new abilities more fun.

>> The class of development functions similarly to Origins. To begin, you choose between the basic models Warrior, Mage and Rogue, learn about the abilities in six categories.

>> At each step increase, you get some attribute points to strong. Skill, magic, wisdom, willpower and constitution can be distributed.

>> UPON REACHING THE LEVELS 7 AND 12, SELECT ONE OF THREE SPECIALIZED CLASSES IN ORDER TO UNLOCK FURTHER ABILITIES FAMILY.

>> A MAGICIAN SHOWS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ACCELERATED COURSES, "FORCE MAGE (MAGIC ATTACKS, AND PROVIDE FOR 125% DAMAGE). SPIRIT HEALER (MANA AND STAMINA INCREASES BY 25 POINTS). OR BLOOD MAGE (25 POINTS MORE LIFE).

>> Within the categories there is less linear. If you switch from one Origins ability freely to the other, there are Dragon Age 2 branched tree, allow more choice. Often, you can choose between two or even three directions.

>> Some skills you acquire to use of corresponding points are improvements to existing talents. This is what the abilities bar at the bottom of the screen clearer about (for example, upgrading the start healing spells with 20% activity Bonus).

>> It will return a number of skills from Origins, but there are also some new addition such as the SPELL "BLACK HOLE" THAT PULLS TOGETHER A GROUP OF ENEMIES AT A CERTAIN POINT.

>> Врезка: Skills. The new tree structure makes unlocking less linear than in Origins. This choice has a Level-4-villain in the "two arms" - category.

>> Врезка: Attributes. Upon reaching a new level, you distribute points to six character attributes. The effects of important statistics are clear on this screen.

The combat system is fluid, but no less complex - quite the contrary. Bounded at Origins Combo allowed to spell "may not carry now play all three classes ", says Laidlaw. Both jointing and rogue mages and warriors about abilities, which can put an opponent in a particularly vulnerable state, such as freezing or confusing. The use of other group members to get bitter loss tips. On higher difficulty levels it should not use this cunning abilities, interaction hardly enter through. Secondly, the battles with new enemies categories demanding. Look for Commander, which make their henchmen strong, and assassination, you creep along the edge of the turmoil behind rucks and scrape your remote like camphor.

>> THE COMPANIONS IN DRAGON AGE 2

>> They are tactically important comrades, but also heart and soul of the Dragon Age Games. Are new companions and old friends in their four-party.

>> Are still not revealed all the characters, but these ladies and gentlemen, are definitely one of the party. A (still secret) of additional crew will be buying the "Signature Edition" reserved.

>> Carver (warrior). The little brother of our main hero Hawke is the beginning. Unlike sister Bethany, he can fight the Ogre survive during the flight from Ferelden.

>> Aveline (warrior). Hard shell and a strong protective instinct. "A strong female character, but neither mean nor rude, " says David Gaider the fighting woman who hires the city guard of Kirkwall.

>> Varric (Rogue). Smokey and the Bandit, thanks to his crossbow Bianca is an obvious Ranged. In the frame story Varric tells of his adventures with Hawke.

>> Isabela (Rogue). "I fall hard not to have Isabela in the party - it is simply superb foods, especially in combination with Varric" says Executive Producer Mark Darrah about the flirtatious female pirate who was already in Origins as a party member on board. (???)

>> Fenris (Magician???). A dark new companion, of which currently exists only this concept art. Lead Designer Mike Laidlaw Fenris referred to as "a serious guy who comes to the point quickly. "

>> MERRILL (MAGE). KNOWN FROM THE ELVEN ORIGIN STORY OF ORIGINS, NOW AS CUTE AND SHY COMPANION RECRUITABLE. SPECIAL CLASS "DALISH PARIAH"WITH BLOOD MAGIC BONDS.

"What is all the crap in my inventory?" According to Mike Laidlaw was an oft-heard complaint of Origin players. Time for an organizing reform. To facilitate choosing the right equipment, each object is a 5-star rating that tells how good he is for the current stage of the game character. There are also clearer information on what impact the creation of a piece of equipment on the character value. Cleaning effect is to have the removal of raw materials from inventory. Now it is enough to discover a resource even in the game world to access them later.

The Story of Origins virtues will honor at Bioware Dragon Age 2, "URBAN WORLD, UNFORGETTABLE COMPANION, TOUGH DECISIONS AND TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES, " IS COUNTING ON LAIDLAW. The player forms the plot, determined by how the story ends - and thus answer the key question in Dragon Age 2: "Who was the champion of Kirkwall?" The central character is not by Hawke Chosen by fate, but a refugee from Ferelden who ends up with his family in the city-state of Kirkwall. We know that Hawke will trigger the spark for a revolution that brings the country into turmoil - but what it is about exactly what and Hawkes are motives, and decide the player experiences in an entire decade of action.

Embedded in the story is a frame story in which the church emissaries CASSANDRA PENTAGHAST vehцrt Varric the dwarf, a long-time companion Hawkes. The game tells the ten-year history in which there will always be a time jump is again before the player carries on with the next chapter. Each station in Hawkes biography has a way point. So we have to find the beginning of favors admission of refugees in the BESIEGED CITY OF KIRKWALL. (??) Those debts execute the day - so back to the next interlude between Cassandra and Varric. After dialogue, we return to Hawke, a game year has now passed.

Emerging concern: one is made by the hand and straight out of a chapter to another? No, for even in the second section, we are a wealth of interesting primary, secondary and faced companion emissions that are causing us to venues in Kirkwall and the surrounding areas. What we address in what order is up to us. Mike Laidlaw remarked later how much fun it makes him, in the test room the players to look over his shoulder. Because on almost every monitor is a different place to be seen is just playing a different mission, because anyone can embark on his own.

The Bioware developers like to emphasize how well Dragon is suitable age 2 with his new theater and Heroes series for beginners. While there are many allusions to the dark brood and the corruption, and a reunion with so many Origins character. But with demand opportunities in the dialogues Article condition can party provide additional background information. If you import a game of its predecessor or one of the extensions that history will be adjusted in the successors according to your deeds.

Врезка: Warm-. The rampaging qunari in Kirkwall have not reckoned with Isabela.

Врезка: BASIN. The flat-damage spells of magicians are ideal for large masses of enemies as these spiders plague.

>> Dialog System

>> Speeches Silver, Dragon Age dialogs are gold: The conversations with other characters are amusing, informative and interactive than ever.

>> Eloquent. Symbols illustrate the effect of the Options dialog. If one should be clear that "we will then fight!" could have violent consequences ...

>> New icons to show what our answer tone can: polite, conciliatory, cheeky and ironic or rude, aggressive.

>> Similar to Mass Effect 2 describes the on-screen text a reply. The exact formulation, you will then hear, because our main character speaks with now.

>> In some situations there are special companion options in the middle of conversation: instead of himself to say something, let it operate independently one of the combatants, which often leads to exciting results.

>> FOR INSTANCE, SINCE AVELINE IS IN OUR GROUP, EMERGES IN THE COURSE OF THE CONVERSATION WITH A NASTY DEALERS THE OPTION "AVELINE"IN THE LEFT HALF-CIRCLE ON THE DIALOG. SO WE CAN TAKE THE CHARACTER OF THE INITIATIVE, WHICH PROVIDES FOR IN THIS CASE, A SUCCESSFUL THREAT.

>> Other characters use in this way in interviews given them, and also a friend to gain a hold. Can you make it in the course of the game, fill the corresponding bar of a pet's affection completely so that a special ability is unlocked.

NO SAVE FILE ON HAND OR NEW HERE? NO PROBLEM, WHEN THE GAME STARTS THREE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS TO CHOOSE FROM. IN THE VARIANT OF FERELDEN HERO "WAS THE CENTRAL CHARACTER OF THE PREDECESSOR A KIND-HEARTED MAN WHO DEFEATED THE ARCHDEMON HAND AND HIS PAL ALISTAIR SAT ON THE VACANT THRONE. IN THE HISTORY OF "THE MARTYR", THE HERO IS A CYNICAL DALISH ELF (F), WHICH DID NOT SURVIVE THE FINAL BATTLE WAS, ALISTAIR AND ANORA TOGETHER GOVERN THE KINGDOM. AND IN "NO COMPROMISES" IT WAS A COLD DWARF ARISTOCRAT, THE EXILED AND ALISTAIR LOGHAIN SENT INTO CERTAIN DEATH. QUEEN ANORA IS IN THIS SCENARIO, THE ONLY REGENT OF FERELDEN.

Врезка: DOUBLE ROLE. An elderly Varric is narrator of the frame story, the gameplay is as Ranged Rogue is a valuable companion.

Врезка: Thunder and lightning You decide whether the central character of Hawke a warrior, Rogue, or (as here) is a magician.

Before the game starts we choose the first name for the main hero Hawke, whose sex and one of three character classes (as in the previous Warrior, Rogue or Mage, we opt for the latter). The origin is specified, therefore there is no racial choice as Origins, Hawke's definitely a man. The opening of Dragon Age 2 player in the dark, barren land, recognize the Gamescom visitors than fair demo scene. Even after the fall of Ferelden on the run, including our main character, whose brother, Carver (warriors) and sister Bethany (Mage), together with MOTHER LEANDRA (which is out of the age at which you rumprьgelt with monsters). Soon the couple joined them Vallen, we assist in the fight against the Dark Brut. Aveline is a warrior and will stay with us as a companion. Wesley's husband turns out to be a magician contemptuous Templar, the chapter does not survive, however. That was not enough drama to get out of handkerchiefs is the hero of sister Bethany announced that bravely takes an Ogre in the path.

The fact that our battered troops to escape at all is thanks Flemeth. You witch has a strong presence in the wild dragons, scare the darkspawn and asks us for a small favor: An amulet to be placed on the ELF CAMP SUNDERMOUNT OUTSIDE KIRKWALL. Provides for new players, the legitimate question of who is Flemeth any, opportunity to demand, the circular dialogue menu. The "Investigate" you browse through explanatory background information on the history.

Time for a short story jump. Varric told that our group finally reached after a meeting with Flemeth a ship that cruises to the North Sea Waking. Just outside Kirkwall arrived, we climb back into the game. Templar Commander Meredith has decided, given the mass influx of refugees, that there is no room for any new arrival. Finally, we will meet our uncle, who admits only once, to have verjuxt the family legacy ... na magnificent. After all, he has a tip for us, as we can get into the city: By execution of a small contract for either smugglerin Athenril or Soldier Meeran.

Thus, the linear in Prolog is complete. The story takes a leap in time by a year, now open up many new missions and locations for us. A short cutscene informed about changes in the game world is now in the Ferelden darkspawn been defeated, while a ship with qunari warriors landed near Kirkwall, and increase the tensions between Templars and the magicians. It is also interesting to follow how-known characters have been developed. So hired Aveline at the city station, where strange things happen. In a multi-stage mission, we help guide you in the investigation. Our brother Carver employs rather the legacy of his grandfather, by indentations, we could go to the search for the missing will.

Врезка: Galgenhof. Kirk Wall is not a good place to be a victim of a miscarriage of justice.

Врезка: High Town. A better district offers good shopping opportunities.

Врезка: CHURCH. Kirkwall is governed beginning of the game by a Templar.

Врезка: Lowtown. A sketch of the residential district of the lower income groups,

>> VISIT KIRKWALL!

>> The coastal city built on a cliff Kirkwall is the center of power of our hero Hawke and is characterized by a lively nightlife.

>> Missions such as tracking down shady contacts or thwarting criminal activities take place only after posting the darkness. Waiting is not necessary because by the choice of day or night card abruptly change the time of day.

>> Varric describes the city in "Free marshes" as a former "City of chains and slavery. " Kirkwall is now a "free city", even if the concept should not be taken too literally, new arrivals are greeted by the sight of the local gallows (instead of planting flower beds, was apparently rejected by the City Council).

>> OTHER SITES YOU CAN VISIT BY CLICKING ON THE CITY MAP, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NOBLE VISCOUNT'S KEEP, THE LOCAL CHURCH, THE HARBOR AND NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THE IMPOVERISHED LOWTOWN OFFERS A DIGNIFIED HIGH TOWN AND THE SHADOWY DARK TOWN.

...

Врезка: Future of the country. Orlais (capital: Val Royeaux) is located west of Ferelden and is a good candidate for a future venue to be Dragon Age game.

>> DRAGON AGE 3 TO ORLAIS?

>> Of course, lead designer Mike Laidlaw, the existence of a Dragon Age 3 currently deny nor affirm. Purely hypothetical, we have asked him why, where the journey could result in a further continuation.

>> Many basic ideas for dragon came Age 2 the Bioware developers in the final phase of the Origins Development. "When everything comes together at the end, is still a lot of work to do you get a feel for the full experience and your brain starts here think: 'Where would we want to go next? "'. The fact that the designers knew early on what they wanted to do with Dragon Age 2, was an important prerequisite in order to develop the game in a tight time frame. So we ask what is going on in their brain turns at present, where the production of Dragon Age 2 enters final straight. "game-world creator David Gaider is enormous good at providing us with a selection of interesting sites, " said Laidlaw. The Bioware team had no region of choice for a possible third Dragon Age game, but Laidlaw guess where it drags on, the fan base: "I know that the community is interested in Orlais One reason is certainly Leliana whose history we are. is an Origins extension told. The history of Orlais also strongly associated with the Ferelden. There were wars, invasions and Ferelden was decades of Orlais' King rules. And since many people still have Ferelden in the head, would Orlais the next logical . Step We know for example that there are with Celene I, a regent who single-handedly reformed their government - but how?".

Most significantly, the first encounter with the dwarf Varric Tethras - virtually the younger incarnation of the narrator from the narrative framework. Before Hawkes eyes pinned Varric a pickpocket with a crossbow from his named Bianca elegantly shot bolt to the wall, with only the shirt caught in the act of being perforated. You come into the conversation: Varrics brother Bartrand planning an expedition into the depths of ways. Now is the opportunity to go in the old Dwarven tunnels in search of treasure, as the dark brood has recently been expelled first. The expedition requires an investor that can bring 50 sovereigns, a tidy sum, which we have to work on other missions first. What exactly happens due to the depths like to keep Mike Laidlaw kept secret. He suggests, however, that this is a key event for Hawke is an important step in order to gain power and influence.

Kirk Wall is in a range of compact neighborhoods divided we visit one by one. Here we go for example on the track of a Grey Wardens that is to be found in the poor district and assisting with their healing abilities Ferelden refugees. This will hopefully be an old acquaintance Origins? We would also like the fact that we describe part-time non-dragon lady Flemeth a favor and visit the Elf camp Sundermount, a rather secluded hills. Good to see the desolate landscape of the prologue Blightland is not typical of the whole outside world.

In Sundermount there is a reunion with characters from the elves-story home of Origins: clan leader Marethari sends us, accompanied by Mage Merrill, uphill to an altar where the amulet is to be deposited. We fight all sorts of undead and witness how Merrill eliminated with a blood magic ritual of a barrier. But that does not seem to be their only secret, because it is being pushed by Marethari to leave the elven clan and travel with us to Kirkwall, where we Merrill now stands as a party member concerned.

They have realized that in Dragon Age 2, there is no shortage of interesting types and characters. The usual high-level Bioware is also present story and dialogues. Origins is still the gold standard in terms of telling a fantasy story in a computer game, the sequel seems set on it even a good amount of atmosphere-compaction. Add to this the increased fun factor in the fighting, can then answer the question's purpose with Bioware Dragon Age 2: much good, provided the first hours of play are representative of the whole experience later.

Interview with David Gaider

"cuts are now even a part of game development"

Q: David, you're busy not only with the story and dialogues of the skewer, but have also incidentally written two Dragon Age novels. Is a third book planned?

A: When I wrote the first novel, we were at the same time with Origins in crunch mode. To 9 clock in the evening so I sat at Bioware, drove home, then work up to 1 clock Early in the book. I wish I did not venture into it again. But after my work on Dragon Age 2 is almost complete, we are talking about the topic.

Q: How did you have the time kept by?

A: With a lot of coffee! I was really excited to be working on my first novel. It was a real honor to be given this opportunity has given.

Q: Will the next novel might be a prequel to a possible third game Dragon Age?

A: Dragon Age 2 also offers some opportunities to tell more about the characters than what you will notice in game one of them. There are already more stories we can place in the course of a game or not to be cut out. Sections are now even a part of game development. We grind their teeth, we howl around, but in the end we realize that they are necessary.

Q: Why is get out his Kьrzungsaxt?

A: We are for an artist, on the other hand in the business of developing games finished. Those who do not even short time, has bugged at the end of a big mess. We had already developed by Bioware complete actions, as we realized that we a) does not have the necessary resources to implement them or b) it does not work as well as we had imagined.

Q: Do the extra icons, the dialog system of Dragon Age 2 simple?

A: No, the complexity of the dialogue remained. Because the icons to show what is the tone for an answer, but do not reveal how the other person will react. There is indeed no longer displayed the exact wording of a response that says your character then, but a paraphrase.

Врезка: Ambitious. Over the years, ten feature sets Hawke with increasingly powerful opponents.

"Epic, tactical, less complicated - and the story captures amazing! "

It is the better Dragon Age. Part 2 does not differ greatly from the Origins to success, but acts in all possible corners of finely honed and improved. Veterans will feel right at home and enjoy the option of the game-Imports, Entry's easy. as getting started with a fresh level 1 hero in a new scenario. The walking distances look shorter, which makes it look tidy inventory the equipment my company no longer try the patience and the struggles of liquid without it lacks in group tactics. Just because of story and characters, I really want to keep playing: even the first half hour has more drama and "! Hach" moments than many other RPG in his total playing time. I'm 11 March each case in the calendar block, as important business call me to Kirkwall.