Please don’t skip Dragon Age 2

[@vanyadolly]

DA2 is deeply underrated. A lot of the backlash came from people expecting another game like DAO, but DA2 does it's own thing. It's an intimate smaller-scale tragedy about one person's struggle to make it and protect their family in a brutal world. It's not an epic power fantasy, but that's what makes it so interesting. It has its faults because of how rushed development was, but it also does so many things well that I actually enjoy it the most in the series.

[@annaershis3894]

for me DA2 is like a good book or a fanfic. Actually I think it IS A BOOK, because actually Varric is the narrator (or rather unreliable narrator) who tells the story of Hawk to Cassandra (and us)! So it adds special charm to the game. Storylike narrative is perfect for those circumstances (as I see it) that's why I generally enjoyed the game 3 times I played (I plan to play more ofc)

[@justanothermaid]

It was my favorite of the series. An unpopular take for a long time. Regardless the smaller stories, the larger narrative, haunted me. I felt incredibly powerless to alleviate the suffering of the characters around me without paying a cost that was excruciating. Great writing.

[@RokkoFonso]

Thanks for your comment! This game definitely has its own reasons to be a favorite for some, no matter what others say :)

[@MikeBurnsArrangedAccidents]

They had a YEAR to make this. It is the best possible game that could have been made in that timeframe. Some of the rogue builds and ability cross-combos were insane. Best companions, though Inquisition comes close. I've replayed it multiple times. Nightmare mode is a true challenge and also an ultra-violence filter.

[@RokkoFonso]

Yeah, some warrior builds could dish out crazy amounts of damage too! Thanks for your comment :)

[@Scarygomez]

I dont care if they had a year, 4 days or 4 years to make it. The output is rubbish and it's the worst game in the series !

[@luciddream7738]

I agree! builds are a lot of fun, especially if you know how to build and manage your companions too. Its also the one i want to replay the most, i love Hawke's story

[@abukanoff]

well well you've got yerselv a new subscriber ma'e, waiting on your DA:V video eagerly. *proceeds to stare intensely at monitor*

[@RokkoFonso]

Im working on that video :) Its not ready yet, but it's coming along hahha Thanks!

[@teyrncousland7152]

Dragon Age 2 introduced me to the series, so even though Origins is the best, 2 still has a special place in my heart.

[@annaershis3894]

I firmly believe that DA2 is a good game. It's not the best but it's essential for so many things in the universe itself. Each companion has grand, amazing, vivid personality that you can't forget. I personally LOVE Varric I can't explain with words how much I love him and especially his connection to female Hawk. Of course some parts of the game were crazy repetitive but all that Ozamar and Mage Tower shit in DAO was repetitive too or at least close to it

[@RokkoFonso]

Totally agree! So many aspects of the story and characters make the game's flaws not matter as much. Thanks for your comment :)

[@tsisko3795]

DA 2 was my first Bioware game. And I fell in love with it. I am unaware of any other game period that adjusts NPC dialog to match the personality you've been playing. Add in the amazing sound track and I feel it was an incredibly immersive game. Sure the combat was meh and they constantly reused maps and assets. But those don't overshadow the good parts.

[@RokkoFonso]

Totally agree! Thanks for your comment :)

[@Dankmemeslover69]

I remember playing DA2 right after Origins, and I can't remember a greater disappointment and confusion I experienced from a video game. Even Cyberpunk at release does not come close to that experience.

[@ciarandwynvil273]

I absolutely adore DA2. It's my favorite DA game, in fact, and I replay it much more often than the others. I don't care that it reuses assets and that dungeon maps repeat. These things caused by the short development time are more than counterbalanced by the work of love that was poured into Hawke and his companions. Hawke, Fenris, Anders, Varric, Carver... they are unforgettable for me. It just feels so good to go on an adventure in their company. The story of DA2 feels more personal than Origins or Inquisition. Hawke doesn't have an ambition to save the world, but is doing (at least mine does) his best to protect his family, friends, and allies. The depiction of the sibling bond between male Hawke and Carver is particularly touching. Even as a pro-mage Hawke, I always go the friendship route with Carver, and Bioware has done a wonderful job in portraying two brothers who despite their differences love each other deeply and come to each other's aid whenever needed. Voice acting is great and the dialogues are amazing. The game is very much worth playing even for the party banter alone. I know it nearly by heart by now, but it doesn't matter. I still love it. Like a favorite comfort food :)

[@RokkoFonso]

Hey! First off, thank you so much for your comment, it was a real pleasure to read :) I totally agree with you, it’s such a human game in every way, and that’s what makes it special. Thanks!

[@beverlyshields2399]

DA2 is easily my favorite Dragon age, and frankly its not close. Everyone is always goes on and on about origins but to me its at the bottom of the list. Its Exodus(2), Veilguard, Inquisition, Origins. Not saying origins is a bad game, but outside the unique starts i personally never really enjoy doing return play throughs past the opening.

[@RokkoFonso]

I think that’s one of the great things about the DA series... each game is so different from the others that there’s something for everyone, even if some people feel DA should only be one way. Thanks for your comment :)

[@SavantUncensored]

Considering how fast they pumped it out, like a year or so. It was amazing. My first first game in the series was the og Dragon Age and I liked DA:2.

[@notawitchr]

Good point about Hawke. I think my playthrough of DA2 was marred by my expectations of it after DAO - but if i had expected a story about Hawke and not about me - i would have better experience. And i miss tactical battle camera very much ((( Great video, though!

[@RokkoFonso]

Thanks for your comment! And yeah, I miss the tactical camera too :(

[@Lupo-Exulans]

I think DA2 aged like fine wine, given how DAV turned up to be.

[@TheMoinomedian]

Hawke will always be my hero.

[@Machinewashere]

honestly my only gripe with 2 was the forced character. i don't mind the characters having voices, inquisition was proof a custom character can still be voiced in the DA series. but having to play as either "this guy" or "this girl" was not fun.

[@mintkit1064]

I love DA2 and my charming Hawke and all her besties. They're not perfect people but they're what she has left. This game is so good despite the absolute hardships it faced in development. I am sad that it faced so much scrutiny for just being different and ruining Hawke's chance to be a more influential role in DA going forward.

[@RokkoFonso]

I feel the same... it’s like Hawke’s importance got really downplayed, even though there was so much potential, probably because of the game’s bad reception :( But hey, with all the remakes these days, if DA saga ever gets one, I think DA2 has the most to gain. Thanks for your comment!

[@kailenmitchell8571]

I hated the game play in DA2 but the characters are so good i played 5 times through dispite not liking the gameplay.

[@dirimi6352]

For a singular playthrough (as I experience games tbh) it's a worthwhile game. I just hate, absolutely loathe both the little item dlcs, that was also a problem in origins to be fair, and the Mark of the Assassin DLC because of Felicia Day's potrayal of an honestly promising character. A human who follows the Qun. Too bad she is too quirky and snarky to follow it and learns basically nothing... Great video though :)

[@RokkoFonso]

Yeah, I've always hated those item DLCs... at least now you can get the game with everything included at a very low price, it's almost always on sale. Thanks a lot for your comment :)

[@Infernal460]

The combat is better than Inquistion. There I said something positive about Dragon Age 2. Now lets talk about the negatives. *Three hours later.* ... so overall we have 3 messy mini games combined into 1 full game. Dragon Age 2 a game unworthy of the name. But Fennris is cool so may be worth a buy. = )

[@RokkoFonso]

hahaha long live King Fenris Thanks for your comment :)

[@vanyadolly]

The combat is better, the story is better, the friendship/rivalry system, the companions, and it doesn't look like someone rubbed baby oil all over it.

[@samflood5631]

Are you going to go over Inquisition and Veilguard next?

[@RokkoFonso]

That’s the plan! If all goes well, I’ll drop the Inquisition video next week :)

[@IMBREISGAU]

what face mod you're using?

[@RokkoFonso]

in nexus mods, "Unique Face Textures for Companions" by Ellise :)

[@IMBREISGAU]

@@RokkoFonso ALSO, how do you get that Hawke conversation with his mother in 16:00? I don't remember that part.

[@RokkoFonso]

@@IMBREISGAU That's the last scene of the Legacy DLC! It only appears if you play it after "that" mission about his mother. To be safe (and get better gear too) I recommend playing Legacy and Mark of the Assasin right before the final mission (when you get the letter) :)

[@IMBREISGAU]

@@RokkoFonso Thank you, this is a great video :)

[@RokkoFonso]

@@IMBREISGAU Thanks! glad you liked it :)

[@benardalbert]

ahah yes is difficult . i remeber i run away beacause the qunari boss is very dangerous 🤣

[@RokkoFonso]

Yeah, I used that same legendary strategy so many times hahha Thanks for your comment!

[@adnanrivera7795]

Played it like five times, I am skipping it from now on.

[@RokkoFonso]

Well, I think playing it five times is more than enough hahhaha thanks for your comment :)

[@adnanrivera7795]

@@RokkoFonso I do enjoy it, but when I can replay origins for the 89th time, I prefer it. Even if the companions interactions are better in DA2. And no one on origins or inquisition keeps reminding he was a slave all the damn game.

[@RokkoFonso]

@@adnanrivera7795 Yeah, that’s a totally valid opinion :) I can’t argue with anyone who’d rather replay DAO over anything else, since I’ve been that person plenty of times hahahha For me, DAO and DAI are better standalone experiences than DA2, but I just wanted to show some love for DA2 because I’ve grown attached to it over the years haha even if it’s not my favorite

[@FordPrefect42-f1c]

INQUISITION SUCKS!! There I said it xD I disagree, I think DA2 is right after Origins for peak Dragon Age, and DAI did not deserve its game of the year... BUT THEN AGAIN. I loved the small story we get with DAI... So if somehow they can come in and cut out boring shit from DAI... and stop making me fight mobs over and over blehhhh... then DAI may equal out with DA2. i'm nervous as shit for DAV though... I don't want it to fail, but...... the only choices that matter are the 3 you make in Trespasser? mannnnnn... That's gonna invalidate a fuck ton of choices... especially Morrigan choices.... mehhhhhhhhhh

[@RokkoFonso]

Thanks for your comment! That’s a totally valid opinion too :) I’m working on a video about DAI right now, and while I do think it’s a great game, I completely agree with you about the endless mob fights, they’re really tedious. And yeah! I’m 50% excited and 50% worried about DAV... with its messy development and everything you mentioned. We’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully, they surprise us and it doesn’t end up like Andromeda hahahha

[@Siilk70]

ENCHOINTMENT

[@adeptdamage3669]

Nah Origins is the only Dragon Age worth playing.

[@RokkoFonso]

That's a valid perspective too :) The idea is to do what we enjoy with our free time. Thanks for commenting!