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Despite their hardcore PC RPG roots, Bioware seems to think Dragon Age: Origins was only for smelly fat D&D nerds who don't like big boobs and awesome things. And while I indulge in the occasional Double Down, I shower daily and I love large breasts. Regardless, Bioware decided to hide a lot of the "RPG" away from the default settings in Dragon Age 2, and I've made a guide to fix those stupid decisions when starting the game. Keep in mind, I am playing the console version of the game, but many of these choices apply to both versions.
Turn off "Enable persistent gore"
This option allows you to turn off the post-battle effect that turns the serious story into a comedy. I promise you will care a lot more about the characters and conversations if you are not distracted by the bloodkakke.
New Shit - 0
RPG fan - 1
Turn on "Show damage numbers"
This is an RPG. And it's nice to know that my skills are doing more damage as I level up my characters and upgrade their spells and abilities. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing your persistent growth right on screen. This is important, as it unveils a layer of depth to an otherwise chaotic mash-fest.
New Shit - 0
RPG fan - 2
Turn on "Show status effects"
This is another big one. Bioware removed spell combos from Dragon Age 2, and instead added cross-class combos. For example, one class may have an ability that can "stagger" an entire group, while another class might have a spell that can hit staggered enemies for 6x damage. Well, it helps to know when an enemy is actually staggered; and this option turns on those text notifiers.
New Shit - 0
RPG fan - 3
Turn on "Show ground rings"
This might be the most important one on the list. Battles in Dragon Age 2 are fast and often include brawls of up to 30 enemies. In all this chaos, it is often hard to tell who is an enemy and who is an ally. This option turns on color coded circles below everyone's feet to help give order to the madness. I'm not even sure how people play with this option off.
New Shit - 0
RPG fan - 4
Turn on "Hide helmet"
Why? Because only the main character can equip a helmet, and she/he doesn't even wear it during conversations. Like the "persistent gore" option, I think this helps tone down the immersion-killing silliness.
New Shit - 0
RPG fan - 5
Set ring menu behavior to "Toggle open/closed"
I'm not sure why anyone would want to hold down a button while the menu is open. Give your hand a break and change this setting.
New Shit - 0
RPG fan - 6
Turn off "Show tutorials"
Just because we have all played the last game, and they block the screen for way longer than they should. Fuck these things!
New Shit - 0
RPG fan - 7
Set the difficulty to hard. (May want to wait till Act 2)
This one might only be for those who want to get the most out of the combat. I don't recommend doing this early in the game, because low levels dramatically reduce the amount of options you have in any given battle. Characters don't have enough skills to do anything interesting with the tactics menu, and cross-class combos don't really become a factor until a mid level range. Maybe wait till about level 8 or 9 to turn up the difficulty. The combat will require more strategy, and therefore become much more rewarding.
New Shit - 0
RPG fan - 10
Put a sticky note on your TV that says "SUMMON YOUR DOG"
I believe this only applies to the people who are playing the Signiture Edition, but TRUST ME on this one. I've been playing the game for about 10 hours now, and I've only remembered to summon my dog for about 10 percent of the battles. I can't believe some sustained spell and abilities still don't transfer through loading screens. This was one of the most annoying things about the last game, and I assumed Bioware would have fixed this issue.
New Shit - 0
Sanity fan - 1000
And there you have it. I made these choices very early, and I'm enjoying the game a hell of a lot more because of it. I think this guide should be used for all people playing this game. Even the people who want a "New Shit" action game. Oh, and hey Bioware? Those people don't really exist. Thanks.
Comments
13 years, 1 month ago
RPG Fan
Dragon Age II
Pick one
13 years, 1 month ago
I did all of those the first time i turned on the game. Except the dog one, that's a good tip I always forget to summon it.
13 years, 1 month ago
Will do all of these once I go home tonight, I forgot you could toggle all these options, and I found myself going crazy and messing up my targetting and my skills without these things on.
Thanks a bunch Brad. I'm just starting to get into harder battles so this'll probably make the game easier
13 years, 1 month ago
Agree with all tips, everyone who plays the game needs to read this. Thanks for writing it.
13 years, 1 month ago
Oh god, I just bought the Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition and I feel sooo overwhelmed
13 years, 1 month ago
"For example, one class may have an ability that can “stagger” an entire group, while another class might have a spell that can hit staggered enemies for 6x damage."
Is it bad that this alone sentence got me super hyped to play this?
How about auto attack? I heard that Bioware was going to add it into the consoles.
13 years, 1 month ago
Thank you. I've been going back and forth on whether or not to get this after getting back into DA: O recently since the changes didn't really jive. This put me over the edge.
13 years, 1 month ago
I hate how you can't give your companions custom armor. It was bad enough in ME 2 going on missions in hostile environments with Jack and her ugly beltbra, prison pants and nothing else.
13 years, 1 month ago
Well, at least I know what to do once I get this game. First gotta play Dragon Age Origins though, who knows, maybe my view of Dragon Age 2 will change... eventually.
13 years, 1 month ago
I'm currently playing through DA:O for the first time after hearing you guys talk so much about it... and I love it. I've read about some of the changes that have been made to DA2, and like you, find it a bit ridiculous how Bioware feels the need to strip RPG elements from the sequels of their games.
On a side note, it's nice that there's a hide helmet option, since that is something that I've been wanting in DA:O. As a mage, I have to keep wearing these dunce hats early on. So many dunces running around in the Circle Tower right now...
13 years, 1 month ago
Still can't believe there's no auto-attack. What the fuck.. that's such a distraction when I'm trying to pay attention to the battlefield.
13 years, 1 month ago
I'd just like to speak up that i'm a "New shit" person, not wanting to start any trouble, but i'm sure we do exsist. I can't wait to play the game when it comes out here.
13 years, 1 month ago
-"Turn oven off"
-"zip up fly"
-"Pick up Milk"
- "Pick up the kids from Soccer Practice"
- "Summon the fuckin Dog after every load screen"
13 years, 1 month ago
Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this up, Brad - I'm sure it will save many people from menu scrounging and trying to decide between investing time in digging up all the necessary options, or just playing through the game, albeit while totally pissed off.
13 years, 1 month ago
Turning off the gallons of blood that shoot into the pores of the characters really does help anchor the experience. Well done.
13 years, 1 month ago
Great write up Brad I didn't even know about half of these options
13 years, 1 month ago
Good post Brad. Nice to know when I go out and purchase the game at a later date.
13 years, 1 month ago
I'll wait to see some DA2 action on the stream first for a few days still.
13 years, 1 month ago
You're right about hem thinking we're smelly nerds.
I went to pick up my pre-ordered Dragon Age 2 and they put it in a bag that held a smaller bag that contained various Axe shampoo and hair styling packets.
13 years, 1 month ago
Thanks for the list Brad, the game would have been a total turn off if you hadn't.
13 years, 1 month ago
I really don't like what they have done with the conversation choices and streamlining new shit. The original Dragon Age was as close console players will get to what PC players had access to years ago. I admit the original could have used a map/module editor so players could make their own adventures (I think the PC version of DA Origins has this) but the ammount of voice acting in that game gave you such a connection with the world and the characters. While DA 2 probably isn't a bad game by any streach of the imagination I just don't see it as a must have right now. People would be better off with Ultimate Dragon Age Origins and just play that till they wear out their disc drives.
13 years, 1 month ago
Thanks Brad, this could be really helpful. :)
13 years, 1 month ago
Awesome guide Brad! As soon as I pick up DA2 on PC (because I currently lack the ability to play on consoles while at school.) I'll be following these steps religiously.
13 years, 1 month ago
This was the first thing I did after the install (playing the PS3 version). Along with this I tried the level up/infinite gold glitch and I ended up freezing my PS3. Haha.
13 years, 1 month ago
Amen to that and thanks for the heads up Brad as us Brits don't have the game yet so I can enable it day 1.
13 years, 1 month ago
the demo was so under lock and key with what you could do or not i was actually considering not buying this game, but i never looked at the options (stupid mistake) and this might make me buy the game seeing how there is still a good amount of rpg elements
13 years, 1 month ago
i think if i played through this once i would have to at least keep the blood splatter on the second time around just to see how distracting it can be