14 DAY TRIAL // The demo for Dragon Age 2 is now widely available, including from Softpedia, and it's time to take a look at the new game from BioWare and make a quick judgment on whether it has been dumbed down for a console audience or whether it's still a solid game that takes into account the advantages of the PC.
The demo is, rather unfortunately, focused on a barren desert like area that does not allow the game engine to show what it's capable of but even here the look of the characters and the higher-level enemies suggests that Dragon Age 2 will be significantly better looking that the original, even if slightly more stylized in certain areas.
The camera cannot pull back as much and it feels a bit claustrophobic, but the fights are smooth and quick.
These are the initial stages of the game so it makes sense to have low-level enemies drop really quickly, often without the player noticing them, while the resources of strategic thought are devoted to how best use the still limited abilities of the characters in order to deliver quick kills for the more powerful foes.
The dialog system is also shown in the demo for Dragon Age 2 and, apart from some cosmetic changes and its wheel based nature, it seems to offer as many choices as the previous one, with one meeting with a Templar allowing for three stances in answers but also a host of questions exploring his duties and his current task.
There are also hints of humor in the dialog, despite the rather dramatic nature of the events that are taking place.
The new interface will probably prove divisive among long time fans but it does a good job of letting the player see more of the action while also offering information when it's needed.
Here's how the game looks in action, with a detailed look at the progression screen for the character and at the tactical battles: