Also, not sure how great it works with import being flaky in the PC version, but

http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/307/index/6421474

Gibbed's Dragon Age Save Generator. Save yourself 80 hours and pick the DAO flags you want to import.

!!!!!!

No idea if its worth it though. I've not played enough DA2 to know if there's even any point importing.

Thanks. I don't think i will play it on Nightmare (Hard maybe), but still it doesn't sound like quite the pushover i have read about or a total switch to an arpg experience.

I played for about 5 hours last night but decided to give myself some time to sleep on how I feel before posting.

In 5 hours I can say right now that I am not let down. The combat definitely still does have it's tactical moments. I always play rogue and was initially bothered that backstab was now an activated skill since that was part of the planning in DAO to figure out where best to place my rogue. Even though the skill is now activated, simply positioning the character still does have it's benefits, a rogue that is properly positioned still gets damage bonuses and a better chance to get critical hits even without the backstab skill being used.

I really like a lot of the skills. mostly focusing my character on dual wielding since that's what I always have done, but picking little skills here and there from the other branches that are helpful. Specializations do still exist, it's just a select few from Origins and Awakening combined (Duelist, Assassin and Shadow for rogues. Quite pleased about assassin since that is the specialization I mostly used). The combat is typically groups of enemies lumped together so crowd control is pretty important still. A few of the spells from DAO have been renamed a bit so it took me a little while to figure out what spells to give Bethany (Death Magic has been renamed Death Syphon for example).

Changes from the demo are definitely there. In the interrogation scenes between Varric and Cassandra there are dialogues that have been changed (and one instance I'm very thankful for since it makes Cassandra much more authoritative instead of how she acted in the demo cutscenes). They also fixed some of the sound synching issues I was having in the demo where an action would happen in the cutscene (such as when she throws the book at him and draws her sword) and there would be a few seconds of delay with the sound. this no longer happens.

Graphically I'd say it's a pretty good looking game indeed. I'm only playing it on medium right now and it's still very pleasing to the eyes. The menus and everything load very quickly and everything transitions very seamlessly (much faster than DAO which is nice).

So far the story is kind of the beginning sort that I am so fond of, Hawke and sibling have to make a name for themselves in the first year in Kirkwall. You have two options: Mercenary or Smuggler to get you into the city. After the year transition you get to run around the city and touch bases with people Hawke has interacted with over the year. There have even been a few DAO references and a cameo of two familiar faces.

I have more to say but I've probably reached my character limit by now. :P

I guess I like Kirkwall alot better than I like Denerim. Denerim didn't feel like a complete city. Kirkwall uses the old upperclass, lowerclass and undercity city theme that BG2 and KOTOR used.

Did a few quests in Kirkwall, fought afew Assasins who are able to kill your character with a single backstab on Nightmare and then went to complete Sundermount. Again the fights are mainly throwing mobs at you from all directions. It's getting old very quickly. You'll see some familiar enemies from DAO here. As well as the Shadow Warrior who is irritating as hell, everytime you get his hp low, he pops a pot, up to 4 times.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

When you've played a bit more it would be great if you guys could share some of your thoughts on character's depth, plot's direction, party interaction, that kind of thing, without going into spoilers.

I've heard they throw waves of enemies at you in this one, true?

I hate waves of enemies.

Well it turns out EA's release date check DRM's bark was most certainly worse than it's bite. Bypassed very easily and as it's a one time check you never have to deal with it again :)

Got to Kirkwall and just met Varric. So far it does have the same feel of a Dragon Age game so i'm pleasently surprised so far.

Like what Gamespot said, I currently do not have a central plot. My only main plot now is to earn as much money as I can doing sidequests and family quests. Just got Merril from a quest in Sundermount, let's just say Flemeth is involved in that quest, other than that I've not encountered much plots and stuff.
Companions banter like they did in DAO. So far I only like Varric's banter, but he's no Oghren. Your choices in dialogue affect your friendship and rivalry with your companions at times.

Wow looks like they botched this one.

So far I've played in my ~6-7 hours, yes for the most of the fights, human waves, spider waves, shade waves, undead waves, etc etc. What's more irritating is that after you defeat the first wave, a 2nd wave with even more mobs come in out of nowhere, they just magically appear, and they love appearing from all directions. So you'll need to kite the Mage, Hunter alot, especially on Nightmare where you don't want your Mage to get cornered. Best thing is my Cone of Cone doesn't freeze the enemy but freezes my companions very well.

Not really. I've put in three solid hours now and i'm enjoying it. The only thing I am disappointed about is the amount of stuff that's missing from Origins like equipping your party. Yes I know we all knew what was getting chopped but it's still limiting when you have a whole cartfull of loot and nothing to do with it but sell it. Very Diablo really, tonnes and tonnes of vendor trash.

dang oh well maybe I'll pick up the GOTY edition one of these days

Thats more or less what im doing, going to wait for the GOTY. Even though i despise the changes they made, i have to live with the new direction, and i loved the story in DA:O. Basicly i am only going to purchase this because of any potential plot connections in DA3.

Anyone took Chain Lightning? Can anyone who took it confirm whether it hits only enemies and not friendlies on Nightmare?

Thanks ;)

Looks like combat has the potencial to be more of a chore than actually fun after a bit, but i can't say that's a surprise.

What do you think about the wheel so far ? Does it give you a clear idea of what your Hawke is going to say/do or is it all over the place ?

How bad is the elfs retcon in terms of looks ? I saw a couple of pics and it really didn't look good.