Xbox Gaming in South Africa

By all accounts Dragon Age: Origins was an epic journey, applauded by gamers and critics alike. But while it accumulated numerous game of the year awards when it released back in 2009, it wasn't a game without faults. With a sequel hitting shelves this week, we have a look at the first reviews for Dragon Age 2 to find out whether BioWare can improve on the original and set a new high for the franchise.

• IGN: “There are a few things I'm certain of in life: Darkspawn must die, dragons must die, and, from a technical perspective, Dragon Age II is the best game in BioWare's fantasy role-playing franchise.” – 8.5/10
• Joystiq: “Now, with just a fraction of the development time, BioWare has delivered Dragon Age 2, a sequel that streamlines the experience to something that feels far more at home on the 360” – 4/5
• Eurogamer: “An enduring classic? Not quite. A satisfying epic? Absolutely.” – 8/10
• 1UP: “Though I generally enjoyed Dragon Age 2 (enough to go for another playthrough), it's an enjoyment with significant caveats. It really seems like the biggest mistake is calling it "DA2," as it's just different enough from Dragon Age: Origins to not feel like a sequel, but more like a reboot.” – B+
• The Escapist: “A pinnacle of role-playing games with well-designed mechanics and excellent story-telling, Dragon Age II is what videogames are meant to be.” – 5/5
• Metacritic: 83/100

With such high praise, Dragon Age 2 is turning out to be another must have for RPG enthusiasts. Dragon Age 2 will hit local stores this Friday, 11 March.