Good review, I feel the same about most of it. Only I didn't like the combat very much until I started playing it like god of war. It's suited for hack and slash frantic playstyle with one character, but too fast and chaotic to switch between characters during fights.
Luckily the tactics system is very flexible in setting up strategies for your AI companions. You can even specify multiple conditions. For example have the AI cast walking bomb on an enemy if his health is lower then x % and he's clustered with at least n other enemies.
I have played the first act with all 3 classes so far to see the differences. A mage who likes to fight with other mages and always sticks up for them. A rogue that hates authority and aligns with outcasts and takes Aveline along just to piss her of at every opportunity. And a Templar wannabee swordsman, who will sell out mages to the circle including his sister. Each class is fun to play and the different choices, although most converge to the same outcome, allow you a lot of freedom to role play.
The biggest disappointment so far is being stuck in Kirkwall again. I was looking forward to exploring the deep roads again which was my favourite part of Origins. There it was a awesome combination of exploration, puzzles, lots of atmosphere and some epic fights. It was a total letdown that in DA2 it was nothing more then a short diversion, walking through 2 lineair tunnels with a couple of cutscenes and unconnected boss fights.
Now I'm back in Kirkwall with another big todo list ugh. I hope I get to leave the city for a bit longer sooner then later. So far I would score it an 8, could be 8.5 if I get to leave Kirkwall and explore the world, 7.5 if not. Definately not as good as Origins which I rated 9.5 after 4 play throughs.
