The majority of 1 star reviews for this game are from people who haven't even played it. They have an agenda based on their own bias. Don't let them scare you off from trying this fantastic game!
This is coming from an OG fan who has been playing since the beginning when Origins was first released. I have played every game and dlc to completion. Literally every Dragon Age is markedly different from the previous title, however there are enough easter eggs to keep this fan happy. The combat is fun and challenging (a long way from Origins combat style!). The maps are more akin to Origins, yet larger with enough side quests, puzzles, and loot to keep you busy for hours. I myself am 60 hours in and there is still more to do! The world's are all so beautifully crafted and varied. The photo mode is a fun feature for the in-game photographers (like myself). The story line gets more and more interesting the longer I play.
Seriously, if you love Dragon Age as much as I do, give this game a try. Get past the intro to open up more areas to explore and just immerse yourself in the beauty of Thedas.
And to Bioware and EA: thank you for this game! I'm loving every minute and have hopes for another installment in the future!