IGN - Dragon Age II and the Decline of the Old-school RPG.
This is what makes Dragon Age II such a mystifying game. By conventional wisdom, it is a vastly improved sequel – gameplay is far more fluid and dynamic, conversations are much more in-depth and the plotline is intriguing and engaging. But somehow by fixing the "problems" of the first title, Bioware removed the soul and the heritage of the Dragon Age namesake, making it nothing more than another middling RPG. Without the features that made Dragon Age: Origins so unique, the title felt featureless in a cluttered, yet dying genre.

IGN - Why Half-life 3 Isn't Coming Soon.
For a series like Half-life, this poses a question of impact – both that initial 'wow'-factor and the kind of artistic direction and technical leap that it takes to make those jaws hang loose. If and when we do see the next Half-life adventure, Valve will want to make a major splash. This is a franchise close to the hearts of millions of gamers – and both previous titles were, critically, also technological showcases for Valve's impressive art department and tech suite.