You guys are retarded. The magic abilities in DA2 are freaking great. I wonder if everyone here played as a warrior (which definitely isn't as fun). Sure, DA2 isn't as deep as BG2 or NWN in terms of magic, but the magic is still super fun.
Pull of the Abyss + Fist of the Maker + Fireball.
Maybe it's slightly popamole (that combination) but it is so much *fun*. I really enjoyed the story and I was immensely disappointed in DA:I because it was retarded with the Power requirements.
Plus, the Companion influence mechanic was really cool. The only other game to do something like that is Tyranny. (Tyranny did it better, IMO). But that you could unlock different skill trees depending on how much they liked or disliked you is really cool.
The wave spawns were stupid, I'll give you that, but the boss fights were pretty memorable, at least for me. I still remember fighting the snake-staff elf dude and it's been years since I played it. I did recently acquire the DLC and I am planning on another playthrough. Plus the plotline with Hawke's mom was some good and dark stuff, almost as good as the Erl's son plotline in the first one.
Plus, Varric. You can't go wrong with him.