I very much enjoyed DAII (though I think I prefer DA:O's story). I'm also among those who liked the elf redesign; the art style is slightly different overall as well. The level design is repetitive, yeah, but Kirkwall (where you spend most of your time) is pretty great in my opinion; it feels like a city rather than a level in a game. Personally, I think the quality of the characters is one of the best things about it. I got very attached to all of them, so the course of the game became something very emotional and rich for me.

I have friends who love and swear by it; I also have a few who were very disappointed, but I would say, it is definitely worth a try.