I like how they handle magic within Dragon Age universe actually. Magic being a volatile and dangerous thing, like should've been. But yes, magic being very dangerous should've little pressence, but more impactful to the universe as whole. They kinda overdid it with Circle of Magi quest, but even moreso with the shit that is DA2.
Magic is the least of the world's issues. I just expected it to be more like low fantasy, ie less magic, non-humans and generally fantastic elements in the first place (don't give a shit about magic's power, ASOIAF while being low fantasy has...had powerful magic).
EDIT and i like DA2 far more than DAO. This is due to its narrative structure, it is less like the standard BW plot.