Dragon Age Inquisition
- Thread starter Vintage Paw
- Start date
Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
So, V-Paw (or anyone else for that matter), what does one buy to fill a Dragon Age shaped hole in ones life? I have a day off work tomorrowI suppose the Mass Effects would be the obvious choice, but then again even though I like both genres equally well in novels, I much prefer fantasy to scifi in games. Skyrim didn't do it for me.
I just got Divinity 2 as it was on sale over the weekend and I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would. It got panned when it was first released, but since then a 'Directors Cut' edition has been released which restores a lot of content that didn't make it into the original release due to the publisher putting pressure on to release early. The Directors Cut version was much better received. It's no Dragon Age in terms of writing quality and there aren't any companions to build friendships with (Bioware can rarely be beaten on that score!), but it seems so far to be a decent enough chapter-style RPG with plenty of side quests and although I'm only on the second chapter I'd give it a solid 7/10 - it doesn't break any new ground and the main story is linear, but it's pretty decent and I'm certainly finding it fun to play. It's in 3rd person with large areas to explore and action-style combat (with an optional 'tactical pause' function) involving plenty of weapons to choose from, enchanting and charm (like rune) slots for weapons and armour, active combat skills with cool-downs - and it does remind me a little of the DA series in terms of some of the gameplay even if the writing quality isn't in the same league. Well worth the fiver I paid for that and the 2 earlier games (which are more Diablo-style top-down RPGs, the first one is good if looking a bit dated now).
Also The Witcher - both games are good, although #2 annoyed me a little with QTEs - still a good game though.
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Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
Oh yes, I've got that Director's Cut of Divinity (Divinity Arse Dragons, as I call it... I have a problem remembering titles). I've never got further than that first town you get to, I really should give it a go properly.
There's also Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning... sort of a cross between a normal Divinity/Dragon Age rpg and Fable, with a bit of Torchlight thrown in for good measure too I guess. I got quite far in that (although never finished it because something else came along to steal my attention... probably Skyrim) but it was enjoyable.
There's also Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning... sort of a cross between a normal Divinity/Dragon Age rpg and Fable, with a bit of Torchlight thrown in for good measure too I guess. I got quite far in that (although never finished it because something else came along to steal my attention... probably Skyrim) but it was enjoyable.
Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
I think it's worth a shot - it's got some flaws such as very occasional 'wtf' moments where it switches from serious/dark into comical parody* as if the writers couldn't quite make up their minds which style to use, and one bit that is unnecessarily frustrating/confusing at first (I don't mind difficulty, but there's a difference between satisfying tactical difficulty that leaves you feeling a bit smug when you get through it, and something being difficult because of writing/plot vagueness that just leaves you frustrated and resorting to google for info iykwim) - but after that point it goes back to satisfying as in its favour it is well-balanced with some challenges whatever your level, and you can't coast through without using those skills/charms/enchantments/potions to best advantage - balance was one of the things they worked on for the DC edition and they seem to have done a good job - but the 2 flaws I mention are what lets the writing and design down and loses it a potential point from my score. But it is still good fun, it's still 'good', just not 'outstanding'.
That's one I keep meaning to try, I expect I'll get it if at any point I find myself at a gaming loose-end. Or in a Steam sale, I suppose the holiday sale isn't that far off now!
*Edit to add: most RPGs seem to include elements of self-parody and humour of course, but good writing should make it a subtle chuckle, rather than a smack on the head with an inflated pig's bladder....
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Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
It also gets really quite difficult in the latter stages 
- I've been trying to storm a flying fortress and it's fucking mental. But in a good way - I've died plenty of times but learned something in terms of 'what I should have done' each time. It's a shame that but for a few small flaws it could have been a classic.
Editing more than 24 hours later (because I do not want to make a new post): I actually think I'm going to up my score by half a point, just on the basis that this game has the most fun combat at higher levels, and areas later on in the game are really well designed so that you can make best advantage of both human and dragon forms with a good mix of ground and aerial combat. That's something I never thought I'd hear myself say! But this game pulls it off and makes it fun. I've never had THIS much fun with a melee build, EVER.
Fuck the writing (the devs are Belgian, so having been delighted with other aspects of the game, I'm prepared to put any deficits in that area down to 'lost in translation'), the combat late on in the game is so much fun - fast-paced but easy to control your character - ie. without being too 'twitchy' for an RPG - a good mix of passive and active skills. Very well balanced - you might be swatting goblins like flies late in the game (early on you'll be running away from them), but try storming a flying fortress and you'll be sweating over how to best tackle it. Some really good boss fights too. You can look at your stats and skills and gloat over them and then a couple of minutes later be utterly wiped out by a battle that you went about badly. Really really worth a go for those who haven't tried it.
- I've been trying to storm a flying fortress and it's fucking mental. But in a good way - I've died plenty of times but learned something in terms of 'what I should have done' each time. It's a shame that but for a few small flaws it could have been a classic.Editing more than 24 hours later (because I do not want to make a new post): I actually think I'm going to up my score by half a point, just on the basis that this game has the most fun combat at higher levels, and areas later on in the game are really well designed so that you can make best advantage of both human and dragon forms with a good mix of ground and aerial combat. That's something I never thought I'd hear myself say! But this game pulls it off and makes it fun. I've never had THIS much fun with a melee build, EVER.
Fuck the writing (the devs are Belgian, so having been delighted with other aspects of the game, I'm prepared to put any deficits in that area down to 'lost in translation'), the combat late on in the game is so much fun - fast-paced but easy to control your character - ie. without being too 'twitchy' for an RPG - a good mix of passive and active skills. Very well balanced - you might be swatting goblins like flies late in the game (early on you'll be running away from them), but try storming a flying fortress and you'll be sweating over how to best tackle it. Some really good boss fights too. You can look at your stats and skills and gloat over them and then a couple of minutes later be utterly wiped out by a battle that you went about badly. Really really worth a go for those who haven't tried it.
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Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
Eppie, what are you talking about? Yes, Fenris was a pain (albeit with a sexy voice), and the romance with him was fairly crap (but I've seen loads of people online who thought it was amazesauce so each to their own), but you could certainly romance Aveline. Remember that bit where you get to help her romance her subordinate? There's a bit there where you get to tell her to forget about that guy because you love her.
I agree that there was way too much tragedy in the story. I absolutely loved the Anders mega emo terrorist story, but not everyone needed to have such a bad ride.
I wish I could have saved Leandra
Romance in Dragon Age is generally... weird.
The last time Bioware did romance right was the original KOTOR. After that it was not part of the story anymore... but just a chore that gets awarded with sex. As if girls were some kind of slot machine.... insert coins, get sex -.- I think that is not just wrong from a moral standpoint, but also just cheap.
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Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
Best viewed fullscreen and in HD.
*makes noises all over her keyboard*
nnnngggghhhhh.
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
I'm so excited I could pop.
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/new...rce=twitter&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=all
It's coming on October 7th.
*squeeeeeeeeeeees*
Box art:
*inappropriate noises*
It's coming on October 7th.
*squeeeeeeeeeeees*
Box art:
*inappropriate noises*
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
I assumed this was going to be on the new console, and that I'd have the break the habit of a lifetime and buy a fairly recently-out console, but Amazon seems to be saying it's going to be the 360. Is that correct? The current release date they are showing is my birthday, so someone's going to be getting me a lazy present (unless it's a new console, in which case I'll have to buy it myself).
, so someone's going to be getting me a lazy present (unless it's a new console, in which case I'll have to buy it myself).
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
It's cross-platform, old and new gen, and PC.
I still haven't pre-ordered it. I should get around to that. I'm sosososososososososososososossosososososo excited for it
I still haven't pre-ordered it. I should get around to that. I'm sosososososososososososososossosososososo excited for it
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
SHUT UP CID IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME!
I'm going to buy the collected Those Who Speak comics and the remaining DA novels I haven't read yet in order to gear up for it. There's no way it won't be great.
I'm going to buy the collected Those Who Speak comics and the remaining DA novels I haven't read yet in order to gear up for it. There's no way it won't be great.
Cid
Proper break this time
They can't, not anymore... Woe! Woe and bad tidings!
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
BiowEAre aren't capable of making a good game anymore, stop living an illusion.
lol you sound like the dark side of the gaming internet, the part populated by bitter trolls who can't help but stalk topics dedicated to the games they absolutely hate so very much and yet can't leave alone
Sucks that you don't like what they make anymore. I fucking love what they make though, so yah boo sucks
Cid
Proper break this time
lol you sound like the dark side of the gaming internet, the part populated by bitter trolls who can't help but stalk topics dedicated to the games they absolutely hate so very much and yet can't leave alone
Sucks that you don't like what they make anymore. I fucking love what they make though, so yah boo sucks
I speak not as a naysayer, but as follower left by the wayside. You, the faithful, may continue with them but you take a road that leads only to darkness.
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
I beg to differ, good sir. I take the road that leads to continued joy. Perhaps the road seems different to us, depending on our expectations of what lies at the end.
I've seen a sample clip and the combat behaviour of the dragons is dreadful. No tactics, no intelligence whatsoever. They just sit there waiting to be hit then spring to another location. There are no strafing runs, no snatching of characters, no diving attacks, nothing that displays any intelligence.
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
They've announced there will be multiplayer included. I wondered what was happening about that. They mentioned it in passing about 2 years ago, but then have said nothing since. It's going to be similar to Mass Effect 3's mp it seems, with expansions to maps and new enemies coming as free dlc, with the option to buy upgrades with in-game money or a super-special-wonder-duper pack with real cash. The difference is it won't be tied in any way to the single player game, unlike ME3. They've described it as a dungeon-crawler with friends.
I thought ME3's multiplayer was a lot of fun, and I'm intrigued to see what DAI's will be like, particularly since the combat will obviously be real-time 3rd person (removing the pausing and isometric view that's in the single player). I'm not sure it will be as popular as ME3's was - while there's an awful lot of overlap between the ME and DA audience, there's also a large contingent of non-bioware-fan gamers who are playing ME3 who are more used to modern multiplayer than your typical current bioware fan. I never played Baldur's Gate mp so I have no idea if it'll be similar in some respects to that, but I believe that was basically co-op in the main story, which this won't be. Anyway, I'm interested to see what it'll be like and how well it'll do.
I thought ME3's multiplayer was a lot of fun, and I'm intrigued to see what DAI's will be like, particularly since the combat will obviously be real-time 3rd person (removing the pausing and isometric view that's in the single player). I'm not sure it will be as popular as ME3's was - while there's an awful lot of overlap between the ME and DA audience, there's also a large contingent of non-bioware-fan gamers who are playing ME3 who are more used to modern multiplayer than your typical current bioware fan. I never played Baldur's Gate mp so I have no idea if it'll be similar in some respects to that, but I believe that was basically co-op in the main story, which this won't be. Anyway, I'm interested to see what it'll be like and how well it'll do.
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
I've just seen the promo vid for the multiplayer.
It's a 4 player co-op adventure thing, yeah, basically dungeon-crawling. It keeps the same combat and upgrade system as the main game - minus pausing and isometric obviously. Skills are pared down so you pick a character and upgrade the skills associated with it. The video didn't go into any detail about why we'd actually be fighting our way through these dungeons. It looks like the kind of thing you'd pick up for 30 minutes, have a laugh, get bored, put away. I might try it out. But I'll more than likely just stick with the 200 hour single player game.
It's a 4 player co-op adventure thing, yeah, basically dungeon-crawling. It keeps the same combat and upgrade system as the main game - minus pausing and isometric obviously. Skills are pared down so you pick a character and upgrade the skills associated with it. The video didn't go into any detail about why we'd actually be fighting our way through these dungeons. It looks like the kind of thing you'd pick up for 30 minutes, have a laugh, get bored, put away. I might try it out. But I'll more than likely just stick with the 200 hour single player game.
Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
200 hour single player game certainly sounds like an attractive feature to me.
Why they didn't stick with the successful MP format from the BG/IWD series (and the first NWN game) is beyond me though. In that it was completely separate from the single player game, but you could just co-op with some friends through the same story instead of/as well as (up to the max party size) using NPC companions (eg. in BG2 the party size was 6 max, so that could be 2 players and 4 slots for recruiting NPCs, or 6 players.)*
Also the system of modding the game made it easy(ish) to design adventures/dungeons and host a server for multiplayer - in fact the gaming site I was on in that era did just that, some people got together and designed and hosted a massive MP adventure/dungeon crawl that was popular and successful. I'd go as far as to say that the games themselves had a far longer shelf life as a result of such community-based initiatives, and continued to sell as a result.
*Edit to add: also I am not sure whether this is widely known, but in BG2 you could start a multiplayer game, create several characters, import them into the game, start the game and play through the opening scene, then quit and move a file from one directory to another to play single player with more than one player-created character. I used to do this to have 2 good melee characters up front, because the potential melee NPC party members were just awful (as in bad stats) at combat.
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Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
I agree with you that being able to mod like that helps build a strong community that increases the longevity of a game. People wouldn't be playing Skyrim to the same extent were it not for the depth of modding available (or Oblivion, or Morrowind!). DAO was extensively moddable, DA2 less so, although armour recolours and character makeovers and so on were easy enough. DAI will not be moddable to my knowledge, due to the frostbite engine. I think that's a shame. I don't think this kind of game necessarily has to be moddable, it can still be a great game, but there is an element of extra excitement and engagement when it is possible, simply because it adds in even more ways to customise your game and make it play how you want it to play.
Still, they have indeed said that they believe there is about 200 hours of content in a single playthrough, although if you're the kind who wants to power through the main story elements and do nothing that is optional you could get through it in 20-30. They've also said that in a single 200 hour playthrough you won't see everything the game has to offer, since many paths will be closed to you depending on your actions.
For someone who somehow inexplicably managed to have a DA2 playthrough that was verging on 200 hours I don't think I've got anything to worry about in terms of getting my money's worth
Still, they have indeed said that they believe there is about 200 hours of content in a single playthrough, although if you're the kind who wants to power through the main story elements and do nothing that is optional you could get through it in 20-30. They've also said that in a single 200 hour playthrough you won't see everything the game has to offer, since many paths will be closed to you depending on your actions.
For someone who somehow inexplicably managed to have a DA2 playthrough that was verging on 200 hours I don't think I've got anything to worry about in terms of getting my money's worth
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
Think Geek have a Morrigan tshirt!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/20ec/
I'm not sure about the design and don't think she particularly looks like herself, but still, a Dragon Age tshirt! Exciting!
P.S. I have some Think Geek tshirts, and some are good quality, and some are that nasty, stretchy low quality cotton. Not sure what this one would be.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/20ec/
I'm not sure about the design and don't think she particularly looks like herself, but still, a Dragon Age tshirt! Exciting!
P.S. I have some Think Geek tshirts, and some are good quality, and some are that nasty, stretchy low quality cotton. Not sure what this one would be.
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
Yeah, it doesn't massively look like her, but that's awesome
I'm really interested to see her in Inquisition. Last time we saw her she was going through the Eluvian (in varying circumstances) to who knows where. I have a hunch Eluvians will hold some insight into what's going on with the fade rifts.
But then, I have LOTS of theories about what's going to happen in Inquisition.
Guess who we get to see?
DAGNA.
Fucking Dagna.
Do you remember her? The dwarven girl from Orzammar in Origins. You can send her to the Circle Tower because she's fascinated by mages and wants to learn about magic (even though dwarves can't be mages because they lost their magic from so long underground... except... SANDAL). So oh my god, I want Dagna and Sandal to meet and Dagna will start helping/studying Sandal because he's blates the first dwarven mage in centuries. But I also have a theory that Bodahn's going to die, and he'll leave Sandal in Dagna's capable hands to look after him. And at some point Sandal will say, "I like Dagna."
But I digress.
I'm really interested to see her in Inquisition. Last time we saw her she was going through the Eluvian (in varying circumstances) to who knows where. I have a hunch Eluvians will hold some insight into what's going on with the fade rifts.
But then, I have LOTS of theories about what's going to happen in Inquisition.
Guess who we get to see?
DAGNA.
Fucking Dagna.
Do you remember her? The dwarven girl from Orzammar in Origins. You can send her to the Circle Tower because she's fascinated by mages and wants to learn about magic (even though dwarves can't be mages because they lost their magic from so long underground... except... SANDAL). So oh my god, I want Dagna and Sandal to meet and Dagna will start helping/studying Sandal because he's blates the first dwarven mage in centuries. But I also have a theory that Bodahn's going to die, and he'll leave Sandal in Dagna's capable hands to look after him. And at some point Sandal will say, "I like Dagna."
But I digress.
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
Did I mention I'm REALLY FUCKING EXCITED for Inquisition?
Less than a month. I still haven't pre-ordered. I should get on that.
Less than a month. I still haven't pre-ordered. I should get on that.
Vintage Paw
dead stare and computer glare
Have you been watching their twitch streams? The game looks beautiful and OMG THE CHARACTER CREATOR.
It has... a... COLOUR WHEEL.
*wipes a tear*
Men can wear the full range of make-up available; women can have adam's apples (and all adam's apples are adjustable in size for men and women); lady dorfs can have stubble.... I MEAN COME ON BIOWARE STOP MAKING ME LOVE YOU!
My first Inquisitor is going to be a dark skinned lady dorf stabbity rogue who will romance that hunk of perfection that is Blackwall.
DID I MENTION I'M REALLY EXCITED??????????!!!!!!one!"!!!eleventy!!""1111!
It has... a... COLOUR WHEEL.
*wipes a tear*
Men can wear the full range of make-up available; women can have adam's apples (and all adam's apples are adjustable in size for men and women); lady dorfs can have stubble.... I MEAN COME ON BIOWARE STOP MAKING ME LOVE YOU!
My first Inquisitor is going to be a dark skinned lady dorf stabbity rogue who will romance that hunk of perfection that is Blackwall.
DID I MENTION I'M REALLY EXCITED??????????!!!!!!one!"!!!eleventy!!""1111!
