Dragon Age, looking towards Inquisition

[verdant monkai]

(except Cassandra's face... the horror)

Origins brought gripping and interesting introductions, and the world building in the game was phenomenal. Most of the party members are excellent characters, fleshed out and varied. Exploring, learning about the culture of Fereldan, the dwarves, the dalish, all of it was simply a treat. The only thing that keeps me from playing it repeatedly is the mind-numbingly slow, plodding, irritating combat. I'm playing through it again right now to make a new save for Inquisition, but damn do I wish I could just skip the fights.

Dragon Age 2 was a more personal experience. A tale of a man and his efforts to do the best he can for his family and friends. A lot of people had a problem with going from such a large world to a single city, but it didn't bother me that much. The party members each having places they hang out and visiting each other at those places was a great touch, one I'm glad they brought to Mass Effect 3. The game gets (deserved) criticism for re-using areas too often, which is a bit of an issue for me as well. The combat shines for me here as well. A bit too over-the-top for the setting they went for originally, but at least it's far more entertaining.

I quite liked Cassandra in her special animated film thing, she looked good in DA:2 as well. Hopefully the trailer isn't an accurate representation of what she will look like all the time. I wish there was a way to change characters hair, I'd like her to have the style she did in the film. Rather than the lesbian cut she seems to be rocking right now.

Origins was great but the protagonist was insufferably boring. They had no voice actor and the stuff they said was just boring. The warden was a pretty lifeless cretin to be honest. All of the followers more than make up for their blandness though. As RPG's go it was a good example of a brilliant fantasy game which broke no new ground in story or gameplay. I hated the combat. it felt like runescape. Dull and void of impact or realism. I Didn't feel like I was fighting a darkspawn, it felt like I was selecting abilities until it fell over. It didn't feel like I was fighting, it felt like playing a dull board game. The story is about killing a Dragon and an evil horde, and that's about as generic a fantasy as you get, its more about the characters for me. The option to select a race was brilliant and made for great replayability.

DA2 is my favourite of the two. As you said a lot of people complained about it being about one person helping their mates in one city. I think they all need to realise how unique this makes DA2. Most Fantasy RPG's are bog standard Epic quests like DAO. DA2 is unlike any other you get to fully experience a whole city, and visit pretty much every single part of it. In other games you may only be able to visit a few areas of a city, whereas in DA2 you see all Dunwall has to offer. The "cities" in Skyrim are piss poor excuses for cities as they only have about 6 houses, Dunwall actually feels like a living breathing city. Sure the dungeons were copied and pasted, but that doesn't detract from Dunwall's uniqueness. DA2 is like really being a living person in a fantasy world, you aren't just there for an epic quest till the credits roll, you are there to live.

Inquisition will most likely be more of the "Do the quest then fuck off to GTA V or Dark Souls 2 or whatever" type of game. I can see myself loving it but I doubt it will have the same unique unhurried feeling of living DA2 had.

 

[Caiphus]

I don't know what my expectations are. The lion's share of the problems in DA2 were probably caused by the limited development time. Rushed third act, reused dungeons, stupid enemy waves, etc. It's been three years since DAII, though, so I don't know what to expect. Could be that they've worked it out and are going to release a solid game. It's been roughly two years longer than the span between Origins and II, after all. But it could be that they actually didn't know what to do with the series. They did say that they were going to try to mimic Skyrim in certain ways, so who knows? It's anybody's guess.

Either way, I'm not pre-ordering it. Goodness no, don't pre-order things. But unless it turns out to be another stinker, I'll probably be getting it near launch day. Because I'm a sheeple or something.

But yeah! Hopefully it's good. Could end up being a nice return to form for Bioware.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

My only reservation about Dragon Age: Inquisition is the story. Please, for the love of the series, don't make the entire game about finding a balance between Mages and Templars. I don't want to play the same storyline that has been going on in X-men for years. Make that the opening story, and then throw it out the window.

Thankfully, the trailer makes it appear that that is exactly what will happen. I'm hoping that the war is raging and ends up ripping The Veil apart, and then the last of the Four demons slips through and the world goes straight to hell. There's a lot of potential in the lore of the series and the background in Dragon Age II for a truly epic conclusion, but if they focus solely on the mage/templar thing, it's all going to be a waste. What was the point of all the stuff that happened in Origins if you're just going to focus on humans fighting humans...?

 

[Misterian]

The praise Dragon Age II gets for its combat puzzles me, since it is the same as in Origins. The only real difference is that on the console versions you need to hammer a button in order to do basic attacks.

Funny, 'cause in Origins (my 360 version anyway), if I'm playing a non-Mage class, I had to hammer the 'A' button just to make sure my Warden stays locked-on to fighting a mook, cause anytime I don't he just runs around the battlefield like an idiot.

Anyway, I'm just hyped by the fact I can play an Elven Mage again in Inqusition.


Though what I'd like to see most, being an adamant pro-mage player, I hope to get an option where I can straight up annihilate the Templar Order if possible, or at least make it so they can never put Mages an utterly-tyrannical leash again.

 

[Longing]

I don't really follow news about DA3 even though it's most certainly a day one purchase from me, but does anyone know if they've talked about the pc's voice? With 4 difference races, are they gonna only have 2 voice actors?

 

[Sanunes]

Right now I am looking forward to Dragon Age: Inquisition more then I did with Mass Effect 3 and its because they haven't been talking about the game in public that much there hasn't been a lot of social media mentions of the game outside of generic details. I really hope it stays that way for if it does I will be able to enjoy it a lot more then I did Mass Effect 3 for I won't have any expectations of the game until I play it for myself.

As far as pre-ordering the game I probably won't for I rarely pre-order a game anymore.

 

[babinro]

I've recently become hesitant about Dragon Age 3 despite it being a must buy for me.

The game is shifting towards the 'open world' trend and I fear that this might translate to several very common open world problems.
- Grind: An open world filled with generic mobs that only serve to disrupt the pacing

- Travel Woes: The act of getting to your quest is longer than the fun of doing the quest

- Weaker Story: None of your actions have meaning because all quests can be done at any time and in any order. Good luck lending weight to your actions or feeling any sense of progress in the world.

Inquisition is shaping up to be the weakest installment if it falls into the typical open world traps. I guess we'll see though. Skyrim has taught me that I no longer enjoy open world rpgs. There's fun to be had but it's hallow and short lived.

 

[Ferisar]

I've recently become hesitant about Dragon Age 3 despite it being a must buy for me.

The game is shifting towards the 'open world' trend and I fear that this might translate to several very common open world problems.
- Grind: An open world filled with generic mobs that only serve to disrupt the pacing

- Travel Woes: The act of getting to your quest is longer than the fun of doing the quest

- Weaker Story: None of your actions have meaning because all quests can be done at any time and in any order. Good luck lending weight to your actions or feeling any sense of progress in the world.

Inquisition is shaping up to be the weakest installment if it falls into the typical open world traps. I guess we'll see though. Skyrim has taught me that I no longer enjoy open world rpgs. There's fun to be had but it's hallow and short lived.

I think that's partially too dramatic of a change for Bioware to make, so don't be too hesitant. I think they talk about "openness" in a sense that the environments are varied and large-scale, but still focused in one sense or another, with plenty of side-stuff to do and complete, much along the lines of the first game, but on a larger-scale. They boast size because the main gripe people currently have for them to be concerned about is the limited number of places to go in DA2. I doubt Bioware all of a sudden goes from making semi-focused narrative-driven games to free-roaming open world nonsense in under two years. It's just not in their current history/franchise belt.

 

[teh_Canape]

my purchase of it depends on one factor and one factor only
will it have silly helmets and sillier hats for mages?
and I hope the Harpoon isn't a Warrior exclusive thing, it looks fun as fuck to use and I'm a rogue kinda guy

 

[Seracen]

EA has proven to be kryptonite, as far as Bioware is concerned. Moreover, with said parent company, I fully expect a bevy of crappy DLC practices.

I got screwed out of my preorder for DA2, and wasn't able to get the Exiled Prince DLC for free. As such, I didn't buy the game until it was pre=owned in the bargain bin. My policy for Capcom and EA games has been much the same all around.

Nothing has been presented to me that tells me this time will be any different. I don't deny that Inquisition looks like it will be a fun and competent game. However, I must look at the business practices and design decisions that Bioware and EA have made of late.

Nothing in their behavior instills enough confidence in me to buy at launch. Honestly, if DA2 was released prior to DA: O, there would have been no complaints. Yet I can't deny that every subsequent release has been a step backwards across all their franchises of late.

Moreover, I don't see them capturing the substantial length or the amazing story of that original launch. Furthermore, unless there is some way to circumvent Origin for PC releases, I am not interested.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

Seriously though, is there anyone who likes Wynne? I'd only have her in my party when I was forced to because I'd rather listen to Morrigan's sometimes funny sarcasm than Wynne's bland lecturing.

I liked her... because she's mechanically the most useful companion by a longshot. She is also a nice person, and I generally play nice characters, so I actually never had to deal with her lecturing. Morrigan would complain about literally everything I did though. I didn't like Morrigan.


OT- I am getting it because I can play a Qunari, or at least a Tal-Vashoth (vasoth? idk). They are probably the only part of the setting that I actually really like, so I simply must play as one.

 

[Mikeyfell]

I'd be optimistic to if Bioware weren't the devil.

Dragon Age Origins was my favorite western RPG ever and holds strong in my top 5 games evar
And despite popular opinion I did not hate Dragon Age 2 I hated the combat, but that wasn't why I was there now was it?

The inter character stuff in DA2 was all good and the story was pretty okay up until the final moments where the plot hopped a train to retarded junction.

But Bioware has since gone on to demonstrate decapitated dog levels of incompetence. Combine that with the fact that the plot of the new Dragon Age is bringing back not one but two characters who are dead in most importable save file of Origins, I'm not too fucking thrilled.

I'm also not too thrilled to find out that the Bioware offices haven't all burned down with their employees still inside. That Gypsy witchdoctor owes me my money back.


If the retardation and incompetence is exclusively a "Mass Effect team" thing then DAI might be fine. I doubt it though.

 

[TT Kairen]

I am open to the idea of it being good, but I'm not expecting it to be, based on Bioware's recent history. The flaws in Mass Effect 3 (Not just the shitastic ending) were so glaringly obvious that I really question the judgement of everyone involved. Dragon Age II was Dragon Age II. Having played it again recently, I've come to conclude that it's not the abortion of a game I remember, but it is nestled deeply in mediocrity. Nothing about it is above average.

I haven't been following the development of Inquisition so I don't know how it's looking. Dragon Age: Origins is one of my favorite games ever though, so I'd love for it to be great. I want to like this series again.

They must not be THAT glaringly obvious... I fail to see many at all. Only thing that annoyed me was the handwaving of your Rachni decision.

Inquisition? No preorder, even if they promise heaven and earth with it. I won't buy it until much later after the release, and only if it is proven to be actually good.
I have no trust left in Bioware.

People say this, but why? The only reasons people ever give is because they move away from plodding, lifeless RPG playstyles to something that feels more real and impactful, and that they dumb down the "RPG mechanics" which they never want to quantify or explain.

 

[EyeReaper]

As long as they keep writing good characters, I'll be happy, and since DA has been pretty good at that... minus a few DA2 party members, but they made up for that with Varric and Marril.

That's really all I need in a game. A good story, and characters I can enjoy. Everything else can take a backseat as far as I'm concerned, And Bioware's usually pretty good at filling my story/character quota.
Unless Anders is involved. fuck that guy.

 

[Grimh]

Dragon Age: Origins was a dull, drab and bland game with a generic story I don't really know why I was able to pull through. There were some good parts but eeh... The combat was pretty boring as well. It was solid if very generic.

Dragon Age 2 had a promising premise but was ultimately lacking in execution.
The act with the qunaari leader was the best part, but the overarching plot felt simple, juvenile and stupid at times, mostly at the end.
(The missions with the Krogan was the best part, but the overarching plot felt simple, juvenile and stupid at times, mostly at the end.)
It was rushed in several areas and the combat encounter design was dumb with people just jumping in from nowhere.
I did like the combat itself since it had a bit more energy to it.
The romance shit was annoying, I couldn't be nice to anyone without them becoming madly in love with my character.
I did like more of the characters in this one though.
It was a mess with interesting ideas behind it.

I can't really say if I'd get Inquisition, it's not out yet so I don't even know if it's good.
I don't pre-order games but if I did I'd still probably hold off on this until release.
I do hope it's good though, that world has promise I think.

 

[godofslack]

Hopeful, it's almost certainly going to be solid, and they are saying the right things so far so it's looking like it could be a strong game, especially if they find a way to make the combat enjoyable to the people that like DA2 combat or DA:O(I'm one of the literally dozens of us that prefer DA:O combat). Worst case scenario more Dragon Age is still enjoyable, even utterly boring other than the chats we have with the characters.

 

[Xjin]

I'll get it, but no preorder.
DA:O was damn awesome. The combat was not some over-the-top-flop that was DAII shit fest, and what I decked my companions out with mattered. The party members were good to great and there interactions with others were quite well made. The world was lovingly made and rich, but they did use traps and rail roading quite often. The PC was nice even without VA and the fact that you could vary it up a bit was SUCH a boon even if the act was mostly small.

Also the sync kills were well made real world and high dark fantasy moves. As some one who practices with melee sparing this made me Sqwee inside. A lot. Combat was ok, but I liked the auto-management of members along with the more tactical play. Several of the arc quests were well made and enjoyable. Hell, one was just a glorified fetch quest and was still a fun romp that reminded me of a D&D/Shadowrun campaign.

DA:II was... Meh at best. Mostly due to the fact that it was rushed out by EA being EA. Some of the party members were good like Varric and Marril, but out side a few inter party banter bits they were dull or just bad. The City of Kirkwall and the life of Hawke were not bad ideas, but handled so poorly it hurt badly. The repeat boards speak for them selves.

The Combat was total shit. Some boy mashed together over the top fo-anime with arcade dark fantasy elements, nerfed companions, added combat for combats sake, and just make it over all tedious and fo-ARPG like as they could. The fact that mobs exploded due to being knifed or hit by a sward put it on parody level. The darkspawn looked and acted like poorly animated monkeys, the bandit waves in every part of the city, crappy spamy combat that made it into a unmanageable clickfest. If DA:I is like this I'll not touch it.

I will state that the dropping of having it numbered and instead a different game set in the same IP with ties to the others can help it a lot. The fact that it is more open and varied also adds to the game. The rpg/rts elements can spice it up i handled well.

The fact that you can truly make your own PC to some extent- and MUCH more than DA:II- is a big boost.

 

[TT Kairen]

I'll get it, but no preorder.
DA:O was damn awesome. The combat was not some over-the-top-flop that was DAII shit fest, and what I decked my companions out with mattered. The party members were good to great and there interactions with others were quite well made. The world was lovingly made and rich, but they did use traps and rail roading quite often. The PC was nice even without VA and the fact that you could vary it up a bit was SUCH a boon even if the act was mostly small.

Also the sync kills were well made real world and high dark fantasy moves. As some one who practices with melee sparing this made me Sqwee inside. A lot. Combat was ok, but I liked the auto-management of members along with the more tactical play. Several of the arc quests were well made and enjoyable. Hell, one was just a glorified fetch quest and was still a fun romp that reminded me of a D&D/Shadowrun campaign.

You're right, Origins wasn't over-the-top. It was below the bottom. If you practice actual melee combat, then you'd know that if people fought that slow in real life, they'd get killed almost immediately. There's realism and then there's making it simply plodding. Archery and dual-wielding were fairly properly paced, but they swing a greatsword like it weighs 30lbs, and a sword and board fighter swings their weapon as if their opponent isn't going to dodge or block at all. Like the most casual attack will strike.

The story and quests were top-notch, though, if cliche'd. Not gonna argue there.

Inquisition looks to be about the speed of Witcher, so right in between Origins and DA:2. Perfect pace if you ask me. You may not like some of the over-the-top attacks however.

 

[Ubiquitous Duck]

With Inquisition on the horizon, I figured we could discuss the previous two titles, get our thoughts and feelings in order in preparation. Or rejection.

I for one, am optimistic. I like what I've seen on the game so far (except Cassandra's face... the horror), and both of the previous installments brought me many hours of entertainment. They're both mixed bags, obviously, but their upsides outweigh the cons, at least in my eyes.

Origins brought gripping and interesting introductions, and the world building in the game was phenomenal. Most of the party members are excellent characters, fleshed out and varied. Exploring, learning about the culture of Fereldan, the dwarves, the dalish, all of it was simply a treat. The only thing that keeps me from playing it repeatedly is the mind-numbingly slow, plodding, irritating combat. I'm playing through it again right now to make a new save for Inquisition, but damn do I wish I could just skip the fights.

Dragon Age 2 was a more personal experience. A tale of a man and his efforts to do the best he can for his family and friends. A lot of people had a problem with going from such a large world to a single city, but it didn't bother me that much. The party members each having places they hang out and visiting each other at those places was a great touch, one I'm glad they brought to Mass Effect 3. The game gets (deserved) criticism for re-using areas too often, which is a bit of an issue for me as well. The combat shines for me here as well. A bit too over-the-top for the setting they went for originally, but at least it's far more entertaining.

Whichever game was your favorite though, I think we can all agree that Varric is the best companion in either game.

Share your thoughts as we await the third installment to this great series.

I am very reluctant to get involved in another Dragon Age instalment.

The original is my favourite game of all time. The sequel... probably my worst. Not to say that it 'is' categorically the worst game of all time, because it obviously isn't. But for me, with such high expectations and with dragon age to compare it to... it left me physically angry after completing it. I won't go into detail why, because I'm sure everyone is over the dragon age 2 bashing threads, so I'll just say it is my worst because of the response it elicited in me. So personally was my worst experience in gaming.

I have to call out the naming of Varric as the 'best' companion though. I'd say he is one of the worst. He is one of the key examples of the bad storytelling methods I hold up in my criticising of DA2. We are constantly told of how renowned he is for his storytelling and how he can weave his way through a grand tale.. but he never showcases this ability. We are just told it and expected to accept it. You shouldn't tell the player this and expect him just to accept it at face value, you need to show him doing it and then the player can arrive at the conclusion themselves. It's this kind of naive storytelling and hamfisted methods that drove me away from the Dragon Age series, so I definitely won't be getting this game on release.

I think I will wait for some general feedback this time. It is no longer a franchise where I'd just say: JUST TAKE MY MONEY. And buy it instantly on release or pre-order.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I didn't really find Hawke's tale to be personal. In fact I often felt like an outsider to the story because of the time jumps, I felt like most of the personal moments were happening off screen.

That didn't really bother me, mostly because I've ran and played tabletop RPGs that worked like that. "Okay, so that's it for this adventure. Go ahead and level up, and write a little note about what your character would be doing during his/her down time. The next adventure will be picking up about 3 years from now." Star Wars did the same thing.