Dragon Age 2 Packs 103 Minutes of Cutscenes

[John Funk]

Dragon Age 2 Packs 103 Minutes of Cutscenes

Players will spend at least 103 minutes of the upcoming Dragon Age 2 not actually playing the game.

If there is one thing that Edmonton-based BioWare is known for, it's the strong writing in its popular RPGs. BioWare's games might not be the most original out there when it comes to story and characters, but said story and characters are almost always skillfully executed. A well-told, interesting yarn is something that gamers have come to expect from games like Dragon Age 2 - and that story will be communicated (at least in part) by a feature film's worth of cutscenes.

According to the BBFC rating [http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/ClassifiedWorks/73CC04A33B1B6FED80257823002D391A] of the anticipated RPG (the game gets an 18+ rating thanks to its violence, natch), the "linear elements within the work" - also known as cutscenes - possess a running time of 103 minutes flat.

This is, as previously mentioned, the length of an average feature film that you might see in theaters. Just because it's interesting - and timely - let's compare that to some of the True Grit [http://www.imdb.com/features/oscars/2011/nominations] (110 min).

Now, this isn't a bad thing! There are many gamers who really enjoy watching a well-crafted cutscene that advances the plot - not everything needs to be interactive. For every gamer rolling their eyes at the idea of a game packing over a hundred minutes of cutscenes, there's another whose interest is all the more piqued because of it.

Besides, 103 minutes is what, a long Metal Gear Solid cutscene?

(Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-25-dragon-age-2-has-103-mins-of-cutscenes])

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[BehattedWanderer]

Or half of a Xenosaga cutscene. 103 minutes, spread out over what is expected to be at least a 40 hour game is hardly a lot of time. And the way they're doing the narrative, I expect some of it to be flashy stories told about awesome things.

 

[JeanLuc761]

Well, given the conversations in games like Mass Effect are essentially interactive cutscenes at this point (something I very much approve of), 103 minutes is hardly too much to ask. Mass Effect 2's cutscenes and dialogue segments adds up to something around 12+ HOURS.

 

[unclediddles]

I agree, considering my last game of DA:O was 60 hours I don't think 103 mins is going to be that bad. I'm really looking forward to DA 2.

 

[RatRace123]

That's a lot of cutscenes, I don't think any other Bioware game had that much cutscenes, not even Mass Effect, if we count the conversations as part of the actual game and not cutscenes.

 

[MrSnugglesworth]

I am so hype for this game. I seriously hope your previous DA:O plays a bigish role in the game, even if you're dead.

Forgive me if they've already covered that, but I have enacted a media blackout on DA:2 because I want the game to completely blow my mind when I first play it.



OT: Bring it. I love well executed Cutscenes.

 

[Ralen-Sharr]

I hope they are cutscenes that are worth a crap

 

[Cursed Frogurt]

For a Bioware game that does sound like a lot, but hopefully that includes in-game dialogue (without skipping and without waiting to respond)

OH GOD I'm pretty sure around the half-way point of MGS4 there's a 2 hour gap in gameplay (the cutscene that starts with Ocelot stabbing Snake with the electric knife).

MGS4 reminded me why I love Half-Life2.

 

[SomebodyNowhere]

if the game is even half as long as the first one the cut scenes will just be a small fraction of the game as a whole

 

[Reveras]

I'm happy about this. I love well told stories and even more well made cutscenes. Also John you win +3 internets for bashing the drool fest.

 

[Delusibeta]

Also, AFAIK the BBFC handed out an 18 for the first Dragon Age, largely for the same reasons.

 

[theriddlen]

103 minutes?

There will be over 2 hours of cutscenes in Witcher 2.

Forget about DA, preorder REEL games!

 

[Azaraxzealot]

well unlike JRPGs and Japanese games in general, at least these cutscenes will make sense and be well-done in terms of story.and hopefully no crazy-haired angsty tweenagers messing it up

 

[V8 Ninja]

Considering that most RPGs I know have a good 2-3 hours of cutscenes, something that's under 2 hours is a welcome change.

 

[JasonBurnout16]

Thats really good, I think this is shaping up to be a fabulous game.

 

[GonzoGamer]

Yea. That doesn't worry me too much.
How much time will I spend in conversations?
DAO talked more than my wife... I couldn't even finish it.

 

[necronmm]

Really looking forward to it

 

[teutonicman]

I am unsure about this. I don't want to be sitting around for 10+ minutes watching an in game movie. I'm playing this game for the interactive experience.

 

[manythings]

I am so hype for this game. I seriously hope your previous DA:O plays a bigish role in the game, even if you're dead.

Forgive me if they've already covered that, but I have enacted a media blackout on DA:2 because I want the game to completely blow my mind when I first play it.



OT: Bring it. I love well executed Cutscenes.

I am checking the website most days just hoping for more news... (Did you pick up the two in game items from the site?)

OT: In a world with Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots I think 103 mins isn't stretching things.