Dragon Age, looking towards Inquisition

[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.

 

[raeior]

For me DA:I will be Bioware's last chance to prove that they can make good games. I loved DA:O it was the closest thing to an "old school rpg" that you could get at that time and I loved it for that. DA 2...I admit I only played the demo but even that was enough to make me go "yikes what is this?!". I didn't like the combat, I hated the fact that they used the dialogue wheel from Mass Effect and the dialogues themselves were also pretty "meh". Also the whole interface and the character development stuff. I found it kinda funny because before DA2 was released they had a long preview in a gaming magazine and the 2 authors were kinda divided on all the changes. One was like "Oh great finally no more long dialogue choices but a quick wheel, faster combat, killing moves for mages" and the other was "Okay I don't like where this is heading but this is Bioware, they are the good ones...right? right???" reading this I only thought at nearly every change "Why? Faster combat? Melee chars jumping around because walking up to an enemy is too slow? What?!".

The same with Mass Effect. I loved ME1, ME2 was good but for me it was a step backwards in most regards and ME3 was just...ugh! The ending wasn't even the worst part of it. Not even close. I found most of the writing really horrible, the story was completely over the top with Cerberus conquering planets left and right, turret sections and basically every mission ended in an arena where they spawned wave after wave of enemies with one or more mechs running around. Also nearly all decisions you did in the previous games were irrelevant. Killed the rachni queen? The last one in existence? Yeah turns out there are others left. Collector base? Yeah obviously blast resistant. Killed the council? We cloned the old one so they behave exactly as before! Also killing a reaper while on foot...alone..only with your laser pointer.
The thing is in my opinion the overarching story went downhill from ME2 onwards. The whole collectors stuff was kinda pointless in the light of the overarching story. Also the reapers spontaneously deciding "hey you know...we could just fly over there and slaughter everyone...". I think it showed that 1 or 2 guys of the writing staff took all the important writing more or less to themselves without much of any quality control.

But I'm still cautiously optimistic for the new Dragon Age. I quite like most of the stuff I've seen so far. I hope that they will release a demo version like they did for DA2 so I can gather my own impressions because I'm not going to buy it blindly. But if I really like it I'm sure as hell gonna buy it too. If not..well there are other RPGs on the horizon.

 

[Raikas]

Some of us miss when stats and decisions felt meaningful as in the first Mass Effect

I wonder how much of this comes from having to take the full series into account by the end - it's a relatively easy thing to do over the course of a single game, but once you hit ME3, there are really too many possibilities floating around to do each of them justice (at least without adding extra hours and hours to the game which all the budget bloat associated with that).

Personally, I thought the bits that did carry over in ME3 (like the way Tuchanka played out different with Mordin vs. Padok and Wrex vs. Wreave, and the differences in Eve's fate) worked beautifully. And yeah, I'd have loved to see that for everything, but I don't see how that's realistic. I actually wouldn't mind if the DA games had a "canon" version for each instalment, because I think that would make it easier for them to ensure that the in-game choices matter without having to account for past games, but can you imagine the fanrage if they went with that?

If we wanted to play a shooter, we would. An RPG is a different experience all together.

You know, I don't think the game works as a pure shooter any better than it does a pure RPG (I might even say it fares worse on that end). Personally, I went into both DA and ME expecting a hybrid of genres and I feel like that is what we got - imperfect maybe, but perfect games are few and far between, so I still came away satisfied.