Fill me in.. Dragon Age.

Been a hectic week, havnt had a chance to read much on DA or buy it yet..

Whats the word.. how is it?

Gamespot review score of 9.5 seem acurate?

Typicall Bioware stuff with the good, the bad and the ugly.

It's very restricted with regards to the freedom you have in the game (you can't massacre almost every townfolk/ non essential NPCs like you could in the Fallout series and/or skip certain parts/encounters/acts of the main story).

It dialog heavy, yet dialog "choices" only lead to the same result.

"Choices" really don't matter that much, and there's plenty of that spliting between the game mechanics and the story that doesn't make much sense.

For example if a companion is killed in battle, once the batle is over they'll automatically come back to life. But if it turns against you because of a scripted sequence/dialog choice, once you kill that (former) companion (s)he won't come back to life, even if you cast a revival.

Quests/sidequests are usually either fetch quests, kill quests or a combination of the 2. If you've played and enjoyed those good/fun/complex Fallout quests (of any game 1, 2 or 3), you might/could/will be disapointed with the (side)quest (lack of) quality.

...

.

.

On the other hand, the good news (or bad depending on you point of view), the game won't be as easy as Fallout 3, Oblivion or Mass Effect; you will be punished for you mistakes.

So it's a cinematical tactical dungeon crawler, that is very lite on the roleplaying side, and very liniear/heavly scripted, and if you can get past that, you'll probably like it.

Forget it dude... there's no auto pause options.

Bioware failed us.

Forget it dude... there's no auto pause options.

Bioware failed us.

supamasta

Forget it dude... there's no auto pause options.

Bioware failed us.

supamasta

Yes there is.

Option > Game/gameplay > pause at start of combat.

tactical autopause to be more exact. DA:O seems to only offer one autopause option, battle starts. in BG2, there are ten opetions.

if you're not familiar with infinity engine dnd CRPG, BGs and Icewind Dales, you wouldn't have any idea what tactical autopause is. many veteran dnd gamers like this feature since they can adjust the battle tactics at some particular situation and establish their playing habits.

it's not a necessity, but it is important to some veteran gamers; otherwise, Bioware wouldn't have given BG2 10 autopause options.

[QUOTE="fudgeblood"]Simply put, the best RPG I've played in years. It restored all hope in PC RPG gaming for me. Dragon Age is a multiplat game done right, it's absolutely fantastic in all aspects.DanielDust

Aye, Dragon Age feels like a PC game through and through because it is a PC game first and foremost. Which I hope stays that way for the rest of the series.

so far i think its incredible, the combat is really great and the characters is the best they have done in a while, im not to far through however

In a couple of months, when people don't feel like they have to justify that they spent their money on this - the negative comments will start being heard. This is an ugly game that wouldn't have been hyped at all if it wasn't made by Bioware - a corporation that has gone way downhill over the years. Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

In a couple of months, when people don't feel like they have to justify that they spent their money on this - the negative comments will start being heard. This is an ugly game that wouldn't have been hyped at all if it wasn't made by Bioware - a corporation that has gone way downhill over the years. Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

Born_Lucky

So it's a cinematical tactical dungeon crawler, that is very lite on the roleplaying side, and very liniear/heavly scripted, and if you can get past that, you'll probably like it.

DOF_power

Pretty much this. I'm addicted to it at the moment, but it's not likely to become an all-time favourite.

I'd like to add that the story is fairly dull (so far, anyway) and the main quests are a bit tedious and repetitive, but hey, it's a dungeon crawler with high production values and a large amount of content, so it might still be worth playing. Just don't expect it to top BG2, or whatever.

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]

In a couple of months, when people don't feel like they have to justify that they spent their money on this - the negative comments will start being heard. This is an ugly game that wouldn't have been hyped at all if it wasn't made by Bioware - a corporation that has gone way downhill over the years. Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

TerroRizing

In a couple of months, when people don't feel like they have to justify that they spent their money on this - the negative comments will start being heard. This is an ugly game that wouldn't have been hyped at all if it wasn't made by Bioware - a corporation that has gone way downhill over the years. Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

Born_Lucky

Eh, there are complaints. Dof_power nailed it though. I agree with ..presumably *his* assumptions about the game. Want some complaints from someone that absolutely adores this game?

- The classes in general are terrible. Both the rogue/warrior are absolutely boring and have little to no customization. They have purpose sure, but I would seriously advice rolling a mage for versatility and power.

- This game might be a bit too "old school" for modern gamers. Has little to no 'loot whore' incentives in any manner.

-(Subjective) The dialogue.. You will either love or hate it.

- The graphics are pretty sub par unless you are maxing this on PC(which I am), However, given the genre really? Some of the better graphics for the genre for pc certainly.

- Back to classes.. there really isn't much incentive for me personally to play the game again. Due to the broken nature of how terrible some classes(like rogue archers) and party composition can be.. If you made a mage the first time around you did it right in the initial go.

There are other little minor things, as someone that is far more a modern RPG type person, I thoroughly enjoy this game. I'm genuinely surprised. It kinda reminds me of a progressive rock song that is 20 minutes long. The first 6 minutes may seem like it sucks ass, but for some reason once it hits the 9 minute mark hits everything clicks and you fully grasp the epicness of it all. Same with DA. I wasn't really dazzled at all for the first 7-8 hours, but damn once the 12 hour mark hit I was just utterly hooked.

TL;DR version, give the game a chance.

Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

Born_Lucky

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]

In a couple of months, when people don't feel like they have to justify that they spent their money on this - the negative comments will start being heard. This is an ugly game that wouldn't have been hyped at all if it wasn't made by Bioware - a corporation that has gone way downhill over the years. Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

TerroRizing

- The graphics are pretty sub par unless you are maxing this on PC(which I am), However, given the genre really? Some of the better graphics for the genre for pc certainly.CassiusGaius

I think the graphics are fine (maxed out on my PC), but the art direction is very bland. Maybe I've just spoilt myself with Guild Wars and The Witcher and so on, but all of the buildings and areas look and feel a bit samey at times.

- Back to classes.. there really isn't much incentive for me personally to play the game again. Due to the broken nature of how terrible some classes(like rogue archers) and party composition can be.. If you made a mage the first time around you did it right in the initial go.CassiusGaius

I'd play it again, but only because I'm currently a rogue. I'm definitely going to have to rp an evil mage next time around.

It has its negatives. The game is sooo linear with hardly any exploration whatsoever. For example, I was tasked to do something in the "northern forest" which is actually just a field outside town. Right outside. I mean, I can see it from the tavern. And there's a windmill right there! And there aren't any trees in this forest.

Once I completed the quest, I turned it in and received two more side quests for the same northern field/forest, to kill some stuff that didn't exist previously. That's pretty bad right there. Like, worse than an empty planet that looks the same as the last one.

However, the story and backstory of the world are pretty interesting, the game has a great cinematic air, and the combat is pretty fun. I also like the level of NPC interaction with conversations. The presentation makes the game seem a lot more than it is, which is probably how Gamespot staff were so easily impressed.

tactical autopause to be more exact. DA:O seems to only offer one autopause option, battle starts. in BG2, there are ten opetions.

if you're not familiar with infinity engine dnd CRPG, BGs and Icewind Dales, you wouldn't have any idea what tactical autopause is. many veteran dnd gamers like this feature since they can adjust the battle tactics at some particular situation and establish their playing habits.

it's not a necessity, but it is important to some veteran gamers; otherwise, Bioware wouldn't have given BG2 10 autopause options.

teardropmina

This is the worst game ever made. You're better off buying MW2.attirex

In a couple of months, when people don't feel like they have to justify that they spent their money on this - the negative comments will start being heard. This is an ugly game that wouldn't have been hyped at all if it wasn't made by Bioware - a corporation that has gone way downhill over the years. Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

Born_Lucky

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]

Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

zomglolcats

Yah, if anything it's a progressive move on Bioware's part. Also, of course, it's completely optional - so why not give people who are into that the option to play out the romantic options as they would like?

It has its negatives. The game is sooo linear with hardly any exploration whatsoever. For example, I was tasked to do something in the "northern forest" which is actually just a field outside town. Right outside. I mean, I can see it from the tavern. And there's a windmill right there! And there aren't any trees in this forest.

Once I completed the quest, I turned it in and received two more side quests for the same northern field/forest, to kill some stuff that didn't exist previously. That's pretty bad right there. Like, worse than an empty planet that looks the same as the last one.

MyopicCanadian

The actual 'forest' forest isn't much better - more of a series of narrow paths with only a few wide open spaces. The gameworld definitely doesn't feel like an expansive, coherent place.

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]

In a couple of months, when people don't feel like they have to justify that they spent their money on this - the negative comments will start being heard. This is an ugly game that wouldn't have been hyped at all if it wasn't made by Bioware - a corporation that has gone way downhill over the years. Plus, I know Bioware is promoting male on male sex with this game, but I'm not spending my money to help Bioware do that.

zomglolcats

To be fair, to achieve ANY sort of sex in the game requires a very large and deliberate effort, is not necessary to complete the game, and leaves sexual preference totally open to the player. Of the 10 teams at the Wardens' Quest Event not a single one managed to get any character relationship that far, despite there being a specific prize and large point bonus for doing so (precisely because it requires a fair bit of effort to achieve).

Did some of guys already finish the game?

It's only been out for four days....

Well, the game just came in the mail for me last night so I only got a chance to play for a few hours as a rogue. So far the game is awesome. Story is great so far. It's pretty linear for a WRPG, but again I only played for a few hours. I see there are already haters here. If you finish the game already considering it came out on Tuesday it couldn't of been that bad to keep you that occupied. As for the haters that haven't even played the game... why even post in the thread?

Can't wait to play more tonight when I get home from work.

Hmm, I will try to put this as accurate as I can...

The game is good... Very good... The overall detail level of the world (sounds, views) are very coherrent, and the characters are up there with VTM:B

This is ofcourse based on what I playied sofar, like most others Ive reached and about completed the first hamlet, it has some restrictive level design, like that of NWN 1+2 where you cant follow a path because it is at the end of the map, but there is no notion thereoff.

The sidequests are pretty much the MMO stuff, visit a bounty board, get missions, kill critters, return. They have nothing to do with the main story but offer a chance to boost xp... ALOT.

The rules of the game will be very familier to you if you ever playied KOTOR, or NWN2, and tone/ music is often VERY much like that of The witcher, which I find amuzing and kinda nice.

Classes are an odd beast, I read higher up that he only liked mages... Well I only like Rogues ^^ infact the Rogue seems to be nearly as efficient in doleing out damage as a warrior, which is just plain wrong... Also Lockpicking and backstabbing becomes a Must in normal diff, just to survive battles.

The interface (and even loot) is a lot like BG2, they are called the same, and often even look the same, which warms my heart ^^ you can set party behaviors after your need, and you can gain influence or lose it with your partymembers. (which can have fantastic or horrible consequences)

The story is pretty darn good... Not as incoherrent as I feared, some people have complained about it, but Ive been led to believe that they REALLY never bothered getting into the story, because sofar it makes alot of sense.

I would give it a 9.0 if I had to score it sofar, about the same as I would the Witcher... in some aspects they are so familier it is downright scary.

I dont get the complaints about the graphics, sure some games are prettier at first glance... but you have to consider how much is on screen at once and the effects being used. For example, mass effect looked great but there was barely anything happening at once compared to dragon age. Dragon Age maxed out easily impresses me more than anything release on any console, or most pc games.

I dont get the complaints about the graphics, sure some games are prettier at first glance... but you have to consider how much is on screen at once and the effects being used. For example, mass effect looked great but there was barely anything happening at once compared to dragon age. Dragon Age maxed out easily impresses me more than anything release on any console, or most pc games.

TerroRizing

I dont get the complaints about the graphics, sure some games are prettier at first glance... but you have to consider how much is on screen at once and the effects being used. For example, mass effect looked great but there was barely anything happening at once compared to dragon age. Dragon Age maxed out easily impresses me more than anything release on any console, or most pc games.

I'd rather play a game that sacrifices graphics for gameplay and story than the other way round but it doesn't look bad anyway

[QUOTE="teardropmina"]

tactical autopause to be more exact. DA:O seems to only offer one autopause option, battle starts. in BG2, there are ten opetions.

.......

it's not a necessity, but it is important to some veteran gamers; otherwise, Bioware wouldn't have given BG2 10 autopause options.

zomglolcats

we're not in disagreement; as I said tactical autopausing is by no means a necessity for good CRPG; my post was an reaction to posters who obviously did not understand what the complaint was about.