Skyrim is the most addicting game this year, really?

It's really nothing like Oblivion, completely different ball game.

ShimmerMan

I don't really see how you can say that, when the game is structurally identical to Oblivion. The quest design, combat, AI, character customisation...they're all virtually identical to Oblivion, with a few tweaks here and there (they emphasised crafting, removed spellcrafting, emphasised perks, removed proper character stats, etc).

It's definitely a better game than Oblivion, but it's essentially just Oblivion in a new setting.

Anyway, I've got mixed feelings about the game. It does many, many things wrong (AI, UI, poor quest design, writing, random difficult spikes, broken dragons, etc etc etc), and they definitely bring down the overall experience...but it's still a decent/playable RPG.

I wouldn't call it the most addictive game I've played all year though. If anything, I keep dropping it to play things like Skyward Sword and Arkham City.

So...no, my most addictive game of 2011 might be either The Binding of Isaac, or Dungeons of Dredmor. I honestly couldn't pick between them.

[QUOTE="Ragingbear505"]

[QUOTE="Cranler"]Mount and Blade is inferior to Skyrim on so many levels. Should the next GTA have driving mechanics on the level of Gran Turismo and shooting mechanics equal to Gears of War? Games like Skyrim and GTA are about the sum of their parts, they arent one trick ponies like Mount and Blade.bussinrounds

I'm 50 hours in, and i haven't even started any of the factions nor the main quest :)Nighteg

[QUOTE="DanielDust"]Neither do I. I do it by watching friends play and asking them if it's any good, if I see some potential, not the case.seanmcloughlin

I would find a game boring too if i just watch friends play. To me you don't have enough of an experience with the game to have a valid point

It's irrelevant what somebody else feels about Skyrim anyway, TC asked something, for me it's far from it, but I still put BF 3 as the worst this year, the best would probably be something like Witcher 2 or Portal 2, maybe Batman AC or Revelations but I haven't finished/played those yet.

Easily one of the best games I've played in my 42 years. It will be even better once the bugs are squashed.

Skyrim combat not like mount and blades? No shi... Sherlock.

Why would anyone compare mount and blades combat to skyrim? Mount and blade combat doesn't have magic or non human enemies. Mount and blade is about big battles with at least 20 or more allies at your back in a big zone. Even then the npcs get stuck in trees and hills in Mount and Blade. Imagine what would happen if you stuck them inside a dungeon with all the twist and turns. Add in Elder Scrolls give you the option to sneak and completely avoide enemies or attack them with a surprise attack. We haven't even gotten to all the spells and effects that can be cast...

It's like saying Deus Ex HR gun play is not as good as BF3 gunplay.

To all who have said the game sucs give a game that doesn't not to hijack the tread but to compare. I had problems with Oblivion too many to list, morrowind was great for the time and with mods might even be better. Skyrim is a great game using almost all the improvements from oblivion modders.

I think most haters are in the repetitive MP FPS or action linear based RPG's - they are great in their own right but not compareable to openended games. Once witcher 2 is completed replay is kinda bland knowing the main quest will be the same no surprises here. The modding community hasn't even scratched the surface of Skyrim yet with the delayed release of TES - with the current level of players this will generate major mods with countless changes and addons to the basic game. This is what is going to make this game where the replay value will continue long past the next action RPG/MP FPS will come out. People who like TES Skyrim will be playing this for months/years finding new and different gameplay.

I know I'm going to get slammed for this but my wallet will remain intact unlike having to buy BF4, BF5, BF etc, Batman A whatever, & the list will go on only the price will change (not lower either).

Don't get me wrong or judge hastily there are different games for different folks and there will always be devs to satisfy their tastes to the tune of $60+ for each of them including me YMMV.

Skyrim however is like a sandbox which will allow people to change the game instead of playing someone elses concept to death and then looking for the next fix.

No, it's a decent game but the only reason it's well-liked is because it has a lot of content. It's got a sore lack of branching quests, allows you to level up EVERY skill to 100 if you try hard enough, has common human enemies who will end up being physically tougher than GIANTS and DRAGONS after awhile and you can join just about every guild in the game if you try hard enough. The gameplay is pretty damn broken and makes no sense most of the time (you can lockpick people from right in front of their faces), and doesn't allow for much replayability because you can do almost everything in one playthrough.

That doesn't even get into the peripheral/aesthetic issues like horses being able to climp up steep mountain slopes, giants launching people 100s of feet into the air, characters being really really boring and mostly having recycled voices, the user interface being a pain in the **** for a mouse-and-keyboard user to navigate, and, if you've encountered them, common bugs. It's pretty telling that when people criticize Skyrim, often the response is something like "your opinion doesn't matter, you're not used to playing these kinds of games so you don't understand it!".

Skyrim combat not like mount and blades? No shi... Sherlock.

Why would anyone compare mount and blades combat to skyrim? Mount and blade combat doesn't have magic or non human enemies. Mount and blade is about big battles with at least 20 or more allies at your back in a big zone. Even then the npcs get stuck in trees and hills in Mount and Blade. Imagine what would happen if you stuck them inside a dungeon with all the twist and turns. Add in Elder Scrolls give you the option to sneak and completely avoide enemies or attack them with a surprise attack. We haven't even gotten to all the spells and effects that can be cast...

It's like saying Deus Ex HR gun play is not as good as BF3 gunplay.

sleepingzzz

Do you even understand how Mount and Blade's combat works and why it's so much more fun than Oblivion or Skyrim's?

besides the horrible graphics engine and atrocious gameplay.

I have to say that it has the most content and is the most open and free to explore world to role play in as however you prefer, compared to any rpg out there. totally free to do what you want in this game, play any role you want.... build your character class anyway you want...travel anywhere you want etc...

and I also agree its one of the largest fully emmerisve rpgs out there. which isn't saying much, cause there really isn't many new rpgs that come out to even give it competition....but still doesn't change the fact.

I just wish we can see a game like this for new pc hardware. I stand by my statements that most people that game on pc's have decent rigs that aren't being used to their full potential. I can just imagine what a skyrim world can look like on a new engine built for dx11. talk about immersive :)

I keep saying if the programmers from twin worlds II got together with the producers from bethesda.... we would have the perfect rpg.

...allows you to level up EVERY skill to 100 if you try hard enough... and you can join just about every guild in the game if you try hard enough...and doesn't allow for much replayability because you can do almost everything in one playthrough.

Barbariser

so the game rewards effort and committment and allows you to try out new skills without having to restart and play through all the same missions again? hardly a bad thing. you must have to play for a hell of a long time to do all that by the way because im level 30, a member of just one guild and havent got a single skill to 100 yet.

That doesn't even get into the peripheral/aesthetic issues like horses being able to climp up steep mountain slopes, giants launching people 100s of feet into the air,Barbariser

minor glitches. all games of this scale have them.

the user interface being a pain in the **** for a mouse-and-keyboard user to navigate, Barbariser

ill give you that one

[QUOTE="Cranler"][QUOTE="Ragingbear505"]

Mount and Blade

Ragingbear505

Its better than Oblivion, at least from the 30 hours i have played so far. Cant say ill continue playing it due to the game running like ****.

[QUOTE="Ragingbear505"]

[QUOTE="Cranler"]Mount and Blade is inferior to Skyrim on so many levels. Should the next GTA have driving mechanics on the level of Gran Turismo and shooting mechanics equal to Gears of War? Games like Skyrim and GTA are about the sum of their parts, they arent one trick ponies like Mount and Blade.Cranler

At this point yea, they should focus more on the combat and make more of an action/adventure game. It's not like It's this deep , complex RPG anyway. If i want to play an RPG for those reasons, I sure as hell ain't lookin towards this game. Read the sig.

Batman AC for me

Got no time to play it anymore...*sigh*

One problem I have with the game is how the dialogues can feel weird. I speak with random guy, 2 lines later (without much options), he gives a quest. I wander off, do some quests, and think: 'why tf I am doing this anyway?'. It seens the game gives little context to actions and dungeons. New Vegas did a much better job at hiding some of the 'laying (f-ing if you will) without kissing' aspects of questing in open RPGs.

Do you even understand how Mount and Blade's combat works and why it's so much more fun than Oblivion or Skyrim's?KHAndAnime

Batman AC for me

kingdmx22

Batman maybe the best ARPG of 2011.:D

Do you even understand how Mount and Blade's combat works and why it's so much more fun than Oblivion or Skyrim's?

KHAndAnime

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"]Do you even understand how Mount and Blade's combat works and why it's so much more fun than Oblivion or Skyrim's?

millerlight89

In this case, someone can subjectively prefer clickspam combat to combat requiring some degree of reflexes and skill - but that doesn't mean that most people would find the former more entertaining. But back to the point of the post you quoted: people who prefer clickspam combat probably haven't spent any time with games offering more depth in the combat department.

so the game rewards effort and committment and allows you to try out new skills without having to restart and play through all the same missions again? hardly a bad thing. you must have to play for a hell of a long time to do all that by the way because im level 30, a member of just one guild and havent got a single skill to 100 yet.Macutchi

Do you know why no RPG (except Bethesda games) allow you to max out all of your skills? It's because you turn into an unstoppable powerhouse in the process. This is called a "horribly unbalanced game" and results in a lack of any significant challenge. Allowing every skill to hit 100 for one character indicates sh**ty RPG mechanics, which is what Skyrim has. Also, I've got pickpocketing at 100 and it's very easy to do this - just go up to random people and steal everything you can find. If you get caught, reload. Similarly, smithing is damn easy to level up since all you need is raw materials and something to make items with.

Something that Bethesda is great at providing.

Look at NV and how much of an it was over Fallout 3, in terms of RPG mechanics, writing (characters, quests) and choices and consequences. Oh yea, Bethesda didn't make New Vegas, no wonder.

[QUOTE="sleepingzzz"]

Skyrim combat not like mount and blades? No shi... Sherlock.

Why would anyone compare mount and blades combat to skyrim? Mount and blade combat doesn't have magic or non human enemies. Mount and blade is about big battles with at least 20 or more allies at your back in a big zone. Even then the npcs get stuck in trees and hills in Mount and Blade. Imagine what would happen if you stuck them inside a dungeon with all the twist and turns. Add in Elder Scrolls give you the option to sneak and completely avoide enemies or attack them with a surprise attack. We haven't even gotten to all the spells and effects that can be cast...

It's like saying Deus Ex HR gun play is not as good as BF3 gunplay.

KHAndAnime

Do you even understand how Mount and Blade's combat works and why it's so much more fun than Oblivion or Skyrim's?

I never said you couldn't have good magic and melee combat. I said Mount and Blade's combat is completely different from Skyrim's and can't really be compared. Mount and Blade combat is easier to program when you only have human characters fighting. They can iron out the mechanics much easier because they don't have to worry about spells or monsters like flying dragons. Mount and Blade is great game for the combat because that the main focus of the game. That's also what the devs mainly focused on. Skyrim was made to do a lot of different things and IMO most of it works really well. If you can't see how much harder it is to make a game like Skyrim I dont' know what to tell you.

As for you not understanding what allies have to do with the combat in Mount and Blade that is just LOL funny. Try storming a castle by youself when you play next time. Just try fighting 10 soldiers by yourself at the same time as well. Let me know how far you get. That game is based on group combat.

In this case, someone can subjectively prefer clickspam combat to combat requiring some degree of reflexes and skill - but that doesn't mean that most people would find the former more entertaining.

KHAndAnime

Yeah, that was my biggest complaint with every FPS ever. Too much clickspam with all the guns and what not. :roll:

It's personally the best game I've played in years. I've noticed a lot of people on the internet seem actively angry about how much people like me enjoy it, and I'm not quite sure why.

While I find Skyrim to be an awesome game, I can't say it's one of the best or the most addicting. The most addicting game that I've played is World of Tanks. While this forum doesn't seem to be huge fans of F2P games, it's one of the best that I've played and it's eaten countless hours of my time. I know that I've invested more than 1000 hours into that game.

Skyrim does a lot of things right, content, the world, and I personally feel it has fairly decent graphics for the size of the world. It does, however, have a few notable flaws, in that most quests do pretty much the same thing. Kill this guy, get this thing, clear out this place, etc, etc. Nothing really new there, but that's not what is supposed to be addicting, it's supposed to be the combat. I enjoy it quite a bit, but now that I'm level 41 I'm getting a little bored and I'm already looking at The Witcher 2 as a better RPG experience, I haven't heard anything bad about that game honestly.

Skyrim is great, don't get me wrong, I think it's a great game...but I'm already running out of entertaining things to and I've reached most of the best equipment in the game. Since Smithing and Enchantment are so easy to do and level up, it's ridiculously easy to get to "end game" gear. I know a couple of people who've been to the point of not starting the main quest or barely starting the side quests and are already walking around in Ebony Armor with +50% Magicka Regeneration, where's the enjoyment from the rest of the game!?

Skyrim is great, don't get me wrong, I think it's a great game...but I'm already running out of entertaining things to and I've reached most of the best equipment in the game. Since Smithing and Enchantment are so easy to do and level up, it's ridiculously easy to get to "end game" gear. I know a couple of people who've been to the point of not starting the main quest or barely starting the side quests and are already walking around in Ebony Armor with +50% Magicka Regeneration, where's the enjoyment from the rest of the game!?theafiguy

Skyrim isn't the type of game that will hold you back when you want to do something; it takes a "play how you want" attitude. If you want to start the game by making the best armor in the game, it won't stop you or force you to grind hours upon hours. I don't know where you'll get the money to level enchanting/smith because both require an absurd amount of gold. You also need high level items to craft the high level armor (ebony ingots and daedra hearts), which can't be purchased until you're level 25.

The enemies scale with you and the game is still VERY challenging on higher difficulties, even with the best armor. Besides, some of the best items can only be found, not made. I found a helm that was way better than my 100smith/100enchanting dragon armor. Skyrim is the only game I've played that has over 50 of hours of singelplayer content and doesn't feel like a grind to play.

[QUOTE="Macutchi"]so the game rewards effort and committment and allows you to try out new skills without having to restart and play through all the same missions again? hardly a bad thing. you must have to play for a hell of a long time to do all that by the way because im level 30, a member of just one guild and havent got a single skill to 100 yet.Barbariser

Do you know why no RPG (except Bethesda games) allow you to max out all of your skills? It's because you turn into an unstoppable powerhouse in the process. This is called a "horribly unbalanced game" and results in a lack of any significant challenge. Allowing every skill to hit 100 for one character indicates sh**ty RPG mechanics, which is what Skyrim has. Also, I've got pickpocketing at 100 and it's very easy to do this - just go up to random people and steal everything you can find. If you get caught, reload. Similarly, smithing is damn easy to level up since all you need is raw materials and something to make items with.

my point is it will take you a ridiculous amount of playing time to max out all your skills but if players want to put that amount of time into the game with one character they can. if they dont they can start over with a new race and set of skills and do it all again. this is not a multiplayer game so perfect balancing issues aren't overly important.

so it is not a "horribly unbalanced game" - that's something you've just made up to try and prove your point

[QUOTE="Ragingbear505"]

[QUOTE="Cranler"] What games combat should the next Elder Scrolls aspire to?Cranler

Errr, maybe because Mount and Blade isn't even a story driven RPG?

I certainly love the combat in M&B.

[QUOTE="Cranler"][QUOTE="Ragingbear505"]

Mount and Blade

Arthur96

Errr, maybe because Mount and Blade isn't even a story driven RPG?

I certainly love the combat in M&B.

[QUOTE="Barbariser"]

[QUOTE="Macutchi"]so the game rewards effort and committment and allows you to try out new skills without having to restart and play through all the same missions again? hardly a bad thing. you must have to play for a hell of a long time to do all that by the way because im level 30, a member of just one guild and havent got a single skill to 100 yet.Macutchi

Do you know why no RPG (except Bethesda games) allow you to max out all of your skills? It's because you turn into an unstoppable powerhouse in the process. This is called a "horribly unbalanced game" and results in a lack of any significant challenge. Allowing every skill to hit 100 for one character indicates sh**ty RPG mechanics, which is what Skyrim has. Also, I've got pickpocketing at 100 and it's very easy to do this - just go up to random people and steal everything you can find. If you get caught, reload. Similarly, smithing is damn easy to level up since all you need is raw materials and something to make items with.

my point is it will take you a ridiculous amount of playing time to max out all your skills but if players want to put that amount of time into the game with one character they can. if they dont they can start over with a new race and set of skills and do it all again. this is not a multiplayer game so perfect balancing issues aren't overly important.

so it is not a "horribly unbalanced game" - that's something you've just made up to try and prove your point

Yes they are, singleplayer games still have to be balanced - you can't honestly tell me that you didn't know this :|. And you don't need to max out ALL your skills for the character to be ridiculously overpowered. Hell, maxing out even HALF of them is ridiculous enough. You can't even DO that in other RPGs because they're designed to limit your skill points, which is how it's done properly. Screw that, maxing out pickpocketing alone is already gamebreakingly ludicrous because I can pickpocket jewelry from random retards without so much as having to go behind them.

It is horribly unbalanced if you can go through enemies like wet paper. You failed to counter the fact that you can get to this power level, so your idea that I invented that is ironically something you pulled out of your ass.

I gotta Skyrim is an amazing game, I'm kinda burnt out on it atm with 80 hours playtime but that could due to lag on my laptop.

A tip for Besetha in the future though, don't use a voice actor with a distinctive voice several times.

999realthings

True haha. They used 72 voice actors. Imho, they should have at least used 120 actors. I'm sure they could have hired some more if they wanted to.

Yes they are, singleplayer games still have to be balanced - you can't honestly tell me that you didn't know this :|. And you don't need to max out ALL your skills for the character to be ridiculously overpowered. Hell, maxing out even HALF of them is ridiculous enough. You can't even DO that in other RPGs because they're designed to limit your skill points, which is how it's done properly. Screw that, maxing out pickpocketing alone is already gamebreakingly ludicrous because I can pickpocket jewelry from random retards without so much as having to go behind them.

It is horribly unbalanced if you can go through enemies like wet paper. You failed to counter the fact that you can get to this power level, so your idea that I invented that is ironically something you pulled out of your ass.

Barbariser

you must have sunk a lot of hours into this "horribly unbalanced" game that you're so critical of to get to that kind of level

[QUOTE="Barbariser"]

Yes they are, singleplayer games still have to be balanced - you can't honestly tell me that you didn't know this :|. And you don't need to max out ALL your skills for the character to be ridiculously overpowered. Hell, maxing out even HALF of them is ridiculous enough. You can't even DO that in other RPGs because they're designed to limit your skill points, which is how it's done properly. Screw that, maxing out pickpocketing alone is already gamebreakingly ludicrous because I can pickpocket jewelry from random retards without so much as having to go behind them.

It is horribly unbalanced if you can go through enemies like wet paper. You failed to counter the fact that you can get to this power level, so your idea that I invented that is ironically something you pulled out of your ass.

Macutchi

you must have sunk a lot of hours into this "horribly unbalanced" game that you're so critical of to get to that kind of level

Yes because obviously I only criticize games that I don't think are worth playing. :roll:

[QUOTE="Cranler"][QUOTE="Ragingbear505"]

Mount and Blade

Arthur96

Errr, maybe because Mount and Blade isn't even a story driven RPG?

I certainly love the combat in M&B.

As in all TES games, you have to restrain yourself or you become the god of *insert skill*. Either that or you spread your efforts across all skills and every fight turns into a boss battle.

I don't see how that's a bad thing.

Skyrim isn't a story driven RPG.

bussinrounds

What? How is it not? Because it's open ended? I wouldn't care about continuing any of the quests for either the main line or faction based if I didn't want to know what's going on.

[QUOTE="Macutchi"]

[QUOTE="Barbariser"]

Do you know why no RPG (except Bethesda games) allow you to max out all of your skills? It's because you turn into an unstoppable powerhouse in the process. This is called a "horribly unbalanced game" and results in a lack of any significant challenge. Allowing every skill to hit 100 for one character indicates sh**ty RPG mechanics, which is what Skyrim has. Also, I've got pickpocketing at 100 and it's very easy to do this - just go up to random people and steal everything you can find. If you get caught, reload. Similarly, smithing is damn easy to level up since all you need is raw materials and something to make items with.

Barbariser

my point is it will take you a ridiculous amount of playing time to max out all your skills but if players want to put that amount of time into the game with one character they can. if they dont they can start over with a new race and set of skills and do it all again. this is not a multiplayer game so perfect balancing issues aren't overly important.

so it is not a "horribly unbalanced game" - that's something you've just made up to try and prove your point

Yes they are, singleplayer games still have to be balanced - you can't honestly tell me that you didn't know this :|. And you don't need to max out ALL your skills for the character to be ridiculously overpowered. Hell, maxing out even HALF of them is ridiculous enough. You can't even DO that in other RPGs because they're designed to limit your skill points, which is how it's done properly. Screw that, maxing out pickpocketing alone is already gamebreakingly ludicrous because I can pickpocket jewelry from random retards without so much as having to go behind them.

It is horribly unbalanced if you can go through enemies like wet paper. You failed to counter the fact that you can get to this power level, so your idea that I invented that is ironically something you pulled out of your ass.

Your wrong about being able to max out with one character. There isn't enough perk points to max out your character in every tree. You can try and make a character that can do everything but, he won't be that strong. You will need to focus your perks to the type of character you want in order to really get a powerful character.

It's a lot more balanced then it was with Morrowind. In Skyrim they have caps on resists levels at 85%. You can also only use the trainer 5 times per level. It's not perfect but, it's a lot better now.

As for balanced issues? I don't see the problem with maxing out a character. It's not like you can max it out after 20 hours. This will take upward of a 100+ hours to do even when focused on. If you're not focused on it and just playing the game you can easily hit 200+ hours and not be maxed out.

There are also millions of RPGs where you can do this. Most of the RPGs where you can't max out let you have multiple characters in a group. So in essensce you still are maxing out because you have a character for each class. Skyrim is only one character.

^Lol wall of hate

I have to admit: I was disappointed with the main quest. So much potential gone to waste.

But other than that, I probably have 80+ hours of gameplay, everything else is really addictive and fun.

Your wrong about being able to max out with one character. There isn't enough perk points to max out your character in every tree. You can try and make a character that can do everything but, he won't be that strong. You will need to focus your perks to the type of character you want in order to really get a powerful character.

It's a lot more balanced then it was with Morrowind. In Skyrim they have caps on resists levels at 85%. You can also only use the trainer 5 times per level. It's not perfect but, it's a lot better now.

As for balanced issues? I don't see the problem with maxing out a character. It's not like you can max it out after 20 hours. This will take upward of a 100+ hours to do even when focused on. If you're not focused on it and just playing the game you can easily hit 200+ hours and not be maxed out.

There are also millions of RPGs where you can do this. Most of the RPGs where you can't max out let you have multiple characters in a group. So in essensce you still are maxing out because you have a character for each class. Skyrim is only one character.

sleepingzzz

I said maxed out skills, not maxed out perk trees. I know that you've only got an 81 perk limit to spend on anything. And so what if it "takes a long time"? Does it make a difference when at the end you're still a Mary Sue that can crush any other foe in your path? I've never heard of an RPG (millions of them? There aren't so much as a million games in existence!) that allows you to "max" out your skills using companions, because for one thing you can't have more than a handful of them at any one time and the number of available companions tends to get badly outweighed by the number of available skills. Also, Skyrim actually has companions if you didn't notice. :|

Nope, SWTOR.

[QUOTE="sleepingzzz"]

Your wrong about being able to max out with one character. There isn't enough perk points to max out your character in every tree. You can try and make a character that can do everything but, he won't be that strong. You will need to focus your perks to the type of character you want in order to really get a powerful character.

It's a lot more balanced then it was with Morrowind. In Skyrim they have caps on resists levels at 85%. You can also only use the trainer 5 times per level. It's not perfect but, it's a lot better now.

As for balanced issues? I don't see the problem with maxing out a character. It's not like you can max it out after 20 hours. This will take upward of a 100+ hours to do even when focused on. If you're not focused on it and just playing the game you can easily hit 200+ hours and not be maxed out.

There are also millions of RPGs where you can do this. Most of the RPGs where you can't max out let you have multiple characters in a group. So in essensce you still are maxing out because you have a character for each class. Skyrim is only one character.

Barbariser

I said maxed out skills, not maxed out perk trees. I know that you've only got an 81 perk limit to spend on anything. And so what if it "takes a long time"? Does it make a difference when at the end you're still a Mary Sue that can crush any other foe in your path? I've never heard of an RPG (millions of them? There aren't so much as a million games in existence!) that allows you to "max" out your skills using companions, because for one thing you can't have more than a handful of them at any one time and the number of available companions tends to get badly outweighed by the number of available skills. Also, Skyrim actually has companions if you didn't notice. :|

When I said millions I don't litterally mean that there are millions of RPGs. It's like when a mother says, "I've warned you a million times before." It's just figurative language. That should be some thing that a 10 year old would be able to understand. Am I giving you too much credit?

Companions? You're are really desperate if you bring up companions. You can't control companions or adjust any of their stats. They don't even level up. They serve next to no purpose in the game except to give your character a walking storage chest.

How are companions going to compare to like a group member in DAO? My rogue in that game could just about one shot every non boss npc. Don't even let me get started on my mage.