Dragon Age

I'm glad to hear that the PC and console versions will have different combat systems. The console version's interface makes it impossible to micromanage, making playing on difficulties above casual far more of a pain then it should be.

While I'm optimistic about Hawke, I'm a bit annoyed at the inclusion of Mass Effect's dialogue wheel, as I get frustrated whenever a seemingly mundane option causes Shepard to snap at someone. Hopefully the use of symbols instead of phrases will make the results more clear.

edited 10th Jul '10 11:49:26 AM by lrrose

Meh. They should do it like Jade Empire. Hovering over a certain dialogue choice would change the character's facial expression to match the tone of what will be said.

edited 10th Jul '10 12:15:47 PM by BlackVion

I don't see what the problem is with the wheel? I mean, it's exactly the same as a menu, just laid out differently in a way that is convenient for analog sticks.

MY personal problem with the wheel is that it condenses a few sentences into one or two words that have nothing to do with the original sentance and doesn't give any context.

Care to give some examples? I've never really had any problems with the dialogue wheel, myself.

^When Avina tells you about the Rachni Wars, picking the option "Sounds like a vicious cycle", causes Shepard to accuse the Turians of being the next big threat to galactic peace. The option is in the upper left corner which is typically where Paragon or neutral responses are.

...Oh! I remember that. Kinda threw me off, too.

But a few cases between two games isn't really enough to cause me to worry.

First two◊ screenshots◊.

Meh.

edited 13th Jul '10 12:20:44 AM by WUE

Hm. Looks like they tried to make the Darkspawn more human, maybe more likable? Hm. Do not know if want.

I was really excited about DA when it came out but after I got stuck with the Dwarven quest bugs (The one where you side with both sides and you can't finish the quest) I just gave up :\

^^ Is the graphics setting turned down to "lowest" in those? 0_o

^ They are most probably screens from a very early build. Sloppy marketing, but hey, what can you do? What really bothers me is the new 'art style'. It looks awful imho.

That must be an early build, as it looks even worse than DA with the lowest settings does.

Given that Mass Effect is my favourite game and that I persist with my playthrough of Dragon Age out of a sense of masochism and duty, I am pleased to hear of the possibility of a Dragon Age sequel I might actually enjoy.

Since so far it seems they've addressed almost everything I've hated. Namely: - Playing an AFGNCAAP and thus being a big ball of bland compared to your squadmates. - The plot being so ridiculously railroady. - The combat system being no fun at all (The Baldurs Gate nostalgia brigade gets no love from me, most people, myself included, hate the interface)

So being able to have a properly actiony game where I get to play a real character rather than this vaguely defined avatar who messes with history sounds far more appealing.

I fucking LOATHE twitch-fests. Give me a good strategy game any day.

Turn based is good, but if I can't have that, real-time with pause is fun.

^^ Most, meaning, you've conducted some well-documented research with at least 1000 people chosen from all segments of the population? But please, indulge in that kind of hyperbole, I love it.

I mean, I can understand not liking the system, but that's why they have two franchises. To cater to different folks. Trying to do the same thing with every game isn't good, and fortunately Bioware understands it since they're keeping the same combat system (hopefully fixing the awful balance, but then again, Bioware never has been particularly good at combat so..).

Also, care to elaborate on the ridiculous railroad-y plot? It's not like Mass Effect was some kind of freeform adventure full of choices with consequences (hint : there were choices) (second hint : no consequences).

I liked the interface, although it had a handful of issues. I'm more annoyed at the pitifully small number of talents and spells in the game.

All you needed was Cone of Ice or whatever it was called.

It could freeze everything.

...I liked the way the darkspawn looked in the first game. That's just an epic fail on the designer's part. But I wonder where you are that involves a desert...

^ Free Marches.

If you ever want an elaboration of what annoys me about Dragon Age, just read my Let's Play. I spend most of it snarking about things that annoy me.

BTW you're probably going to facepalm because I don't play the game very well.

One of the things I loved and hated about the first game was the customization. Yes, I loved spending about half an hour delicately crafting an avatar, but I hated that they didn't talk. I know, I know, it sounds like a really stupid complaint, but it just game me the impression that they had no personality. Sure, I was playing this guy as an aloof rogue who would open up if only someone would reach out to him, but he didn't feel like it. He didn't feel like anything.

So with Hawke being fully voiced, but less customizable, I'm not sure how to feel about it yet.

I expect nothing less than a stellar game from Bioware, but I think I'll just wait and see.

I'm fine with human-only. I only really want a game with more variety in terms of character build. I mean, Dragon Age: Origins had mages (Which are probably the most customisable characters, but still very few worthwhile options), four types of warriors, melee rogues, and ranged rogues (Which are totally pointless because hey no backstabs). On top of that there are the specialisation classes, which are largely only worthwhile because of how obscenely powerful they can be.

Ugh, Bioware, you're killing me here. I love Mass Effect 2 but I don't need DA 2 to be its clone. They're doing away with everything that made them distinct.

Of course, I'll be first in line at gamestop anyway...

^ I actually find the fear of having 'Mass Effect 2 WITH DRAGONS' unjustified. They're keeping the same battle system from Dragon Age (well.. for PC at least), they're doing a completely different narrative. The only similarities so far are the fact that they're using a more defined protagonist with the dialogue wheel.

@Korgmeister : I don't usually laugh at people sucking at a game since I suck at.. well, almost everything that requires twitchy gameplay. But the idea of Dragon Age going in the Mass Effect direction ticks me off a bit (mainly because, as I think I've stressed enough times already, I like variety in my rpgs, and Bioware already lacks it in a lot of ways unfortunately), so sorry if I came off as rude and condescending.

Dammit, looks as if I am going to have to Complete DA:O in order to get the most out of this sequel.

If I decide to get it at all, DA:O bugged the HELL out of me on consoles.