Dragon Age II

[Pyropyro]

So my friend lent me his gaming laptop for a few weeks. He asked me to buff his Skyrim character (which I did) but it seems that I enjoyed his other games like Dragon Age II more. (oddly I haven't seen the first game yet)

Anyways, I really enjoy the stories spun by Bioware and this is no exception. The gameplay itself isn't that good but it's tolerable enough once you've immersed yourself. I think they tried to do a Grey and Grey morality in this game but failed a bit. It's really easy to see Mages as the "good" faction in this setting. Come on! years of gaming have conditioned me to think Templar = Evil secret society.

As for the romance options, I find the selection rather limited. I only found Merril to my liking because how her voice actor delivered her story. Of course being associated with Blood magic scores a lot of points for me.

 

[Rook]

The story is good, though the only roleplaying element is in dialogue and the options you make. This is where bethesda trumps bioware. I did read, though, that they are considering using skyrim-like mechanics for the next dragon age.

 

[Pyropyro]

The story is good, though the only roleplaying element is in dialogue and the options you make. This is where bethesda trumps bioware. I did read, though that they are considering using skyrim-like mechanics for the next dragon age.

Oh... then it's worth the wait then

 

[TheScornedReflex]

Dragon Age 1 is far better

 

[Pyropyro]

Dragon Age 1 is far better

So they say at the forums as well. It seems that DA II was unable to live up to the original. I've got to play DA I first though so I can judge the two games myself.

 

[Jennywocky]

I played both and was a fan of DAO. One issue was that they are different games, mechanically, and DAO was designed for PC while DA2 seemed designed for console. I thought it looked pretty and had smooth gameplay, and the game felt "faster" if that makes sense; but the replay value was limited compared with DAO. I had replayed DAO a few times and tried lots of different sorts of characters, while with DA2 I tried to replay and got bored quickly.

I did think Kate Mulgrew's performance in DA2 was better edited and didn't feel as "choppy" dramatically. in the first one, her delivered lines felt rather cobbled together for her and didn't flow as well when assembled.

 

[Cherry Cola]

^Very different games, Dragon Age 2 had a better combat system and graphics, but the combat systems potential was partly wasted because you had to fight through waves of trash mobs every battle which got boring quickly, likewise with the graphics they too were wasted because of the reused environments. But, if you don't compare it to the original then Dragon Age 2 is still quite a solid game.

The two story DLC's for Dragon Age 2 are great though, they sort of hint at how the good the game could've been if it hadn't been rushed.

 

[Jennywocky]

^Very different games, Dragon Age 2 had a better combat system and graphics, but the combat systems potential was partly wasted because you had to fight through waves of trash mobs every battle which got boring quickly, likewise with the graphics they too were wasted because of the reused environments. But, if you don't compare it to the original then Dragon Age 2 is still quite a solid game.

Yes, I consider much of the backlash against DA2 to be a result of poor marketing to the prior userbase. It's not a bad game in itself, but its target audience isn't necessarily the userbase that was built with DAO.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Bio Ware ended on Jade Empire, their first failed game. Afterwards, every consecutive game is worse than the predecessors.

If you like the story and characters and you don't mind poor graphics or UI then Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights series with KotOR are the best selections from BioWare

 

[Cherry Cola]

Jade Empire better than Dragon Age Origins? No, just no.

 

[Jennywocky]

KOTOR 1 & 2 are my favorite BioWare games altogether, I think; but if you play KOTOR2, you should download the Restored Content mod.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=swkoto...=-1&sk=&cvid=c1aec697a26943f9b57e92015a335dd7

Basically, the game was still good but it was obviously rushed, pieces were missing/excised, and the endgame story had huge holes in it / didn't feel complete. This was because they were rushing to make a release date. Knowledgeable programmer fans over the next few years either went in and found the cordoned-off blocks of code and restored the material to the game OR they recreated some dialogue and pieces of game to fill in the thin areas. [For example, they added the Hunter-Droid factory back in -- its location geographically was obvious -- and now you can complete that part of the story using the assassin droid in your crew.]

I think the Restored Content mod makes the game far more complete.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Jade Empire better than Dragon Age Origins? No, just no.

It was slightly more bad, I didn't like Jade Empire, but the setting was enough to make me play to the end of the game, whereas I didn't even finish playing DAge, I sold it to my friend for 10$.

I remember the epic moment when I gave the bone that was supposed for my dog to the Morrigan, or whatever her name was. This is not how you make a romantic plot in an rpg game, with gifts n' shit.

I was hyped, because it was supposed to be a "spiritual successor to the BGate" but I got a linear game with a standard "outcast/branded" plot.

 

[Jennywocky]

I remember the epic moment when I gave the bone that was supposed for my dog to the Morrigan, or whatever her name was. This is not how you make a romantic plot in an rpg game, with gifts n' shit.

If you were handing doggie bones to Morrigan, you're lucky she didn't castrate you on the spot.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

KOTOR 1 & 2 are my favorite BioWare games altogether, I think; but if you play KOTOR2, you should download the Restored Content mod.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=swkoto...=-1&sk=&cvid=c1aec697a26943f9b57e92015a335dd7

Basically, the game was still good but it was obviously rushed, pieces were missing/excised, and the endgame story had huge holes in it / didn't feel complete. This was because they were rushing to make a release date. Knowledgeable programmer fans over the next few years either went in and found the cordoned-off blocks of code and restored the material to the game OR they recreated some dialogue and pieces of game to fill in the thin areas. [For example, they added the Hunter-Droid factory back in -- its location geographically was obvious -- and now you can complete that part of the story using the assassin droid in your crew.]

I think the Restored Content mod makes the game far more complete.

If I remember correctly KotOR 2 is not from BioWare, still a good game.

BioWare is an example of the company that went corporate and changed their business model to make money to make more money instead of making money to make games.

 

[Jennywocky]

If I remember correctly KotOR 2 is not from BioWare, still a good game.

I don't remember, I know they did the first one. The second one might have been subcontracted out by them or something....

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

If you were handing doggie bones to Morrigan, you're lucky she didn't castrate you on the spot.

In the earlier BioWare games I could have killed her on the spot. I think attacking NPC's became impossible in DAge, shame. She'd suffer.

I don't usually play the evil guy, but if I don't like an NPC I can end that miserable life if I wish to. Then I am fine with being chased by the whole village.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Kotor 2 like NWN 2 was done by Obsidian, a superior developer in most respects, especially nowadays.

 

[Jennywocky]

In the earlier BioWare games I could have killed her on the spot. I think attacking NPC's became impossible in DAge, shame. She'd suffer.

Awwww.... but why would you want to? Morrigan was probably my favorite NPC character, overall -- although I think many of them were well-done. (Even Wynne, the ESFJ, although she annoyed the crap out of me; I understood how she thought.)

I hated that dwarf, though. I wish I could have killed him. ARrrg.

I don't usually play the evil guy, but if I don't like an NPC I can end that miserable life if I wish to. Then I am fine with being chased by the whole village.

One reason I liked playing KOTOR 1&2 + TOR is for the Dark Side pts.

Played a Marauder the whole way through TOR to max out Dark Side and that was the funnest thing I think I've ever played, although I'm not really evil IRL.

EDIT: ANyhoo:
http://www.dragonage.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Age_III

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Awwww.... but why would you want to? Morrigan was probably my favorite NPC character, overall -- although I think many of them were well-done. (Even Wynne, the ESFJ, although she annoyed the crap out of me; I understood how she thought.)

I hated that dwarf, though. I wish I could have killed him. ARrrg.

Yes, Morrigan "darky" was alright, I like that type of personality, I couldn't even be the character I want.

I would kill both the dog and the dwarf. This dog is like Jar Jar Binks to me.

One reason I liked playing KOTOR 1&2 + TOR is for the Dark Side pts.

Played a Marauder the whole way through TOR to max out Dark Side and that was the funnest thing I think I've ever played, although I'm not really evil IRL.

Haha, the instinctual desires surface, maybe you are on the dark side of the force? I like both ways, it would be nice to have a middle path, where you don't support either and use both. Like the dark and gray Jedi and other force outcasts did in the books.

Kotor 2 like NWN 2 was done by Obsidian, a superior developer in most respects, especially nowadays.

I agree. These are enjoyable games

 

[Jennywocky]

Yes, Morrigan "darky" was alright, I like that type of personality, I couldn't even be the character I want.

I would kill both the dog and the dwarf. This dog is like Jar Jar Binks to me.

Yeah, I didn't care much for the dog, although at least he didn't talk (unlike Jar Jar). Did you play with the golem at all?

Haha, the instinctual desires surface, maybe you are on the dark side of the force? I like both ways, it would be nice to have a middle path, where you don't support either and use both. Like the dark and gray Jedi and other force outcasts did in the books.

Well, my personal view is that I think both the Jedi and the Sith have issues. The Sith tend to view things in terms of power (which can lead to abuse), whereas the Jedi abandon their connections to specific individuals in order to merge with the Force and detach from those relevant passions, so they're kind of empty.

Passion is power; power is dangerous, yet passion is necessary to accomplish anything meaningful and also to feel alive. And detachment can lead to its own abuses.

I think both the Jedi and the Sith can be foolish.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Yeah, I didn't care much for the dog, although at least he didn't talk (unlike Jar Jar). Did you play with the golem at all?

I didn't download the dlc for that, yeah, dlc another reason why I dislike it, I would pay for everything upfront, but you better don't feed me dlc's.

I understand that this dlc might have been a good addition, as it is for free and expands the game, probably, I don't know more about it.

Well, my personal view is that I think both the Jedi and the Sith have issues. The Sith tend to view things in terms of power (which can lead to abuse), whereas the Jedi abandon their connections to specific individuals in order to merge with the Force and detach from those relevant passions, so they're kind of empty.

An interesting thing is that Jedi could become lovers, Traa Saa and Tholme as an example.

Jedi had rules that were too strict and wouldn't allow for progress and novelty, something that Siths brought with every war and it was an important thing.

 

[Jennywocky]

An interesting thing is that Jedi could become lovers, Traa Saa and Tholme as an example.

I don't know who they are. I assume you are pulling from either the comics, a cartoon TV show, or the expanded books that are essentially getting tossed out now that Disney is doing movies.

Jedi had rules that were too strict and wouldn't allow for progress and novelty, something that Siths brought with every war and it was an important thing.

Yup, and it reminds me kind of "The Dark Crystal" with the Mystics and the Skeksis -- each was one side of the coin but the way they're split introduces weaknesses to both, rather than the full picture.

I'm also referencing Donaldson's "Oath of Peace" in his Chronicles of Thomas Convenant -- the rules meant to prevent unnecessary violence and bloodshed also weakened the defenders of The Land so that they could not stand against the unbridled hatred of Evil. Power is always a two-edged sword, and to wield it fully, you must accept it has a destructive side.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

I don't know who they are. I assume you are pulling from either the comics, a cartoon TV show, or the expanded books that are essentially getting tossed out now that Disney is doing movies.

I'm talking old books and comics, old universe, not new disney books. I didn't read many books but these are the canonic ones, although the amount was pretty commercial.

I'm also referencing Donaldson's "Oath of Peace" in his Chronicles of Thomas Convenant -- the rules meant to prevent unnecessary violence and bloodshed also weakened the defenders of The Land so that they could not stand against the unbridled hatred of Evil. Power is always a two-edged sword, and to wield it fully, you must accept it has a destructive side.

I partially disagree, it just means that neither of the sides was strong enough to win without compromising on their "style". Overspecialisation is death. I mean, to win by the sheer chaos or law you have to overpower your enemies significantly, I'd say it is easier for chaos. But then chaos destroys itself.

 

[Jennywocky]

I'm talking old books and comics, old universe, not new disney books. I didn't read many books but these are the canonic ones, although the amount was pretty commercial.

Did you ever read "Splinter of the Mind's Eye?" I bought that (by Alan Dean Foster) when I was in middle school, years and years ago.

I partially disagree, it just means that neither of the sides was strong enough to win without compromising on their "style". Overspecialisation is death. I mean, to win by the sheer chaos or law you have to overpower your enemies significantly, I'd say it is easier for chaos. But then chaos destroys itself.

That's the problem with chaos. It's nature is to de-organize itself, like chewing off its own feet.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Did you ever read "Splinter of the Mind's Eye?" I bought that (by Alan Dean Foster) when I was in middle school, years and years ago.

No, Okay, it's called the Expanded Universe, so similarly, it was quite some time as I have read a few of the books from the franchise, I won't probably read any new, because it is an attempt at capitalising on the artwork of the films and artwork based on artwork has some serious quality expectations to meet on its own.

I liked the series on the "Rogue Squadron",
The guys that were mad enough to attack a death star with their x-wings and a-wings.

Wedge Antiles and a few others added great flavour to lore.

Also, regardless of how they wanted to make cash, I like many attempts at creating an expansive and detailed living universe with a history, such as Tolkein's Arda, Forgotten Realms, Star Wars universe. Some are more successful and well done and some are less, but I have drawn inspirations and used many of them for roleplaying and I must say that I like creating my own universes, however playing d20 starwars or d&d greyhawk or forgotten realms with its well-described and diverse content is admittedly fun.

 

[Pyropyro]

Okay, I'm playing DAO.

Basically DAO = core traditional RPG gamers; DAII = larger audience, including more casual gamers

I think both are actually good games in their own rights. They shouldn't have existed in the same mythos though.