Alright, perhaps I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about. How do the marketing people work on the game?
The difference is mostly that I don’t stay up wwwwwaaaaaay too late finishing a movie and then also sit through the credits out of gamer-dork duty. When I’m so tired I could start crying like a toddler, compelled by OCD to witness an entire list of credits set to awful music, I nerdrage at the marketers whose number is beyond counting. If it’s late and I’m watching a movie, I go to bed. That’s the difference! (Some might find my complaints unreasonable.)
Sarkus
1802
Ahh, so this is one of those “it’s really my fault not anyone else” type of complaints. Got it.
;-)
Depends on the game, depends on the marketing. But aside from being the ones who get your game to sell (just as important as the actual making of the game, really), they often can have direct contribution, whether it’s organizing playtests, or soliciting gamer feedback throughout development that directly contributes to changing aspects of the title. So, yeah, they may not touch code and data, but they can influence development.
Dragon age completed in 35 minutes. Says “No Cheating” on that page, but lol. Maybe it’s in the “rules”, but I lost count of how many times he used an exploit.
Alright, I finished the game on Monday (And loved it enough I am going to start Awakenings today). I know this isn’t a spoiler thread, so suffice it to say this was my favorite old-school style RPG since Icewind Dale (or Baldurs Gate II Throne of Bhaal, I don’t remember what was released last). I am not sure I would put it above Mass Effect 2 or KOTOR on my RPG of the last decade list, but I thought it was a phenomenal game.
The graphics were great on my PC, I found the combat fun and engaging, though the tactics system and AI really didn’t work well and I wanted to be able to queue up actions. The story was excellent, well written, and the game world was so well fleshed out and detailed it was kind of staggering.
I ended up with a high dex dual wield warrior who was enormously powerful, but magic clearly rules the game. Even with tons of resistances my party still nearly insta-died everytime an enemy mage successfully got off chain lightning, and I was able to combo Morrigan and Wynne into nearly constantly having AOE spells blanket the battelfield. Anyways, might jumpt into the spoiler thread later, but after all this wanted to say how much I enjoyed the game.
I also really enjoyed the DLC, though I haven’t played Lelian’s Song yet. In terms of the expansion, is there any story reasons that would make it better for me to import a character rather than start a new one? I think I want to try some of the rogue talent trees this time around (or mage even, if I want to easymode!!).
Starting a new class is a tough call. I think we discussed it earlier. They add some decent talents to all the classes, and it’s fun watching your character obliterate everything since most of the expansion is relatively easy. But it’s probably easy to switch a dual wield warrior to a dual wield rogue for a few new options.
I’m going through the same debate, myself, and here’s what I’ve read if it’s of any help:
Importing gives you some benefits -
*If your level is higher than 18, that’s where you start. Otherwise, a new character (or one that is imported at a lower level) begins at 18.
*You get to see how your decisions in Origins play out further down the line, as opposed to “generic” decisions that perehaps weren’t those you would have chosen.
*You also get some of the Origins-specific DLC equipment that carries over (from Return to Ostagar) as well as much of your standard equipment.
I’ve started up a dual-wield rogue in the base game just to get a taste of it, and I have to say the experience has been quite fun.
If you haven’t played as a mage, I suggest at least going through the Origins story (if not the whole game) so you can better appreciate their situation should you think you might pick up a staff later on.
For those that have yet to pick this up (or are waiting, for whatever reason, on picking up Awakening and/or DLC) there’s an Ultimate Edition on it’s way for all platforms, if that store listing is any indication (the one linked is the PC, but PS3 and 360 are also listed).
For me, this put a big hold on purchasing the expansion again. Considering my local Gamestop/EB Games is selling Awakening for $45 CDN still, I might just go ahead and get the whole package in October again if the price is little different.
I ended up just importing my warrior. He was too awesome to leave behind. Anyways, I played about half hour, but have decided I need a break from DA-as much as I am enjoying it-so I don’t overdose on hardcore RPG! I will probably finish it up in a month or two.
I tried replaying this with a mage. But I just couldn’t do it. I finished Ostagar and I’m calling it.
The combat mechanics are just not that good. The only fun is placing my fireball and after it goes off, it’s back to the same old boring combat.
And, Maker’s balls, but I just cannot stand the huge religious overtones to everything in the game.
I was able to suffer though it all once, but not a second time.
Odd and serious question because I never played it from the angle in question: don’t most religious oriented conversations in the game have an option of essentially scoffing at people’s faith? How do those tend to work out?
Anyway, I rather liked playing as a mage, but to each their own.
This would be me. A friend loaned me the 360 version and I put about 10 hours into it and although it never really hooked me like Baldur’s Gate 2 (but really, not many RPGs have anyway) it was enjoyable and it definitely felt more like those Bioware classics than KOTOR, Jade Empire or ME.
Still have it but got stuck somewhere and haven’t gotten back to it. I will say the difficulty is all over the place. One battle will be a cakewalk, the other so ridiculous I have to set the difficulty to EASY. Same with the “boss” battles.
Also not happy about the way it looks. I’m no graphics whore (still have Arcanum on my HD and recently got the Might & Magic 1 - 6 compilation off GoG) but it just looks so bland on the 360 - plus the interface is annoying me so I’m just going to get the PC version.
All this talk about the sequel had me going back to finally pick up the Awakening DLC. Haven’t started it yet as I did some of the origins I’d never tried to get the hang of things again. Man, I wish I’d done the Dwarf Royalty origin now. I know I wouldn’t have patience to play through the whole thing again but man that was fun. Everyone kissing up or, even, passing out. Throwing events in my honor. A worthy sidekick/adviser. It was always fun playing stupid and asking him for advice. Or telling him to address the commoner talking to me rather than my doing it myself.
And the origin story was much better compared to a couple of the others (I’m looking at you Dalish elf). I’m left with plenty of unfinished personal business to go about beyond this Warden stuff. I’m also curious to see how he interacts with the NPCs.
But I’d like to see Awakening so I’ll go back to my trusty City Elf Rogue/Bard tonight.
Sarkus
1814
Another DLC announced today, and this one is apparently the long-demanded resolution (of some kind) of the Morrigan story. Some sources also say this will be the last DLC, coming out as it is before the “all in one” package this September.
Ah i was thinking this was going to be finished in Dragon Age 2.
Sarkus
1816
That’s why I say “of some kind.” They’ve already revealed that Flemeth will make an appearence in DA2 and hinted that Morrigan will as well, but there was a lot of angsty complaining from the “romance in my RPG!” fans who wanted some sort of resolution about their character and Morrigan.
I’m mainly interested in seeing how they handle the “god baby” thing.
I am pretty sad about the DLC as a whole, though. What I’ve bought has been generally overpriced and not at all along the lines of what they promised (IMHO) prior to release. Whether that’s because of what they perceive to be the desires of the vocal fanbase or other reasons, it’s too bad because what they promised would have been a pretty cool approach.
Actually looking forward to this one a lot. My first and favorite playthrough romanced Morigann and got “the ending.” I would have preferred that the resulting events (which seemed to have the potential to be hugely interesting) were DA2 instead of the console version it is, but beggars can’t be choosers.
I will very likely buy it even though i’m pissed at bioware for releasing almost entirely all very short, overpriced DLC.
I’m still waiting for the Ultimate Collection release, in the hope that it’ll contain everything in one package. At least I won’t feel that I’ve been dollar-picked to death if it’s all at once, even if it’s the same price as everything separate.
As it turns out I could and did replay through as Dwarven royalty. A not very compassionate guy who’s responsible for unleashing a dragon and her cult along with some crazy-ass werewolves and their nymphy boss lady on the unsuspecting public. Oh, well.
As for short DLC, I dunno. I’ve spent much of the time after finishing the campaign just starting Awakening and messing around with a new high level character. FYI, if you don’t load your old character you’re assumed to be a new Warden commander sent from Orlais (along with a small contingent of Orlaisian wardens that preceded him or her to The Vigil keep).
I’ve messed around with lots of different builds and spells just to see what I missed just playing the main game. Finally, I’ve settled into a Spirit focused Mage, powers I’d barely even messed with before, and she’s too much fun. “Oh, how adorable, the darkspawn brought an Emissary.” his head explodes in a wave of Mana Clash And an Ogre. freezes dead in his tracks trapped in a Crushing Prison. “Time for tea.”
I’m almost certainly going to pick up the Leliana DLC as she’s just a charming character. Morrigan’s my favorite though. She’s just an intense mix of arch, unflappable, bitch and terribly emotionally vulnerable and socially uncertain, thus prickly, soul. I did start one Awakening replay with my original Elf Rogue, good guy, character. As I was looking through my inventory I found a note from Leliana, his paramour, explaining what she was up to and wishing she was at my new assignment with me. That was a nice touch! I wonder how much more content is channeled through a previous playthrough and into Awakenings. May find out one day.
I enjoyed Dragon Age a great deal when I first played it and it’s only growing on me as I mess around with the DLC stuff and the odd replay. I will be pacing out acquiring new DLC now I’ve worked through Return to Ostragar and I’m getting through Awakening. Too much of anything at one time will burn a guy out.
Marcus
1820
I finally started playing this last week and I’m playing a mage who just got to Denerim but why the hell does my mage die almost every fight? My warrior can’t seem to keep aggro on anything for the life of him. I think I am just doing it wrong.
I did play both Warden’s Keep and Return to Ostagar this weekend, and I enjoyed them both a lot. Not sure they were worth the money, but the items you get are crucial for playing on Hard, and I enjoyed the content quite a bit.
I also just got done playing them and they were pretty good all in all.
