A bit of background: I'm probably one of the most unadept gamers out there. I don't "see" tactics, I have a hard time predicting where things will go wrong before I leap into the mess, and despite the fact that I type 114 WPM, I'm slower than molasses in the middle of winter. I actually click and pause my way through battle. The only other combat-oriented game I've ever played was Oblivion, which I loved. I spent the better part of a year playing that game into... well... Oblivion. I have also played various Civ. games and the original and second Sims. I approached a fellow Oblivion player who recommended Dragon Age because of the heavy RP component. A million years ago when I was a young ponytailed college girl I played Vampire: The Masquerade, and my Oblivion friend stopped laughing long enough when he found that out to point me in the direction of Dragon Age.
So here I am.
Here's what I loved!
My PC. Human Warrior Noble. Her little on-line cameo doesn't really look like her in the game, but I had a blast designing her appearance and voice. She is as real to me as anything. I decided to go with my own instincts rather than develop an actual "character" which I may do the next time. She was fair, just, and unless she was speaking with Alistair, preferred little to no chit chat. Kill, romance Alistair, repeat.
So here's where I get to talk about Alistair: I love Alistair! I didn't at first, but he promptly grew on me. I don't remember what it was that turned the tide... perhaps a selfish desire to be queen, but whatever it was, I was so drawn to him that I almost never did anything without him in the party. I posted about this before, but it was a bitter pill to take when he kicked my PC to the curb when she didn't insist she rule beside him. I was so upset! The last time I got "upset" over a game when I was 11 and lassoed the Nintendo controller and slammed it into the TV when I got killed by Bullet Bill. Anyway, I was so relieved to see that many players felt the same sense of betrayal. I was wisely directed on the boards to reload, so I did, but I admit I held a grudge against ol' Alistair. Whenever leaving an area, my PC deliberately clipped him in the shoulder as she ran by. I gave him the dumbest looking helmet I could find. That'll teach him.
The characters: I loved all of the characters and found none of them annoying. Morrigan was a bit tiresome at times, however, after getting to know her story, it all connected. Wynne was my second favorite to Alistair. Smart, reliable, and a moral compass. The voice acting of each character was very good (except Dog barks too much), and I particularly loved the voices of Alistair and Leliana. Giving them gifts was always amusing. I did not play often with Sten, Zen, or Leliana, but I will the next time.
The storyline and combat: Deep, involved, complex, and even funny at times. The combat for an inexperienced gamer like me was very difficult in many cases, but simple in others. I was able to practice a lot with the random encounters. I got my rear-end handed to me more times than I can remember when fighting the broodmother. The posters on-line were extremely insightful and helpful in my plight, and without that advice I would probably still be stuck there. A particular favorite was killing ogres... I loved seeing my PC climb up their torsos and spear their heads to the ground. I have to mention how much I loved being a golem. I relate to being a golem. I'd love to show up to my classroom where I teach as a golem (but a short one).
The end: A very, very satisfying end for me. I'm very particular about endings in books and movies, and I was content with the game's ending. The angst I endured thanks to Alistair was redeemed at the very end. I loved the camera work at the end, how he was looking at the "camera" vs. facing the PC. It is difficult to explain, but my reaction was the kind that made my husband roll his eyes and toss his hands up.
As for what I didn't love? It isn't worth mentioning.
My next run-through I will do something totally different and will shift my focus entirely. I can't wait!
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