Realmzmaster wrote...
What you are talking about is the illusion of choice. Choices that bring you to the same point or conclusion is not really a choice. A difference that makes no difference is no difference.
What I was talking about was how they could have thrown in more role-playing even within the limitations that for some reason they made for themselves. Posters sometimes point out how it was a set up for another game, or a narrative etc. That's all well and good, but even within those parameters, it would have been possible to add choice for role playing satisfaction.
Personally, I didn't care for the framed narrative idea, and didn't care for the notion of being some schmoe who made a bunch of money and bought a nice house and ran around Kirkwall for no better reason than she couldn't be bothered to leave. But... even within that setting, they could have made a better game.
Everything in a video game is an illusion of choice. None of them are entirely open ended - the game doesn't magically write new content as the player moves through the scenes. But, you can guilde the player to one - or one of several - endings without removing all choice.
The example I gave from DA:O demonstrates that. There was only one outcome really, but you could play a bold character or a cautious one. You could play a tactical savant or just try to plow your way through the battle and get beaten. You could role play.
It's very hard for me to role play Hawke.
There were too many scenes where the action/dialogue that I needed for my particular Hawke wasn't available. I'm sure there were cases in DA:O too, but they were smaller and had better explanations. By which I mean, sure, you could play a Cousland who really didn't want to join the Wardens, but then Duncan has no reason to save your butt. So, play along and get saved or turn off the game and assume your character died. At least there was a reason.
In the end, DA2 had the same replayability for me as watching a decent movie. If you're in the mood for that movie, then boot it up and spend some time. It's entertaining. On normal difficulty it isn't hugely challenging, so it's just like rewatching a popcorn movie except occasionally you stumble across a new line of dialogue. It's not bad, and I don't hate it by any means.
It could have been great though. DA:O showed that the team knows how to make a great game.