99 réponses à ce sujet

[Ihatebadgames]

I'd rather they look creepy and scary than silly.Same with the demons.

[Madmoe77]

What distracted from the Origins Darkspawn was the open-can-mouth thing they did! It was reminiscent of the south park animation of Canadians having flappable heads. (No offense Canadians!)

The updated Darkspawn grew on me. They were a bit too clean though. At the very least their animations were better. Whose to say though that Darkspawn of different regions shouldn't change for being of the people there both in cultural garb and physiology.

[Amycus89]

Bail_Darilar wrote...

Hey gang I remember back when DA2 was released that there was alot of negative reception to the design they took for the darkspawn in that game. I was just wondering what peoples opinions were now that the game was released nearly two years ago and the next game in the series is coming up?

The original darkspawn design was more similar to the designs of orcs in tradition fantasy, looking more bestial and in the cases of the hurlock and genlock kinda more reptilian. In spite of their bestial design they character movements and sounds were more similar to a humanoid with the hurlock's laughing evily during battle, making them seem cold and calculated and making warcries animations simlar to beserkers. This is further reinforced by the encounters in which they would set up traps for you and try to take you out through different tactics. There was also that possible element of darkspawn religion that was hinted upon in Return to Ostagar dlc where the darkspawn had erected a crude possibly religious idol.

In DA2 the darkspawn were changed to look more skeletal. The genlocks were further changed so that instead of being just diminuitive versions of hurlocks they began to look more bestial with huge chunky arms and muscular legs. The hurlock emmissaries were made to look more lanky with bald heads rather than normal hurlocks weilding staves. All of them however had expressions  and animations that made them seem bestial, not to mention the fact that the encounters were straight up fights with not much variation.

Personally I feel the aesthetic design of the darkspawn is better in DA2. The skeletal features are more fitting the mindless horde persona the darkspawn are meant to represent and the differing character designs between each class of darkspawn also add to their individuality. However the darkspawn seemed more threatening in DAO because of the impression they gave of low level cunning and intellect and a possible culture unknown to the other races. Whenever you met a darkspawn in DAO they were in caverns with low lighting and corpses, blood, grime around them, they seemed menacing. In DA2 everything was abit too clean about them and simple.

So anyway these are my opinions, what do thers feel? Should they go with one design or the other, I mean since we are hearing from Varric's point of view they could easily retcon and go with the original designs. Or maybe they should giive the darkspawn a whole new design and explain it by saying they apparently have regional variation in their appearances due to whatever reason.

I absolutely hated and loathed the look of the hurlocks in DA2 - They didn't look threatening at all, just mindless, and dumb. Especially with their armor design, and it didn't help that they all had the exact same look, WHERE EVEN THE CHAINMAIL ON THE HEAD WAS TORN IN THE EXACT SAME WAY. I mean, I can understand that they need to reuse the sme assets, just like they didn in DA:O, but there it was at least not quite as apparent that they were all just identical clones to eachother. Go back to the DA:O version where it looked more like they were bodies were decomposing, rather than being dried out - and have a slightly less uniformal, and ridicilious armor design for them.

As for the design of the other darkspawn designa, I actually liked them more or less. It's just the hurlocks that makes me laugh to death if anything.

[Orian Tabris]

The Teryn of Whatever wrote...


Derpy Darkspawn, please.

By the gods man! They can't just come waltzing in here, like the Queen of bloody Sheba!

I wasn't expecting this, early last year!

I always thought "I oughtta make their brains bleed, those mewling ******!"

You don't do half arsed things!

What did they think the attack on Lothering was? The Invasion of Persia by Alexander the Great?

What are they? Part of some British comedy sketch!?

Modifié par Orian Tabris, 29 novembre 2012 - 05:35 .

[Orian Tabris]

Double post.

Modifié par Orian Tabris, 29 novembre 2012 - 05:35 .

[Fredward]

Actually, when you think about it, the darkspawn have NO reason to be in DAI. Origins was ALL about them, DA2 was set in the Blight's aftermath and had a forging into the Deep Roads part. Presumably DAI is largely about the mage/templar war, now if there is parts where we have to visit the Deep Roads (which there will no doubt be) THEN there can be Darkspawn. But I remember a codex entry mentioning that generations can pass where darkspawn are never seen on the surface. Considering they're still recovering from the Blight I see no reason why they SHOULD be seen on the surface.

ANYWAY I didn't mind the DA2 redesign. The genlocks were really good, as were the alphas of both. The only mildly weird one was the hurlock redesign.

[Orian Tabris]

Foopydoopydoo wrote...

Actually, when you think about it, the darkspawn have NO reason to be in DAI. Origins was ALL about them, DA2 was set in the Blight's aftermath and had a forging into the Deep Roads part. Presumably DAI is largely about the mage/templar war, now if there is parts where we have to visit the Deep Roads (which there will no doubt be) THEN there can be Darkspawn. But I remember a codex entry mentioning that generations can pass where darkspawn are never seen on the surface. Considering they're still recovering from the Blight I see no reason why they SHOULD be seen on the surface.

ANYWAY I didn't mind the DA2 redesign. The genlocks were really good, as were the alphas of both. The only mildly weird one was the hurlock redesign.

I disliked the genlock design in DA2. The genlocks (of DA:O) do need improvement, but do they have to be more mindless than even the impish hurlocks (of DA2)? Also, they looked just as stupid (as in dumb) as they acted!

The hurlock alphas were well done, and so were the hurlock emissaries, but everything else just looked they were part of the original game's concept art, and BW pulled them into the sequel! I know that the hurlock emissaries were basically pulled from the original concept art, but they were actually good.

[Fredward]

Orian Tabris wrote...
I disliked the genlock design in DA2. The genlocks (of DA:O) do need improvement, but do they have to be more mindless than even the impish hurlocks (of DA2)? Also, they looked just as stupid (as in dumb) as they acted!

The hurlock alphas were well done, and so were the hurlock emissaries, but everything else just looked they were part of the original game's concept art, and BW pulled them into the sequel! I know that the hurlock emissaries were basically pulled from the original concept art, but they were actually good.

Eh. Different strokes I suppose. xp

What I didn't like about the darkspawn in Origins was the fact that the genlocks looked like darkspawn dwarves and the hurlocks looked like human hurlocks. I mean look at what the Qunari and elves become in comparison. In DA2 the distinction for genlocks was totally there. Hurlocks still look kinda human but whatcha donna do? Also I totally missed shrieks in DA2.

[Orian Tabris]

Foopydoopydoo wrote...

Orian Tabris wrote...
I disliked the genlock design in DA2. The genlocks (of DA:O) do need improvement, but do they have to be more mindless than even the impish hurlocks (of DA2)? Also, they looked just as stupid (as in dumb) as they acted!

The hurlock alphas were well done, and so were the hurlock emissaries, but everything else just looked they were part of the original game's concept art, and BW pulled them into the sequel! I know that the hurlock emissaries were basically pulled from the original concept art, but they were actually good.

Eh. Different strokes I suppose. xp

What I didn't like about the darkspawn in Origins was the fact that the genlocks looked like darkspawn dwarves and the hurlocks looked like human hurlocks. I mean look at what the Qunari and elves become in comparison. In DA2 the distinction for genlocks was totally there. Hurlocks still look kinda human but whatcha donna do? Also I totally missed shrieks in DA2.

My sister had to point out to me, that there were no shrieks! xD I miss them too.

I just it's kind of insulting to those dwarf lovers. They can't romance Varric or Sigrun (or any dwarf), and the darkspawn version just look like bulky, mindless dogs with helmets and a shield. As I said, I think they need to be improved on, but the way BW went in DA2, just sucked.

Modifié par Orian Tabris, 29 novembre 2012 - 10:14 .

[Beeto]

What they did to the darkspawn in DA2 motivated me to retexture them, because at the start of the game, I felt more like I was fleeing midieval undead mimes than I felt like I was fleeing darkspawn.


It would be nice if they improved them somehow.  But I suspect that, IF, I get DA3 I will likely have to do it again.

Modifié par Beeto, 29 novembre 2012 - 10:37 .

[Urzon]

I always thought, during DA2, for a race of semi-immortal carnivores, they sure do have some strikenly white teeth sometimes...

I wonder if there is an awakened darkspawn wondering around the Deep Roads named The Dentist.

[Orian Tabris]

Urzon wrote...

I always thought, during DA2, for a race of semi-immortal carnivores, they sure do have some strikenly white teeth sometimes...

I wonder if there is an awakened darkspawn wondering around the Deep Roads named The Dentist.

They can't be semi-immortal. Immortal is an absolute. Either they're mortal, or they're immortal.

It's true, that they have teeth whiter than most British people. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of an awakened darkspawn named The Dentist just yet.

[SpunkyMonkey]

DA:O Dark Spawn >>>>>>>>> DA:2 Dark Spawn

DA:2 was and epic fail all round for me, and nothing embodies that more than the DS transition from gruesome, angry, aggressive monsters to the absolute joke of clown-wannabees which they became.


When the DS fist appeared on-screen in DA:2 it was a real low point in gaming for me. I was like "W.....T......F?........."

DS should look nothing like those in DA:2. They can look diffferent to DA:O  by all means, but they need to look monsterous and threatening at least.

Modifié par SpunkyMonkey, 29 novembre 2012 - 10:40 .

[Urzon]

Semi-immortal in the sense that they don't age, and they don't need food or water to survive.

The Taint provides them with all the energy their bodies need.... well forever. It also provides the energy/mana for the darkspawn's mages as well. They only way they can die is throught physical injuries, like a cave in or battle wounds of any kind.

[Lotion Soronarr]

Beeto wrote...

What they did to the darkspawn in DA2 motivated me to retexture them, because at the start of the game, I felt more like I was fleeing midieval undead mimes than I felt like I was fleeing darkspawn.


It would be nice if they improved them somehow.  But I suspect that, IF, I get DA3 I will likely have to do it again.

I approve of this change. Lots better.

[SpunkyMonkey]

Beeto wrote...

What they did to the darkspawn in DA2 motivated me to retexture them, because at the start of the game, I felt more like I was fleeing midieval undead mimes than I felt like I was fleeing darkspawn.


It would be nice if they improved them somehow.  But I suspect that, IF, I get DA3 I will likely have to do it again.

Definitely better, but still sub-standard IMO as it only addresses the skin issues. (not that it's not a great effort mind)

The armour is way to well-kept. I wouldn't think an army of underground savages would have time to maintain and repair their chainmail and swords to such high standards.

Modifié par SpunkyMonkey, 29 novembre 2012 - 11:20 .

[Frankaidenryan]

Pretty much goes to show that DA2 was a rush job and given more time, would have looked a WHOLE lot better. The DLC is already leaps ahead.

[SpunkyMonkey]

Frankaidenryan wrote...

Pretty much goes to show that DA2 was a rush job and given more time, would have looked a WHOLE lot better. The DLC is already leaps ahead.

That's my whole bemusement at DA:2 in general - if you're on a project with a tight deadline then why not use the base/foundation of a previous successful foundation as a starting point and build from there, instead of deciding to overhaul the entire thing?

Basic planning really.

Modifié par SpunkyMonkey, 29 novembre 2012 - 11:16 .

[Plaintiff]

I don't much care either way, but I'd prefer it if the Darkspawn looked more distinctive, rather than being clones of Tolkien's orcs.

It makes sense that they would have pale skin, they live underground after all. But I think their weapons and armor should be more crude and primitive.

[hexaligned]

As long as they "fix" the texture work from DA2 I'm fine with either iteration. I prefer the Darkspawn from Awakenings though, mindless force of nature baddies don't do much for me.

Neither of the styles really look like what they are supposed to be though, blighted versions of the other races.  So I'm all for a total redesign as well.

Modifié par relhart, 29 novembre 2012 - 11:43 .

[Vortex13]

DA:O's design for me.

In fact when I first saw the Darkspawn and Flemeth (yeah not a fan of her DA 2 appearance) I thought it was merely the Seeker's interpretation of Varric's tales; kinda her mind's eye reacting to what Varric told her.

I hope that is the case anyway, since IMO the DA 2 Darkspawn looked horrible compared to thier Origins bretheran. Like the OP said, the Darkspawn looked too clean to be the monsters they were portrayed as in the first game, and their menacing, evil laughter / cunning was removed leaving only simple shells that had no varity to their attacks. Granted DA 2 had a rushed timeline and the Darkspawn weren't the main focus of the game, but the redesign really nurtured their appeal to me.

I would love to see the Origins Darkspawn again, or at least a look that closely resembles it instead of the DA 2 trend to make everything look pretty. The Hurlocks looked like well groomed mimes, the emmisaries were mentally challenged elves by all appearances, hurlock alphas looked slightly better, but that was only because they had a sack over their head, and the Genlocks / Genlock Alphas looked like baby ogres instead of the corrupted dwarves they are supposed to be.

The lore surrounding the Darkspawn is graphic and evil. Broodmothers are created by forcing women to eat the flesh of their fellows, and by raping them repeatedly, the Children of the Mother's life cycle was based around devouring its prey and going through grotesque; almost Necromorph like; metamorphosis.

The Darkspawn NEED to look evil / twisted, otherwise their lore creates a disconnect with their appearance, I mean how are we as the player supposed to feel fear, revulsion, or awe when the Darkspawn look cleaner than the PC?

DA:I doesn't have to feature the Darkspawn as the big ultimate bad guy (although I would like that personally), but I would love to see the variety that DA:O and DA:A had, including the more graphical enemies; namely Broodmothers and the Children.

[SpunkyMonkey]

Vortex13 wrote...

DA:O's design for me.

In fact when I first saw the Darkspawn and Flemeth (yeah not a fan of her DA 2 appearance) I thought it was merely the Seeker's interpretation of Varric's tales; kinda her mind's eye reacting to what Varric told her.

I hope that is the case anyway, since IMO the DA 2 Darkspawn looked horrible compared to thier Origins bretheran. Like the OP said, the Darkspawn looked too clean to be the monsters they were portrayed as in the first game, and their menacing, evil laughter / cunning was removed leaving only simple shells that had no varity to their attacks. Granted DA 2 had a rushed timeline and the Darkspawn weren't the main focus of the game, but the redesign really nurtured their appeal to me.

I would love to see the Origins Darkspawn again, or at least a look that closely resembles it instead of the DA 2 trend to make everything look pretty. The Hurlocks looked like well groomed mimes, the emmisaries were mentally challenged elves by all appearances, hurlock alphas looked slightly better, but that was only because they had a sack over their head, and the Genlocks / Genlock Alphas looked like baby ogres instead of the corrupted dwarves they are supposed to be.

The lore surrounding the Darkspawn is graphic and evil. Broodmothers are created by forcing women to eat the flesh of their fellows, and by raping them repeatedly, the Children of the Mother's life cycle was based around devouring its prey and going through grotesque; almost Necromorph like; metamorphosis.

The Darkspawn NEED to look evil / twisted, otherwise their lore creates a disconnect with their appearance, I mean how are we as the player supposed to feel fear, revulsion, or awe when the Darkspawn look cleaner than the PC?

DA:I doesn't have to feature the Darkspawn as the big ultimate bad guy (although I would like that personally), but I would love to see the variety that DA:O and DA:A had, including the more graphical enemies; namely Broodmothers and the Children.

This!^

The DA:2 "Funnyspawn" should be wiped from memory.

[Cutlasskiwi]

Maria Caliban wrote...

If by 'change design' you mean 'not have them in the game?'

Yes.

1) Darkspawn never looked cool or scary.
2) Mindless hordes of evil are not compelling. Darkspawn are about as interesting as the random goblins you have to fight in DnD when you travel.
3) Though if you replaced them with smurfs who worship Orcus like H4IC did, that would be more interesting.

^^This. But if they must be in future games the only change I care about is their teeth. 

[ScarMK]

Origins all the way. I applaud them for trying something new out, but it's a little late. In my opinion, Origins set the tone, art, and lore for the series, it strikes me as incredibly odd to do a near 180 half way through the series.

[Sejborg]

I'm not a big fan of DA2's derpspawn.