I play in the same way.Heh heh, I appreciate the suggestion but I am very much a "you're going to carry that weight" style philosopher when it comes to this stuff. If I've made a bed for myself, I'll be lying in it.
It's fantastic. I mean, it's definitely got some glaring flaws. But it's fantastic. I'm loving Hawke. I'm loving the more cinematic approach. I'm loving the smaller-scale more personal storytelling, but that's not to say I don't love it when BioWare goes all "mad crazy worldwide epic" too. This is the fifth and last big BioWare game for me to play out of the five that debuted during this past console generation and I expected it to be the dark horse I wound up thinking merely decent. There's every possibility it'll plummet into awfulness later, I suppose, but for now it's up there in the analogs of greatness with the rest of 'em.
I'm so damn easy to please with these people.
It's fantastic. I mean, it's definitely got some glaring flaws. But it's fantastic. I'm loving Hawke. I'm loving the more cinematic approach. I'm loving the smaller-scale more personal storytelling, but that's not to say I don't love it when BioWare goes all "mad crazy worldwide epic" too. This is the fifth and last big BioWare game for me to play out of the five that debuted during this past console generation and I expected it to be the dark horse I wound up thinking merely decent. There's every possibility it'll plummet into awfulness later, I suppose, but for now it's up there in the analogs of greatness with the rest of 'em.
I'm so damn easy to please with these people.
How far are you into it now?
And on that note, weight will be carried.
This was always Bethany's adventure as much as Garrett's. He loved that sister of his something fierce and the desire to protect her from such unknowns very nearly coupled with their mother's heartrending plea to force her back home. But he couldn't bring himself to do that to her. How could he, after all they'd labored? Certainly, Garrett is the spokesperson for what's left of the house. Surely, he's spearheaded a plethora of negotiations and dealt the final blow to uncountable foes. But Bethany was right there with him, watching, waiting. Protecting. And he couldn't live with himself if she didn't get the chance to fulfill her share of the dream they envisioned.
Varric, of course, had to go. And Garrett wouldn't have had it any other way. And the last slot was awarded to Merrill, whose heavily questionable prowess had been proven.
I know, my friends. It's at about this point in my post that you may feel pretty sorry for me. If you do, well, I appreciate the sentiment in advance. I've spoken with a local friend this morning who explained the permutations to me. If only I'd brought Anders, she could have lived. And why didn't I? After all, he was a Grey Warden. He'd faced darkspawn. So she becomes a Grey Warden, does she? Intriguing. But I didn't bring Anders, because I felt like Bethany's restorative magic covered his biggest focus and I wanted Merrill's deadly spells and strong grasp of lore in case the group encountered something it required a Dalish First to fully comprehend. And that too was Garrett's logic. And it cost him the life of his sister.
But clearly I'm getting ahead of myself. Figured I may as well shine light on that decision since probably all of you were edge-of-your-seats about that singular front.
We made it in and me oh my the Deep Roads are quite pretty now in their suffocating little way. I was pleased to see Bodahn and Sandal with us. But there was a big setback. We couldn't get past a certain area. Well of course we couldn't. And then Sandal was MIA. Well of course he was. Right, right, whatever Bartrand. Garrett and I didn't particularly like the fellow by now. Decking people isn't either of our styles. But we'd play ball and of course we'd help find Sandal. So we were off.
And of course Sandal had taken care of himself. Maker, but I do love these moments. This is a gag I really hope doesn't end in DA2, provided Sandal doesn't run off and die before this story's over or something. It got even funnier with the more cinematic approach of this version. That frozen ogre never knew what hit it. Sandal, you never let me down. Now run along home, your father has no idea his adoptive son is probably God.
A tough dragon battle later and the expedition discovered a primeval thaig. This is dank. And I mean that in both the traditionalist and 1980s stoner senses of the word. Really pretty environment, fascinating lore. Shiny, shiny, shiny. And look, a special shiny. Let's check out that special shiny. Special. Shiny. Hey Bartrand, look at this special shiny. C'mon, catch it, check it out. This is gonna make us all rich. Varric, you're aces in my book. This is shimmering gold waiting to happen. Bethany, I'm so happy we're about to make it big. Bartrand, you closed the door.
Oh.
Oh.
Bartrand closed the door on the party. On his own brother. I gotta say, since you've already been spoiled Bethany's fate, at least on my file this Deep Roads Expedition has fast become an exercise in losing family. Myself, personally, I've never really had any blood family, but I know what it's like when doors have closed on some of the family I've made. Lots of doors closing here. That son of a ****** is going to pay.
But for now, Garrett and Varric and Bethany and Merrill needed to focus on a way out. Naturally, the corridor leading further inward was their only option. And naturally it was a corridor, because this is Dragon Age II. But who the hell cares, because just then, they needed every straight-and-narrow they could find. And soon they found themselves face-to-face with a new kind of enemy. The Profane. Huh. Awesomesauce, more interesting early-dwarf lore. Well they don't bleed, but they die like the rest of them. And here's a big one, and oh... it's talking.
And it's a hunger demon. Heh, lots of refusal options in this conversation. Hey Merrill, I knew I brought you along for a reason. What do you think? Oh, you think it's fine? Wait... of course you think it's fine. Anyone else? Any help here? Eh... well, it's our only lead right now. We'll compromise. Sure, we'll go kill your thing. Unless your thing ends up being a nice talking tree. Brecilian Forest flashbacks.
It wasn't long before I discovered said thing was anything but. A rock wraith, it was called, and it was hell on earth.
This was easily the most challenging encounter yet. And that nasty area-of-effect spell it kept throwing at us has me doubting I'm alone in that sentiment. What's funny is that no one actually fell here compared with that incident in Act of Mercy where Anders dropped almost immediately. But everyone came close. Several times. I was L1-ing and R1-ing between party members like flipping pages from a book keeping them topped with Health Potions as best as possible. Garrett met unwelcome visitors with a trusty Scythe and Mighty Blew the rock wraith elsewise. Varric kept the pressure on the battlefield with that arrow-raining ability whose name escapes me and Bianca's Song ensured his strikes. Merrill focused on the boss but also kept the pressure with her constant area-of-effect gig. Bethany was our savior. Her upgraded Haste, excellent Heroic Aura, and all-important boosted Heal was the only thing that stood between us and certain death.
And finally, it splintered.
Hungry Hungry Demon paid a visit, quickly directing everyone to the huge-pile-of-gold-and-treasure-untold where some silly key to get us out of there also happened to be stashed. But you know, it's a demon. And it does demon things. And Varric had a point, didn't he? And Garrett and Varric... boy these two should start a comedy club. And then we killed it and took its sweet loot. Better luck next time big boy.
We were feeling high and mighty. Top of the world. It'd be a week before we were out and we had a traitorous bastard to knock down but we made it. All of were going to live. And right then, that was enough to be proud.
And then it happened.
You broke my heart with that first paragraph, haha.
I was 'lucky', I guess, in that I acquiesced to Mumma Hawke's request and left Bethany at home. It was only after I finished my playthrough that I came online and compared notes with others who had chosen differently that I realised how things could have been. How things are now to you. I didn't really feel anything when the first sibling was smushed by the ogre but you've been given sufficient time to grow attached to the other sibling and it's heartbreaking.
I think I chose Anders, Varric and Aveline when I braved the Deep Roads. The only one I was set on was Anders due to his GW background.
@JeffZero, well done. Act 1, completed. The journey continues. It's always interesting to hear people's decisions, and how they justify them through the eyes of their characters. Sad to hear about Bethany, but I think either choice (to save or watch the sibling die) has a great amount of weight and impact. Either you watch them perish, or you curse them into a fate of fighting monsters until their death. I got lucky on having Anders and Carver in the group - Anders, because healing magic was nonexistant on my mage Hawke, and Carver because he wanted to come on the expedition so badly.
So let me give you an image of my daily play environment. I live in one of those dorm-style "luxury living" gigs exclusively for students a few miles off-campus because the University of South Florida is absolutely sprawling so it needs over a dozen of these private businesses to help roof its student body. So it's kind of a cramped experience. But I spent six months living in a closet (don't ask) so it's nothing I can't handle. My 32" Samsung 1080p, third most prized possession right next to my Russian Blue cat I named Garrus and the Buddhist medallion always around my neck, rests pretty close to me, and I'm sitting in my chair, and I'm right by the door to the rest of the apartment. And there's really nowhere to place my PS3 controller but for the highly limited space on my desk, which houses my TV, PS3, 360, Wii U and over a hundred books.
And Bethany needs to rest. Yeah, that's cool. OK, sinking feeling though. And... oh god. Bethany.
I dropped my PS3 controller. My $50 PS3 controller. Which replaced the last one. Which met an unfortunate end when one drunken night I was standing on the patio with my roommates and ingeniously decided to place it on the ledge. The rest is fairly obvious. And I'm basically dirt poor, you know? I put myself through school, pay bills with my scholarship. This stuff ain't cheap. Well who cares, because Bethany has the taint drop the controller on the floor get crazy be angry be sad hate Bartrand hate Garrett hate self love mother why didn't I listen why didn't Garrett listen why didn't anyone listen maybe Anders could have helped maybe he couldn't have maybe there's still something we can do no of course there's nothing we can do no no no no no no no no augh.
Fade to black.
I neglected to mention earlier, because I was so fixated on the Bethany incident (ironically enough), but heading into the Deep Roads, there was another framing cutscene with dearest Cassandra. And Varric had mentioned that if Garrett knew what was going to happen in there, he probably never would have gone. Well ain't that the devil's honest truth. Another framer followed, and Cassandra was ever the disbeliever, but Varric was somber.
You're gonna carry that weight, Garrett. And you, too, Jeff.
Flash forward. Three years later. A meeting with the viscount himself .Garrett is high and mighty. Lots of influence. Lots of being known. And I can believe it. I absolutely can believe it. Because in the span of what was likely just a few months he accomplished so much. And then three more years passed. And the qunari are still around, are they? And that's odd, isn't it? And Garrett knows those qunari. Knows their Arishok. Knows they may have plans. And that is troubling, isn't it? Yes, of course, I'll speak with them. I'll check it out. I am a known man and I am known for getting things done.
...but a beaten man as well. Garrett had lost both his younger siblings and before that his father. Only his mother remained. And there would be a rift there no matter how they tidied it up in everyday conversation. It had been three years, yes, and I'm not opposed to the ongoing sarcastic streak Garrett automatically depicts, but in my mind he's going to be covering up a personal weakness and insecurity with every cynical twist of the tongue from hereon out.
After that I essentially reacquainted myself with the companions and my new abode. And goodness gracious is it spacious. Bodahn and Sandal, you're more than welcome, my friends. Mother, of course you should remarry. Isabela, you're starting to show up everywhere, aren't you? Ha, I love all the interactive stuff in the estate. So much greatness here. So much win. This place is rad. And oh my gobrino look at all that mail. Crikey, that's a lot of missions. I'll take them on bit by bit. For now I'll meet with that half-Dalish boy's mother later. And...
...I'm getting junk mail in a high fantasy setting! Ack! This is uncalled for! It's like the Normandy SR2 was made of stone! But boy is it funny.
Anders has definitely gotten more paranoid. I can't say as I blame him though from what he's told me of Meredith's lockdowns. This doesn't bode well at all. Garrett's departed sister was the light of his life and he isn't going to rest while mages suffer. He'll keep a close eye on this.
Fenris, too, has grown paranoid. Not a lot Garrett could say to calm him. I got more Rivalry points from offering to help, so that's nice. No, I mean it, it's good, because he's far closer to reaching that plateau than Friendship.
Aveline likes my place. And she's got more trouble for me. And I'm glad to help. She's having a tough time of it in the guard and that surprises neither me nor my avatar. Kirkwall is swarming with corruption and she never could stay her sword against such things. That's what makes her wonderful.
Isabela totally got called out on her "not moving in three years" and I cracked up. You know, between choking on further Bethany-sobs. And then Garrett flirted and they "dueled" and the music made it phenom. And then she was like "I hope you didn't catch feelings" and Garrett told her he didn't. This new chapter in their relationship reminds me of last summer. No, you... really don't need specifics. 
Varric inherited Bartrand's business but he's conducting it from the Hanged Man. That sodding bastard is MIA. You're damn right we'll get him, Varric. He's got blood on his hands. It's on Garrett's too though, but it's nice to have a target in life.
Merrill hasn't actually gotten a conversation choice yet but I did speak with Sebastian again. Garrett and Varric were magnificent here by the way. Varric's pseudo-literary suffixation was hilarious. And finally Sebastian could join. I respecced him for better Dexterity because it seemed like the right thing to do and while I was at it I respecced Varric because he was kind of all over the place. By my amateur calcuations Bianca's Song negates such a high Dex need so I gave him a lot more Cunning.
And that's where I left off. A lot of change. A lot of heartbreak. A lot of gain. A lot of loss. A Hawke of a different feather.
You broke my heart with that first paragraph, haha.
I was 'lucky', I guess, in that I acquiesced to Mumma Hawke's request and left Bethany at home. It was only after I finished my playthrough that I came online and compared notes with others who had chosen differently that I realised how things could have been. How things are now to you. I didn't really feel anything when the first sibling was smushed by the ogre but you've been given sufficient time to grow attached to the other sibling and it's heartbreaking.
I think I chose Anders, Varric and Aveline when I braved the Deep Roads. The only one I was set on was Anders due to his GW background.
Who of course somehow didn't make it into my squad. Go fig.
Yeah, it hurts. Losing Carver was more of a "Garrett" issue than a "jeff" issue (I was actually somehow more shaken-up by the touching departure of Ser Wesley) but losing Bethany hit home. There's a Mass Effect character whose death kicks me even harder but this was still a roundhouse, make no mistake.
@JeffZero, well done. Act 1, completed. The journey continues. It's always interesting to hear people's decisions, and how they justify them through the eyes of their characters. Sad to hear about Bethany, but I think either choice (to save or watch the sibling die) has a great amount of weight and impact. Either you watch them perish, or you curse them into a fate of fighting monsters until their death. I got lucky on having Anders and Carver in the group - Anders, because healing magic was nonexistant on my mage Hawke, and Carver because he wanted to come on the expedition so badly.
Yeah, it's kind of ugly either way, huh? But such is life. Thanks for the congrats. I've actually dabbled lightly in Act 2 as well but that Act 1 ending stings like a bee. A beautiful storytelling bee.
JeffZero I'd really like to know what you feel about Anders and the fact that he is kinda "forced". Back in the day many people were complaining that when they are not a mage they have to bring Anders along for healing, on high difficulties anyway. While its understandable as I hate forced characters myself would like to know the idea of someone who is new to the game.
You will feel this starting from ACT 2 as you had Bethany before but now you don't. There are boss battles that are almost impossible without Anders, you can beat them eventually but be prepared to reload a lot.
It depends on the level difficulty though.JeffZero I'd really like to know what you feel about Anders and the fact that he is kinda "forced". Back in the day many people were complaining that when they are not a mage they have to bring Anders along for healing, on high difficulties anyway. While its understandable as I hate forced characters myself would like to know the idea of someone who is new to the game.
You will feel this starting from ACT 2 as you had Bethany before but now you don't. There are boss battles that are almost impossible without Anders, you can beat them eventually but be prepared to reload a lot.
JeffZero I'd really like to know what you feel about Anders and the fact that he is kinda "forced". Back in the day many people were complaining that when they are not a mage they have to bring Anders along for healing, on high difficulties anyway. While its understandable as I hate forced characters myself would like to know the idea of someone who is new to the game.
You will feel this starting from ACT 2 as you had Bethany before but now you don't. There are boss battles that are almost impossible without Anders, you can beat them eventually but be prepared to reload a lot.
I disagree. I recently ran a 2H warrior, and I took Anders just as often as I took Merrill, and I did just fine. It depends on how you handle combat, as well as what difficulty you play on.
I disagree. I recently ran a 2H warrior, and I took Anders just as often as I took Merrill, and I did just fine. It depends on how you handle combat, as well as what difficulty you play on.
Not to brag or anything but I find any difficulty below nightmare to be absolute joke. Nightmare is like revolving around Anders, unless you're a healer yourself.
Its possible to finish Nightmare without Anders, sure, I've done it myself but its really painful.
Who of course somehow didn't make it into my squad. Go fig.
Yeah, it hurts. Losing Carver was more of a "Garrett" issue than a "jeff" issue (I was actually somehow more shaken-up by the touching departure of Ser Wesley) but losing Bethany hit home. There's a Mass Effect character whose death kicks me even harder but this was still a roundhouse, make no mistake.
Hah, you already had a spirit healer in your squad, you can be blamed for not wanting to double up. I think the combination of Carver and Anders comes up more often than Bethany and Anders as far as the Expedition squad goes. At least that's what I've come across most.
There are plenty of gutwrenching deaths in ME! Shep's crew are his family so it hits hard when Azrael comes knocking. I agree that the Hawke sibling's death does rank up there. I still think they could have done a better job to build a better relation with the redshirt sibling though. A more comprehensive prologue or something but then we're getting into the wistful territory of what the game could have been like if it had x more time.
The ogre-smashed sibling's death becomes more meaningful if you've done a playthrough with them surviving.There are plenty of gutwrenching deaths in ME! Shep's crew are his family so it hits hard when Azrael comes knocking. I agree that the Hawke sibling's death does rank up there. I still think they could have done a better job to build a better relation with the redshirt sibling though. A more comprehensive prologue or something but then we're getting into the wistful territory of what the game could have been like if it had x more time.
Guest_EntropicAngel_*
Great stuff here, Jeff. I'm playing through again myself and it's interesting to read about your first time.
Hoy hoy! I was hoping you'd take Bethany on the deep roads- I did that my first time (a pretty similar sarcasm playthrough like yours), and that had a big impact for me. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I learned about the Anders thing, and so reloaded and did that instead. The content difference isn't so great, except for DLC, but it had a big emotional pull for me. I'm not terribly ashamed to say my Hawke's legacy swings heavily on the outcome of the Deep Road expedition.
Which is remarkable writing.
Ouch for Bethany. I was lucky when I made the Deep Roads the first time. I wanted to bring Anders for his experience and his abilities as a a Warden, and I wouldn't have left Bethany alone in Kirkwall.
Good work, and I'm glad you're enjoying the game. I'm eager to see how you'll continue.
Thanks mate.
JeffZero I'd really like to know what you feel about Anders and the fact that he is kinda "forced". Back in the day many people were complaining that when they are not a mage they have to bring Anders along for healing, on high difficulties anyway. While its understandable as I hate forced characters myself would like to know the idea of someone who is new to the game.
You will feel this starting from ACT 2 as you had Bethany before but now you don't. There are boss battles that are almost impossible without Anders, you can beat them eventually but be prepared to reload a lot.
Hmm. Well I'm really not much of a hardcore gamer, so I actually don't spend much time mulling over what's too easy versus what's too hard in BioWare games. Origins gave me more grief on average than 2 so far, because all of those mechanics pen-and-paper fanatics find come second-nature to them took me a while to get a grip on. But DA2 has still offered me an OK challenge (especially with that blood mage bloke and the rock wraith) on Normal, so what you find a complete joke is a comfortable level for my first time.
That first bit was more a response to your second post, which I didn't actually quote, but it was kind of tied in with what I'll say now. I can imagine Anders will be somewhat crucial going forward, but I feel like there's a solid chance his story is going to be crucial too. He stands at the edge of the whims of two opposing forces, and the spirit which he hosts is going to jump at the opportunity to defend. And because I'm not much of a mechancs kind of guy, my thought process on these matters starts and ends with "who seems like someone I really ought to be bringing with me?" As such, unless the mage-templar conflict is thrown aside as the story continues (which seems highly unlikely given how much chatter around Inquisition has involved it from what I've seen in topic titles) I'll gladly take Anders along for much of the adventure.
So it probably won't irk me much. But then, I kind of went through a long phase in Origins whereby I felt like I needed to bring Wynne everywhere, too, and her role in the story was far more tangential on far more occasions. And again, it didn't bother me. It's important to consider, too, that I'm more accustomed to Mass Effect's two-companion limitation as opposed to Dragon Age's three, so I feel pretty spoiled most of the time!
Hah, you already had a spirit healer in your squad, you can be blamed for not wanting to double up. I think the combination of Carver and Anders comes up more often than Bethany and Anders as far as the Expedition squad goes. At least that's what I've come across most.
There are plenty of gutwrenching deaths in ME! Shep's crew are his family so it hits hard when Azrael comes knocking. I agree that the Hawke sibling's death does rank up there. I still think they could have done a better job to build a better relation with the redshirt sibling though. A more comprehensive prologue or something but then we're getting into the wistful territory of what the game could have been like if it had x more time.
Ahh... Yeah. That's right. If it were Carver there would have been a far higher chance I'd have brought Anders along as well. Heh, damn. True true.
Shepard's crew is his family. And that strikes a major chord with me. I know I've said it before, but my friends are my family as well, so that's one of the things about the Mass Effect series that is most sacred to me. And when Shepard loses someone, yeah, I feel it so hard. But I'm also one of those weirdo masochists who enjoys the Suicide Mission not being scot-free because I like the idea that a couple of eggs must be cracked to make that omelet more thematically (probably helps my love of ME3 that I'm weird like that too) so I bring it on myself sometimes.
After about a third playthrough of Dragon Age II someday I'll probably starting thinking along similarly wistful lines.
Great stuff here, Jeff. I'm playing through again myself and it's interesting to read about your first time.
Hey, thanks Noctis! I hope you're enjoying my triumphs and failures.
Hoy hoy! I was hoping you'd take Bethany on the deep roads- I did that my first time (a pretty similar sarcasm playthrough like yours), and that had a big impact for me. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I learned about the Anders thing, and so reloaded and did that instead. The content difference isn't so great, except for DLC, but it had a big emotional pull for me. I'm not terribly ashamed to say my Hawke's legacy swings heavily on the outcome of the Deep Road expedition.
Which is remarkable writing.
Damn right it is. Garrett Hawke is more of a true character in DA2 already than John Shepard ever was in ME1 and ME2 and probably ME3 as well, and that's something that I think a lot of people in the fandom probably loathe about the game, but I dig it. And every time he speaks his auto-dialogue my knowledge that prior conversation wheel stuff helped shape it registers in my head and that's cool. And now I've got this whole pathos about him layered brick-by-brick upon his Act 1 interactions, but far more than anything else, that crucial moment in the Deep Roads. So yeah. Bravo.
Hmm. Well I'm really not much of a hardcore gamer, so I actually don't spend much time mulling over what's too easy versus what's too hard in BioWare games. Origins gave me more grief on average than 2 so far, because all of those mechanics pen-and-paper fanatics find come second-nature to them took me a while to get a grip on. But DA2 has still offered me an OK challenge (especially with that blood mage bloke and the rock wraith) on Normal, so what you find a complete joke is a comfortable level for my first time.
That first bit was more a response to your second post, which I didn't actually quote, but it was kind of tied in with what I'll say now. I can imagine Anders will be somewhat crucial going forward, but I feel like there's a solid chance his story is going to be crucial too. He stands at the edge of the whims of two opposing forces, and the spirit which he hosts is going to jump at the opportunity to defend. And because I'm not much of a mechancs kind of guy, my thought process on these matters starts and ends with "who seems like someone I really ought to be bringing with me?" As such, unless the mage-templar conflict is thrown aside as the story continues (which seems highly unlikely given how much chatter around Inquisition has involved it from what I've seen in topic titles) I'll gladly take Anders along for much of the adventure.
So it probably won't irk me much. But then, I kind of went through a long phase in Origins whereby I felt like I needed to bring Wynne everywhere, too, and her role in the story was far more tangential on far more occasions. And again, it didn't bother me. It's important to consider, too, that I'm more accustomed to Mass Effect's two-companion limitation as opposed to Dragon Age's three, so I feel pretty spoiled most of the time!
If you're not a mage Anders is certainly useful to have around. I'm not going to spoil anything but just know that deep roads situation is not the only one Anders can make a difference in choices/events. They are much smaller compared to deep roads but they are there. Keep an eye out for dialogue options that have star Icon. They are "special" dialogues that only appear in special situations and are usually the ones that make a difference. The rest make Hawke say the same things in different tone/manner.
Anyway did you play awakening? He is also a companion there and his transformation is quite interesting and tragic.
If you like Anders try to max his friendship asap the stats you gain from it are very vital and trust me when I say you won't regret it.
And you're right about the role Anders will play, more or less. For now lets just say he is an important character. 
I've been following this thread with great interest, myself, since I too have only recently bought into the Dragon Age hype.
It's enjoying to read the first-time reactions of another player, based on what he did differently or similarly than I did the first time.
As for Hawke's siblings and the expedition ... while both are basically my favorite companion in whichever game they survive the prologue, Leandra's plea to keep them at home for the quest struck me as a "hint-hint!"-moment when I played the first time, so until recently I always kept them out of the quest.
As of late, though, I took Carver and exploited the Anders loophole, because it feels like the best outcome/path for Carver's character-arc.
While the mechanics involving your sibling's fate is a bit suspect if you really think about it, its effect on the story is very much worthwhile IMO.
I'm lurking here still. I personally would reload after something like that (even if it required restarting the game), but I understand that not everyone will. Still, though, I remain blissfully ignorant of what happens if either sibling dies in the Deep Roads, aside from general crappiness.
One of my favorite aspects of DA2 was the theme of family. It's a rare and risky thing in RPGs, where predefined relationships with the PC are iffy at best and annoying at worst, but DA2 pulled it off in many respects- not just with the Hawke family, but a number of the characters major and minor. Looking at companions and a number of act one sidequests, it's amazing how important family ties, good and bad, are to some of them: what would Varric be if he had not grown up as the younger brother?
My first time through that was all fine enough. But in the last year, between real life developments and a number of good video games with strong family elements (like Fire Emblem: Awakening), I've come to really appreciate and enjoy the theme of family. It's appeals to me on personal, pragmatic, and dramatic levels, and plays wonderfully in DA2.
Jeff, you mention playing the sarcastic as a bit of a broken bird snarker- and believe me when I say that there are some good lines ahead for you, as 'snark' won't always mean 'carefree.' But it's surprising how close your snarker is paralleling my Aggressive/Direct Hawke, who has the charisma of bronto but is just as dedicated to the family and siblings as you've described. Probably my favorite part of that family dynamic has been (was?) the difference between Bethany and Leandra: Bethany, who saved Hawke from the blood mage apostitute, promised that she would never turn against Hawke, and supported the goals and shared the burdens... unconditional kindness, in contrast to Leandra and her swings of sorrow and emotion. I don't know about forgiving, but I don't think my Hawke ever forgot how Leandra accused Carver's death as being his fault, and the the guilt over Bethany likewise hangs over the Mother-Son relationship three years later.
I took your advice and am now playing my billionth playthrough of DA2. XD It's great fun so far. I too am playing a snarky male Hawke, which is my fave. I'm female in real life, and I just adore male Hawke's voice. Is that creepy? Sorta? Yeah. Haha. I've played plenty of female Hawkes too though, and her voice is great too. If you do a second playthrough, I highly suggest playing female Hawke!
Ohhhhh, I feel your pain about Bethany. It's been so long since I played my first game in 2011 that I don't remember what happened. Crazy, right? That's why I love this account of your playthrough so much! I can't wait to see what you get up to in Act II. And man, this game is gonna get you good at some moments if you reacted so strongly to Bethany...that's all I'm gonna say. Be prepared for BioWare to pummel your emotions even more than they already have.
If you're not a mage Anders is certainly useful to have around. I'm not going to spoil anything but just know that deep roads situation is not the only one Anders can make a difference in choices/events. They are much smaller compared to deep roads but they are there. Keep an eye out for dialogue options that have star Icon. They are "special" dialogues that only appear in special situations and are usually the ones that make a difference. The rest make Hawke say the same things in different tone/manner.
Anyway did you play awakening? He is also a companion there and his transformation is quite interesting and tragic.
If you like Anders try to max his friendship asap the stats you gain from it are very vital and trust me when I say you won't regret it.
And you're right about the role Anders will play, more or less. For now lets just say he is an important character.
Oh, so that's what the star means? Huh. Special. Heh, of course. I'm surprised I never made the connection.
I sure did play Awakening! I even posted my progress with it in the Origins thread if you ever want in-depth thoughts (and are really, really bored).
I've been following this thread with great interest, myself, since I too have only recently bought into the Dragon Age hype.
It's enjoying to read the first-time reactions of another player, based on what he did differently or similarly than I did the first time.
As for Hawke's siblings and the expedition ... while both are basically my favorite companion in whichever game they survive the prologue, Leandra's plea to keep them at home for the quest struck me as a "hint-hint!"-moment when I played the first time, so until recently I always kept them out of the quest.
As of late, though, I took Carver and exploited the Anders loophole, because it feels like the best outcome/path for Carver's character-arc.
While the mechanics involving your sibling's fate is a bit suspect if you really think about it, its effect on the story is very much worthwhile IMO.
Yeah. A lot of the skeletal side of these things doesn't make the greatest degree of sense in these games but it almost always works for me on a raw emotional level and that's what matters to me. Definitely a major highlight of the game so far. And thanks for posting! Glad to encounter another recent DA convert. You say "as of late" as though you have multiple files... how many times have you played through the games thus far?
I'm lurking here still. I personally would reload after something like that (even if it required restarting the game), but I understand that not everyone will. Still, though, I remain blissfully ignorant of what happens if either sibling dies in the Deep Roads, aside from general crappiness.
I once dated a girl who would restart games she was 20+ hours in if she missed a rare item, so that kind of mentality about storyline stuff neither fazes nor bothers me in the slightest. I know a lot of people like that. Lots of reloads during the Suicide Mission in ME2. Whereas I like those funnily-tough-to-acquire losses so I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Different strokes and all. But hmm... you say blissfully ignorant. I may shatter that bliss if you keep reading, if you mean to say what occurs thereafter. If you just mean the death itself, well, I won't go into further detail than dropping my PS3 controller on that one.
One of my favorite aspects of DA2 was the theme of family. It's a rare and risky thing in RPGs, where predefined relationships with the PC are iffy at best and annoying at worst, but DA2 pulled it off in many respects- not just with the Hawke family, but a number of the characters major and minor. Looking at companions and a number of act one sidequests, it's amazing how important family ties, good and bad, are to some of them: what would Varric be if he had not grown up as the younger brother?
My first time through that was all fine enough. But in the last year, between real life developments and a number of good video games with strong family elements (like Fire Emblem: Awakening), I've come to really appreciate and enjoy the theme of family. It's appeals to me on personal, pragmatic, and dramatic levels, and plays wonderfully in DA2.
Jeff, you mention playing the sarcastic as a bit of a broken bird snarker- and believe me when I say that there are some good lines ahead for you, as 'snark' won't always mean 'carefree.' But it's surprising how close your snarker is paralleling my Aggressive/Direct Hawke, who has the charisma of bronto but is just as dedicated to the family and siblings as you've described. Probably my favorite part of that family dynamic has been (was?) the difference between Bethany and Leandra: Bethany, who saved Hawke from the blood mage apostitute, promised that she would never turn against Hawke, and supported the goals and shared the burdens... unconditional kindness, in contrast to Leandra and her swings of sorrow and emotion. I don't know about forgiving, but I don't think my Hawke ever forgot how Leandra accused Carver's death as being his fault, and the the guilt over Bethany likewise hangs over the Mother-Son relationship three years later.
Great post as usual Dean. I feel you on everything you said man.
Y'know I didn't really get a chance to talk about my personal thoughts on Leandra, but they kind of mirror yours. She is definitely something of an emotional backhander. I totally get where that sort of psyche would develop and I think it's very believable and adds an interesting dynamic to the story. And Garrett himself is going to know that if he'd left Bethany behind she'd still be alive. For Garrett that's a failure on his part, even if obviously he knows Leandra wasn't psychic (oh god or was she oh god oh god oh god plot twist). But I mean... that's how people get with these things sometimes.
For me, though, getting Carver's death dumped on Garrett was kind of a thing.
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