I definitely agree that his romance was a little too smooth sailing... to be honest his whole story arc was. I wanted to see him heal, but it seems he done the majority of that between games.
Yes! Exactly. But he's so swoon-worthy, I really can't fault him too much. I wonder if I would love Cullen so much if he wasn't voiced by Greg Ellis? I don't know.
One of the things I liked the most about his romance is that it's not overly angsty and complicated. It seems like a regular, mature relationship instead of the drama we usually get on media. I'm not really into the "we want to but can't be together" thing... And I guess I've had my fill of angst with broken people in DA2 xD
I agree. I loved the angst that the potential Amell/Cullen storyline could have told. Don't get me wrong, I love the Inquisitor romance. But it was a little too sugary sweet for my tastes. I like the star-crossed lovers aspect a lot because it sets the tone for angst and tragedy, which makes a story much more compelling. Is that awful for me to say? That I prefer stories that invoke misery? LoL. Not misery so much, but raw bittersweet emotion.
So that one will always be my wistful what could have been. But of course I like the Inquisitor romance because, well, I got to FINALLY romance Cullen.
Actually, the Zevran romance is still my favorite, even if the timing of it actually becoming a romance is so late in the game due to being triggered by the Landsmeet. Passion, good partner, just a little angst, finally accepting the emotional commitment, he felt like someone who'd have your back and assume you could do almost anything. With a good sense of humor. So he kills people for a living, minor drawback...
I agree. I loved the angst that the potential Amell/Cullen storyline could have told. Don't get me wrong, I love the Inquisitor romance. But it was a little too sugary sweet for my tastes. I like the star-crossed lovers aspect a lot because it sets the tone for angst and tragedy, which makes a story much more compelling. Is that awful for me to say? That I prefer stories that invoke misery? LoL. Not misery so much, but raw bittersweet emotion.
So that one will always be my wistful what could have been. But of course I like the Inquisitor romance because, well, I got to FINALLY romance Cullen.
Aww hahaha, I actually imagined it to be far, far more cheerful and happy in my head. The way I saw it, Amell and Cullen were kept apart due to societal constructs and restrictions that were out of their control. Things went bad, but that's the way fate meant it to happen. Now, in Inquisition, we are literally tearing down the very foundations of those constructs in the first place. We're advocating change, reform - we have mages, Templars, Qunari, elves, the traditionally oppressed and the traditional oppressors, all fighting under one banner. We're defying the fates that the gods had assigned to us generations ago, and since I have the power to bend reality and time in my bare hand I figure I'm well within my rights to imagine that the barriers of fate that kept my Amell's kind and gentle soul from being with Cullen's kind and gentle soul can be torn down as well. Oops, my sunshiny optimism is showing. LOL. Sorry.
But yeah, that's just how I'm comfortable headcanoning it. But I have to agree that I don't think Cullen was going to ask about Surana/Amell's romance with Leliana. I think he just felt guilty about how he treated her, and that doesn't mean he still has to be infatuated with her. Cullen's always been rather gentlemanly, and it probably doesn't sit well with him that he wasn't able to apologize for a mistake he made. Maybe he's even worried that Leliana thinks poorly of him because of something Amell might have said. You can prob look at Leliana's jests as a lighthearted way of reassuring him that Amell didn't hold any grudges.
I dunno, he says:
Cullen:"so you and, er..."
Leliana: "yes?"
Cullen: "Was she? Did she ever, er... "
Sounds to me like he was gonna ask if she ever mentioned him for whatever reason, possibly about him being rude or telling her how he used to be infatuated with her or whatever. He seems to be aware that they're together romantically already, lol.
This is why I'm thinking it's probably about his feelings of guilt rather than his crush on her. I feel like he's being really awkward about trying to ask Leliana about her relationship with Surana/Amell because that stuff's private, and they work together, so it's awkward. However, he's really working to try and let go of all his past demons (no pun intended) and as we know, the nightmares are even worse without lyrium. He's heard in the ambient dialogue trying to reconnect with, or at least track down other survivors from the circle, like Carroll. I'm sure he just wants to know if she has, or would, forgive him for lashing out at her. If he knew that, or had the opportunity to apologise, he could let go of some more of that survivor's guilt and maybe thank her for saving him.
From my p.o.v. the way he talks about Surana/Amell in his dialogue certainly sounds like he's over his unrequited love. I wanted to hear his thoughts though, so I'm glad he talks about her.
Yes! Exactly. But he's so swoon-worthy, I really can't fault him too much. I wonder if I would love Cullen so much if he wasn't voiced by Greg Ellis? I don't know.
As a character and the way he is within the relationship/during the wooing process is very swoon-worthy and (for me) up there with Alistair, but the progression in which his story arc and romance arc proceeds feels too fast, not in depth enough and is resolved far too quickly. This also goes for the other companion's romance and story arcs.
I've also always prefered to not be able to flirt with a character until you've got to know them enough/got their approval up enough first, which is why I liked DA:O because (without the use of cheats or feasday gifts) you couldn't properly start flirting with Alistair until you hit Lothering and even from then you had to get his approval up enough to start trying to pursue him, which felt more natural.
One of the things I liked the most about his romance is that it's not overly angsty and complicated. It seems like a regular, mature relationship instead of the drama we usually get on media. I'm not really into the "we want to but can't be together" thing... And I guess I've had my fill of angst with broken people in DA2 xD
I didn't mind that, it was more that he clearly had a few issues with the lyrium and the whole leaving the order/red templar thing but it never really explored those important issues enough for it to feel like it done his story justice. I mean, Alistair's romance was very easy, there were a few little bumps in the road but the biggest issue faced was the King thing and the dark ritual, however the rest of his story arc was very fleshed out and we spent so much time with him that the relationship felt very fulfilling, same with the other DA:O companions/love interests.
One of the things I liked the most about his romance is that it's not overly angsty and complicated. It seems like a regular, mature relationship instead of the drama we usually get on media. I'm not really into the "we want to but can't be together" thing... And I guess I've had my fill of angst with broken people in DA2 xD
Preach! 
Though I still would have liked to experience his transition from who he was at the end of DA2 to who is at the beginning of DAI.
Aww hahaha, I actually imagined it to be far, far more cheerful and happy in my head. The way I saw it, Amell and Cullen were kept apart due to societal constructs and restrictions that were out of their control. Things went bad, but that's the way fate meant it to happen. Now, in Inquisition, we are literally tearing down the very foundations of those constructs in the first place. We're advocating change, reform - we have mages, Templars, Qunari, elves, the traditionally oppressed and the traditional oppressors, all fighting under one banner. We're defying the fates that the gods had assigned to us generations ago, and since I have the power to bend reality and time in my bare hand I figure I'm well within my rights to imagine that the barriers of fate that kept my Amell's kind and gentle soul from being with Cullen's kind and gentle soul can be torn down as well. Oops, my sunshiny optimism is showing. LOL. Sorry.
But yeah, that's just how I'm comfortable headcanoning it. But I have to agree that I don't think Cullen was going to ask about Surana/Amell's romance with Leliana. I think he just felt guilty about how he treated her, and that doesn't mean he still has to be infatuated with her. Cullen's always been rather gentlemanly, and it probably doesn't sit well with him that he wasn't able to apologize for a mistake he made. Maybe he's even worried that Leliana thinks poorly of him because of something Amell might have said. You can prob look at Leliana's jests as a lighthearted way of reassuring him that Amell didn't hold any grudges.
That sounds nicer when you put it like that, and I would hope that's what that particular dialogue was supposed to depict.
This is why I'm thinking it's probably about his feelings of guilt rather than his crush on her. I feel like he's being really awkward about trying to ask Leliana about her relationship with Surana/Amell because that stuff's private, and they work together, so it's awkward. However, he's really working to try and let go of all his past demons (no pun intended) and as we know, the nightmares are even worse without lyrium. He's heard in the ambient dialogue trying to reconnect with, or at least track down other survivors from the circle, like Carroll. I'm sure he just wants to know if she has, or would, forgive him for lashing out at her. If he knew that, or had the opportunity to apologise, he could let go of some more of that survivor's guilt and maybe thank her for saving him.
From my p.o.v. the way he talks about Surana/Amell in his dialogue certainly sounds like he's over his unrequited love. I wanted to hear his thoughts though, so I'm glad he talks about her.
I certainly hope so, or I'm gonna go ride the bull instead, LOL!
I didn't mind that, it was more that he clearly had a few issues with the lyrium and the whole leaving the order/red templar thing but in never really explored those important issues enough for it to feel like it done his story justice. I mean, Alistair's romance was very easy, there were a few little bumps in the road but the biggest issue faced was the King thing and the dark ritual, however the rest of his story arc was very fleshed out and we spent so much time with him that the relationship felt very fulfilling, same with the other DA:O companions/love interests.
If Cullen had been a companion I think the whole romance would had felt much more...paced? I guess that is the word I am looking for. Would that had made you like the romance more, Lola? I also enjoyed how Alistair would comment on the Warden with Morrigan, Leliana, Zevran and vice versa so I think that was lost for Cullen.
As a character and the way he is within the relationship/during the wooing process is very swoon-worthy and (for me) up there with Alistair, but the progression in which his story arc and romance arc proceeds feels too fast, not in depth enough and is resolved far too quickly. This also goes for the other companion's romance and story arcs.
I've also always prefered to not be able to flirt with a character until you've got to know them enough/got their approval up enough first, which is why I liked DA:O because (without the use of cheats or feasday gifts) you couldn't properly start flirting with Alistair until you hit Lothering and even from then you had to get his approval up enough to start trying to pursue him, which felt more natural.
I 100% agree with you here. I would have loved to see it be more gradual, too.
Aww hahaha, I actually imagined it to be far, far more cheerful and happy in my head. The way I saw it, Amell and Cullen were kept apart due to societal constructs and restrictions that were out of their control. Things went bad, but that's the way fate meant it to happen. Now, in Inquisition, we are literally tearing down the very foundations of those constructs in the first place. We're advocating change, reform - we have mages, Templars, Qunari, elves, the traditionally oppressed and the traditional oppressors, all fighting under one banner. We're defying the fates that the gods had assigned to us generations ago, and since I have the power to bend reality and time in my bare hand I figure I'm well within my rights to imagine that the barriers of fate that kept my Amell's kind and gentle soul from being with Cullen's kind and gentle soul can be torn down as well. Oops, my sunshiny optimism is showing. LOL. Sorry.
But yeah, that's just how I'm comfortable headcanoning it. But I have to agree that I don't think Cullen was going to ask about Surana/Amell's romance with Leliana. I think he just felt guilty about how he treated her, and that doesn't mean he still has to be infatuated with her. Cullen's always been rather gentlemanly, and it probably doesn't sit well with him that he wasn't able to apologize for a mistake he made. Maybe he's even worried that Leliana thinks poorly of him because of something Amell might have said. You can prob look at Leliana's jests as a lighthearted way of reassuring him that Amell didn't hold any grudges.
Well of course there's all this angst but in the end they overcome it, and there is a happily ever after. I love a good happy ending. I just like to see the storm before the rainbow type of thing.
I think we could have still gotten that with the Quzzie/Cullen. It was just something that was missed. Maybe they should have shown his struggle with lyrium more, or it's only shortly after DA2, so like all of you have said, it would have been nice to see that transition from who he was then to where he is now.
If Cullen had been a companion I think the whole romance would had felt much more...paced? I guess that is the word I am looking for. Would that had made you like the romance more, Lola? I also enjoyed how Alistair would comment on the Warden with Morrigan, Leliana, Zevran and vice versa so I think that was lost for Cullen.
Naw, I've been doing research and playing around with different things, the DAI companions story and romance arcs feel equally lacking, under developed. In actual fact we got lucky with Cullen as he seems to have gotten way more air time than the rest of them in terms of actual cutscenes and dialogue simply because he's got the added benefit of his advisor scenes.
I certainly hope so, or I'm gonna go ride the bull instead, LOL!
All I know is that Cullen truly loves the IQ and as we all know he says he has never felt this way about anyone else before. So we can't forget that fact when compared to a little piece of war room banter. Either way Cullen is going to never fully get over his past and those who were in it, he may move on but that does not mean that he will forget about it.
BTW how do you start Bull's romance?
Naw, I've been doing research and playing around with different things, the DAI companions story and romance arcs feel equally lacking, under developed. In actual fact we got lucky with Cullen as he seems to have gotten way more air time than the rest of them in terms of actual cutscenes and dialogue simply because he's got the added benefit of his advisor scenes.
The romance I thought that was the most lacking was Josie's. I really thought the whole "fighting for the one you love" was a cool scene, but kind of...stereotypical for a character like hers.
Cass's romance I thought was one of the best in the whole game, she actually knocked Leliana down for me.
I didn't mind that, it was more that he clearly had a few issues with the lyrium and the whole leaving the order/red templar thing but it never really explored those important issues enough for it to feel like it done his story justice. I mean, Alistair's romance was very easy, there were a few little bumps in the road but the biggest issue faced was the King thing and the dark ritual, however the rest of his story arc was very fleshed out and we spent so much time with him that the relationship felt very fulfilling, same with the other DA:O companions/love interests.
Ah I do agree with you there. I would have liked more content and development with every companion/advisor, and not just romance-wise. It feels like we barely scratched the surface with most of the characters.
As a character and the way he is within the relationship/during the wooing process is very swoon-worthy and (for me) up there with Alistair, but the progression in which his story arc and romance arc proceeds feels too fast, not in depth enough and is resolved far too quickly. This also goes for the other companion's romance and story arcs.
I've also always prefered to not be able to flirt with a character until you've got to know them enough/got their approval up enough first, which is why I liked DA:O because (without the use of cheats or feasday gifts) you couldn't properly start flirting with Alistair until you hit Lothering and even from then you had to get his approval up enough to start trying to pursue him, which felt more natural.
I definitely agree with you about the "Insta-flirt". I'm not the biggest fan of that. I never flirt with people immediately just because they're attractive. I have to get to know them.
I ME, I really wanted to to flirt with Garrus by the end of the game, but I couldn't. In 2 I never initiated his romance because the only way you could do it was to basically throw yourself at him and the dialogue didn't feel right for my Shepard so, no Garrus romance for me in the end ... I don't even know if it was possible to initiate a romance with him in 3.
Less Hinterlands, more character development!
I started playing ME to get through all of them... I couldn't get into it like DA.
Ah I do agree with you there. I would have liked more content and development with every companion/advisor, and not just romance-wise. It feels like we barely scratched the surface with most of the characters.
My question now is if any companions will be a companion in DA4. Anders was came from DA:A and went to DA II. Varric went from DA II to DA:I. Now who will come from DA:I?
My question now is if any companions will be a companion in DA4. Anders was came from DA:A and went to DA II. Varric went from DA II to DA:I. Now who will come from DA:I?
Cullen?! Or am I asking too much. 
I agree. I loved the angst that the potential Amell/Cullen storyline could have told. Don't get me wrong, I love the Inquisitor romance. But it was a little too sugary sweet for my tastes. I like the star-crossed lovers aspect a lot because it sets the tone for angst and tragedy, which makes a story much more compelling. Is that awful for me to say? That I prefer stories that invoke misery? LoL. Not misery so much, but raw bittersweet emotion.
So that one will always be my wistful what could have been. But of course I like the Inquisitor romance because, well, I got to FINALLY romance Cullen.
Yeah me too. I always have a thing on star-crossed lovers. Or unconventional ones like Dorian-Bull. Cullen-Inquisitor is also nice but still for me the whole Lyrium thing & dealing with his pass in Vanilla game is quite an issue already since I pass so much time worried that he'll just die in the epilogue.
Yes! Exactly. But he's so swoon-worthy, I really can't fault him too much. I wonder if I would love Cullen so much if he wasn't voiced by Greg Ellis? I don't know.
I know I won't like non-Greg Cullen. I saw the French version & it's just horrible. The VA didn't nail it at all and the translation was poorly done (considering how little time they had...). German one seems OK however.... But I haven't seen the romance part of German one.
My question now is if any companions will be a companion in DA4. Anders was came from DA:A and went to DA II. Varric went from DA II to DA:I. Now who will come from DA:I?
Yeah me too. I always have a thing on star-crossed lovers. Or unconventional ones like Dorian-Bull. Cullen-Inquisitor is also nice but still for me the whole Lyrium thing & dealing with his pass in Vanilla game is quite an issue already since I pass so much time worried that he'll just die in the epilogue.
I know I won't like non-Greg Cullen. I saw the French version & it's just horrible. The VA didn't nail it at all and the translation was poorly done (considering how little time they had...). German one seems OK however.... But I haven't seen the romance part of German one.
Agreed.
He just has pretty much the best voice ever. I don't think I've seen much of his movies. But I might have to watch them just to listen to him talk. I know he's in one of the Pirates of the Caribbeans.
Ah I do agree with you there. I would have liked more content and development with every companion/advisor, and not just romance-wise. It feels like we barely scratched the surface with most of the characters.
I blame too small word bugets!
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