153429 réponses à ce sujet

[Loons1337]

Hello everyone, I am here to join the fun that is the solas thread it is pretty long by now, but woah, I am gonna make my way through it. Great to find other people enjoying the character   *cough cough wink wink* 

[Solas]

Hello everyone, I am here to join the fun that is the solas thread it is pretty long by now, but woah, I am gonna make my way through it. Great to find other people enjoying the character   *cough cough wink wink* 

Welcome to my side vhenan   

[Ellawynn]

Lol, why the assumption that everything is going to be the exact same? And nobody said that they're not going to improve on what was introduced in Inquisition (and later improve further for new IP and DA4). DAI in many respects was a pioneering title for them - not only they haven't yet done an open'ish world like that, they've had to convert to Forstbite and actually had to create a lot of new tech and modules for it that are now further improved for future games. Plus, they aren't hampered by old-gen anymore, 

 

After the trainwreck that was DA2 and Inquisition's empty world and choppy story, I gotta admit that it just comes down to me not having a lot of faith. Nevermind that we have a former BioWare employee expressing concern about Andromeda.

 

That and open-world games are historically pretty lacking in the story department. Skyrim's famously been called "Wide as ocean, deep as a puddle," and even Witcher 3 relied on one-shot side quests. BioWare's strength has always been their characters. They should focus on that, instead of chasing Skyrim's sales.

[Qun00]

And they're still great with their characters.

The fact that you, specifically, don't like open world games doesn't mean it is a bad decision.

[midnight tea]

After the trainwreck that was DA2 and Inquisition's empty world and choppy story, I gotta admit that it just comes down to me not having a lot of faith. Nevermind that we have a former BioWare employee expressing concern about Andromeda.

 

That and open-world games are historically pretty lacking in the story department. Skyrim's famously been called "Wide as ocean, deep as a puddle," and even Witcher 3 relied on one-shot side quests. BioWare's strength has always been their characters. They should focus on that, instead of chasing Skyrim's sales.

 

... Not really sure why your'e mentioning DA2? We know that many problems with this title stemmed from its super-short development time and if DA4 was the same we'd have it in stores already, given that it's been more than 1,5 year after DAI's release.

 

As for "empty world" or "choppy story"... well, that's how you view things. I don't necessarily see it that way. I enjoy the somewhat longer pacing, the story being spread out between bouts of exploration, discovery and growth, as well as a good amount of stories and objective in zones. All of them are inter-connected to the main story or flesh out the lore or provide clues. I wouldn't mind if they've made the story tighter, but I don't necessarily miss how they've done it in DAO, for example.

[CapricornSun]

Art post:

 

Lavellan leading an indulgent Solas on another adventure.

Spoiler

Source: http://ladyhufflepuf...l-commission-by

 

 

Male Lavellan got caught staring at Dorian's butt when he's leaning over the rail.

And then ended up leaning too far out and fell right on top of Solas' desk.

Spoiler

Source: https://awaari.tumbl...than-got-caught

 

 

Solas in the Frostback Mountains by salesart.

Spoiler

Source: http://salesart.tumb...tback-mountains

 

 

All elves party. Male Lavellan, Fenris, Zevran, and Solas.

Spoiler

Source: http://manatobi.tumb...cker-is-my-male

 

 

WIP of Cass, Sebastian, and Solas from The Dinerverse College AU fic.

Spoiler

Source: http://destinyaposta...rk-all-day-part

 

[Almila_Lavellan]

Hello everyone! I am in Solas hell for a looong time and I wanted to join you. To be honest, I have stalked this thread for a long time  but I couldn't stop romancing Solas to really join the thread.    I'm glad there are a lot of Lavellans who don't hate him   

[Elessara]

... Not really sure why your'e mentioning DA2? We know that many problems with this title stemmed from its super-short development time and if DA4 was the same we'd have it in stores already, given that it's been more than 1,5 year after DAI's release.

 

As for "empty world" or "choppy story"... well, that's how you view things. I don't necessarily see it that way. I enjoy the somewhat longer pacing, the story being spread out between bouts of exploration, discovery and growth, as well as a good amount of stories and objective in zones. All of them are inter-connected to the main story or flesh out the lore or provide clues. I wouldn't mind if they've made the story tighter, but I don't necessarily miss how they've done it in DAO, for example.

 

Same here, tbh.  I rather liked the way DAI handled things.  I definitely preferred it to DAO's Point A dot dot dot on a map to Point B.  I thought it was a nice compromise between the smallish action areas of DAO and the open world of ES/FO games.  I also like quests.  Lots of quests.  It's even better when they tie into the story like the main quests of each DAI region.

[Ellawynn]

And they're still great with their characters.

The fact that you, specifically, don't like open world games doesn't mean it is a bad decision.

 

I like open-world games, when they're done well. I adore Skyrim and New Vegas. Please do not make assumptions.

 

 

... Not really sure why your'e mentioning DA2? We know that many problems with this title stemmed from its super-short development time and if DA4 was the same we'd have it in stores already, given that it's been more than 1,5 year after DAI's release.

 

As for "empty world" or "choppy story"... well, that's how you view things. I don't necessarily see it that way. I enjoy the somewhat longer pacing, the story being spread out between bouts of exploration, discovery and growth, as well as a good amount of stories and objective in zones. All of them are inter-connected to the main story or flesh out the lore or provide clues. I wouldn't mind if they've made the story tighter, but I don't necessarily miss how they've done it in DAO, for example.

 

Like I said, I brought up DA2 because I don't have a lot of faith in BioWare because of it. I didn't say anything about development time. Now, I know a lot of the bad points to DA2 were because of the development time - but BioWare, as a company (Or at least EA, who still has control over them) decided to release DA2 despite it's short development time and many flaws. And then there's Inquisition, which had good points that were left underdeveloped so they could fit in shallow and irrelevant content like the Fallow Mire and the Emprise du Lion.

 

So I reiterate - after DA2 and Inquisition (And I guess ME3, although I thought ME3 was a good game if you ignore the infamously awful ending.) I just don't have that faith. If that annoys you, well, don't ask me why I think something and then get mad at me when I explain.

[Ellawynn]

 It's even better when they tie into the story like the main quests of each DAI region.

 

How did they tie into the main quest? Most of them were pretty much irrelevant if you ask me. The Freeman and the Avvar and nearly everything else about the region's quest lines didn't change anything about the overall story. You could've easily cut all of them and lose nothing, and save for few exceptions like Crestwood and the Hissing Wastes, they weren't really interesting on an individual level either. 

[Qun00]

One thing DAI has improved over past games is the amount of content. I hated the fact that there was so little to do between main quests back in Origins.

I like open-world games, when they're done well. I adore Skyrim and New Vegas. Please do not make assumptions.

Yeah, right. And that love is vast like the ocean and deep like a puddle.

You remind me of the folks I used to put up with at the Bethesda forums. They would spend hundreds of hours playing the game, but acted like it was a total abomination and rarely acknowledged any qualities.

As for the idea that open world games and good storytelling cannot coexist, I have three words for you: Red Dead Redemption.

[Elessara]

How did they tie into the main quest? Most of them were pretty much irrelevant if you ask me. The Freeman and the Avvar and nearly everything else about the region's quest lines didn't change anything about the overall story. You could've easily cut all of them and lose nothing, and save for few exceptions like Crestwood and the Hissing Wastes, they weren't really interesting on an individual level either. 

 

They weren't *main* plot points but they still tied in.  Not the Avvar (which really was completely irrelevant to the main story), I honestly wasn't talking about DLCs although Descent still had a tie in if you did it before defeating Corypheus (you really DID need lyrium at that point).  But let's talk about the various regions ... Emerald Graves had the Freemen who were making deals with the Red Templars to provide workers for the mines and to transport red lyrium which you can disrupt if you help out Fairbanks.  The Western Approach had the Venatori who were attempting to capture the dragon (probably for Corypheus to use the same way he was using his current dragon).  Empris du Lion had the red lyrium quarry you could completely shut down to cut off the majority of the red lyrium supplies to the templars.  The Exalted Plains tied into the conflict between Celene and Gaspard and freeing up the troops here would make them available for use later.  And this is really all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

And maybe *you* didn't think they were interesting on an individual level but that doesn't mean other people didn't.  

 

Edit to add:  It would have been better if you had gotten actual, tangible benefits from doing the main quest lines in each region.  I mean, sure you recruited an agent here and there but that's not something you really see.  Although I suppose we did get some war table missions out of it.

I kept hoping that more would get done with the Blades of Hessarian for example.  Although now that I think of it, the Storm Coast really didn't have a whole lot going on anyway.

 

Edit 2:  The Fallow Mire!  That place was useless.  And I hated it lol.

[TheyCallMeBunny]

Here are the things I liked most about the different games:

 

Dragon Age: Origins

The thing I probably like the most about DA:O is the origins - they add so much replay-value and it is a great way to flesh out your character. Origins also had some of the best banter between companions, I remember the first time I played and I literally fell down the couch from laughing so much. I also think the last battle with the Archdemon is the best boss-battle in the games. All in all, I really like the huge variation of spells and abilities in DA:O - playing as a mage made me feel like truly a force of nature!

 

Dragon Age 2

Obviously this is a game that has got a lot of criticism, sometimes for good reason, but I still think it has a lot going for it. I love that we got a voiced protagonist, and sarcastic Hawke is one of the funniest characters in the series. I really loved having a more personal story, and although I felt horrible about "failing" more often than in DA:O I do think it contributed to Hawke's story. I also liked that the companions were not as centered around the protagonist, but had their own lives we occasionally got glimpses of. As for combat, I really like the ability to melee as a mage (I want that back soooo much!).  

 

Dragon Age: Inquistion

I love how vibrant the game is compared to the previous ones! I also liked the freedom of exploring the world at my own leisure, although I do wish it was populated with more interesting quests. The way the romances were done was also a lot better than before (I really liked that they used nudity in a tasteful way), and even though Solas totally shredded my heart like none of my other LIs (Alistair and Fenris) I don't regret it. Trespasser is a wonderful and heart-wrenching epilogue that even surpasses the ending of DA:O, and I really liked that epilogue! Also, I am happy that they have mostly left behind the stupidly scanty armor that was occasionally present in DA:O.

 

 

 

I could go on and on about why I love each and everyone of these games!

[Elessara]

Here are the things I liked most about the different games:

 

Dragon Age: Origins

The thing I probably like the most about DA:O are the origins - they add so much replay-value and it is a great way to flesh out your character. Origins also had some of the best banter between companions, I remember the first time I played and I literally fell down the couch from laughing so much. I also think the last battle with the Archdemon is the best boss-battle in the games. All in all, I really like the huge variation of spells and abilities in DA:O - playing as a mage made me feel like truly a force of nature!

 

Dragon Age 2

Obviously this is a game that has got a lot of criticism, sometimes for good reason, but I still think it has a lot going for it. I love that we got a voiced protagonist, and sarcastic Hawke is one of the funniest characters in the series. I really loved having a more personal story, and although I felt horrible about "failing" more often than in DA:O I do think contributed to Hawke's story. I also liked that the companions were not as centered around the protagonist, but had their own lives we occasionally got glimpses of. As for combat, I really like the ability to melee as a mage (I want that back soooo much!).  

 

Dragon Age: Inquistion

I love how vibrant the game is compared to the previous ones! I also liked the freedom of exploring the world at my own leisure, although I do wish it was populated with more interesting quests. The way the romances were done was also a lot better than before (I really liked that they used nudity in a tasteful way), and even though Solas totally shredded my heart like none of my other LIs (Alistair and Fenris) I don't regret it. Trespasser is a wonderful and heart-wrenching epilogue that even surpasses the ending of DA:O, and I really liked that epilogue! Also, I am happy that they have mostly left behind the stupidly scanty armor that was occasionally present in DA:O.

 

 

 

I could go on and on about why I love each and everyone of these games!

 

I will agree with all of this.  Although I truly don't recall any scanty armor in DAO unless you're talking about the leather sets which left some of the neck/upper chest area open.  Oh, there were a couple of mage robes with cleavage down to the navel, right?

 

Edit to add:  There were other leather sets too.  I think mostly the dalish sets?  I didn't really use them.

[midnight tea]

I like open-world games, when they're done well. I adore Skyrim and New Vegas. Please do not make assumptions.

 

 

 

Like I said, I brought up DA2 because I don't have a lot of faith in BioWare because of it. I didn't say anything about development time. Now, I know a lot of the bad points to DA2 were because of the development time - but BioWare, as a company (Or at least EA, who still has control over them) decided to release DA2 despite it's short development time and many flaws. And then there's Inquisition, which had good points that were left underdeveloped so they could fit in shallow and irrelevant content like the Fallow Mire and the Emprise du Lion.

 

So I reiterate - after DA2 and Inquisition (And I guess ME3, although I thought ME3 was a good game if you ignore the infamously awful ending.) I just don't have that faith. If that annoys you, well, don't ask me why I think something and then get mad at me when I explain.

 

I'm sorry, but what is in my comment there that even suggests that I am "mad" or "annoyed at you" at any capacity? I don't understand why you should throw something like this when emotions never ran high at any point during this conversation 

 

At best I was confused... and to be honest I'm still somewhat confused, because at first you seem to separate D2's short development time from your issues with game, only to acknowledge that it's responsible for most of its problems. I'm also not sure about the whole "they chose to publish it despite its flaws"... like, it would be a legit reason to be worried about if we were prior to DAI's release.

 

I mean, you may consider Fallow or Emprise as "irrelevant" (I hardly consider closing the biggest red lyrium mine and red templar "gardening" site irrelevant to the plot...), but as it stands DAI is a massive improvement over DA2 in every capacity, be it from BW or EA's side (they gave them more time to work on the game after all) and in many ways a big improvement over DAO. We don't know what will happen in the future, but there are enough reasons to stay at least moderately optimistic about the future of the franchise.

[NightSymphony]

Art

 

Solavellan Modern AU

Spoiler

http://ladytheirin.d...deviation_stack

 

Wall Decoration Painting

Spoiler

http://thegraphicrai...ation-617054368

 

LOL....Undertale the Inquisition. Click on the link below the picture to see Solas

http://starmoth123.d...ition-616892910

 

 

 

And just a pretty Zevran

http://crazyhorsexd....evran-616802147

[AlleluiaElizabeth]

Yeah, right. And that love is vast like the ocean and deep like a puddle.

You remind me of the folks I used to put up with at the Bethesda forums. They would spend hundreds of hours playing the game, but acted like it was a total abomination and rarely acknowledged any qualities.

Ok, down boy.

[Qun00]

Fite me, lethallan.

[Ellawynn]

One thing DAI has improved over past games is the amount of content. I hated the fact that there was so little to do between main quests back in Origins.


Yeah, right. And that love is vast like the ocean and deep like a puddle.

You remind me of the folks I used to put up with at the Bethesda forums. They would spend hundreds of hours playing the game, but acted like it was a total abomination and rarely acknowledged any qualities.

As for the idea that open world games and good storytelling cannot coexist, I have three words for you: Red Dead Redemption.

 

Well, I'm sorry that I remind you of someone else that you disagree with, but you shouldn't take up their argument with me. For one, I don't insist that Skyrim's an abomination, so completely disregarding what I am telling you to continue fighting the shadow of some other debate is pointless. I can like something and still acknowledge it's flaws. I can love the freedom and exploration of Skyrim and still believe that it suffers from a general lack of complexity or depth, and still believe that the things that make Skyrim great don't mesh well with a series like Dragon Age. 

 

And I never implied that good story-telling in general is impossible. I even said that Witcher 3 got by on well-written side-quests. 

 

So I'm not sure what you want from me. A gushing review of Inquisition? Of Skyrim? Of open-world games in general? Am I not allowed to express my opinions unless they're wholly positive?

 

I'm sorry, but what is in my comment there that even suggests that I am "mad" or "annoyed at you" at any capacity? I don't understand why you should throw something like this when emotions never ran high at any point during this conversation 

 

At best I was confused... and to be honest I'm still somewhat confused, because at first you seem to separate D2's short development time from your issues with game, only to acknowledge that it's responsible for most of its problems. I'm also not sure about the whole "they chose to publish it despite its flaws"... like, it would be a legit reason to be worried about if we were prior to DAI's release.

 

I mean, you may consider Fallow or Emprise as "irrelevant" (I hardly consider closing the biggest red lyrium mine and red templar "gardening" site irrelevant to the plot...), but as it stands DAI is a massive improvement over DA2 in every capacity, be it from BW or EA's side (they gave them more time to work on the game after all) and in many ways a big improvement over DAO. We don't know what will happen in the future, but there are enough reasons to stay at least moderately optimistic about the future of the franchise.

 

Your tone - although admittedly, it's a tone you take with everyone you disagree with and I know English isn't your first language, so I maybe shouldn't take that so personally. 

 

And to be honest, I'm confused as to why you're confused. DA2 was a game with problems. These problems likely stemmed from a small development time. BioWare/EA made the decision to release DA2 despite the problems this development time caused, showing a certain amount of creative incompetency. Inquisition was meant to be the game were they showed that they had learned, and yet some of the development decisions in that game also showed a certain amount of creative incompetency. Not as much as DA2, but enough that I'm a bit burned out, and the implication that BioWare will make those same decisions again for ME:A is not one I can get very excited about. 

 

But as for Trespasser - yeah, I agree with Bunny, Trespasser was pretty great. Trespasser also pretty much ditched the open-world idea and embraced the story and characters that have always been at the heart of BioWare's work. 

 

(And while this is somewhat off-topic - Emprise du Lion is irrelevant to the plot because, yeah, you think hitting the Red Templars so hard would be something major, and yet the game as a whole doesn't acknowledge it really either way. You can totally ignore Emprise and lose nothing, both in-story and out-of-story, except for some war table missions which also effect nothing. That's what makes it irrelevant.)

[Qun00]

Well, I'm sorry that I remind you of someone else that you disagree with, but you shouldn't take up their argument with me. For one, I don't insist that Skyrim's an abomination, so completely disregarding what I am telling you to continue fighting the shadow of some other debate is pointless. I can like something and still acknowledge it's flaws. I can love the freedom and exploration of Skyrim and still believe that it suffers from a general lack of complexity or depth, and still believe that the things that make Skyrim great don't mesh well with a series like Dragon Age.

And I never implied that good story-telling in general is impossible. I even said that Witcher 3 got by on well-written side-quests.

So I'm not sure what you want from me. A gushing review of Inquisition? Of Skyrim? Of open-world games in general? Am I not allowed to express my opinions unless they're wholly positive?

I just work with what you give me. I can't assume anything else from an entirely negative opinion.

But it is hard to keep track of that since you keep changing it as you go.

That and open-world games are historically pretty lacking in the story department.

And that is, well, pretty dishonest.

[Ellawynn]

I just work with what you give me. I can't assume anything else from an entirely negative opinion.

But it is hard to keep track of that since you keep changing it as you go.


And that is, well, pretty dishonest.

 

???

 

What am I changing? Is it because I tried to clarify what I meant? I have a demonstrable history in this forum of liking Elder Scrolls, Morrowind and Skyrim in particular, and talking about them with other fans - so I'm not sure how saying that Skyrim was a good game was changing my opinion. And if you're going to sling accusations at me, could you at least tell me what evidence you have? Like you shouldn't be assuming anything at all, it's rude to whoever you're talking to, and it's ruder still to blame them for correcting assumptions you made.

 

Again - I am allowed to like something while acknowledging it's flaws. If you take a passing comment as an overwhelming condemnation of every aspect of a work, well, that's on you, and I'm not going to continue such an absurd argument with someone who has already decided what I think and feel without even asking me.

[AlleluiaElizabeth]

Fite me, lethallan.

Go home, Qun. You're drunk.

[midnight tea]

Your tone - although admittedly, it's a tone you take with everyone you disagree with and I know English isn't your first language, so I maybe shouldn't take that so personally. 

 

I'm sorry, but... what is there antagonizing or aggressive or indicative of me being mad or annoyed in saying that I'm not sure why you mention this or that or that I view things differently? I probably can't objectively assess my tone, but from where I stand, I genuinely don't see anything that is there that could sound anything other than neutral. I may be wrong, but at this point I think you may be reading something that isn't there. Maybe you mix stuff up between me and Qun00, who does seem in a more confrontational mood concerning that particular issue than I?

 

 

 

 

And to be honest, I'm confused as to why you're confused. DA2 was a game with problems. These problems likely stemmed from a small development time. BioWare/EA made the decision to release DA2 despite the problems this development time caused, showing a certain amount of creative incompetency. Inquisition was meant to be the game were they showed that they had learned, and yet some of the development decisions in that game also showed a certain amount of creative incompetency. Not as much as DA2, but enough that I'm a bit burned out, and the implication that BioWare will make those same decisions again for ME:A is not one I can get very excited about. 

 

I don't seem to mind DA2 as much as you do, since I like the fact that they were bold enough to try and experiment with the story and do so in time they've got. Then they've shown with Inquisition that they can improve, and despite some snags I can only see things getting better - whether they will, we're yet to see. 

 

Though it does seem tome that some things aren't creative incompetence, but merely taking routes you don't seem to approve - and this is simply not a thing that we'd be able to discuss much, when it's apparent that you seem to prefer tighter, more linear story experience, while I myself don't mind meandering, exploring, slowing down and discovering all the additional content and info there is. 

 

 

 

(And while this is somewhat off-topic - Emprise du Lion is irrelevant to the plot because, yeah, you think hitting the Red Templars so hard would be something major, and yet the game as a whole doesn't acknowledge it really either way. You can totally ignore Emprise and lose nothing, both in-story and out-of-story, except for some war table missions which also effect nothing. That's what makes it irrelevant.)

 

Of course it is relevant - we get the Keep, we open trading routes, we stop Imshael, we save Sahrnia, and if we pick Mages alliance we get open a quest full of dialogues and cinematics, where we learn of Samson, his armor and his Tranquil. That's the only way to create the rune to destroy his armor, which is later used during main quest. 

 

The thing is that they *can't* do most of those things 100% absolutely relevant to the main quest or there at the forefront, because it's one of those things that depends on how we play our Inquisitor. Like... at one point or another there has to be a compromise if we get to have a customizable character characterized not just dialogue or quest options, but what they decide to do and how much they intend to expand Inquisition or help people. Aside from all the perks, quests, judgements, companion approval and influence we get i the game, most of major story quest objectives is recorded in the Keep. Whether it'd become more relevant later than, say, feeding the prisoner in DAO remains to be seen, but I wouldn't wave it away just yet.

[Gaia300]

... Not really sure why your'e mentioning DA2? We know that many problems with this title stemmed from its super-short development time and if DA4 was the same we'd have it in stores already, given that it's been more than 1,5 year after DAI's release.

 

As for "empty world" or "choppy story"... well, that's how you view things. I don't necessarily see it that way. I enjoy the somewhat longer pacing, the story being spread out between bouts of exploration, discovery and growth, as well as a good amount of stories and objective in zones. All of them are inter-connected to the main story or flesh out the lore or provide clues. I wouldn't mind if they've made the story tighter, but I don't necessarily miss how they've done it in DAO, for example.

Didn't the developers said that most of the time was spent to build the engine of DAI and how to make it work for DAI rather than increment the quality of the quests?DA4 i presume will have the same engine of DAI so they will not spent so much time for it.

[midnight tea]

 

Didn't the developers said that most of the time was spent to build the engine of DAI and how to make it work for DAI rather than increment the quality of the quests?DA4 i presume will have the same engine of DAI so they will not spent so much time for it.

 

No, I don't recall something like that ever being told. At best they said that they've spent considerable time converting to Frostbite, but I heard nothing of "well, converting to Frostbite took 80% of our time so we didn't have time to improve" or anything of the sort. 

 

Also - since they've already converted to Frostbite and built all the necessary modules, they've learned stuff and now get more practice and improve both the tech, gameplay and story during development of both MEA and new IP (and aren't held back by ancient gen 3 console technology, which was one of reasons they've had to scale down on some things) it does logically follow that now they'd now have more time, resources and power to provide quests people expect them to provide.

 

And it's highly doubtful they'd switch engine, given that both their new titles and most EA titles are now using Frostbite - and even that is good news. Did you know, for example, that for the first time FIFA title has story mode? And they were able to build it thanks to tech developed in Bioware during production of DAI?

 

It seems a small thing, especially compared the % of focus on the story in both titles, given that one of them is a sports game, but from where I stand this is a big step forward - because that means that every studio under EA is not just working on their titles, but on improvements to the engine and everyone is benefiting from it. It's easier to build games or find people who are able to build them and BW has a hurdle of converting to new engine behind them.