118 réponses à ce sujet

[Seraphim24]

Hello, I was interested in giving some feedback on the DA:I universe as I've found a number of them to be fairly disappointing. I suppose these facts could change after playing the game, but nonetheless as I see things I find things I don't like and wonder if they might be different in the future. 

 

Back in Baldur’s Gate many of the party characters could get righteous or high and mighty, such as Minsc and Jaheira, and although they were interesting characters, I also enjoyed having people like Korgan, and Viconia in the party, oh my god, especially Viconia. I liked having the party of half Minsc-type characters and half impulsive/passionate characters, having Edwin and Minsc in the same group felt great, even if they played the "evil" stereotype way too hard in the D&D universe. It was like a fun experiment to see if I could keep everyone together when they hated each other.

 

Nowadays, it feels like all Minscs. Blackwall, the most psychotically over-noble character I’ve ever seen. Dorian, there is nothing controversial to me about opposing the Tevinter Imperium (Or Thayvian Empire), that seems like an easy choice to me. Iron Bull, another super warrior type that is mostly loyal to his cause. Varric, another servant just like Iron Bull. Vivienne, again, super dedicated to her organization, oh sure, she’s more pragmatic and aggressive within the organization, but she’s still a company woman.  Solas, ok, finally, he’s at least an independently didactic character, a little better, but still, infatuated with learning? It's like everyone’s a teacher or something.

 

So that leaves Cassandra and Sera as the two most unique which is fine, but that’s a low percentage and much lower than in the past. Where are the genuinely feminine or nice characters? I feel like it's odd in a game that emphasizes romance so much there aren't any characters that seem very romantic. Where is the character that just wants to go have tea or bake biscuits for everyone? Where is the character ecstatic to see the outdoors? Why is strength always equated entirely with violence?

 

Or god forbid, why can’t a character bake biscuits and then decapitate the tyrannical king of Ferelden in a duel to determine combat supremacy? Even Alistair from DA:O, the oh so charming and easy going Templar, had a massive bag of emo wailing and bursting self-righteousness hidden inside him all along as experienced at the end of that game.

 

Bioware storytelling springs from the same tree as the hardened and embittered characters of western literature like Game of Thrones, but the universal appeal of that series comes from having gentle moments in addition to horrible ones. A bunch of noisy and aggressive characters ultimately just becomes boring after awhile. It's not going to be fun if everyone is a jerk. 

 

Just my feedback. I might feel somewhat differently if I decide to play the game and see it all, but I might not even get it based on these kinds of things.

[Vindicare175]

I disagree , I frankly like almost every companion & advisor we have , a few I'm not a fan of or on the fence with but otherwise I see nothing wrong with any of them.

[Samahl]

Varric, another servant just like Iron Bull.

 

What?

 

Bioware storytelling springs from the same tree as the hardened and embittered characters of western literature like Game of Thrones, but the universal appeal of that series comes from having gentle moments in addition to horrible ones. A bunch of noisy and aggressive characters ultimately just becomes boring after awhile. It's not going to be fun if everyone is a jerk.

 

You're expecting complex characterization from characters we know next to nothing about. Getting rather ahead of yourself, I would say.

[Feybrad]

So... poor You?

 

First off, it is much too early to judge Persons like, for example, Blackwall. We know next to nothing about him at this Point.

 

I all comes down to taste. I, for example, think the Characters are much more interesting, especially as you make them out to be. You seriously declare Varric as "just another Servant" ... have you ever played DA2? But, anyways, you can wail all you want, a lot of People are going to disagree with you simply because they actually like the Characters.

 

And, to quell your one specific Desire - genuinely nice and feminine Characters - from what we know about her, Josephine fits in that Niche very nicely and Leliana did already in Origins. And if you do not count them because they're being Advisors, then that's just you being stupid, frankly.

[Vindicare175]

So... poor You?

 

First off, it is much too early to judge Persons like, for example, Blackwall. We know next to nothing about him at this Point.

 

I all comes down to taste. I, for example, think the Characters are much more interesting, especially as you make them out to be. You seriously declare Varric as "just another Servant" ... have you ever played DA2? But, anyways, you can wail all you want, a lot of People are going to disagree with you simply because they actually like the Characters.

 

And, to quell your one specific Desire - genuinely nice and feminine Characters - from what we know about her, Josephine fits in that Niche very nicely and Leliana did already in Origins. And if you do not count them because they're being Advisors, then that's just you being stupid, frankly.

 

I tried to avoid the * Well.. too bad for you isn't it?* reply but you covered it basically lol , as for Romantic characters , Cassandra in her profile is said to be a romantic so there's her as well.

 

And i agree , Varric is no servant , he's your ally , there's a major difference. Frankly none of your Companions are your servants , There your allies.

[Andraste_Reborn]

What everyone else already said.

 

But also: you forgot Cole. Which means he's probably standing right behind you ...

[metatheurgist]

Bioware storytelling springs from the same tree as the hardened and embittered characters of western literature like Game of Thrones, but the universal appeal of that series comes from having gentle moments in addition to horrible ones. A bunch of noisy and aggressive characters ultimately just becomes boring after awhile. It's not going to be fun if everyone is a jerk.

I know nothing about the new characters (never played DA2), but let's use history as a guide. Sten, Big tough Qunari warrior - Leililiana calls him a softie and he likes cookies. Shale, unfeeling construct but is really an over sensitive femdwarf. Zevran, cold ruthless assassin that wants to commit suicide because he killed the wrong person. I think we're going to be OK.

[dutch_gamer]

I honestly believe nobody can make the claim the characters are boring without even having played the game.

[Amfortas]

Brooks from the mass effect citatel DLC embodies eveything I hate about bioware characters. I'd take one thousand psycho jerks before another character that is naive or insecure or makes comments about cats, flowers, butterflies and cookies. I don't find it funny. HK was funny, Henpecked Hou was funny. Anomen's hypocresy was quite funny in it's own way as well.

[TurretSyndrome]

If the characters are more like DA:O and less like in DA 2, I think it'll be alright.

[fchopin]

So far the look boring but we will not know until we play the game.

[DaySeeker]

You haven't met them yet.  The game comes out Nov. 18th.

[Han Shot First]

Brooks from the mass effect citatel DLC embodies eveything I hate about bioware characters. I'd take one thousand psycho jerks before another character that is naive or insecure or makes comments about cats, flowers, butterflies and cookies. I don't find it funny. HK was funny, Henpecked Hou was funny. Anomen's hypocresy was quite funny in it's own way as well.

 

Brooks?

 

Did you play the entire DLC? 

[Amfortas]

Brooks?

Did you play the entire DLC?

Yes, I thought it was clear which version of her I was talking about. She's doing a parody of bioware's characters, which means bioware is aware of how ridiculous their characters sometimes are. That gives me hope for the future.

[frylock23]

For one thing, all the characters do come from factions that are at odds with one another, so while you may think they are boring, you seem oblivious to the fact that the entire crew is quite well set up for a decent amount of external conflicts even if every personality is as stolid and stable as you think it is. Keeping all those competing interests and point of view working together without offending any of them too much is going to be a chore in and of itself.

 

Then, just because BioWare hasn't exposed the deep-seated angst of each character doesn't mean it isn't there. If BioWare has an emotionally stable and well balanced crew psychologically, I'll be extremely surprised. I'm sure there are plenty of hidden plot points in each character.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

Blackwall is psychotically noble, Iron Bull is too loyal to his cause and Vivienne is a "company woman", but Cassandra is unique? I don't even get it.  

[CrimsonN7]

Blackwall is psychotically noble

 

He isn't a Stark is he? Er if so that won't end well.

[Borosini]

Yes, I thought it was clear which version of her I was talking about. She's doing a parody of bioware's characters, which means bioware is aware of how ridiculous their characters sometimes are. That gives me hope for the future.

There were never two "versions" of Brooks.

 

She's the same character even when she's choosing to act a certain way, which means she's more complex than mere parody.

 

The fact that she irritates you is a testament to the strength of the writing. Causing emotional reaction in the player is one of the goals of the writers—and by the end of the DLC it becomes apparent that there was always supposed to be something off or uncomfortable about Brooks's demeanor.

[pengwin21]

Minsc is 'righteous' and 'high and mighty' and is not 'impulsive' or 'passionate'? That seems like a very odd description of Minsc- I would say he's much more impulsive and passionate than either Viconia or Korgan who are both more pragmatic.

[Not a Cat Doll]

If I based my impressions of the characters solely on video snippets and promotional material, and then compared them to characters I've come to know fully over hours and hours of gameplay and now view through heavy duty prescription nostalgia goggles, I might find them boring too. In other words, I think it is too early to pass judgement, and the characters you are holding up as being more satisfyingly written weren't quite as deep as you remember them to be.

 

Truthfully, it sounds like you are suffering from genre fatigue, which is bound to happen, especially when dealing with a genre as recursive as fantasy. Pair that with the cabin fever atmosphere of the forums, where paranoid scrutinizing of the dev teams every fart is what passes for conversation, and you have a recipe for it.

 

Wait until the game comes out, and see what people you trust are saying about it. You may (or may not) feel differently, at that time.

[Schreckstoff]

That's just a case of.nostalgia goggles you got going there.

[aTigerslunch]

Josie is the one to try and keep people happy around the table, thereby making batch of cookies. Closest one I think would consider it, not saying she would.

 

Honestly, Bull and any other Qunari from the Qun are responsible to find more out before the attack. They are trying to figure out where and what needs hit before striking. Strategically looking for the hard points and the weak points. His macho warrior thing is expected anyways.

 

The others you listed maybe boring to OP, but many of us they are not, and we don't really know them to judge them yet as well. Their attitudes and outlook alters due to the players choices to some degree.

 

As far as I can see, Josie wants to continue trying to make peace, Bull is a spy of the Qun, Solas wants to study and explore knowledge, Varric is just out there enjoying himself, technically cause of the tears, they had to stop what they wanted to do in order to help stop this mess. Cant just sit by drinking tea and eating biscuits when demons drop all over the place, rampaging the cities. So, several don't want the war but do so out of necessity. This is how I seen and read some of their backgrounds and recruitments.

[Deflagratio]

Not really seeing the boring characters you're talking about, especially because the two you mention as "Most unique" are the ones I find actually most cliche so far.

 

Sera, spunky Elf archer/rogue with an attitude?

 

Cassandra just screams "Look how equal and empowered women can be too!" cliche's all day long. I get a strong Bastila impression from Cassandra so far. Though Cass seems to be a bit more... harsh.

 

That said, I don't find archetypes like that bad, characters are typically defined by nuance much more so than broad-stroke archetype, and deliberately trying to be unique in such overt manners usually results in a character full of contradictory personality traits that just smacks of special snowflake trying-too-hard syndrome which in the end, comes off very disingenuous.

 

 

Surprised Cole didn't make OP's cut of unique characters though, I can't say I've seen many altruistic zombie demons in my travels of literature, film and games.

[Seraphim24]

I did make the disclaimer that I might change my opinion after having played it, but I take that risk all the time, and I feel completely confident without having ever watched CSI that I'm missing absolutely nothing. I often have my opinion change after having played something but generally not dramatically so.

 

Cassandra I guess actually I could include in the list of being a stable loyal companion just like Iron Bull and Blackwall and so on. Sticking with the Chantry after the DA2 disaster seemed like she was making a more difficult choice on something, and made me more interested in her story. It's not a matter of whether she's technically in support of an organization that defines independent or non-independent. 

 

Most of my problems stems from how they seem to use "gimmicks" to make them seem brash or independent or caring. Sten makes a joke about cookies, therefore he's suddenly not an unrepentant jackstick? Varric drinks heavily, talks a tall tale, has the brazen audacity to "lie" on occasion, and is otherwise filled with the surface of a dangerous rogue without being a dangerous rogue. When does he murder someone in the street out of cold rage? Where is the rogue part?

 

I still see Minsc as infused with anger, not necessarily human passion, two separate things in my view. 

 

Cole does seem sort of interesting but since he was listed as an "optional" character as I stated, not sure what to do with him. 

 

It's not just these main characters either, I was re-playing DA:O the other day and I'm like, everyone in conversation is just basically like "screw you" or trying to get you in a trap of reason, and at a certain point it's wearying.

 

Anyway, it's a dual issue of 1) Absence of genuinely caring non-super egomaniac main characters 2) The really violent characters trying to pretend they're not violent, or that if they talk about beer and conversation or how much fun they have socializing they're somehow "cool" now. 

[Seraphim24]

I should add though that honestly I've had problems with many different games and to see people actually respond in defense of theres is honestly kind of nice. Most people don't even really read what I put down.