Yes, this is going to be long because I want to convey my opinions as best I can. You've been warned. 
Last night I hunkered down in my living and played DAI for six hours. Then another six hours with my husband’s account. I played the previous games so my expectations were high.
I am going to do this in sections to make things easier.
Character Creation
(When it comes to games if I have the option to play a female, I play a female. Which means, I did not even bother with the male CC. A good two hours (give or take) I spent in the CC. While it has some good things it also has some bad things).
The Good: You’re able to customize your character to your liking and can easily spend hours in it. You even customize your character down to the smallest detail. Don’t like the position of the scar on your mouth? You can move it vertically or horizontally.
The Bad: The lack of long female hairstyles is annoying. I am and was not impressed with the selection. I was hoping to use the parted shoulder length hair that was in the previous two games, but alas it was not there. I understand they cannot make hair too long because of clipping but having a few shoulder length hair options would be nice.
Final Thoughts: The CC is a huge improvement from the previous DA games. Though it will take a little time to get use to how to push and pull certain features for your character.
Overall Grade: B+
Combat
The Good: Smoother then Origins but not too crazy like in Dragon Age 2. It seems like the developers found a nice balance between the two and it works. I cannot comment on the tactical camera because I prefer to let my companions do their own thing, makes it more realistic since I tend to RP in these DA games as best as I can.
The Bad: In the previous games there was a Tactics section to set up your character or any of your companions. It’s still there but not as clean and simple as before. It’s really hard to explain. However the most annoying for me was unable to tell who was an enemy and who was not. Since I was playing a Mage and attacking from a distance it made it difficult to see the enemies and their health bars. I remember fighting and I was trying to kill a mage. Come to find out I was shooting Solas. (Sighs).
Final Thoughts: The combat will take some time getting use too. I for one spent the better part of my time hitting “A” for a basic attack, only to realize that it’s “RT” and “A” is jump. And before you ask, no I did not fight a dragon.
Overall Grade: B
Inventory
The Good. Its back! Being able to slap on any arms and armor for your companions. Thank goodness too. That drove me crazy in DA2. It’s simple, clean and easy to use. What more can be said.
The Bad: Nothing right now.
Final Thoughts: Truth be told I have none, simply because I was happy with the inventory system.
Overall Grade: A+
Leveling up
The Good: The layout is similar to that of DA2. There are some spells that are making their return from previous games and quite a few new ones. It’s pretty easy to navigate and understand what does what.
The Bad: I’ve been playing games for a LONG time and this is the first sword and board game I have played where I cannot increase my Attributes upon leveling. It REALLY annoys me to no end. For my mage, I’ve always invested in Magic, Willpower and Constitution. Now I am forced to stare at the Attributes doing nothing to fix them to my liking and constantly saying, “No, No! That is not how I want my attributes!” It is mind boggling that the previous two games allowed you to change them and in this game you can do nothing with them…well…except stare at them.
The other thing that is annoying is no healing tree. I for one normally play a mage, running around trying to keep the party alive as best as I can. I enjoy it, I find it fun. So much so I played a healer in an MMO. Running around keeping 23 other people alive is taxing, but again fun. In DAI I feel almost forced to play on a lower setting because if I go higher, I increase the chances of my party not being able to with stand such brutal punishments without the aid of healing.
Yes, we have defensive spells to cast and some minor healing, but, it’s not as effect as a good old fashion healing spell. I’m not one for running around casting buff after buff on people just to keep them alive. I learned long ago that no matter how much you tact on a tank, all it takes is one well executed hit from an enemy and your tank is dead. When a tank falls all hell breaks loose.
Does healing break the game? Nope. You have to pay attention to other companions’ health bars and if you are or someone in your party is a healer does not mean you will always keep someone a live. Healing (to me) is giving the party more time to succeed but in the end even that is not enough.
I am fine with not healing up to full after a fight. I am fine with only carrying around “X” amount of potions. But allowing the other two DA games to have nice healing spells and not this one, well, makes me rather peeved. Furthermore it’s frustrating knowing mages can cast healing magic but not for you or any of your fellow mage companions.
Final Thoughts: I have no choice but to give this section a low grade. IF later on they add in the ability to attune your attributes to your liking and give back mages a healing tree, then I would definitely give “Leveling up” a higher grade.
Over All Grade: C-
The Story
The Good: It pulls you right in. It has so many "Whys" that you just want to keep playing to get the answers.
The Bad: Nothing so far
Final Thought: Not much to say really since it will no doubt take a while to even get to the end.
Overall Grade: Pending.
The Companions
The Good: Yes! Its back, being able to speak to your companions whenever. Granted you do not have to worry about accidentally opening a conversation while in the middle of combat or just strolling through the woods. However when your back at base you can walk around and speak to them. The first time talking to them opened a cut scene with conversation options. The next time you speak to them, it’s just standard. While in these basic conversations you can move the camera around and/or zoom in or out.
The Bad: In the previous two games, you were able to see a bar of what your friendship/rivalry was with each companion. While playing I was unable to find it. Maybe I am blind? Not only that I found it rather confusing when your companion (slightly) approves/disapproves. Is it ten points of approval/disapproval? What about the slightly part? Is that one point? Five points?
Final Thoughts: I really do not know if there are gifts you can give your companions and/or if they have quests. I will say I enjoyed running around base camp speaking to my character's comrades.
Overall Grade: B-
The Map
The Good: Easy to read and understand. If you want something marked, you can mark it. The best part is, it puts a column of blue light in the world, making it easy to see if it’s above or below you. Not to mention given you distance to said marker.
The Bad: Could not find anything bad to say-so far.
Final Thoughts: I am happy with the map and the vast improvements made. What more can be said?
Overall Grade: A+
The War Table
The Good: When you first start out there really is not much you can do on the War Table. But as you progress you’ll be able to unlock more; not only on the table but also to improve your fellow Council members’ effectiveness with their jobs. A nice touch was the developers adding in small comments when you’re interacting with the table. For example: When I was on the War Table and moved the cursor over to a completed mission, Cullen says to Liliana “Did you have any trouble?” and she responds.
The Bad: Nothing right now.
Final Thought: It’s awesome! Enough said.
Overall Grade: A+ (So far).
Crafting
The Good: Crafting has come a long way since the previous two games. You’re able to craft arms and armor, not just for you but also for your whole party. If you so choose you can even craft potions. There are lots of recipes to find and/or unlock. If you find a weapon you like you can improve it so long as you have the materials. And if you want Varric to keep his beloved Bianca instead of given him a new weapon you can improve it.
The Bad: I don’t have anything right now.
Final Thought: You’ll never worry about not having enough materials, they are everywhere. And since I am nice, let me share a secret…well sort of a secret.
When you complete the big fight of the tutorial and finish the cut scene inside your base of operations’, you’ll be thrown back outside. Go back in and another cut scene will happen, choose not to go to your first mission right now. Go back outside and head towards where Cullen and Cassandra are located.
You’ll most likely have to head down some stairs and open the outside gate door to get there. Once at the bottom of the stairs, head right following the path past the Templar lady standing at the tent. You’ll come to a “path” that breaks off into the woods to your left. Head that way and explore. Trust me, you’ll want to explore this area, not only is it pretty large but you’ll also find …well just go over there and look.
Overall Grade: A+
The Open World
The Good: No more corridors of only having to go this or that way. If you want to go somewhere, you can go there. Granted there are areas you simply cannot go, but you really don’t notice it since, there is so much area you can go. The environment is beautiful. It is one thing to see it in a screen shot or a video but it’s another to actually experience it for yourself. From the detail of the trees to the cracks and mirror reflection in the ice. The developers went out of their way to bring a breathtaking environment that you probably cannot stop staring at.
The Bad: Nothing so far
Final Thought: Truth be told I found the environment to be far more realistic and beautiful then Skyrim.
Overall Grade A+
Moving On…….
Let’s talk about the Companions.....
Cassandra: To be honest, she scares the crap out me. I swear, Cassandra, could close a Rift just by glaring it. IMO, Cassandra is like Aveline on PMS and steroids. IF you speak to her, she does seem a bit more relaxed but at the same time tense. Cassandra, does open up about her past reveling some interesting information about her. My suggestion is, don’t make her angry, you probably won’t like it when she is angry.
Solas: If Spock were more human and an elf this would be him. At least that is how I view Solas. I found his views quite intriguing and wanted to learn more. He seems rather laid back but serious in the task ahead. My suggestion is, take a few extra minutes to learn what you can from Solas, you may be amazed (as I was) about what he has to say.
Varric: After playing DA2 (numerous times) Varric was quite a ball to have around. However since DA2 he has changed quite a lot. He still has his funny sarcastic side, exaggerations, and storytelling and of course his crossbow Bianca; but when you speak to him you can tell Varric has grown a bit more serious. My suggestion is when you speak to him, avoid talking about Blondie. Varric is not particularly fond of speaking of him or that subject.
Cullen: Aside from not being a Templar and shaving his goatee with only faint traces of stubble, Cullen has not changed too much. He is very dedicated to the Inquisition and the cause. He’ll speak to you about his past, being a Templar and even why he left the order. My suggestion is, if you choose to pursue a relationship with him, be prepared for a giggle or more with the romantic conversation options. He has not changed in that regard since DAO. If you get my meaning.
Liliana: She has grown up quite a bit since her days by the Hero of Fereldan’s side. No longer is she dreaming of what to do with her future since she has found her place within the Inquisition. Lilianna takes her religion and her duties to the Inquisition seriously. Whenever I spoke to her I felt at any moment she could whip out a dagger and stab me. Speaking to her was a little unnerving not knowing how she was going to respond much less talk about. My suggestion is, try to be polite to her, respect her and you’ll gain a good friend (once again).
Josephine: For starters I love her name and I was somewhat surprised by how sweet but stern she was considering her duties. To me Josephine gives off this air of mystery, as if the more I ask about her the more there is too uncover-a never ending cycle of finding out about her. I don’t really have a suggestion since I find Josephine a complete enigma.
Enclosing….
After play six hours one day and another six the next day, I will say this game is amazing and addictive. I was sad when both of my six hours were up. As a fan of the DA series, I am impressed but that does not diminish my disappointments which I listed earlier.
If you’re new to the DA world and this will be your first game, I suggest you go back and play the first two games. It will get your better acquainted with the DA world. Not to mention DAO was freaking awesome.This game will no doubt take you several weeks to complete everything, if not months. Unless you’re a hardcore Redbull drinking gamer. LOL!
My final advice is this: Take your time, explore and enjoy the game. There are lots of things hidden from view.
Overall Grade B- (May increase or decrease over playing)
Lastly….
Is it Tuesday yet? 
Retour en haut
I agree with you on just about everything, and I finished my 6 hour trial yesterday. Can't wait for release!
