Probably the odd one out here, but so far I've not been overly impressed with any of them. I think the huge world scale legitimately damages their character arcs because people like myself simply cannot be arsed to complete them, where as before I never missed a companion quest in neither DAO or DA2.
Like, Varric's 'Seeing Red' quest. I don't know if it's important or not, but absolutely **** going back to the Hinterlands. I just refuse, and even then it only had 3 nodes on the map, so presume there's more out there. I can see how it's entertaining for some, I really can, but I just don't think grinding in this sort of nature is the RPG way. It's the MMO way, and I play WoW for that experience, not Dragon Age.
But alas, I'll try and evaluate on the little content I've seen so far, and I'm gunna include Advisors.
Varric is really disappointing. He's so grumpy and surprisingly so anti mage. Every single choice I've made so far, as an extreme mage supporter/elf supporter, has had his disapproval, which is just surprising after DA2 where Hawke could do no wrong. In conjunction, having his weapon tied to a system I think is poor design. I *hate* crafting in RPGs, and even MMOs to an extent. I never once utlized the crafting mechanics from neither DAO or DA2. So his weapon is now extremely lackluster because I'm a noob at crafting (completely my fault, but I just kinda wish there was a way to make him range viable without investing in a system you don't want to actually invest in...). Thus, Varric is unfortunantly useless to me. Poor banter, hates my quizzy for some reason and **** in combat. Extremely sad over his transition from DA2.
Sera I like. I knew I would like her, just because that sort of character I'm always fond of, but again she hates my quizzy but at least she's easy to figure out. I liked her reference to being Red Jenny in DAO with her paint box. She's funny, good in combat (made her dual wield though to even out my range heavy party) etc, so far I'm a fan. +Sera woo.
Cassandra is alright, but I knew she would never be my cup of tea. I don't really like stoic characters like her or Aveline, and again she's not a fan of my quizzy so, can't really comment. I can appreciate her combat value and I can also appreciate her likeability depending on quizzys (I have a Templar supporter run planned and she's going to be my default compnaion), but as an elf mage, not really a fan. So, meh on her, like I knew I would be.
Solas has surprised me. I knew I would likely be a fan, but I didn't know how much. I actually changed my elf's gender to romance him. Good in combat, unique plot tricks, insightful lore comments, big fan.
Iron Bull, kinda cliche and over done now but I can still appreciate his humor. Also amazing in combat. Half and half on him.
Dorian I really like, but again elf mage hates him. In a few runs, definitely can see him being appreciated, but not right now. ![]()
Cole has unfortunantly been sidelined simply because he's acquired too late. There's always one companion in each game like that, in DAO it's Oghren, Mass Effect 2 it's Legion etc etc. Once I side with the Templars in another play through I'm sure he'll get more action, but currently, he's getting none. Can't judge yet though since I've literally only been talking to him in Skyhold.
Vivenne has surprised me exceedingly so. I genuinely thought she'd get on my ******, but she's been insightful and humorous. Of course my elf mage hates her, but again I can't wait until my Templar play through. Her take on the mage war is actually really balanced, so again I'm a fan.
Blackwall has left virtually zero impression what so ever, so... not a fan.
Advisor wise, Joseph is boring, Leliana is cool but Cullen has surprised me. I found him annoying and whingy in prior games, but I'm actually really enjoying his content. So again, mostly positive reviews.
So, my favourite companions in order-
1) Solas
2) Sera
3) Dorian
4) Vivenne
5) Cassandra
6) Iron Bull
7) Varric
8) Cole
9) Blackwall
A good bunch but in my opinion, probably the weakest cast so far in DA if I'm honest, and the open world is the harmatia to the entire content if you ask me. Players shouldn't feel forced to explore. I appreciate that some players want open world (although if you ask me, the MMOs are -----> dat way. Open world all day every day, leave RPGs linear progress), but in the same argument, some players don't want open world. It's a hard balance to find, but so far I dislike feeling hemmed into exploration simply for companion development. The two shouldn't be correlated to that extent; should be directed approachs rather than 'spend x amount of time searching for Red Lyrium. Or Grey Warden monmentos. Or Vorati members with Dorian in the party.'. However, Solas's personal quest (find demon in exact location) was palatable.





Retour en haut







