62 réponses à ce sujet

[Linkenski]

When a new story in a series is told and it has returning cast members, and there are many writers, chances are they won't always be consistent and depending on the plot their relevance may be diminished or their character and behavior may simply be derailed from having a writer who doesn't understand the mindset the character's original writer had when writing him/her. It can commonly be referred to as "character decaying".

 

With this in mind, do you feel like any returning character in Dragon Age Inquisition suffered from character decay?

[Knight of Dane]

No

[Andraste_Reborn]

The opposite, actually. I was previously neutral on Cullen and Cassandra and wasn't that fond of Leliana in DAO, but I liked all of them in Inquisition.

[I SOLD MY SOUL TO BIOWARE]

Sarcastic Hawke, tbh.

[veeia]

Sarcastic Hawke, tbh.

This.

Also Corypheus. Because he's literally decaying, har har, but also he was more successfully executed in Legacy than Inquisition, IMO.

[Biotic Flash Kick]

Hawke didn't really have my interest in the first place so Hawke was kind of.. just there. 

[DarkKnightHolmes]

Hawke sucked big time. "Blood magic is wrong!". Hawke...... you're a blood mage.

[Ryriena]

Hawke sucked big time. "Blood magic is wrong!". Hawke...... you're a blood mage.

^ This many times, since apparently Sernia Hawke will have to act like she is not one just to show face as a headcanon.

[ThePhoenixKing]

Yes and no. While I found that some returning characters were a lot better than in previous installments (Cullen, Cassandra and Loghain, mostly), there were a few that I found to be far lesser, mostly Hawke and Varric. As well, it seems like every organization, culture or nation was either neutered or rendered incompetent and corrupt in order to make way for the Inquisition. The Grey Wardens in particular suffered this, as did Ferelden, going from a nation that defeated the Blight in a year (albeit with lots of help) into a place that couldn't wipe its own bottom without the Inquisition holding its hand. Orlais too; the novels set up the Orlesian Civil War as this massive conflict that was ripping the entire nation apart, yet in spite of that, and the fact that it's a place where political backstabbing is the national sport, everything was resolved rather calmly.

[Lavaeolus]

Cassandra was fairly on the mark: we didn't see her in-depth in II, but her character's easily recognizable. Bit of a hardass towards prisoners and during interrogation, ultimately good intentions, and something of a romantic nature (only vaguely touched upon in II, but there). Of course, I haven't seen Dawn of the Seeker. Varric, definitely different, but he's out of his element and his development makes a fair amount of sense.

Cullen's definitely changed from his Origins direction. That's not to say his current development doesn't make sense, but it seems different from where he was going back then. The creepy epilogue, the gradual slide. Whether or not I prefer this development isn't quite the same as if I think it's changed, I'll note; I'm fairly neutral, bit annoyed most of his development ended up taking place off-screen.

Having read Asunder, Cole felt very different. Cole was never the beacon of normalcy, and was ultimately good-intentioned, but he spoke much like a normal human was and didn't have a big thing about helping people (he mercy killed people because seeing their eyes as he snuffed out their lives made him feel important and "real"). Still creepy, and sympathetic (my description probably doesn't do him justice), but a different type of creepy. This can be explained by him becoming more in touch with his spirit nature, but it's still kind of weird.

It seems like cheating to count Hawke -- player character and all -- but their character stood in contrast to some given options in II so I'll count it. It was possible to play a Hawke who annulled the Circle not to kill blood mages (as Inquisition Hawke states), but to limit casualties from a choice taken out of their hands. And, of course, you could friend Merrill and see the benefit in her blood magic. Oh, and actually sell someone's soul to a sloth demon, seems a bit weird to criticise blood magic after doing that.

[_Lucinia]

Yes and no. While I found that some returning characters were a lot better than in previous installments (Cullen, Cassandra and Loghain, mostly), there were a few that I found to be far lesser, mostly Hawke and Varric. As well, it seems like every organization, culture or nation was either neutered or rendered incompetent and corrupt in order to make way for the Inquisition. The Grey Wardens in particular suffered this, as did Ferelden, going from a nation that defeated the Blight in a year (albeit with lots of help) into a place that couldn't wipe its own bottom without the Inquisition holding its hand. Orlais too; the novels set up the Orlesian Civil War as this massive conflict that was ripping the entire nation apart, yet in spite of that, and the fact that it's a place where political backstabbing is the national sport, everything was resolved rather calmly.

I was going to reply to this thread earlier, that perhaps Varric had a bit of 'character decay'.  I've thought on it a bit.  I think what's made Varric feel like less than he was in DA2 is because his dynamic with the protagonist is very different in DAI.  He's not friends with the Inquisitor like he is with Hawke.  I don't think he could ever have that same relationship.  Largely because he sees the Inquisitor as the Herald of Andraste, and it's more like he works for the Inquisitor rather than with.

There's also the time frame.  Hawke and Varric had a decade to build up their friendship.  Maybe if he sticks with the Inquisition he could eventually have a similar bond with the Inquisitor.  

After my first play through I was really bummed that Varric felt so different.  But as time went on I was glad he wasn't the same way towards the Inquisitor.  Sounds corny, but I think what Varric has with Hawke is special.  And Varric is more than just the PC's best bud.

That's just my .02.  Not saying anyone is right or wrong.

[VoidOfOne]

Yes and no, considering the many reasons above.

 

But also, where is Bodahn and Sandal, more specifically Sandal? They've been decayed to nothingness...

 

Also, what about the Wardens in Fereldan? I'm may be in the minority here but I was definitely looking forward to seeing how they were addressed, especially since I was looking forward to Oghren; a cameo if nothing else. All we got was "they're missing" or something like that. And I don't mean the Fre... er, Orleasian Wardens.

 

Then again, considering how many choices one could make, I get why they aren't in the game, as it stands. Still disappointing.

[TEWR]

I think Leliana is the biggest one I can think of, aside from Corypheus and...

Sarcastic Hawke, tbh.

 

He started off strong with the Maker's bosom comment, then deteriorated with the "I AM AGAINST BLOOD MAGIC" comments.

[SporkFu]

To me, Varric hasn't really seemed to fit in anywhere in the inquisition. Much as I loved him in DA2, his own self-descriptive phrase, "unwelcome tagalong," feels more and more fitting as the game goes on. Maybe he should've stayed in Kirkwall? *shrug* 

[AWTEW]

I think Leliana is the biggest one I can think of, aside from Corypheus and...

 

He started off strong with the Maker's bosom comment, then deteriorated with the "I AM AGAINST BLOOD MAGIC" comments.

 

Lelliana was great in Inquisition..she has grown a lot more, and this ruthless side she has in DAI was hinted at in DAO.

 

I will never understand why they didn't go more snarky with sarcastic hawke. There was perfect opportunity for some comedy .but..alas no. I think they were going for a tired, and emotionally drained hawke IDK.

[chr0n0mancer]

Cory and sarcastic Hawke are the ones that spring to mind. Hawke had one good sarcastic line I can think of ("this looks nothing like the maker's bosom") and Cory was more generically evil, when he just seemed confused and out of his time in DA2. Hawke's constant anti-blood magic ranting didn't help either.

[dreamgazer]

Sarcastic Hawke, tbh.

Hey, I tried to warn folks that some railroading was gonna go down if they incorporated past protagonists into the story.

Ohhhhhh well.

[ThePhoenixKing]

Yeah, it's really unfortunate that after being one of the most dynamic and engaging companions in DAII, Varric is just kinda... there in Inquisition. He doesn't grate on me like Sera or Vivienne do, but there was little interesting about him either.

 

And I think part of the problem with Hawke as a supporting character was that he or she was never going to be exactly like the Hawkes' that we created in terms of personality. My Hawke, for example, wouldn't have descended into anti-Warden (she's a bit of a Warden fangirl) and anti-blood magic ranting (she romanced Merrill) like that. In fact, instead of moping about, she'd probably have Merrill come with her to fight against Cory's forces; fight fire with fire and all that.  

[Cerulione]

There will always be people who won"t be happy if past protagonist (mainly Hawke) is back in future game. The thing is, compared to predefined companion/NPC, there are lots of headcannon & details & fine subtle differences in how each person play their protagonist. They can't accomodate all the subtility on each player's choice...

 

So it'll be a standardize Hawke & not "the very subtle Hawke that I played, that use sarcastic option 2 times every 3 choices and 1 diplomatic every 6 choices to Aveline but always sarcastic to Merrill" or things like that.

[Lady Artifice]

Bianca.

 

"But Artifice, Bianca wasn't in any previous installments--,"

 

Shush, ssh. Bianca. 

[Cerulione]

Bianca.

 

"But Artifice, Bianca wasn't in any previous installments--,"

 

Shush, ssh. Bianca. 

 

She is. And we even got her in the party all the time if you bring Varric all the time like I do. She even ingested some red lyrium if you choose to give Varric the shards from Haunted House

 

 

[errantknight]

No, the character development seemed entirely consistant with events to me.

 

I might joke about Hawke losing his sense of humor, but the fact is, Hawke has been through the ringer. He/she has seen every victory turn to ashes and the world burn because of events that happened on his/her watch. I'd be a grimmer person, too.

 

When we see Alistair, he is either fighting a false calling while knowing that the wardens he once revered have turned to blood magic and are planning to do unspeakable things or He's arrived to deal with mages whom he wished to help whom he now must exile from the kingdom because they allied with a tevinter blood mage and took over part of Ferelden--his uncle's part! He has no reason to be in a humorous mood in either of those two cases, although you do get a more lighthearted letter from King Alistair later.

 

Leliana has been doing stressfull nasty work for a very long time and has just had a very close friend die. 

 

All seems pretty much on the nose to me

[TeraBat]

I was going to reply to this thread earlier, that perhaps Varric had a bit of 'character decay'.  I've thought on it a bit.  I think what's made Varric feel like less than he was in DA2 is because his dynamic with the protagonist is very different in DAI.  He's not friends with the Inquisitor like he is with Hawke.  I don't think he could ever have that same relationship.  Largely because he sees the Inquisitor as the Herald of Andraste, and it's more like he works for the Inquisitor rather than with.

There's also the time frame.  Hawke and Varric had a decade to build up their friendship.  Maybe if he sticks with the Inquisition he could eventually have a similar bond with the Inquisitor.  

After my first play through I was really bummed that Varric felt so different.  But as time went on I was glad he wasn't the same way towards the Inquisitor.  Sounds corny, but I think what Varric has with Hawke is special.  And Varric is more than just the PC's best bud.

That's just my .02.  Not saying anyone is right or wrong.

 

This, totally. 

 

At first, I was really looking forward to hanging out with Varric some more. And then a bit disappointed. And then I realized, I'm not Hawke. I'm not Varric's bestie; I'm a person who wields a tremendous power which Varric barely understands and is more than a little afraid of. So it all makes sense, in that light. 

[Cerulione]

This, totally. 

 

At first, I was really looking forward to hanging out with Varric some more. And then a bit disappointed. And then I realized, I'm not Hawke. I'm not Varric's bestie; I'm a person who wields a tremendous power which Varric barely understands and is more than a little afraid of. So it all makes sense, in that light. 

 

 

"Varric consider Hawke his best friend until this day".

 

100% True

 

And somehow I'm glad for both of them