Also, can I say that playing as a Dalish elf made me want to slap Morrigan every time she told my character about her own Dalish culture? My character knows what an eluvian is, she knows who Mythal is--for a game so centered on elven legends and culture there should have been SO MANY more elf specific dialogue options,
You wish to slap Morrigan only when you play as a Dalish? lmao i applaud to your politeness
What did they do post-launch?
I never played an Elf. Kinda interesting they say that about City Elves. I'm reminded of that scene with Velanna when she confronts those elves in Amaranthine.
They all went on an extended vacation, leaving some people with an unplayable game. The first patch we received was almost 2 months after release!
This sums up that unshakable feeling I had perfectly. Someone else mentioned in another thread a while back that the companions feel no closer than coworkers, and I think it's absolutely correct. They really don't feel like friends at all to the point where it feels like the Inquisitor makes them feel uncomfortable, and they're just humoring him/her. Every interaction with the non-LI's left a great deal to be desired--so much so that my Inquisitor's inability to make friends gave me secondhand embarrassment.
And to some extent I would say this could transfer to the romances as well. I romanced Cullen and while the content was amazing, I do think back on it and wonder exactly why Cullen loved my Inquisitor. What, exactly, did he see in her? I know because I have an entire backstory and personality going on in my head, but just from what is portrayed in the game I never got the feeling 'Oh, this is why Cullen loves her so much;.
In DA:O and 2 the romances felt like they had purpose, like there were certain things about your Warden or Hawke that their LI loved. Alistair might have loved the Wardens strength in the face of the Blight, or Zevran their sense of humor in the face of adversity. Fenris might have loved Hawke for their standing firm on their decisions or Merrill loved them for their wit and charm. But there's none of that in Inquisition. Maybe if you had been given the opportunity to turn your Inquisitors poor friendship skills into a visible personality trait instead of something forced by the flaws of the game, that could have been a reason for them to get some friends!
So part of it definitely has to do with the fact that there is zero opportunity to give the Inquisitor any kind of unique personality. Yes, they can react emotionally to things but getting teary eyed vs angry over something doesn't exactly speak to a specific personality, just that you have emotions. And the same goes with friendships; we don't feel any kind of friendship with our companions perhaps because there is no reason for them to be friends with our personality-less Inquisitor. Once again, I know why Dorian was best friends with my Inquisitor because of my own headcanons, but he's got zero reason to be friends with her based on the 'canon' personality she shows in game. So we're supposed to believe these companions and LIs love and would die for our Inquisitor, but at the end of the day we're left wondering why.
They all went on an extended vacation, leaving some people with an unplayable game. The first patch we received was almost 2 months after release!
This is so sad it's hilarious tbh.
Hey, our game just released, let's take a vacation! LOL Wtf.
What a joke.
And to some extent I would say this could transfer to the romances as well. I romanced Cullen and while the content was amazing, I do think back on it and wonder exactly why Cullen loved my Inquisitor. What, exactly, did he see in her? I know because I have an entire backstory and personality going on in my head, but just from what is portrayed in the game I never got the feeling 'Oh, this is why Cullen loves her so much;.
In DA:O and 2 the romances felt like they had purpose, like there were certain things about your Warden or Hawke that their LI loved. Alistair might have loved the Wardens strength in the face of the Blight, or Zevran their sense of humor in the face of adversity. Fenris might have loved Hawke for their standing firm on their decisions or Merrill loved them for their wit and charm. But there's none of that in Inquisition. Maybe if you had been given the opportunity to turn your Inquisitors poor friendship skills into a visible personality trait instead of something forced by the flaws of the game, that could have been a reason for them to get some friends!
So part of it definitely has to do with the fact that there is zero opportunity to give the Inquisitor any kind of unique personality. Yes, they can react emotionally to things but getting teary eyed vs angry over something doesn't exactly speak to a specific personality, just that you have emotions. And the same goes with friendships; we don't feel any kind of friendship with our companions perhaps because there is no reason for them to be friends with our personality-less Inquisitor. Once again, I know why Dorian was best friends with my Inquisitor because of my own headcanons, but he's got zero reason to be friends with her based on the 'canon' personality she shows in game. So we're supposed to believe these companions and LIs love and would die for our Inquisitor, but at the end of the day we're left wondering why.
True! Very well said!
I can see Dorian loving the Inquisitor for all the witty jokes he might make or for his adorable naivety (but Dorian seems like the kind of fellow who'd find a socially awkward and/or innocent guy cute, anyway), but he's just my canon romance and the one I know best. A lot of the other romances, to me, just seem... well, the way you put it. No compatibility in-game, just, "You pressed these buttons and now we're way into each other. We are such a genuine couple. Take our word for it." They do still have their [rare] moments, of course, just not enough for most of the romances to be believable.
Once again, I know why Dorian was best friends with my Inquisitor because of my own headcanons, but he's got zero reason to be friends with her based on the 'canon' personality she shows in game. So we're supposed to believe these companions and LIs love and would die for our Inquisitor, but at the end of the day we're left wondering why.
I hate the word headcanon. Why? Once David Gaider wrote on his tumblr something like "If you don't like it, make a headcanon''. I don't remember what exactly he said, but I know the word "headcanon" was used.
It's like BW thought: "Inquisitor don't need his own personality, because our fans can use headcanons!"
Headcanons always been popular among BW fans, so I have a feeling that BW came to the conclusion that they don't need to develop certain things, because fans can use their imagination.
I have 5 Inquisitors. Everyone is different only because of my imagination, but the truth is- all of them are the same. I mean, I don't really mind to have one, cool personality in the game, but we don't even have that.
During the last romance scene, Dorian said something like this: "You're boring and I hate you". I know it was supposed to be the opposite: "You're interesting and I love you". Still, he left me confused, because indeed, my Inquisitor was boring as hell.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
I hate the word headcanon. Why? Once David Gaider wrote on his tumblr something like "If you don't like it, make a headcanon''. I don't remember what exactly he said, but I know the word "headcanon" was used.
It's like BW thought: "Inquisitor don't need his own personality, because our fans can use headcanons!"
Headcanons always been popular among BW fans, so I have a feeling that BW came to the conclusion that they don't need to develop certain things, because fans can use their imagination.
I have 5 Inquisitors. Everyone is different only because of my imagination, but the truth is- all of them are the same. I mean, I don't really mind to have one, cool personality in the game, but we don't even have that.
That sucks. He told me a similar thing.
I like coming up with backstory..don't get wrong. But it's better working within parameters. And seeing things, experiencing them... Games are an interactive medium. I pay them to be entertained. I'm not here to write everything myself.
I'm not even that good at it anyways. I wish I was the creative storyteller he assumes we all are.
One thing I'm better at is music, but I don't assume everyone else is a musician too. 
If I was able to have fun using my imagination as an override tool, I probably wouldn't play video games. I'd be in psychic ward.
I hate the word headcanon. Why? Once David Gaider wrote on his tumblr something like "If you don't like it, make a headcanon''. I don't remember what exactly he said, but I know the word "headcanon" was used.
It's like BW thought: "Inquisitor don't need his own personality, because our fans can use headcanons!"
Headcanons always been popular among BW fans, so I have a feeling that BW came to the conclusion that they don't need to develop certain things, because fans can use their imagination.
I have 5 Inquisitors. Everyone is different only because of my imagination, but the truth is- all of them are the same. I mean, I don't really mind to have one, cool personality in the game, but we don't even have that.
During the last romance scene, Dorian said something like this: "You're boring and I hate you". I know it was supposed to be the opposite: "You're interesting and I love you". Still, it was a bit awkward for me, because indeed, my Inquisitor was boring as hell.
Wow, they're really clueless aren't they? They really have no idea what made people love DAO.
What was the mastermind behind this game that obviously left BioWare?
I am going to get this out and then I will move on. I waited a long time to buy this game since I had read that the PC version was riddled with game play bugs and glitches. I just bought the game this week so it has been patched a few times. Now, before I log my grievance, I will mention that I have loved Bioware games since I played Baldur's Gate back in 1998. There have been so many fantastic virtual moments in these games from intense battles to heartbreaking sadness, Bioware really delivered some of the best stories ever! I have heard that the story in Dragon Age Inquisition is deep and engaging and since it has received so many kudos I am sure it is. However, the keyboard and mouse controls are so clunky and the lack of a robust click to move mechanic makes the tactical battle component somewhat worthless to my game play style. This along with the inability to queue attacks...well it makes the game unplayable for me. Now, I understand this is an action rpg and not turn-based but I was hoping for battle to feel a little something like Mass Effect 2. It doesn't feel like Mass Effect 2 at all, in fact I can't really place my finger on what it feels like, not like DA2 or DAO certainly. Anyway, I am going to put this game aside for awhile and wait to see if any further patches are released than I will give it another go. I have to put books aside sometimes because I'm not pulled into the story but I go back later and can't put it down. Bioware has always given me stories "I can't put down" so hopefully that will be the case this time. Thanks for listening.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
I am going to get this out and then I will move on. I waited a long time to buy this game since I had read that the PC version was riddled with game play bugs and glitches. I just bought the game this week so it has been patched a few times. Now, before I log my grievance, I will mention that I have loved Bioware games since I played Baldur's Gate back in 1998. There have been so many fantastic virtual moments in these games from intense battles to heartbreaking sadness, Bioware really delivered some of the best stories ever! I have heard that the story in Dragon Age Inquisition is deep and engaging and since it has received so many kudos I am sure it is. However, the keyboard and mouse controls are so clunky and the lack of a robust click to move mechanic makes the tactical battle component somewhat worthless to my game play style. This along with the inability to queue attacks...well it makes the game unplayable for me. Now, I understand this is an action rpg and not turn-based but I was hoping for battle to feel a little something like Mass Effect 2. It doesn't feel like Mass Effect 2 at all, in fact I can't really place my finger on what it feels like, not like DA2 or DAO certainly. Anyway, I am going to put this game aside for awhile and wait to see if any further patches are released than I will give it another go. I have to put books aside sometimes because I'm not pulled into the story but I go back later and can't put it down. Bioware has always given me stories "I can't put down" so hopefully that will be the case this time. Thanks for listening.
I don't know what it feels like either. A cross between DA2 and Fable maybe. DA2 still keep it's tactical gameplay in tact however.
I am going to get this out and then I will move on. I waited a long time to buy this game since I had read that the PC version was riddled with game play bugs and glitches. I just bought the game this week so it has been patched a few times. Now, before I log my grievance, I will mention that I have loved Bioware games since I played Baldur's Gate back in 1998. There have been so many fantastic virtual moments in these games from intense battles to heartbreaking sadness, Bioware really delivered some of the best stories ever! I have heard that the story in Dragon Age Inquisition is deep and engaging and since it has received so many kudos I am sure it is. However, the keyboard and mouse controls are so clunky and the lack of a robust click to move mechanic makes the tactical battle component somewhat worthless to my game play style. This along with the inability to queue attacks...well it makes the game unplayable for me. Now, I understand this is an action rpg and not turn-based but I was hoping for battle to feel a little something like Mass Effect 2. It doesn't feel like Mass Effect 2 at all, in fact I can't really place my finger on what it feels like, not like DA2 or DAO certainly. Anyway, I am going to put this game aside for awhile and wait to see if any further patches are released than I will give it another go. I have to put books aside sometimes because I'm not pulled into the story but I go back later and can't put it down. Bioware has always given me stories "I can't put down" so hopefully that will be the case this time. Thanks for listening.
Not to discourage you, but I think you'll be disappointed by DAI's story...
I don't know what it feels like either. A cross between DA2 and Fable maybe. DA2 still keep it's tactical gameplay in tact however.
Except DA2 and Fable are actually fun to play. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )
I don't know what it feels like either. A cross between DA2 and Fable maybe. DA2 still keep it's tactical gameplay in tact however.
That is what it feels like! (I assume your talking about the original Fable, ahh but I am showing my age, it has been a very long time since I've played that) Fable 2 also, what a weird game that was! Your right about DA2, it did carry over many tactical aspects of DAO and was (as far as tactics to assign) more robust than DAO. I installed a mod to broaden DAO's tactical choices.
Not to discourage you, but I think you'll be disappointed by DAI's story...
Well, consider the header for this post...I was hoping for a good story. But like I said the game play is so frustrating that it totally gets in the way of whatever story there is to be had.
Except DA2 and Fable are actually fun to play. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )
DA2 was fun in spite of any other short comings!
Guest_StreetMagic_*
Well, consider the header for this post...I was hoping for a good story. But like I said the game play is so frustrating that it totally gets in the way of whatever story there is to be had.
I'll agree with him. It's the story elements that bug me. Maybe you'll see it differently though.
I can tolerate the gameplay (but not bugs.. but I'm on Xbox, so it's good for me).
I think DA2 was better in both respects. Even with it's flaws and lackluster world.
I'll agree with him. It's the story elements that bug me. Maybe you'll see it differently though.
I can tolerate the gameplay (but not bugs.. but I'm on Xbox, so it's good for me).
I think DA2 was better in both respects. Even with it's flaws and lackluster world.
Well I have an old 360 hanging around (belonged to my son) but I heard things weren't so great for old gen either! I am a dedicated pc player anyway and if the story is gimped also well, there isn't much hope is there? Pillars of Eternity is lots of fun though, scratches all of the itches! Thanks for commiserating!
Guest_StreetMagic_*
Well I have an old 360 hanging around (belonged to my son) but I heard things weren't so great for old gen either! I am a dedicated pc player anyway and if the story is gimped also well, there isn't much hope is there? Pillars of Eternity is lots of fun though, scratches all of the itches! Thanks for commiserating!
Yeah, they've screwed 360 users with no more DLC. Don't bother. It works well on XOne though.
Not sure what to recommend. Just keep playing, see if you like it.
Well, consider the header for this post...I was hoping for a good story. But like I said the game play is so frustrating that it totally gets in the way of whatever story there is to be had.
Honestly, I think the game play is only "tolerable" with a controller. I'm fortunate enough to own an Xbox 360 controller with a cord, so I don't have to suffer the god-awful kb&m controls. I even have duelshock controllers as an alternative, but I like 360 controllers best. Man, oh man, though, were the controls horrendously optimized. You have to close out and restart the game any time you switch between gamepad or kb&m control schemes. So, not only are Bioware extremely late to the "gamepad compatibility for PC" party, but they can't even do it right.
Don't even get me started on how clunky and sluggish the game play is beyond the controls. I'm sure you've noticed that, as well. I seriously hope the next DA goes back to the basics in DAO and DA2. Get rid of jumping, get rid of open world, bring back tactics and auto-attack, etc.
Yeah, they've screwed 360 users with no more DLC. Don't bother. It works well on XOne though.
Not sure what to recommend. Just keep playing, see if you like it.
Honestly, I think the game play is only "tolerable" with a controller. I'm fortunate enough to own an Xbox 360 controller with a cord, so I don't have to suffer the god-awful kb&m controls. I even have duelshock controllers as an alternative, but I like 360 controllers best. Man, oh man, though, were the controls horrendously optimized. You have to close out and restart the game any time you switch between gamepad or kb&m control schemes. So, not only are Bioware extremely late to the "gamepad compatibility for PC" party, but they can't even do it right.
Don't even get me started on how clunky and sluggish the game play is beyond the controls. I'm sure you've noticed that, as well. I seriously hope the next DA goes back to the basics in DAO and DA2. Get rid of jumping, get rid of open world, bring back tactics and auto-attack, etc.
Ugh! My son is going to play on his pc with a 360 controller, I told him not to expect much, but he is far more tolerant than me of aberrant game play mechanics. I have noticed the clunky game play over and above the controls. And the jumping mechanic? I have to agree with you. The "bow-legged" walk animation for females is especially charming. Oh my...I really am regretting this purchase now.
Ugh! My son is going to play on his pc with a 360 controller, I told him not to expect much, but he is far more tolerant than me of aberrant game play mechanics. I have noticed the clunky game play over and above the controls. And the jumping mechanic? I have to agree with you. The "bow-legged" walk animation for females is especially charming. Oh my...I really am regretting this purchase now.
I have played several hours into DAI and even though the combat/tactical aspects of the game are a drag, I figured out a good way to set the limited tactics and behaviors settings to get the AI to function as a team without excessive micromanaging, the game-play, scenery and story are compelling enough to hold my attention so I want to play because I want to see what happens.There are components of the game I really dislike though, more than the wonky KBM controls I originally commented on. I intensely dislike that I can't distribute my own attribute points and that "crafting for stats" is the new way to "level" your character. I really hate that! I don't like crafting games. Those games are fun for people who enjoy them (my son has played the hell out of Minecraft and Terraria) but they aren't RPG's, DAI is supposed to be an RPG and crafting should be a component to engage in not the means to stat level your team. I don't know if I will finish the game since I am certain that my dislike for crafting will mean annihilation when I engage dragons or any of the tougher rifts and fade creatures, I can only hope I will find decent gear and apply upgrades to it which I have been doing all along. I am not playing on easy so the fights will only get tougher in higher levels without appropriate gear for the necessary stats. The tactical camera, gimped as it is for PC, is necessary for tough fights, you can keep those barriers up and layer attacks, not as smoothly as other games I have played, but functional enough once you get the jinky camera focus under control. For me at my current level, barrier management and guard are key, so are appropriate allocation/use of potions for each companion. I am running with 2 mages, one for support/healing and one for crowd control and dealing damage. Both mages tag team barrier to keep it going through an entire fight. Spending warrior points on shield/guard talents early has also been a solid strategy for me. Poison and sneaky flanking talents are key for my rogue. We will see how it goes.
True! Very well said!
I can see Dorian loving the Inquisitor for all the witty jokes he might make or for his adorable naivety (but Dorian seems like the kind of fellow who'd find a socially awkward and/or innocent guy cute, anyway), but he's just my canon romance and the one I know best. A lot of the other romances, to me, just seem... well, the way you put it. No compatibility in-game, just, "You pressed these buttons and now we're way into each other. We are such a genuine couple. Take our word for it." They do still have their [rare] moments, of course, just not enough for most of the romances to be believable.
Wow, they're really clueless aren't they? They really have no idea what made people love DAO.
What was the mastermind behind this game that obviously left BioWare?
Also - why do you think we've had zip items of interest from the DA feed on facebook since release other than "Who or what do you like best?" in the franchise in addition to "buy this crappy DLC NOW!"
Today... or yesterday, they were infomining Sigrun.
Not sure how many characters, or places are left to ask about... ...
/A
I hate the word headcanon. Why? Once David Gaider wrote on his tumblr something like "If you don't like it, make a headcanon''. I don't remember what exactly he said, but I know the word "headcanon" was used.
It's like BW thought: "Inquisitor don't need his own personality, because our fans can use headcanons!"
Headcanons always been popular among BW fans, so I have a feeling that BW came to the conclusion that they don't need to develop certain things, because fans can use their imagination.
I have 5 Inquisitors. Everyone is different only because of my imagination, but the truth is- all of them are the same. I mean, I don't really mind to have one, cool personality in the game, but we don't even have that.
During the last romance scene, Dorian said something like this: "You're boring and I hate you". I know it was supposed to be the opposite: "You're interesting and I love you". Still, he left me confused, because indeed, my Inquisitor was boring as hell.
Very, very true. Even as someone who writes fanfiction in his spare time, including an Origins novelization (hint hint, nudge nudge 
), I have to say that just because the audience can use their imaginations, that's no excuse for the writers to avoid doing the same. If nothing else, I've been inspired in my headcanon to utterly retcon the events of Inquisition so that most of it never happens, so that's his advice taken to heart, isn't it?
I'll be honest, I didn't go into the game 100% on-board with it, and as much as I tried to keep an open mind, there were things in the previews that just stuck in my craw (the lack of healing and the treatment of the Wardens, for example). On the other hand, there were some things which I was dreading that proved totally unfounded, the treatment of Leliana being a big one (never have I been so happy to be so utterly wrong).
But in the end, Inquisition is just shallow. The engaging moral questions posed in previous games have been replaced with ham-fisted polemics that do nothing to encourage critical thought. The living, breathing environments full of peoples and cultures that were worth fighting for have been replaced with pretty backgrounds where nothing is at stake. Threatening villains are gone, and Team Rocket has taken their place. Institutions and organizations with histories, ideals, goals, virtues and flaws have been reduced to one-dimensional charactures that mostly exist either to get slaughtered or to bow before you. The heroes that had backstories and families and a certain sense of badassary have been shuffled aside for a character with all the personality of a soggy cardboard box. And too often, plot developments and conflicts are brought about by people randomly becoming crazy/evil/incompotent/spineless/corrupt rather than anything that feels natural.
That's not to say that the other games are flawless, DAII in particular is as memorable for what it could have been as it is what we got. But at least those games had souls, and that means more to be than all the shiny graphics in the world ever will.
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