So, the DA series is famous for its freedom of choice and how it lets you decide major and both minor events, yet I can't help myself but be slightly angry at how DA2 played out. I mean, the story and progression didn't feel natural and smooth like in origins or inquisition. And just to point out, I'm not one of those DA2 extreme haters. DA2 was a different game, it was more of a ME style rather than its predecessor origins, but it was an awesome game nonetheless. Yes, the characters were less interesting than in DA:O or DA:I, yes the areas were re-used, but it was still a damn good game. It was just different and was branded a name, of which people expected something else. But I don't wish to discuss this today.
I came to complain about the story and how it feels too predestined. I didn't have the freedom, or at least the illusion of freedom as in the other DA games. It was either morally impossible or physically impossible to want to do something different than what the game offers and still be able to justify it. But in DA2 I found that this didn't apply. My biggest complaint is that Hawke doesn't feel like the resemblance of me. I can't fully reflect my personality like in Inquisition and a bit less, but still more than in DA2, in orgins as well. I can openly deny my belief in the Maker, tell quite controversial opinions, which is awesome! But in DA2 I found myself in a situation where I couldn't in many situations choose an option in any way resembling my own opinion and the decision I'd want to make. For example, I am a big Qunari sympathizer, I gained the Arishok's respect, I agreed and sympathized with him on everything and yet the game forces me out of the boom to fight him. I felt like a soldier of the red army supposed to protect the USA. At first I couldn't believe there was no way for me to support the Qunari, force the nobles out and convert to the Qun. During the confrontation with the Arishok regarding the elven converts I agreed with him/them and was with excitement awaiting the option to submit to the Qun and fight against the chaos of the bas' of Kirkwall to bring order. But it never came, I was left dissapointed. I understand it would be almost impossible to modify the game in such a manner to still be true to the story, it just immensly upset me that I wasn't even offered the possibility to do as I wished and prepared to do for the whole game. Act 3 was just a very depressing part of the game for me, I felt like I betrayed my own ideals, I was Champion of Kirkwall, but I hated when they called me by it, as it constantly reminded me of how I was pushed against my will into a decision without any chance to reverse it. In Inquisition I can at least tell everyone I am not the Herald of Andraste, they keep calling me like it, but I CAN say no and this small act of rebellion at least slightly pleases me.
I think even a small side ending would make me satisfied with the game. Like for example, a big red warning that the game will end sooner and you won't get the full experience, as Act 3 won't follow and you can either change your decision or play again for the full DA experience and if you choose to do it anyways, it will play short cutscene in which Hawke (you) either dies defending what he believes in, or just creates a different world state by his action and I would completely understand Bioware not wanting to build on these actions, thus just ending the game there, but still accepting the decision I made and possibly allow me to forward it to DA:I. But, oh well. What can you do, I guess supporting the Mages will have to do.
Just a small side note, I liked how they made the death screen in some important missions in Inquisition, as they described what would happen if you died in that exact moment, even that would make me happy, if it was possible for such a premature "side-ending" to happen based on your decisions, not only your death. For example in ME I side with the Reapers/Saren and then I get a short cutscene explaining that Shepard got indoctrinated and the galaxy is f*cked, like if you said NOPE to the godchild in the end. That's all I potentially ask of Dragon Age.
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