41 réponses à ce sujet

[Matriarch]

In my humble opinion, I think that not only Inquisition has a great space for maneuver (aka explore the lore and action, because many things are left open(reference to epilogue's "for now", etc)) but also a great possibility to explore the romance options further.

I got the feeling that the romance in Inquisition is also left open, which makes me hope for more, and if nothing happens, it'll lead to disappointment.

 

The game included some sweet romance scenes, yet they lacked the closure I felt in DAO, for example.

 

I must admit (not only as a player and critic but also as a Cullen fan) that the romance in this game was cute but leaves much to be desired. (dat closing sunrise-gazing scene... The cliffhangers!)

 

So therefore I ask:

 

While I did not ask for less romance options in exchange for more depth, I do ask: Why the suspense, mainly with the end balcony scene? Is more out of each romance's future coming out with the expansion, or the next game?

 

The sunrise gazing allows players to think that the journey is not yet over but what comes next in unknown. It leaves players to wonder what comes next: Only action? Or also a bit of everything?

 

 

I do not ask for an extension, but a conclusion to the romance!

(Like if the romances were integrated into the plot and/or would affect the outcome of certain events, as lore-contributing characters should.)

I hope to see this in the expansion.

 

 

 

What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinion and thanks for reading.

[wright1978]

Yeah I think the romances lacked depth, presumably because they went for such breadth.

[Super Drone]

Yeah I think the romances lacked depth, presumably because they went for such breadth.

 

More Romances= less content per Romance. I've been saying that from the start.

[Matriarch]

More Romances= less content per Romance. I've been saying that from the start.

 

Which I deeply regret (and many of you do, too, I'm sure) because it's a waste of character development if you don't explore them fully from the very beginning!

 

Truthfully, the lack of depth in romance almost makes the whole action look unnatural and unrealistic!

[Super Drone]

Which I deeply regret (and many of you do, too, I'm sure) because it's a waste of character development if you don't explore them fully from the very beginning.

 

Truthfully, the lack of depth in romance almost makes the whole action look unnatural and unrealistic.

 

Yeah, to make the Romances seem more organic, they'd need to maybe have like, I dunno, around 2 for each gender, all tied into the flow of the game. And to make the relationship seem like something that grows over time, they would maybe need to have time-jumps so that characters seem like they've known each other for a protracted time period.

 

But then it would be like DA2, which is insane because everyone knows everything In DA2 was terrible in every way....

[AlexiaRevan]

Yeah, to make the Romances seem more organic, they'd need to maybe have like, I dunno, around 2 for each gender, all tied into the flow of the game. And to make the relationship seem like something that grows over time, they would maybe need to have time-jumps so that characters seem like they've known each other for a protracted time period.

 

But then it would be like DA2, which is insane because everyone knows everything In DA2 was terrible in every way....

well no...YOU think it was Terrible...

 

I loved DA2.....

[nightscrawl]

I honestly wonder if people are willing to sacrifice their favorite LI in favor of more "depth." People always talk about it like they think some other romance might have been cut instead of their favorite one. I would like to see someone say that, even though Solas, Cullen, Dorian, or whoever is their favorite romance across all three Dragon Age games, they wouldn't mind not having it if it meant that the other romances in the game were deeper, and that they might go without romancing anyone because they just don't care for those other options.

 

(I'm sure these people exist, somewhere, I just never see those remarks on the forums.)

 

I'm happy with a tad less depth (I think they had plenty) in favor of greater variety for everyone. Also, comparatively, I don't feel that the romances in DAI were any more or less deep than the DAO or DA2 ones. The primary difference among all three games is the presentation of companion interaction, which is not limited to the romances. DAO allowed the ability to talk to your companions anywhere in the world, but a limited follower plot that, in some cases, just amounted to going somewhere and talking with a single person. DA2 had much more involved follower plots, but because you couldn't talk to them at any time, either at their home base or out in the world, the player was restricted to these widely spaced interactions that didn't allow for the feeling of a developing relationship. DAI has a bit of both and I think it worked out quite well, especially when the romances added additional questing and interaction on top of the other non-romance interaction -- Dorian's personal quest also just involves going somewhere and talking to someone, but a romance gets a further quest as well as more interaction overall than a friend.

 

Going back to DAO... while the fate of the Alistair romance was (partially, depending on choice) connected to the plot, none of the others were. The dark ritual can happen with Morrigan regardless, and she leaves regardless. Neither Zevran nor Leliana's personal plots were connected to the romance. I don't really see how those are deeper other than the reason I mentioned above: greater appearance of companion interaction by virtue of having the freedom to talk to them anywhere, like a normal person. But most of the dialog with those companions was investigative; about themselves, or some particular topic they were knowledgeable about: the Wardens, the Chantry and bard life, magic, Anitiva and assassination; of which there is a similar amount of content in DAI, but you are restricted to talking about it in Haven or Skyhold.

[Hanako Ikezawa]

I actually really enjoyed the romances in DAI. Josephine's is my favorite romance of any Bioware game. 

[Xetykins]

I honestly wonder if people are willing to sacrifice their favorite LI in favor of more "depth."

10000x yes. I'd rather have 1 well done one than multiple shallow ones that I could care less about. This is the reason to this day, Alistair remains my most favorite LI because of the arcs and options to take wherever you want that romance to go. Plus theres the Royal Wedding and other delicious mods to enhance it :-p

[nightscrawl]

OK... but if you didn't have Alistair? That is my whole point. What if those options were reserved for Morrigan, Leliana, or Zevran instead?

[Xetykins]

OK... but if you didn't have Alistair? That is my whole point. What if those options were reserved for Morrigan, Leliana, or Zevran instead?

Whats your point though? I might not romance the ladies but who ever it is at the end of the day a well done romance is still a well done romance. It does not have to be Alistair. I heard Morrigan is also quite something too. I had 1 option in DAO, and for me it was more than enough. If Alistair's was shallow then he won't be my fave LI to start with.

[nightscrawl]

Well in DAO you had two options as a female character interested in men: Alistair or Zevran, and you just didn't care for Zevran (I'm assuming, which is fine).

 

But my point is whether you would be happy to know that the romances were of a particular depth, even if you didn't have the desire to complete those romances. I guess you answered, so thank you. I tend to feel that you are in the minority with such a generous view, as most people only care that they get theirs and don't care about anyone else. But this is the reason I prefer that there be a little something for everyone. It is also optional side content, so I don't feel that they should make the romances too significant.

 

 

Incidentally, while "the romances lack depth" is a common complaint I've seen, Matriarch's post is the first time I've observed someone actually explaining what they want as more depth, namely that they want the stories to focus on relationship development, rather than on character development of the NPC. I think this is very much of a personal preference. I just adore the Dorian romance to pieces and really like that there is a side of him that isn't seen under any other circumstances. While I do wish I had some more dialog options here or there, and perhaps an additional scene somewhere, I'm pretty happy with what I did get in that romance.

[Donk]

Exploration... depth...

 

[Xetykins]

Oh i had one option. Zev is a bi romance and I prefer my LIs straight. But I did explore Zev's romance and enjoyed it too because there is also multiple ways you can go with him. Like let him go on his personal quest, keep him on the side if you want to be queen. Or ride towards the sunset with him. The offering and re offering of his earing is nice as well.

Also I quite like Dorian and his romance. I can't experience it for myself but can always youtube it appreciate and be happy for those who he's made for :-)

[MaxQuartiroli]

A thing I'd like to see back is the option to be the two-timin guy that at a certain point is forced to choose between the possible LIs instead of being locked into a romance forever BEFORE you could ever know that there is some other available option. They used to do that in past games, sometimes before you could trigger the romance (in ME1 both Liara and Ashley questioned you about your interest before you could make your final move), sometimes even later (I remember the Morrigan-Leliana confontation after you slept with both).

 

In past games you had more freedom: you could choose to romance from the beginning to the end a single character or you could flirt with more than one BUT in that case there was always a critical point where you had to decide. Now you need a strategic guide also for romances because you don't know where is the point of no return (if there is one..)

[Xetykins]

A thing I'd like to see back is the option to be the two-timin guy that at a certain point is forced to choose between the possible LIs instead of being locked into

That's a part of the depth i was talking about or you could go the Witcher way if you're not willing to choose

[Andraste_Reborn]

Oh i had one option. Zev is a bi romance and I prefer my LIs straight.

 

And, see, there's the thing. Having more romance options means that there can be straight romances. If the series went back to four options, it's overwhelmingly likley that they'd all be bisexual like in DA2.

 

I'd be happy if they went with six romances for the entirely hypothetical DA4 - two gay, two straight and two bisexual/pansexual gives everyone options - but I'd prefer that they not have fewer than that. Otherwise we're likely to never see another gay LI at all. (Or a straight one outside of 'bonus' romances with less content, like Sebastian.)

[nightscrawl]

A thing I'd like to see back is the option to be the two-timin guy that at a certain point is forced to choose between the possible LIs instead of being locked into a romance forever BEFORE you could ever know that there is some other available option. They used to do that in past games, sometimes before you could trigger the romance (in ME1 both Liara and Ashley questioned you about your interest before you could make your final move), sometimes even later (I remember the Morrigan-Leliana confontation after you slept with both).

 

In past games you had more freedom: you could choose to romance from the beginning to the end a single character or you could flirt with more than one BUT in that case there was always a critical point where you had to decide. Now you need a strategic guide also for romances because you don't know where is the point of no return (if there is one..)

 

There are some instances where it's mentioned by one LI if you've been flirting with another. I do know that Dorian has a line after the tavern scene if you pick the heart option. He will say "You have to fight for what's in your heart," then you respond with "Does that include me?" and he replies, "It might, if you were unattached." Mind that I've never seen it myself, so I don't know exactly how it plays out, but it at least IS a reference. I actually like what that says about Dorian more than anything game-wise.

[nightscrawl]

And, see, there's the thing. Having more romance options means that there can be straight romances. If the series went back to four options, it's overwhelmingly likley that they'd all be bisexual like in DA2.

 

I'd be happy if they went with six romances for the entirely hypothetical DA4 - two gay, two straight and two bisexual/pansexual gives everyone options - but I'd prefer that they not have fewer than that. Otherwise we're likely to never see another gay LI at all. (Or a straight one outside of 'bonus' romances with less content, like Sebastian.)

 

Yep, totally agree. We only got the Cullen and Solas romances because of the extra development time. If not for that we would have had exactly this dynamic with homosexual Dorian and Sera, heterosexual Cassandra and Blackwall, and bisexual Bull and Josephine.

[Andraste_Reborn]

Yep, totally agree. We only got the Cullen and Solas romances because of the extra development time. If not for that we would have had exactly this dynamic with homosexual Dorian and Sera, heterosexual Cassandra and Blackwall, and bisexual Bull and Josephine.

 

Sometimes I just sit and boggle over the fact that we almost got a game where Blackwall was a love interest and Cullen wasn't.

 

I mean, I would have had no personal problem with that. Blackwall is my favourite Inquisition romance so far, and at the moment I think I'll get  around to Cullen some time in 2017. The fact remains that the time given to making 'extra' romances has made many people very happy and may have prevented some kind of riot.

[Matriarch]

Yep, totally agree. We only got the Cullen and Solas romances because of the extra development time. If not for that we would have had exactly this dynamic with homosexual Dorian and Sera, heterosexual Cassandra and Blackwall, and bisexual Bull and Josephine.

 

The introduction of Cullen and Solas' romances are very rewarding both to the players who have been following the Dragon Age Series (Cullen's case) and to players that will be playing the next Dragon Age's or the upcoming expansion (if Solas is the star in it).

 

It's a fact that players had been asking Bioware to explore Cullen further and Bioware made it possible in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

As for Solas, his romance allows the players to become emotionally attached, and if not, at least remain in suspense to what happens next to our latest revelation, Fen'Harel.

All in all, Cullen and Solas' romances are also intertwined with the story and therefore gift us with deeper insight about the past and future of Thedas.

I'd say that while not crucial, the possibility of romancing them was really important for the story development through the player's perspective. And if it were not only for the extra development time, I'd say their romances, or at least more insight about both, would be mandatory.

 

While I did not ask for less romance options in exchange for more depth, I did ask: Why the suspense, mainly with the end balcony scene? Is more out of each romance's future coming out with the expansion, or the next game?

 

The sunrise gazing allows players to think that the journey is not yet over but what comes next in unknown. It leaves players to wonder what comes next: Only action? Or also a bit of everything?

 

Thank you for your comments so far they have been constructive and informative and I would love to know more about what you think.

[MaxQuartiroli]

That's a part of the depth i was talking about or you could go the Witcher way if you're not willing to choose

 

In my opinion The Witcher 3 handled the romance thing in the most terrible way ever. It's my only complain about a game that I am loving very much, but I think that it sets an example of how romances shouldn't be done. You meet your 2nd available LI fifty hours later than you go adventuring with the first one and at that point if you had locked yourself into a romance with her you have no option to reverse the decision (unless you want to be screwed). And if you didn't take your choice with the 1st earlier you won't have another chance. Therefore you have to plan everything far in advance and play very carefully and this is not funny at all.

 

There are some instances where it's mentioned by one LI if you've been flirting with another. I do know that Dorian has a line after the tavern scene if you pick the heart option. He will say "You have to fight for what's in your heart," then you respond with "Does that include me?" and he replies, "It might, if you were unattached." Mind that I've never seen it myself, so I don't know exactly how it plays out, but it at least IS a reference. I actually like what that says about Dorian more than anything game-wise.

 

DA:O is still the game that gave us more variety.. You could be dumped by Alistair and then be consoled by Leliana or Zevran, you could sleep both with Leliana and Morrigan and have them fight for you. You could marry Anora and keep Leliana as your lover. So many options, so many possible outcomes..

[Super Drone]

well no...YOU think it was Terrible...

 

I loved DA2.....

 

Sorry. I didn't put a sarcasm smiley on it.

[Sunnie]

Lets not forget that Origins had 7 years total in development, and they were making a game that, for all intents and purposes, was a one shot game. They needed to put all they were going to do in it because at the time there was no DA2 on the horizon. Only after Origins went blockbuster status in sales did EA approach BioWare and say "Hey, lets make more money! You have a year to make a sequel, and here's a years worth of cash for the development!".

[Super Drone]

I honestly wonder if people are willing to sacrifice their favorite LI in favor of more "depth." People always talk about it like they think some other romance might have been cut instead of their favorite one. I would like to see someone say that, even though Solas, Cullen, Dorian, or whoever is their favorite romance across all three Dragon Age games, they wouldn't mind not having it if it meant that the other romances in the game were deeper, and that they might go without romancing anyone because they just don't care for those other options.

 

Eh. I doubt they'd cut them lower than 2 males and 2 females. it's the amount of options I've always had, as BSNers are quick to remind straight guys. 

 

But if they went the KOTOR route and had one guy and one girl? I'd be fine with that. It would mean they would need to make them more broadly appealing, which will no doubt make the writers die a little inside, but if they focused all the effort of 8 LIs into 2 I think i would be awesome. Especially when half of them would end up being for straight girls anyway.