62 réponses à ce sujet

[Marshal Moriarty]

Like many have said, the game is basically 'Stuff that never should have happened at all' and 'Stuff that is kind of promising. but too short and/or badly executed'.

 

The narrative fails utterly to capitalise on any of the characters or ideas it presents, with the focus instead being placed on the terrifyingly boring open world nature of the game. I know its a downer to hear people go on like this all the time, but Inquisition is a particularly special case. It represents a massive shift in (IMO anyway) the absolute worst direction that they could have gone. Yes, Bioware games have been too formulaic for years, but this was not the way. DA2 was a much better attempt to break the mould, and if they had just financed it and given it more development time, it could have avoided all the cheap (but justified) flak it got over its recycled locations etc.

 

This game won over the casual crowd long enough to make some shekels, and the critics were their usual 'Oh wow, its the greatest thing ever' until a couple of days passed and they moved onto something else. But this has all come at a seriously high price. I say all this as someone who loves DA Origins and DA2 with all my heart, and I wanted so badly for this game to be good. But frankly, I can barely stand to own this game, let alone play it. They took something that meant a great deal to me, and turned it into some open world, fetch and carry abomination, with a main story and main character so lacking in continuity, credibility or emotional depth and engagement, that it left me in total despair.

 

And the thought that the series is now in the hands of the guy who wrote "Here lies the Abyss' is more than I can bear, as that mission is just ludicrous from start to finish, with a basic premise that is so far out there that it makes the time travel bit from IHW look sensible. Not only that, it buries returning characters by seriously underusing them (a speciality of this game in general, with Varric and Leliana both having suprisingly muted roles), and to top it all off, buries the Grey Wardens for good measure. Because apparently being in the Wardens makes you extremely stupid, if you're not the Hero of Ferelden...

 

Seriously, there's no real point in outlining what I'd have liked to seen done differently, because I say with complete conviction and as someone who cares deeply about this series, that it was a complete and utter failure. It should all have been different, because like the banter system and the Hold Position command, it just didn't work. Do not make a DA game like this again - for God's Sake, PLEASE don't do it!

[Aravasia]

And the thought that the series is now in the hands of the guy who wrote "Here lies the Abyss' is more than I can bear, as that mission is just ludicrous from start to finish, with a basic premise that is so far out there that it makes the time travel bit from IHW look sensible. Not only that, it buries returning characters by seriously underusing them (a speciality of this game in general, with Varric and Leliana both having suprisingly muted roles), and to top it all off, buries the Grey Wardens for good measure. Because apparently being in the Wardens makes you extremely stupid, if you're not the Hero of Ferelden...

 

I actually thought Here Lies the Abyss had been one of the better missions of the game, with significantly more build up than most of the main quests. Admittedly, the virmire choice could have been better executed, with a more prevalent need for a sacrifice, but, other than that, I thought the quest was fairly good. The wardens had always been a more renegade group willing to preform immoral actions in an effort against the Blight. They did not really come across as mustache-twirling villains to me (although, I hated Erimond as a villain for this reason, he could have been much better written, along with Florianne.) We do not really know what portion of this Patrick wrote, however, I believe the only confirmed part was the Nightmare demon (whom I thought was magnificent.) I just felt the need to defend him as a writer, because, he appears to be skilled at writing complex characters and stories, rather than just the typical 'good vs evil' plot (consider he wrote Moridin and Solas, whom were both originally planned to be stereotypical 'bad guys'.) He is the one whom developed them as complex grey characters.

[FredLC]

Personally I liked the idea that humans were being used as scapegoats for something they had nothing to do with and human mortality being contagious was just superstition. But I'm not sure I like the idea of the veil as such being responsible. In Dragon Age Origins we saw that agelessness could be achieved by a spell. I figured that the agelessness of the elves was the product of them each being bound by a spell to one of the gods, one that was broken when the gods were bound. Of course the humans did shorten elf lifespans even more just by carrying conventional diseases...

Scapegoats is a fine idea, and perhaps even compatible with humans still being, somehow, the source of a kind of blight to the elves, if the elven infight was severe enough, or perhaps if humans had that effect because of the infight (say, if the veil had not been created, than humans would not have "blighted" elven immortality). I just think it is less original, IMHO, than the other route.

Anyway, these parallels, of elves dying faster around humans, and humans dying faster around darkspawn, seems to me like something potentially truly unique in this lore, like a progressing state of entropy in the world with causes still unknown... and that makes me think about what could potentially come after the darkspawn, and be a blight to them.

I'd love to see Bioware going for it. Don't even know if the idea ever crossed their creative team, or if it was compatible with what they were going for... but I wish it did.

[Samahl na Revas]

I admit I wish the mages arc was different. The time travel concept was ambitious but in a way, kind of stupid.

I looked at this again. Solas disapproves when I agree with Dorian's explanation. They may have something planned for this concept and I don't think their plan is that this was truly "time travel." I could be wrong, but being wrong would be worth the laugh.

 

I have 5 theories on what they might do but all center around the idea that the Fade reflects. The six theory ironically is that they retcon, lmao. 

 

On topic: I wish the inquisition's relationship with the Chantry was a bit more distant. The inquisition of old laid down foundations, here we are forced rigorously to our ties with the Chantry.

[RepHope]

I looked at this again. Solas disapproves when I agree with Dorian's explanation. They may have something planned for this concept and I don't think their plan is that this was truly "time travel." I could be wrong, but being wrong would be worth the laugh.

 

I have 5 theories on what they might do but all center around the idea that the Fade reflects. The six theory ironically is that they retcon, lmao. 

 

On topic: I wish the inquisition's relationship with the Chantry was a bit more distant. The inquisition of old laid down foundations, here we are forced rigorously to our ties with the Chantry.

The Chantry opposes the Inquisition's existence for most of the game. I don't quite know what you mean here. Is it having so many ex-Chantry staff?

[ElementalFury106]

I wish you could recruit both the Mages and Templars.

 

-Do both In Hushed Whispers and Champions of the Just. Whichever you do first will have a negative effect in your recruitment of the second.

 

-Hawke would be involved in this story arc. He/she would help you bring both Mages and Templars into the Inquisition to both close the breach and legitimize the organization.

 

-I wish Hawke was present during In Your Heart Shall Burn and witnessed Corypheus' return and could either 1) die helping Inquisition workers/Haven villagers escape or 2) Survive the events and became a permanent agent of the Inquisition.

 

 

I wish that the choice to do either Here Lies The Abyss or Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts would have a negative impact on the other, depending which you prioritize. For example;

 

-If you recruit the Grey Wardens first, the Civil War becomes a lot worse in the time being. Noticeable changes in the Exalted Plains, Emerald Graves, and Emprise du Lion. Villages destroyed, a stronger Freeman force, etc. Noticeable consequence.

 

-If you stop the Civil War first, there are considerable more rifts/demons in the Western Approach and Hissing Wastes, as well as a much tougher main story mission in Here Lies The Abyss. More Wardens are corrupted, reasoning with them is no longer an option.

 

 

Perhaps make it REALLY consequential. If you prioritize the Wardens, it's impossible to save Celene. If you prioritize the Civil War, it's impossible to ally with the Grey Wardens. Then you must choose either a new Orlesian successor, or exile the Wardens depending on which story mission you prioritized. 

 

 

Have Corypheus' final battle be a 3 part fight. First we fight him at Haven, then we kill his dragon, then out of final desperation Corypheus uses Fen'Harel's orb to breach into the Fade and enter the Black City. The final aspect of the boss battle is a chase to the steps of the Black City, where you finally defeat Corypheus. You then use the Orb to safely transport yourself and your party back to the real world and properly seal the Breach one final time.

 

Depending on character loyalties and preparations to Skyhold/Inquisition forces, you return to Skyhold to either see the Inquisition stand truimphant against the final forces of Corypheus' army or decimated.

 

Yeah...you could say I'd change a lot. 

[RepHope]

I wish you could recruit both the Mages and Templars.

 

-Do both In Hushed Whispers and Champions of the Just. Whichever you do first will have a negative effect in your recruitment of the second.

 

-Hawke would be involved in this story arc. He/she would help you bring both Mages and Templars into the Inquisition to both close the breach and legitimize the organization.

 

-I wish Hawke was present during In Your Heart Shall Burn and witnessed Corypheus' return and could either 1) die helping Inquisition workers/Haven villagers escape or 2) Survive the events and became a permanent agent of the Inquisition.

 

 

I wish that the choice to do either Here Lies The Abyss or Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts would have a negative impact on the other, depending which you prioritize. For example;

 

-If you recruit the Grey Wardens first, the Civil War becomes a lot worse in the time being. Noticeable changes in the Exalted Plains, Emerald Graves, and Emprise du Lion. Villages destroyed, a stronger Freeman force, etc. Noticeable consequence.

 

-If you stop the Civil War first, there are considerable more rifts/demons in the Western Approach and Hissing Wastes, as well as a much tougher main story mission in Here Lies The Abyss. More Wardens are corrupted, reasoning with them is no longer an option.

 

 

Perhaps make it REALLY consequential. If you prioritize the Wardens, it's impossible to save Celene. If you prioritize the Civil War, it's impossible to ally with the Grey Wardens. Then you must choose either a new Orlesian successor, or exile the Wardens depending on which story mission you prioritized. 

 

 

Have Corypheus' final battle be a 3 part fight. First we fight him at Haven, then we kill his dragon, then out of final desperation Corypheus uses Fen'Harel's orb to breach into the Fade and enter the Black City. The final aspect of the boss battle is a chase to the steps of the Black City, where you finally defeat Corypheus. You then use the Orb to safely transport yourself and your party back to the real world and properly seal the Breach one final time.

 

Depending on character loyalties and preparations to Skyhold/Inquisition forces, you return to Skyhold to either see the Inquisition stand truimphant against the final forces of Corypheus' army or decimated.

 

Yeah...you could say I'd change a lot. 

I was so incredibly disappointed that we didn't get to fight Cory in the Fade outside the Black City. What a wasted opportunity that was. I couldn't even SEE the damn thing in the Fade, despite Solas going on about how close it was. I'd like to get within touching distance, even if we can't go in.

[ElementalFury106]

I was so incredibly disappointed that we didn't get to fight Cory in the Fade outside the Black City. What a wasted opportunity that was. I couldn't even SEE the damn thing in the Fade, despite Solas going on about how close it was. I'd like to get within touching distance, even if we can't go in.

 

I remember my very first time doing the final boss battle with Corypheus when he started becoming irrational with the orb...I thought we were going into the Fade. I kept thinking "this is it...this it..."

 

And then nope. He's actually defeated and this is the triumphant victory cutscene. 

[RepHope]

I remember my very first time doing the final boss battle with Corypheus when he started becoming irrational with the orb...I thought we were going into the Fade. I kept thinking "this is it...this it..."

 

And then nope. He's actually defeated and this is the triumphant victory cutscene. 

 

"Ok gang let's go back to Skyhold and have a party". I thought I was being rused, nope that was it. Congrats on beating not!Satan, hope you had fun.

 

Until Trespasser I had pretty much written off DA and Bioware in general.

[Marshal Moriarty]

I disagree about Weekes being a strong writer of characters. He is a strong writer of the characters he cares about, but this often comes at the expense of the supporting characters, plots and general premise for his quests. Sure, Mordin is written excellently, but is Dalatrass Linron written well? She is cast as such a ridiculous hate filled old crone with no redeeming features at all, scowling and sneering, in a blatant attempt to get the player to side with the Krogan. In a quest that has you team up with 2 fan favourite characters who support the Krogan and the heavily trailored Krogran Princess, and the Salarians (who have a valid argument) have only 1 panto villain of a character to make their case.

 

Same in Inquisition. He clearly cares a lot about Iron Bull, Solas etc and lavishes his attention on them, but characters like Erimond and Clarel are a joke. Everyone who isn't the main characters and their allies are always portrayed as irredeemably stupid, and unreasonable. Complex situations suddenly get a vastly over simplified 'Side A can now win in 5 seconds, because they have a magic coin that lets them be the Win all the time against everyone - but now we have an even bigger, even more magical coin so we might stand a chance...' plot devices. The whole premise for the Grey Warden quest was the most contrived, artifical nonsense. Everyone who comments on the Warden's plan in the game, points out that its the most ridiculous, ill conceived plan they've ever heard in their entire lives. Summoning a horde of demons to search the Deep Roads for the Old Ones. The Deep Roads... that cover all of Thedas. And which are the place where the darkspawn live, who are always searching for the Old Gods. And they have also managed not to notice that Corypheus is back, despite the fact that what has going on has been appearing in the local newspapers. And an order of famed warriors somehow doesn't know the effectiveness of modern siege equipment... like they're some kind of anient anarchronisms themselves!

 

I know Weekes has a following, and I'm not saying that I dislike everything he does by any means. He does write some interesting party member characters (and some bad ones), but he gets too caught up in how incredible and cool and tragic and tormented they are. I find his quests badly plotted, big on spectacle (which he does extremely well), strong on party member interaction and importance to the quest (another highly attractive writing trait), but paper thin in terms of the actual premise (let's run to the big Salarian **** tower, massage the nuts with some hammers and spew that healing love juice all over their little Krogran faces). Amusing I suppose, but the idea that you can just cure the whole planet's worth of Krogran with this, is just handwavium of the highest order. Not to mention that the whole questline demonstrates exactly why the Krogan *shouldn't* get the cure (because they use a crisis to force the other races at gunpoint to give it to them). The Genophage *did* need to be cured, but for the galaxy to have any hope at peace, it had to come from the other races admitting they committed an atrocity and giving the cure in a show of goodwill. Letting the Krogan extort it from them, is the absolute worst way to proceed and leans heavily on the 'Oh don't worry - Wrex and Eve are such saintly, strong leaders that they'll keep the Krogan in line'. Please, not the messiah bullshit again...

 

Inquisition does something simllar with Leliana if she becomes Divine, where she becomes a bizarre kind of Mafia Don Pope. Everyone will be very nice and liberal to each other - or we'll have you killed. If Pope Francis completely rewrote the sections of the Bible that he didn't agree with, married a gay lover and used Mafia hit squads and secret police to silence anyone who pointed out that he was co-opting their faith for his own agenda... Well, that might not go so well...

 

The game is riddled with silly 'There's no way it would have gone like that' elements. The Mage Rebellion for example, where the mages decide to take an illegal vote on dissolving the Circles. Illegal meaning the Chantry and Templars hadn't agreed to abide by the decision and so there is no legal compulsion on any of the mages who voted to keep the Circles to obey this decision. What is to stop First Enchanters (like Vivienne does in fact do) from saying 'Well... those of you who voted for dissolution can all leave if you want, but as far as I'm concerned, my Circle is still open for business as usual'.

 

By voting to leave, what did they think would happen next? Public opinion was squarely against them, and if they leave the Circles they have to go somewhere else. But where? Are they going to try and take land from others?! The Dalish could have told them that isn't as easy as you think its going to be! And if the Chantry tries to force them back in line, do they press everyone into service as soldiers (as happened)? Whichever way you look at it, its a stupid, unworkable plan that has no structure or crediblity to it at all. And like I say, why would those who don't agree with it go along with it at all? The vote was basically 50/50, so peer pressure can hardly have been the reason.

 

DA2's final Act was rightly criicised for taking what had until that point been a sensible and well structured story and throwing in all kinds of craxy decisions and forcing Hawke and co to go along with increasingly silly plans by others. But Inquisition does this all the way through the game.

[Aravasia]

I disagree about Weekes being a strong writer of characters. He is a strong writer of the characters he cares about, but this often comes at the expense of the supporting characters, plots and general premise for his quests. Sure, Mordin is written excellently, but is Dalatrass Linron written well? She is cast as such a ridiculous hate filled old crone with no redeeming features at all, scowling and sneering, in a blatant attempt to get the player to side with the Krogan. In a quest that has you team up with 2 fan favourite characters who support the Krogan and the heavily trailored Krogran Princess, and the Salarians (who have a valid argument) have only 1 panto villain of a character to make their case.

 

Same in Inquisition. He clearly cares a lot about Iron Bull, Solas etc, but characters like Erimond and Clarel are a joke. And the whole premise for the Grey Warden quest was the most contrived, artifical nonsense. Everyone who comments on the Warden's plan in the game, points out that its the most ridiculous, ill conceived plan they've ever heard in their entire lives. Summoning a horde of demons to search the Deep Roads for the Old Ones. The Deep Roads... that cover all of Thedas. And which are the place where the darkspawn live, who are always searching for the Old Gods. And they have also managed not to notice that Corypheus is back, despite the fact that what has going on has been appearing in the local newspapers. And an order of famed warriors somehow doesn't know the effectiveness of modern siege equipment... like they're some kind of anient anarchronisms themselves!

I thought Clarel and Dalatrass Linron were fine (she same across as a shrewd diplomat, but not some evil character who wants to do evil things for the fun of it.)

I agree that Erimond was horrible though, he was definitely the type of mustache twirling villain that you only find in comic books and stories, because no one is really like that in real life. Do we know that Weekes actually wrote any of them though? From what I remember, it was confirmed that he wrote the nightmare demon, along with Mordin in the Tuchanka quest, however, I remember reading that Mac Walters as well wrote some of the Tuchanka quest. I do not believe they just hand an entire quest line along with all involved characters to just one writer. It is more likely that they all work on it as a collaborative effort, with each writer composing separate parts. The only parts I have heard that Weekes contributed were Garrus's character, Moridin, Tali, Jack, Solas, Cole, Iron Bull, the Nightmare Demon, and Mordin's part in the Tuchanka quest, which I all thought were interesting and complex. I have at least, yet to hear confirmed anything he wrote that I did not like. Although, it is likely that I probably will not like everything he ever writes, but, I certainly am not concerned that the series is in incapable hands.

Admittedly, David Gaider's characters have been some of my favorite in the series (Dorian and Morrigan especially) and I was heartbroken to hear he was leaving. But, I as well disliked some of the quests he had been involved in (Arl of Redcliffe, Nature of the Beast) which both had very clear cut 'right' ways to solve them, instead of grey conclusions. Again, I do not imagine that he wrote the entirety of these (it was likely a collaborative effort) but, it goes to show how you can like some of a writers work, and dislike other areas. Either way, I believe that both writers are over all exceptional, and do not believe that the series being handed to Weekes will have a negative impact, at the least. 

[Donk]

I think they should've gone deeper into Vivienne's personal quest. She got the short end of the stick in that department. The whole scene with Bastien was abysmal. He's on the Council of Heralds and he has no servants attending to him? He's alone in the room, he's lying on top he bed with his noble clothes and his shoes on and not even under blankets. They could've given him pjs at least. You would think Vivienne has locked him up a la Misery. And the dialogue...

 

Feeds potion...

Viv: Bastien?

Bastion awakes...

Bastien: It will be alright

Bastien dies...

Inky: I'm sorry

Viv: There is nothing here for me now

 

Seriously??

 

For me, it was:

 

*Feeds potion*

Viv: It should be working by now

*Bastien wakes for a second, then dies*

Inky: Well... sh*t.

[Cha0sEff3ct]

My main wish was that they should have linked the main quest to the subplots.

 

Origin

 

Should given a short origin story to Quizzy leading to how they reached Haven

Human, Qunari, City Elf : Mercenary Team Captain

Dwarf: Merchant Guild Guard

Dalish Elf: Clan

 

 

Mage - Templar war

 

(1) Pick Mages

--> Hushed Whisper

--> Assemble an artifact to help focus power towards Inquisitor (Requisition)

--> Close Rift

--> Investigate Therinfall Redoubt

      Find Templars have dissappeared ... traces of demons ... option to save Barris & clues towards Seeker disappearance

 

When we come back  ... conversation with Cullen & Cassandra on Therinfall & Seekers which is interrupted by Coryphenus' attack

 

(2) Pick Templars

--> Champions of Just

      Find clues towards Seeker disappearance

--> Assemble an artifact to help focus power towards Inquisitor (Requisition)

--> Close Rift

--> Investigate Redcliff Castle

     Save mages like Connor or Lysas. Could have also found clues to reach Rhys & Evangeline with them becoming an Agent. 

 

When we come back a conversation between Rhys, Leliana, Evangeline & Cullen which is interrupted by Coryphenus' attack

 

 

Into the Abyss

Tevinter Sacrificial tower is accessible once we take the Western Approach Keep. The road should be accessible through a Mission. Also need to have all the external camps established before we can move large forces & siege engines through the area

 

 

Corypheus' Lieutenants

Should have got option to go after both Samson (Right Hand) and Calpernia (Left Hand) irrespective of choice between Templars and Mages.

Chargers' or Tallis' missions could have both led to a point where we get additional edge against Venatori

Varric's quest should give better edge against Red Templars.

 

 

Arbor Wilds

--> Should become accessible once you establish

(1) All the Emerald Graves camps

(2) Get rid of the Freemen of Dales operatives in Emerald Graves (to ensure safe movement of troops)

 

Oooh I like that. I would've loved to go back and save Connor and Lysas at least. I always feel terrible choosing the Templars because of that. That would be great for the reverse and save Barris.

 

Linnea can die, burn or whatever I hate her.

 

 

For me, it was:

 

*Feeds potion*

Viv: It should be working by now

*Bastien wakes for a second, then dies*

Inky: Well... sh*t.

 

lmao You're evil! Her quest is short enough the least you can do is give her the correct Wyvern heart!

[LobselVith8]

On topic: I wish the inquisition's relationship with the Chantry was a bit more distant. The inquisition of old laid down foundations, here we are forced rigorously to our ties with the Chantry.

I feel the same way. I wish it was optional to have dealt with them, instead of being a mandatory part of the narrative (particularly when, prior to release, many developers kept saying that the Inquisition was in "opposition to the church" and that the Inquisitor wasn't beholden to the Chantry).

[Korva]

Apparently it takes a day or two to get to the Temple of Sacred Ashes from Skyhold. So the narrative-pacing is all wonky in that mission (and also in WPHW and others in my opinion).

 

Oh yeah. That's one point I forgot: stop treating distance and travel time as non-existing. The Inquisition zips around the world like we had Scotty on permanent standby in the transporter room.

 

You mean like Cassandra actually daring to use her ability to bring any given mage or templar to heel? In a game where you fight hordes of both? No, no, that could never happen. She was just lying about having that ability to impress the Inquisitor, right? And then of course there is Cole, whose powers really should have been able to help you in certain cases, like you said. I'm snarky today.

 

I completely forgot about that, but you're right. It's baffling that Cass, who may be the best anti-magic, anti-demon but also anti-templar shock trooper in the world, is never once used in that way. Come to think of it, if she can ignite lyrium, what about red lyrium? Hello Corypheus and red lyrium dragon, have a Seeker to the face!

 

Even if she can't do that, her other stated powers are basically protagonist material, which is probably why she isn't allowed to display them: she's not the protagonist. Now I'm someone who enjoys playing someome special. As I said I really dislike that they removed the Anchor after saying it's permanent, and that the Anchor was never explored to begin with. But I also like it when my friends can show that they're special too, and I don't want them to be hobbled just so they don't steal the spotlight in places where it makes perfect sense for them to do so.

[TammieAZ]

 1#

Losing my f**king hand...would have liked for that not to happen . 

 

 

2# 

Needed more Hawke and the HOF involved in the story . 

 

 

3# 

Final boss fight in the fade would have been better. 

[Iakus]

I wish the civil war in Orlais had a greater focus.  Other than Halamshiral, it really doesn't affect anything

[Fredward]

Some more exposition with Cory would have been nice.

[BumminDork]

 1#

Losing my f**king hand...would have liked for that not to happen . 

 

 

2# 

Needed more Hawke and the HOF involved in the story . 

 

 

3# 

Final boss fight in the fade would have been better. 

 

The first one, really though like come on all of the inquisitors besides mage is pretty much left vulnerable because they need two hands.

 

I had such great hopes for Corypheus but it seemed like after Haven his character just got less and less scary until I was pretty much thinking why are you still here, go screw up Tevinter or something. I wish Bioware would've let him win at least one of the rounds or had a prison scene like Origins where Corypheus captures the Inquisitor and the companions have to save em. 

[BansheeOwnage]

Oh yeah. That's one point I forgot: stop treating distance and travel time as non-existing. The Inquisition zips around the world like we had Scotty on permanent standby in the transporter room.

Seriously. There are a lot of problems that causes, but one in particular that is semi-related really, really irks me every playthrough: The fact that you apparently arrive in the Arbor Wilds at least three entire days after your army... They're there fighting and dying for you, their leader who isn't even present, only for the Inquisitor to come in at the last second and scoop up all the glory. What?! That's not who my Inquisitor is. I lead from the front - or I wanted to. I wanted to charge in like this kind of leader. And what was the Inquisitor even doing that would make them arrive three whole days after a slow-moving army?

 

Wanting to come in late and let your people die instead of you is fine for a certain type of Inquisitor, but if you're not going to make it a choice, please don't make us all bloody cowards who are forced to look like total jerks to their subordinates I don't want any special treatment just because I'm in charge, especially when it's inconsistent anyway. HLtA is a bit like this, but better.

 

So yeah, there's my mini-rant about the Inquisitor not being heroic enough. Which is actually entirely on-topic now that I think about it. That's a story bit I wish was different.

[Marshal Moriarty]

Aravasia.

Well, with all respect, I disagree. Linron spends her only proper appearance in the game, openly sneering and hurling abuse at the Krogan. 'All they know is bloodshed and war, because its all we needed them to know' or words to that effect, I happen to agree with the Salarian position, but Linron is blatantly there to turn you against them, and make you pro Krogan. No matter how you try to handle the scene, it always ends with you forcing Linron to help against her will, and her shouting curses at you as you leave. Clarel meanwhile comes across as the most foolish person who ever lived, being taken in by panto villain Erimond, and going along with the truly ludicrous plan of summoning demons through sacrifice. She is named on the YMMV page as one of the game's Scrappy characters, and with good reason.

 

And I have huge issues with many of the characters you mentioned, because its all so Rule of Cool, your super special VIP friends etc.From what I understood, Garrus was a Mac Walters character until ME3. Not sure about some of the others. Wouldn't suprise me at all to learn he's behind Jack though - I can't stand that self absorbed character, and the direction she is taken in come ME3 is prepostrous. An admitted killer, pirate, kidnapper etc and she's put in charge of a class of kids. Shall we try that with the Yorkshire Ripper? Maybe some responsibilty will set him straight too? Solas is indicative of a trend that I absolutely detest in writing - the whole ;Last of his Kind/God in human form etc etc. Its just so corny and I can't get past how 'Your character is so special, they've met Death/God/the Creator of the Entire Universe' etc etc, I just spend all the time thinking ;Oh come ON. Its the same reason I can never recruit Javik in ME3. He's a well written character, but its just too hokey that you have the last Prothean on board and its no big deal to anyone really.

 

And Iron Bull? Gah, please don't bring up Special Agent Qun Bond. The really strong, virile, easy going, jokey, smart, perceptive character with a dark and troubled past etc etc etc. This kind of Marty Stu nonsense gets right on my nerves. I have the utmost respect for Freedie Prinze Jr. and Vega was one of my favourite ME characters, because he had a down to earth authenticity about him, and they didn't push it too far in either the 'He;s so amazing' or 'Oh isn't he a tragic, tormented soul...' Iron Bull is just a tiresome collection of tryhard cliches. Its still decent enough I guess, and though I absolutely despise the Bull;s Chargers as a bunch of tryhard, genre friendly stereotypes, their 'funeral; scene is probably the most powerful moment in the game (helped by excclent acting from Our Man From the Normandy.

 

But mostly, I look at him and just think he's a character assembled by seeing what kinds of things focus test well (i,e easy going characters, tough guys, spies etc) and given to a safe pair of hands to sell as an easy win with the fans. I don't hate the character, but I can't work up any enthusiasm for such a character. They offer me nothing new, nothing genuinely interesting, because he's such a tick off the boxes style of character.

[Orian Tabris]

Apparently it takes a day or two to get to the Temple of Sacred Ashes from Skyhold. So the narrative-pacing is all wonky in that mission (and also in WPHW and others in my opinion).

 

"Oh Maker Corypheus opened the breach again! For some reason this breach will grow much more quickly, forcing me to run to it with only a few people instead of properly preparing, and somehow I know it will grow faster even though I have no reason to think that! And for some other reason, people like Cullen and Leliana don't want to help me on this final mission, when they really don't need to be doing anything at the castle! Lazy advisors, them."

 

Then all of a sudden you appear there. Yes, I have a few problems with that mission

 

Well, actually I was being rhetorical, but alright.

[CoM Solaufein]

Cory was a wuss. The devs could have gave him some lackeys to help him out at least since he was so weak. Hell, I had more problems fighting the darkspawn in Descent and dragons than Cory. The villain should have lived up to the hype of the first part of the game. 

[Snowy-Ninja]

• Origin stories should have been a thing.
   
• I'd have liked to have seen both Samson and Calpernia work together, both red templars and Venatori united unlike the rest of Thedas. 
   
• Drinking from the well of sorrows could have had a larger impact in Trespasser (but thats just me) 
   
• I agree that the companions should have bigger role, they never really seem that important unless they are like Anders and Solas and intend to do something stupid. 
   
• I wanted to see Ferelden in a worse state, where is all this damage that the blight was supposed to have caused? Why is there no lifeless patches of dirt just laying around? I know the fifth blight was only short but come on there should have been some signs of damage in the Hinterlands or in Red Cliff. 
   
• But the most important is the story itself. Rather then give us the freedom to choose they should have said "no we will do it this way" It worked okay in Origins but Origins story wasn't that interesting really.
  
  Instead as soon as Cory attacked the focus should have been on him, he's dangerous he needs to be stopped, the threat of the wardens demon army never felt that threatening. I'd have liked to have seen more of a battle, a race against the clock. So we have time but if you waste to much time just doing whatever mission's you wanted before taking on the wardens, then when you finally beat that demon army you may not have come out that great. Resources have be lost, a portion of your army and the scouts are not looking to fine either. 
  
  Same for the winter palace, you do say several dozen missions before hand or dawdle in the winter palace to long. Pft to late Celene is dead and you have to fight Florianne and then you have to choose either Briala or Gaspard. Make it more dramatic. 
  
  The arbor wilds should have been where we could see Calpernia be like "Wait why are we doing this" and Samson be like "Wait don't you dare betray us" and so Calpernia teams up with us to stop the red templars and then goes back to Tevinter because thats the right thing to do. 
   
• Also I would have liked as a surprise twist Cory use Darkspawn. The wardens failed him, pft lets bring out darkspawn and no matter what your kind of in trouble because the wardens have been ruined. Why didn't Cory just use darkspawn? this still makes no sense to me! 

[Donk]

Cory was a wuss. The devs could have gave him some lackeys to help him out at least since he was so weak. Hell, I had more problems fighting the darkspawn in Descent and dragons than Cory. The villain should have lived up to the hype of the first part of the game. 

 

Honestly I had more trouble with great bears than Corypheus.