Yeah if we get mounts back, hopefully they will be for companions as well. Now that they've got the engine down and have a lot of the coding, I'm hoping they can just work on improving the existing elements.
Unique dialog would have been awesome. I am still so mad we did not see a Legolas/ Gimli situation break out between say...Varric and Cass. Where Varric would not get his own mount but would have to tag along with another. Could you see the trouble they'd get into?
I would enjoy seeing the cover of Varric's next novel, he and Cassandra astride a nuggalope, her hair long and streaming behind them in the wind. Instant best seller.
I want a return of sustained abilities! And less cool downs for spells or at least let us use more than 8 at a time.
I would like another animal companion, more like DA2's than an individual companion in DAO, but maybe something new instead of a mabari. They're traditionally Ferelden, so it makes sense in DAO and for Ferelden refugee Hawke, but makes sense not to have one in DAI or DA4.
*Cough*Griffon*Cough*Anderfels*Cough*
I would enjoy seeing the cover of Varric's next novel, he and Cassandra astride a nuggalope, her hair long and streaming behind them in the wind. Instant best seller.
My romp ride with the Seeker.
Mind you I had to love the end of Tresspasser. "That Dwarf he...he..he..put me in the book. I'm in the book! *squeal of joy* I am reading the **** outta this"
DAO: Story and humor. I liked how the companion backstory reveals were woven into the narrative. Standouts were Morrigan, Allistair, Leliana, and Sten -- you learned a ton about the culture of this world as each of their backstories were revealed.
DA2: --- (didn't play it)
DAI: Trials, which is to say, a game mechanic for adjusting challenge level that's more fine-grained than Casual/Normal/Hard/Nightmare.
Hard to keep this positive, given the narrative corner DA4 has been backed into, thanks to Trespasser -- but I'll try: DAO was charming and funny, despite the epic disaster going on in the background. I'm hoping DA4 can achieve the same balance. But I think it's unlikely.
I want a return of sustained abilities! And less cool downs for spells or at least let us use more than 8 at a time.
I support sustained abilities! I miss them. Of course, they need to return alongside being able to use the radial menu to use abilities, because you naturally don't turn sustained abilities on and off as much as using activated ones, so that leaves space for hot-keying activated ones. I mean, if you could only ever use 6 or 8 abilities in DA:O, would you bother with sustaineds?
Things I liked that were present in one or more games(in no particular order):
-Race choice. I would prefer a choice but I would be ok if we played as a set race as long as it wasn't human.
-Some race related dialogue and reactions to your character's race (not expecting a TON but I love it when it's there)
-Companions involving themselves in quests/story for example when you go to the circle tower in DA:O with Morrigan, she has an argument with you about what she thinks you should do with the mages, in DA2 you can have Fenris kill the pedophile rapist or squeeze the heart of a slaver to get him to give you information, etc...basically more companion interactivity with the plot and sidequests.
-Going along with the above, I think it would be cool if your romantic status/relationship came up from time to time ex: in DA2 your LI coming to comfort you after Leandra's death, the LI shutting Zevran down when he tries to flirt with Hawke, the LI crying out when the PC is downed in battle (and the other way around too) etc...
-Mage robes! I know not everyone likes them but I think they should be an option especially since it's the closest thing we get to traditionally feminine clothing. 
-I liked the ability to tint armor
-More variety of armor and clothing designs (I think DA2 was my favorite in this respect)
-Creepy stuff like the Branka/Hespith/brood mother situation in the deep roads
-Seeing stuff from the past like in Trespasser with the ancient elves and Awakening with the dwarves of Kal'Hirol.
-Closeup conversations, even if it's just shot-reverse shot (the quests in DA:O and DA2 and the main plot and companion quests of DA:I)
-I miss cone of cold, traps, and being able to set oil on fire 
-Persistent ambient music
-The ability to be evil, ruthless, racist, etc...and of course the murder knife 
-Companions having a life outside their interactions with the PC like in DA2
-I miss being able to summon bears (never the spider) to follow me around lol
-Places with a scary and tense atmosphere
-Puzzles 
-New and interesting characters
-Civilization! I like to have a lot of different settlements to visit that had a lot of people to talk to and things to do.
-Pet dog/dog companion alternatively a pet cat or cat companion!
-I of course love the great voice acting
-Also the romances
-Sidequests that allow for roleplaying/character building. Basically ones that give you multiple dialogue options and ways to resolve/choices even if it's something short and simple like the interaction with the group of bandits on the bridge in Lothering in DA:O
Dragon Age Origins: I liked the pacing of events, where you never really got a good shot in at the big bad until the very end of the game, and instead had a plethora of antagonists to contend with.
Dragon Age 2: Companions having their own personal side quests and the combat system. Not exactly the combat style to a tee, but I definitely felt DA2 had the funnest combat.
Dragon Age Inquisition: Character customization and the small touches they added throughout the game to make your character feel like they were part of the world and in the role. I also liked the vast array of things you could say to really subtlety shape your inquisitor, and would love that to return.
I do miss my Mabari. I like the DA2 approach--summon Dog for a battle, or to just walk around. And he was darn helpful in a fight, too. When I would go home, he was curled up by the fire having dreams of chasing down Fen'Harel, "... Ever since, the Dread Wolf thinks twice about playing his tricks when dogs are on guard." -- Merrill
I liked the DA2 approach with this because I could have my dog and all my companion banter. lol.
Just because we may be in Tevinter doesn't mean we can't have a Mabari. One could end up there for any number of reasons. Unless they come up with an equivalent.
-Mage robes! I know not everyone likes them but I think they should be an option especially since it's the closest thing we get to traditionally feminine clothing.
I never understood mage robes for combat. I mean, walking around the circle? Sure. But for a battlemage? Who wants to go into battle in a dress? 
Seriously though, options are good, so some robes and some non-robes would be good.
I never understood mage robes for combat. I mean, walking around the circle? Sure. But for a battlemage? Who wants to go into battle in a dress?
Seriously though, options are good, so some robes and some non-robes would be good.
It seems like a stretchy or at least voluminous enough dress to not give us trouble, besides it's not like most mages are getting that physical. I understand why some wouldn't like it but why take it out entirely? (especially since they're modeled in the game on various NPCs 
)
It seems like a stretchy or at least voluminous enough dress to not give us trouble, besides it's not like most mages are getting that physical. I understand why some wouldn't like it but why take it out entirely? (especially since they're modeled in the game on various NPCs
They do seem stretchy, but I'd still take armour.
It's just yet another case of Bioware over-reacting You know how it goes:
People didn't like that they had to wear robes in DA:O, and couldn't wear pants?
TAKE THEM OUT, TAKE THEM ALL OUT! HAVE NOTHING BUT PANTS, NO ROBES. ...EXCEPT FOR NPCs, MUHAHAHA.
Really, I'm not even making that up. I remember people asking the devs if we could have mage-pants during development. Seems like they... over-heard 
I don't know how it was in DA2, since I didn't play a mage and companions had their own gear. I also wish we could wear more of what NPCs can. I don't like arbitrary limits.
DA:O : I liked how it was a real, proper RPG
Da:2 I liked that it was short so I did not have to endure the torture
DA:I .... I liked that I stopped playing halfway
They do seem stretchy, but I'd still take armour.
It's just yet another case of Bioware over-reacting
People didn't like that they had to wear robes in DA:O, and couldn't wear pants?
TAKE THEM OUT, TAKE THEM ALL OUT! HAVE NOTHING BUT PANTS, NO ROBES. ...EXCEPT FOR NPCs, MUHAHAHA.
Really, I'm not even making that up. I remember people asking the devs if we could have mage-pants during development. Seems like they... over-heard
I don't know how it was in DA2, since I didn't play a mage and companions had their own gear. I also wish we could wear more of what NPCs can. I don't like arbitrary limits.
Oh BioWare and its' overcorrections lol. In DA2 it was mostly mage dresses but there were a few pant outfits. It would be cool if there were mage dresses, mage pants, and mage...in-between things(?) like pants but with the top having long skirt-like flaps like Vivienne does or the Warden mage outfit.
DA:O : I liked how it was a real, proper RPG
Da:2 I liked that it was short so I did not have to endure the torture
DA:I .... I liked that I stopped playing halfway
Aw come on now If I can do it so can you at least list the specific stuff you liked about DA:O and want to return.
Oh BioWare and its' overcorrections lol. In DA2 it was mostly mage dresses but there were a few pant outfits. It would be cool if there were mage dresses, mage pants, and mage...in-between things(?) like pants but with the top having long skirt-like flaps like Vivienne does or the Warden mage outfit.
Definitely! Variety is always good. Oh, yeah, I actually really like that style!
So, yeah, in DA4, have this style of mage-gear! Looks mage-y, but still has pants! Win-win for me.
DA O:
• Simple but compelling story with a clear goal at the end that didn't need manufactured drama or mystery elements to be interesting.
• Everything felt like it had a reason for being there and seemed to have a sense of purpose behind it even when it didn't.
• Companions were simple but engaging, and didn't need melodramatic reveals, angst ridden backstories or artificial drama to feel interesting.
• Story choices that had a direct impact on the final battle.
• Could successfully play a chaotic neutral / neutral / darkside tempted character that didn't feel like a joke or require going OOC at some point during the main quests.
DA 2:
• Average Joe protagonist with normal problems who was interesting and fun without being a mary sue, a chosen one or insert. And didn't need to be made artificially important by the story or other characters to feel relevant and likable.
• Unique story telling style that mostly succeeded at what it tried to do. (Could have fully succeeded with more time)
• Friend/Rival system offered potential for more meaningful and unique PC to companion interaction experiences, better accountability for PC behavior toward their allies and meaningful consequences of actions that didn't include gamey score system elements or juvenile, out of character sequences with the PC confronting or physically assaulting companions.
• Side quests with actual stories, that felt interesting and left you wanting to know what happens next.
• Companions mostly just felt like regular people and easy to identify with for the player and didn't need to be half dragons, all-powerful wizards or beings from alternate realms to feel compelling and relevant.
• Hawke could have a fun, healthy balance of their own personality and the player's personality.
• Villains who felt believable with motives that made sense. Who didn't need to be world destroying monsters, thousand years of darkness clichés or ultimate evil stereotypes in order to feel dangerous and make the player feel invested in defeating them.
• Stories didn't always end with a smile and everything didn't always turn out alright.
DA I:
• Gorgeous visuals.
• Phenomenal soundtrack with music that always fit the situation and never felt out of place.
• Fun gameplay with fluid controls.
• Extremely high quality voice acting.
• Last goodbye, The Darvaarad, Garden of the Dread Wolf and the confrontation with Solas was stupendous and how a climax is supposed to feel.
• Very high quality and interesting banter.
• Higher than average amount of main characters, and everyone had a good amount of screen time.
• Diverse cast of companions.
• Main characters that weren't just a bunch of straight white people.
• Minority representation you'd find in precious few other series. (I think some of this could have been handled better. But the fact they tried to represent groups of people most other games and stories completely ignore deserves credit.)
I've probably forgotten some stuff but this is something. As for DA4.. I don't know, I'll leave that up to anybody reading this what I think DA4 should be. Heh
DA I:
• Phenomenal soundtrack with music that always fit the situation and never felt out of place.
Thedas Love Theme begs to differ But yes, other than that one track, I agree, the OST was phenomenal. What was there anyway. Would have liked ambient/exploration/combat music 
So, that's something I'd like to see return in DA4!
DA:O : I liked how it was a real, proper RPG
Da:2 I liked that it was short so I did not have to endure the torture
DA:I .... I liked that I stopped playing halfway
D.A:O:
- Race choice
- Origins
- HUGE variety in playstyle/customisation (want a hex-mage? sure! Tank rogue? OK!)
- ARCHERY FOR WARRIORS
- CHOICES THAT MATTER
- cutscenes
- Companion personalities
- Companion crisis-points
- The ability to be "evil".
- Keeper specialization
- A large-scale area (Ferelden) reduced to key explorable areas
- meaningful and expansive side-quests
- TACTICS
(Origins' high level of replayability has made it so that i've fully completed the game 20+ times (verging on 30) and there's STILL things I havn't done/seen.)
D.A:2
- personality dialogue wheel
- friendship/rivalry scale
- humour
- companion-specific specializations
- the story in general
- choices/actions carrying over through the Acts.
- Companions being opinionated enough to actually fight AGAINST you in the final battle.
- character cameos making sense/having purpose
- MORE TACTICS
- bi romances (it was nice to have access to everyone)
- Hairstyles that fit the setting. (not that i ever used them, but it was great seeing those ugly peasant or monk-ish hairstyles)
(There were some things that put me off DA2, such as the over-the-top combat or reduction in play-styles, but after playing Inquisition I find myself wanting to play it a bit more than in the past...)
D.A:I
- graphics
- open world
- crafting (though I havnt actually used it THAT much, i just like that it's there)
- war table (but ONLY with the "instant finish" mod for the missions)
- recognisation of your specialization.
- romances based on companion preferences (contradictory to my DA2 comment, but it made the companions feel more real)
(Yeah... Not a lot about Inquisition stood out for me... Honestly when I got the game the day it came out, it was bad enough that I stoppewd playing for about 3 months... The main things being that everything was way too condensed and simplified (pretty much every class was a damager and nothing else) and the game was pretty much 90% boring side quests.)
What i'd like to see from D.A:4...
- a return to the roots. Allow us more creativity in the way we can build and play our characters.
- a continuation of decent companions. Have them varied, have them opinionated. Make them feel real. And let them HATE us if we act against their personality.
- CHOICES. THAT. MATTER.
- less openworld, more indepth areas
- Companion specializations. Ones that make sense too! (Cassandra should have been a "Seeker". I don't recall Varric EVER using/mentioning traps. I can't really see Vivienne running up to enemies and stabbing them with her mage-sword. Even Iron Bull says he's not actually a "real" Reaver...)
- A return to a more neutral protagonist. Let US decide how we act. Give us the ability to be evil if we wish.
- Make things fot the game SETTING, not the auidience (aka; don't have hip trendy hairstyles that wouldn't really appear in that world)
- Either less, or better excecuted, equality. (I personally felt making many things open to both genders was a bad move. But only because it was badly or strangely done.)
- Origins (maybe not so much "origins", but a unique start based on our character choice would be nice.)
- TACTICS!!! (not all of us want/like to control our party member's actions every second of the day)
- Bring back logical things, like Healing magic and more than 2 weapon types available to classes.
- Either less, or better excecuted, equality. (I personally felt making many things open to both genders was a bad move. But only because it was badly or strangely done.)
What do you mean? (I agree with everything else you've said)
What do you mean? (I agree with everything else you've said)
Basically I just personally found it... weird? Like, some of the hairestyles are clearly male, some are clearly female, and having them available to both meant less focus to each gender, thus people missing out (insert the "no long hairstyles" / "no decent Qunari hairstyles" argument here)
And other things that were (i assume) added to include the trans community (such as being able to have an adams apple on a female character, or women (not sure if only dwarf?) getting stubble) were just... unecessary?
To me it just seemed like obvious pandering and a way to get more sales. Condem me to hell, but thats just my opinion
Also I agree with all your points you listed!
Basically I just personally found it... weird? Like, some of the hairestyles are clearly male, some are clearly female, and having them available to both meant less focus to each gender, thus people missing out (insert the "no long hairstyles" / "no decent Qunari hairstyles" argument here)
And other things that were (i assume) added to include the trans community (such as being able to have an adams apple on a female character, or women (not sure if only dwarf?) getting stubble) were just... unecessary?
To me it just seemed like obvious pandering and a way to get more sales. Condem me to hell, but thats just my opinion
Also I agree with all your points you listed!
The whole hair thing was not an attempt to be progressive by any stretch. It was just laziness. Like you said, they should have focused on styles for each gender then, after that, made them available to both, because Options Are Good™. It's pretty clear that the only reason they did it the way they did was because they realized they had so few styles by the time the game was wrapping up, so they made them "gender-neutral" as a way to appear as though they had variety, and appear "progressive".
I'm totally in favour of making each style available to everyone, but not how they did it.
I don't think adding the Adam's apple slider for women or stubble for the female dwarves (and yeah, it was only dwarves) had anything to do with the trans-community. Aside from the fact that most transwomen probably wouldn't want to have an Adam's apple in real life or in a game (or especially facial hair!), the game also doesn't allow you to play as a transwoman. I think it was added partly because Options Are Good™ and also because women in real life have - crazily enough - differently-shaped Adam's apples. *Gasp* In addition, it's not just an Adam's apple slider, it also changes the shape of the neck, which is helpful on its own.
The stubble for female dwarves seemed either like a Lord of the Rings joke, or an addition to dwarf-lore that has previously never been shown.
Basically I just personally found it... weird? Like, some of the hairestyles are clearly male, some are clearly female, and having them available to both meant less focus to each gender, thus people missing out (insert the "no long hairstyles" / "no decent Qunari hairstyles" argument here)
And other things that were (i assume) added to include the trans community (such as being able to have an adams apple on a female character, or women (not sure if only dwarf?) getting stubble) were just... unecessary?
To me it just seemed like obvious pandering and a way to get more sales. Condem me to hell, but thats just my opinion
Also I agree with all your points you listed!
I see! I agree with BansheeOwnage that this was probably due to a joke (female dwarf beards) and to hide the fact that they had so few hairstyles. Remember how many hairstyles there were for DA2 for each gender? If you count all the hairstyles in DA:I it's still less than one gender's hairstyles of DA2. If you've read my posts in the past you know that I have a big problem with the hair in DA:I (especially for the Qunari) 
I see! I agree with BansheeOwnage that this was probably due to a joke (female dwarf beards) and to hide the fact that they had so few hairstyles. Remember how many hairstyles there were for DA2 for each gender? If you count all the hairstyles in DA:I it's still less than one gender's hairstyles of DA2. If you've read my posts in the past you know that I have a big problem with the hair in DA:I (especially for the Qunari)
Part of the reason it did was because DA2 brought back all (or nearly all) of DA:O's styles, then added more. This is exactly what every series needs to do. And yeah, it's really sad, especially considering that thirteen of the twenty-eight styles are bald or almost bald! Four of the remaining ones have sideburns or facial hair. That doesn't give much room for anything generally considered "feminine". Not that male characters have much variety either, of course.
The other problem with this laziness is that it affects all of the NPCs (who aren't lucky main characters and have their own styles) and makes a world of NPCs who look not only similar (even more than most RPGs) but also extremely different from anything established in the previous games in terms of looks. Yes, that's right. In addition to lack of good hair being annoying for my character, it's effectively a retcon While I'm somewhat joking, the consistency of art-style in a franchise is not something to overlook. Anyway, that's probably enough from me for a while
Retour en haut
