153 réponses à ce sujet

[hmarcbower]

LostScout wrote...

It's the character interactions and yes, the ability to romance your believable companions that make a Bioware game stand out from the competition. If you remove that, then the nagging little flaws in the basic game that you are left with start to add up. It no longer has something that a hundred other games don't have. Is that a big deal? It could be for the long term survival of the company.

QFT.

These are the nice little extras that made the game really stand out for me.  Without them, there are still a lot of people who are going to enjoy the game, but it becomes more... common, I guess.  Because of how we are able to interact with the other characters we get a sense of what the personality is like - and Bioware did an amazing job on that.  To remove what made this game special makes it just another game.  I'll probably play Awakenings, but I don't know if I will finish it.  It really is me wanting to know how it turns out for all the characters that makes me want to finish Origins.  If I have nothing invested in the characters in Awakenings, then it becomes less interesting to me.  

All just my opinion, obviously.  YMMV.

I don't think the "long term survival of the company" is in any jeopardy, though - that's a little extreme.  The legacy of the Dragon Age franchise, maybe.  We'll see.  But BioWare, whether Awakenings is as successful as Origins or not, is a great game company and will be around for a while yet.

[Valmy]

hmarcbower wrote...
Because of how we are able to interact with the other characters we get a sense of what the personality is like - and Bioware did an amazing job on that.  To remove what made this game special makes it just another game. 

Um...I guess I missed out where we are not going to be able to get know and interact with other characters.  We are getting new party members to do just that no?

Seriously guys a little less panic and doom and gloom until we actually see the finished product?

[alexmasterson123]

"It's the character interactions and yes, the ability to romance your believable companions that make a Bioware game stand out from the competition. If you remove that,"



This is ridiculous - you people can't stand to play ONE expansion without chatting someone up?

[Fayerielle]

AmstradHero wrote...

Yeah, one of these games will have a coherent plot and interesting gameplay. The other will be called FFXIII.

One of these games will have dull characters that look like teenage prostitutes wielding giant weaponry the size of a small country. The other is called "Awakening".

Tough choice.

People value different things in a game. If someone perceives that FFXIII gives them higher value (and possibly gaming experience?) for their money, then leave them be. There's no need to mock another game over it. Personally I like FFXIII even though it's not as interactive as Bioware games. But then again I'm not complaining about Awakening either. I'm actually looking forward to it.

[aries1001]

As far as I can tell, there's a story reason why Morrigan doesn't appear in the expansion, Awakenings. As for the romances, as I've said before, I'm neutral on this. It means (as pr. David Gaider's post a couple of days ago) that you romances still are active, just not in this expansion.

[hmarcbower]

Valmy wrote...

hmarcbower wrote...
Because of how we are able to interact with the other characters we get a sense of what the personality is like - and Bioware did an amazing job on that.  To remove what made this game special makes it just another game. 

Um...I guess I missed out where we are not going to be able to get know and interact with other characters.  We are getting new party members to do just that no?

Seriously guys a little less panic and doom and gloom until we actually see the finished product?

Actually, I was under the impression that the "influence" system wasn't part of the expansion, but I just re-read the FAQ and saw that it was there.  I need to accept only primary sources from now on.  

That's the part that worried me (I honestly don't need soft-core porn scenes in my RPG games, so I was OK without that - and wow, some people spent a lot of time on mods making them sort of hardcore from what I understand...), if the characters weren't able to develop personalities and interact in different ways.  Having re-read the FAQ I am not worried about that bit anymore.  That, to me, is what BioWare did with this game that made it particularly interesting to me.  Given the price/play-time ratio, I'll still wait for some reviews before I lay out the cash, though - but I have high hopes for it.

[Ponce de Leon]

I think Morrigan deserves her head chopped off in this expansion... but that's just me. Let her die suffering with all the imaginable illnesses, that's what she deserves. Sorry, Morrigan hater, as it's pretty obvious.

Still OP, remember that different people hold different wishes and needs. If you like Morrigan, it doesn't mean anyone does. If you don't like Oghren, it doesn't mean everyone hates him. In fact, I appear to be the exact opposite of you (and many other)... ah well, like I care

[CopperLou]

No romances? Well, that sucks. I think romances add a lot to the plot of these games.

It really seems like they're skimping on this expansion. If I'm going to pay 40$ for it, I want romances or at least the previous romances to carry over in some way.

[krasnoarmeets]

Valmy wrote...

So without the Romances Dragon Age is just a mediocre and uninteresting game and easily replaceable with any other RPG?  I guess I can only say I disagree strongly.

But if you don't think Bioware does a good job and only shores up mediocrity with romances I have to wonder why you care enough to post about their games.

No, but the romances give it something special, that little bit of extra character interaction that the other RPGs don't have and make the Bioware ones stand out above the rest. Instead of just go here, do this, go there, do that, there's also NPCs squabbling with one another over who has dibs on the player, which is always funny.
Who can forget the epic rivalry between the women in Baldur's Gate II, vying for the player's attentions? It was classic stuff.

My personal favourite was always Boo the hamster, but I digress. Anyway, the point is that the level of character interaction built into a game is what makes it special. Obviously you need to have a convincing plot and back story with good flow, but without the interaction the characters are going to come across flat. Obviously excluding DLC content is not going to please people that have paid extra for it (like me), coz it leaves us feeling a tiny bit cheated, thinking why did we fork out the extra dosh?

[Metallicka]

krasnoarmeets wrote...

Valmy wrote...

So without the Romances Dragon Age is just a mediocre and uninteresting game and easily replaceable with any other RPG?  I guess I can only say I disagree strongly.

But if you don't think Bioware does a good job and only shores up mediocrity with romances I have to wonder why you care enough to post about their games.

No, but the romances give it something special, that little bit of extra character interaction that the other RPGs don't have and make the Bioware ones stand out above the rest. Instead of just go here, do this, go there, do that, there's also NPCs squabbling with one another over who has dibs on the player, which is always funny.
Who can forget the epic rivalry between the women in Baldur's Gate II, vying for the player's attentions? It was classic stuff.

My personal favourite was always Boo the hamster, but I digress. Anyway, the point is that the level of character interaction built into a game is what makes it special. Obviously you need to have a convincing plot and back story with good flow, but without the interaction the characters are going to come across flat. Obviously excluding DLC content is not going to please people that have paid extra for it (like me), coz it leaves us feeling a tiny bit cheated, thinking why did we fork out the extra dosh?

I guess we learned our lesson and won't do it again, I just hope that the next expansion doesn't ignore this one like this one ignores all our DLC.

[Leather_Rebel90]

Wow... Ohgren... Are you serious? The least favorite character of every DA fan? I'm not saying he's hated but I know he's not a favorite like Alistair, Leliana, Sten, or Morrigan.

BioWare is really starting to ****** me off. What in the hell is the point of even playing the first game and importing a character if they're going to change everything so profoundly? It's ridiculous.


"No romances because this threat is SO great!"

Now you're being downright insulting BioWare... You expect me to believe that? Don't insult my intelligence. It's becoming more and more clear that you're losing interest in what your fans want and becoming enveloped with greed and only care about how much money you get. I don't know if we EA to thank for this but it would make sense. EA ruins every license they get a hold of.

Modifié par Leather_Rebel90, 18 février 2010 - 12:00 .

[krasnoarmeets]

Leather_Rebel90 wrote...

Wow... Ohgren... Are you serious? The least favorite character of every DA fan? I'm not saying he's hated but I know he's not a favorite like Alistair, Leliana, Sten, or Morrigan.

BioWare is really starting to ****** me off. What in the hell is the point of even playing the first game and importing a character if they're going to change everything so profoundly? It's ridiculous.


"No romances because this threat is SO great!"

Now you're being downright insulting BioWare... You expect me to believe that? Don't insult my intelligence. It's becoming more and more clear that you're losing interest in what your fans want and becoming enveloped with greed and only care about how much money you get. I don't know if we EA to thank for this but it would make sense. EA ruins every license they get a hold of.

Amen to the anti-EA rant - that is SOOOO true, and it likely is EA applying pressure to get the expansion developed and out on shelves in a shorter timeframe. 

Was the threat so insignificant in DAO? Let's recount here:

DAO:
The King dead: check.
The King's army and all of the Grey Wardens, save two wiped out at Ostagar: check.
Grey Wardens declared outlaws and enemies of the state: check.
Every single feasible ally embattled in some way or other forcing the remaining two grey Wardens to have to pull their ar$3s out of the fire: check.
Hindrances created at every turn by someone who should be on the same side: check.
Massive darkspawn horde led by corrupted firebreathing dragon: check.

Awakening:
Talking hurlock emissary leading a somewhat depleted horde: check.

I'm sorry, how is the threat SO much greater, especially considering that the Grey Wardens have had their numbers bolstered from Orlais?

Drasanil wrote...

Boohoo, don't buy the game then, problem solved.

I don't think Bioware really wants people not to buy the expansion though, not usually a great marketing strategy...

Modifié par krasnoarmeets, 18 février 2010 - 01:19 .

[SamboScoots]

No romances in the game shouldn't matter all that much. After all, it's just an expansion. On the other hand, if you can't get romance IRL then maybe not getting any in a fantasy video game is a big deal.



Suddenly I understand.

[Wolfaura]

Yeah I love DAO. I was a bit affraid about the EA stamp though, they tend to stuff up games.

They seem to lean towards making profit over producing a more polished good product. I wasn't sure if I'd buy DAO.

Then when I wasn't well my bf bought me the game and said maybe this will help you feel better. And I found the game so immersive that I didn't notice how gross I felt anymore.

I can't stop playing this game and have played all origins and am on my 2nd playthrough.



And as I've said before they are like Herren, wish they could be more like Wade.

I'd rather they take time to make something good and pay more than still pay quite a bit for something which may not be as good.



I'll miss the romance aspect, as that makes the game unique, but I would still play the game as I like a good story and adventure, but then it kind of seems like the story is broken and not continuing like I thought it would. So Iam going to be one of those who waits and sees on what other ppl say about this game. Not sure I'd want my character in this expansion. If I did play I'd prob make a new Orlesian GW.

[bluebullets]

aries1001 wrote...

As far as I can tell, there's a story reason why Morrigan doesn't appear in the expansion, Awakenings. As for the romances, as I've said before, I'm neutral on this. It means (as pr. David Gaider's post a couple of days ago) that you romances still are active, just not in this expansion.

What is the story reason why Morrigan cannot be in awakening?

[SamboScoots]

bluebullets wrote...

aries1001 wrote...

As far as I can tell, there's a story reason why Morrigan doesn't appear in the expansion, Awakenings. As for the romances, as I've said before, I'm neutral on this. It means (as pr. David Gaider's post a couple of days ago) that you romances still are active, just not in this expansion.

What is the story reason why Morrigan cannot be in awakening?

Not sure about your game file (spoiler alert) but in my game she would probably be getting ready to give birth. If she was to return, I'm sure she wouldn't be pleasent.

[AurorusBorealus]

Be careful how much hate you throw at EA. Companies that retained "independence" from publishers have done very poorly in the gaming business: companies such as Troika and Obsidian. Both rushed buggy/unfinished products to market under pressure from cash-strapped Atari and were ruined, despite being very fine game developers. Indeed, Atari's mismanagement of its financial position and poor management of employee/developer relations dating back to the 1980s did irreparable harm to both the bottom line of game developers and the products delivered to consumers.



EA's cash position is more stable than Atari's ever was and I doubt that DA:A will be a "rushed" or unfinished product. You can thank EA for restoring some quality to the CRPG industry and thank Bioware for the foresight to lock in a relation with stable publisher via the sale of their company. Without this merger/acquisition CRPGs may have gone away entirely for a long time.



Now just hope that the Microsoft Leviathon doesn't note the dip in EA's stock price and decide that locking up the Madden / Bioware brands, at this price, would fit in nicely with their attempts to boost XBox sales.

[bluebullets]

SamboScoots wrote...

bluebullets wrote...

aries1001 wrote...

As far as I can tell, there's a story reason why Morrigan doesn't appear in the expansion, Awakenings. As for the romances, as I've said before, I'm neutral on this. It means (as pr. David Gaider's post a couple of days ago) that you romances still are active, just not in this expansion.

What is the story reason why Morrigan cannot be in awakening?

Not sure about your game file (spoiler alert) but in my game she would probably be getting ready to give birth. If she was to return, I'm sure she wouldn't be pleasent.

*multiple spolers*

Umm.. birth takes about 9 month on earth. I'm sure we did not defeat theblight to have the threats rise again the next day.. I'm sure it has been some time, even so, its a fantasy game.. They could think up somr excuse for the kid to be born within minutes of you killing the archdemon if they so chose.

SECONDLY, the thing on the end stated that she may have been seen WITH a baby at frostwolf mountains.

(I have beaten DA:O 4 times, on my 5th.)

[krasnoarmeets]

SamboScoots wrote...

No romances in the game shouldn't
matter all that much. After all, it's just an expansion. On the other
hand, if you can't get romance IRL then maybe not getting any in a
fantasy video game is a big deal.

Suddenly I understand.

Fantasy roleplaying games are supposed to be a home away from home, so to speak. Do the words fantasy and roleplaying tell you anything about their intent?
So why not get it in the real world AND in a fantasy world - the best of both worlds...

Let's look at some Bioware history with regard to expansions here:

Baldur's Gate II, expanded upon by Throne of Bhaal: romance choices carried over into Throne.
Never Winter Nights, expanded upon by Hordes of the Underdark (I don't have the first exp for that so can't comment). Romances don't carry over into Hordes, but at least there are new ones.

No real world inadequacy here, but there's nothing wrong with getting away from it all.

SamboScoots wrote...

bluebullets wrote...

aries1001 wrote...

As
far as I can tell, there's a story reason why Morrigan doesn't appear
in the expansion, Awakenings. As for the romances, as I've said before,
I'm neutral on this. It means (as pr. David Gaider's post a couple of
days ago) that you romances still are active, just not in this
expansion.

What is the story reason why Morrigan cannot be in awakening?

Not
sure about your game file (spoiler alert) but in my game she would
probably be getting ready to give birth. If she was to return, I'm sure
she wouldn't be pleasent.

Lol, just imagine Morrigan, plus all those added hormones... epic b1tch.

Modifié par krasnoarmeets, 18 février 2010 - 03:44 .

[VanDraegon]

bluebullets wrote...

Why not bring back morrigan, like everybody wants.. If itstoo immoral to bring backMorriganlike the payingcustomers want,why not bring backleliana, or any other charater for that matter..?

I wasnt consulted on this whole "everyone" wants Morrigan back bit. Did i miss something? Was there a vote?

In the future OP, keep in mind that you only speak for yourself.  I think Zevran was the worst character. He always ends up dead, real fast in my games.

[Bratt1204]

aries1001 wrote...

As far as I can tell, there's a story reason why Morrigan doesn't appear in the expansion, Awakenings. As for the romances, as I've said before, I'm neutral on this. It means (as pr. David Gaider's post a couple of days ago) that you romances still are active, just not in this expansion.

Active but not in the expansion - that means inactive while playing the expansion. 

[SamboScoots]

bluebullets wrote...

SamboScoots wrote...

bluebullets wrote...

aries1001 wrote...

As far as I can tell, there's a story reason why Morrigan doesn't appear in the expansion, Awakenings. As for the romances, as I've said before, I'm neutral on this. It means (as pr. David Gaider's post a couple of days ago) that you romances still are active, just not in this expansion.

What is the story reason why Morrigan cannot be in awakening?

Not sure about your game file (spoiler alert) but in my game she would probably be getting ready to give birth. If she was to return, I'm sure she wouldn't be pleasent.

*multiple spolers*

Umm.. birth takes about 9 month on earth. I'm sure we did not defeat theblight to have the threats rise again the next day.. I'm sure it has been some time, even so, its a fantasy game.. They could think up somr excuse for the kid to be born within minutes of you killing the archdemon if they so chose.

SECONDLY, the thing on the end stated that she may have been seen WITH a baby at frostwolf mountains.

(I have beaten DA:O 4 times, on my 5th.)

I could be wrong, but I read (from an IGN article if I remember correctly) the expansion takes place months after the core game. I'm sure that would mean, on earth as you put it, that she either is about to give birth or has an infant with her.

I'm sure the real reason she isn't in this expansion is because the kid isn't yours (Not DNA test will prove its not yours, but "this kid is clearly not mine" kind of not yours). She is trying to keep a low profile and will drop that bombshell on you in the sequel. Bioware has to save something for Dragon Age II: You Are Not the Father.


P.S. Dragon Age II will be strictly about romances.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Bratt1204 wrote...

aries1001 wrote...

As far as I can tell, there's a story reason why Morrigan doesn't appear in the expansion, Awakenings. As for the romances, as I've said before, I'm neutral on this. It means (as pr. David Gaider's post a couple of days ago) that you romances still are active, just not in this expansion.

Active but not in the expansion - that means inactive while playing the expansion. 

I believe it's called a "break".

[craigdolphin]

For what it's worth (which isn't much!), I'm a little bit dissappointed by the lack of romances in DA:A. I was hoping to spend more game time in my travels with Leliana but it seems that's not to be.

So, given that my PC and Leliana are supposed to be travelling together after DA:O, it basically leaves me with the option of choosing the mysterious new default character instead of my original PC.

Which is ok. But not as satisfying somehow.

It would be nice if the decisions made during my playthrough could be carried over even if you elect to play the new PC. But it probably doesn't work that way.

It won't stop me buying the expansion though.

[linkrulesx10]

I thinkj it is a bit premature to sayu this is a bad game because it doesn;t have the old characters. Its not like Ohgren is the ONLY character in awakenings. Origins was great, if awakening is of the same calibre and I decide I don;t like ohgren I can always just not use him.