Dev Question: Standout Moments (SPOILERS INSIDE)
#51
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 01:33
1.) The "Goodbye" scene with the party members before storming the castle (Reminds me of the similar BG2 scene, what was just as perfect)
2.) Seeing the Dead Trenches for the first time. That bridge battle is just too epic.
Things I'd like to see (well more specifically than all of Thedas):
1.) Antiva and Anderfels. Assasins on the loose and Russian binge drinkers with bushy beards are really intruging (not to mention Weisshaupt)!
2.) More Deep Roads. Lot more!
#52
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 01:55
Edit: Would also like to see a continuation of the HN storyline in future DLC/expansions.
Modifié par Bratt1204, 10 mars 2010 - 03:38 .
#53
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 02:00
#54
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 02:19
- The post-Landsmeet dumping by Alistair. It so totally fit into the world and it floored me. That was the very first time a game twisted my heart and it really took DA:O to a whole new level.
- The human noble origin and the female city elf origin. I loved that those two origins gave you something to really focus on (Howe/human nobility, respectively) as you played. Vengeance is always a powerful RP factor.
- The cutscene of the battle at Ostagar, particularly when Duncan is leaning over Cailan's corpse and looks up to see that the beacon was lit. It gets me every playthrough. I never skip it.
- Morally grey choices! Like what to do at Redcliffe with Connor (I wish there had been something that would have made going to the Tower for help a risky proposition, though), or the Dark Ritual.
- The whole Alistair romance. Yes, Alistair fangirl here, but it was really a very sweet and bittersweet experience, and very memorable. (And very addictive.)
- Dragons! Walking out of the crazy cultists' lair in Haven and seeing the High Dragon for the first time. Followed by Alistair's warning that high dragons are not a joke. Uh...no kidding. Or, when Flemeth transformed, and Alistair stammered: Holy crap! That's a dragon! Yeah. You'd think Morrigan might have mentioned that...
- Party banter! Party banter changing as the story develops! Party members interacting with each other and with the PC differently as the story develops!
- Different endings. I loved that you couldn't get every ending with just one character. Like the Queen ending being only the human noble.
- Fiona. Fiona, Fiona, Fiona. Is she Alistair's mother? If not, who is the babe from The Calling?
- Maric. "Dying at sea" is a little too wide of a window of opportunity. I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Reluctant King decided to arrange that so he could run off to Weisshaupt to be with Fiona, finally...and wouldn't THAT be an awesome family reunion for Alistair! Angst! Conflict! I'd love to see it.
- Duncan. I have my suspicions on this, based on The Calling, but I hope we do see him again. And I hope Alistair is with us when we do.
- Repercussions from the Dark Ritual. Whether that's dealing with the godbaby, or censure from the other Wardens, I'd like to see how that decision affects the world.
- The heir thing. This is particularly of interest to those of us who married off our Couslands to King Alistair. I can see it being a very large point of conflict as time goes on and straining the relationship.
- Being a Grey Warden with all the other Grey Wardens. Throughout DA:O, the PC and Alistair are on their own as Grey Wardens. Neither of them REALLY knows what being a Grey Warden is all about, they just stumble along and try to end the Blight. Now that the Blight is over and they're rebuilding the order, and other Grey Wardens are coming to Ferelden to help, etc., I can see potential conflict arise as these new Wardens don't like what the PC has done/is doing, or vice versa. This could be particularly juicy conflict given Alistair's rather heroic view of the Wardens' place in Thedas. Disillusionment is hard.
- More Alistair. Of course. King Alistair, Warden Alistair, Alistair-needing-to-be-redeemed, I don't care. He is just a fascinating, deep character, and really enjoyable to interact with, so I'd hate to see him disappear after only one game. Particularly when a lot of future stories can revolve around him (Fiona, Maric, Duncan, Wardens, Weisshaupt, political intrigue, heir thing...).
- More epic events like the Landsmeet. That is my absolute favourite part of the game.
- Continue to keep us in the dark! Okay, that's an odd request. But what I mean is, I loved how NOTHING is black-and-white, truth-or-lie. Everything you learn is coloured by characters' perspectives. What they present to you as truth might be truth; or it might be what they believe is the truth; or it might not be the truth at all, but just what they want you to believe. It makes the world so much deeper and more realistic when you have to make judgments based on information that you know could be biased or blatantly untrue.
There is probably a ton of things I'm not including here, but I think I've rambled long enough. Just...thank you so much, BioWare, for creating a game that makes us think and wonder and obsess (just a little).
Modifié par Freckles04, 10 mars 2010 - 02:29 .
#55
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 02:24
I loved the whole deal about actually being in love with Morrigan, and she with you (least thats how I interpeted it). All of her mixed/contradicting emotions. Then her final good-bye to the warden before you face the Archdemon. Most of all though, I loved my ending concerning her. The epilogue told me that the warden could feel Morrigans feelings through the ring that she gave him. I thought that was great and made sense for my character and the ending I chose for him (wandering, told Al that I'd find Morrigan ect).
The Dalish Elf Warden finding Tamlen among the ambushing Darkspawn. That one, I have to say, really hooked me. I wasnt expecting it and it was my first playthrough.
Jowans story. Thought that it was done very well. Really made me think for a while whether or not to see him as an evil malificar or someone who personifies what so many Grey Wardens are all about - victory at any cost. Though, he did make some pretty unfortunate mistakes besides blood magic.
The Landsmeet.
I could go on about all the things I loved in DAO, but I wont. xD
Things that I want to see further explored...
More dealings with whoever your companions are. Some have mentioned something like loyalty missions from ME2. I think that would be pretty nice.
Continuation of The Wardens story.
Other than that I cant really think of anything else but more of the same great stuff. =)
#56
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 02:30
Victor Wachter wrote...
No example is too big or too small. For example, a standout moment for me is when in Redcliffe with Leliana, she tells you that she once rode the sails of a windmill. According to her, it did not end well. It's small, but I'd love to know why she found herself in that situation.
Haha. I was just going to mention a small standout moment in Orzammar when Lelianna tells you how she once drank a thimble of Dwarven ale and woke up the next morning with nothing on but her shoes and a towel...
But a larger moment: The Broodmother battle and especially the leadup to it ( deep in the dead trenches, Hespith's poem, Hespith herself, then the cutscene where your characters are cautiously walking around the corner, then Boom: they spot the broodmother and the sight of her stops them in their tracks. I have rarely.... very rarely experienced a gaming moment so perfectly orchestrated. You guys created a nightmare... maintained the mood and everything was presented flawlessly.
#57
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 02:49
#58
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 03:36
Wow, really tough to distill in a few paragraphs my favorite moments and what I would like to see expanded upon.
Obviously the character interaction between my warden and any npc, their banter with each, was really great. There were some sections of dialogue that I found somewhat boring, and yet greatful it was in the game. It all added to the depth of the characters. Their comments on important situations were priceless, as in rl, people with strong personalities do not typically stay silent and neither did our companions in this game. I have mentioned in various other threads how I thought DAO invokes a sort of uncanny valley effect in terms of the writing. It was so good a frequent, particularly early that I was disappointed during some sections of the game where I received no commentary. Someone above mentioned the cutscene with the archdemon in the deep roads. Great cinematic but I was genuinely disappointed that no dialogue came from any of my companions on actually seeing the archdemon!
The landsmeet was generally speaking rather excellent. Gaining the noble's support at the tavern and then the strategy at the actual landsmeet. This was a lot of fun.
The escape/rescue from Fort Drakon was amusing and fun. Two things I didn't particularly like about this whole event however was first on escaping yourself, there was absolutely no mention of your escape when you return. Like nothing had happened. As I said above, given how reactive other areas of the game was, this was rather shocking. For the second part, I think I would have liked a better way to end up in Fort Drakon, using a good strategy defeating Ser Cauthrien was very doable, as being the tough warrior I was I hated losing. By taking her out however you do miss out on one of the more humerous storylines. Not to mention she is significantly easier when you face her before the landsmeet. All spoke a little of wielding the plot hammer, still these are ultimately some minor complaints on the grand scheme.
As for future games, I'm sure Orlais, Antiva, Tevinter, they all sound like a lot of fun, but I think at some point perhaps way down the line in the DAO fanchise a visit to the black city is due. Or maybe not, maybe its better to always be left to the imagination I don't know. You just get the feeling that the ultimate story of thedas is bound in the black city.
#59
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 04:43
I'd go for some Alistair--do we have to pull him out of the local drunk tank, straighten him up and get him back on the road to kingdom? Or talk him back into GWing if we picked Loghain? Does he grow up enough to understand why, in the Fereldon's best interests we might not go along with his decision? Inquiring minds want to know!
Couple of things that bugged me that I'd like to see a version of, done differently.
When having to choose between to major options [Loghain/Alistair, Harrowmount/Bhelar] I'd like some dialogue options to question those who would be directly affected by my decision as well as the companions. Good leaders ask for information before making decisions and I often felt blindsided.
Having a duel at the end of the landsmeet bugged me. The council had spoken. End of discussion. The duel felt tacked on and stupid.
I liked the landsmeet and I like that sort of political maneuvering in a game context. The duel kind of wrecked it for me. Either we're voting or we're barbaric--both together don't work.
I'd love to go back to the Orlesian occupation and fight alongside Maric and Loghain to toss them out. I think being a rogue and gathering info for the rebellion would be plenty of fun, chills and thrills.
More outdoor scenes. I prefer them to dark dungeon crawling. I like wandering about in the great outdoors. Tactically they're far more difficult too which makes them exciting.
#60
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 05:11
Standout moments:
1) The end of the curse in the Dalish quest. I was moved to tears by that.
2) The Alistair's rose scene
3) Watching my characters win Morrigan's friendship (she can also be quite moving).
4) The HN origin...I also cried with my character as Duncan led her away.
5) The reactions of Wynne and Alistair in RTO to old landmarks and memories.
I'd love to see some of the past (Orleasian occupation/Maric and Logain era), more of the broader world, and, of course, evolution of the current story during and post-Awakenings.
Thanks for asking and for the best game I've played in many, many years. /salute!
#61
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 05:20
#62
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 05:29
I would love to see how Dagna does a few years out … after her noteworthy writings.
Leliana’s song was very nicely done and I found myself wanting more.
We have hints about the ‘good’ spirits of the fade, I would love to see more lore / interaction with them. It disappointed me that Spirit Healer seemed to use good spirits but you never really saw any of that.
One disappointment was the Blackstone irregulars. During the mission with the deserters it’s clear that not all is as it seems, but we are given no way to really find out what. Just mindless combat.
Another disappointment was the whole Arcane Warrior backstory. When I first unlocked the AW Spec I thought that my PC was the first Arcane Warrior in generations … then I ran into other random AWs, such as the one in the proving grounds. It really seemed to break the flavor.
#63
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 05:46
-There's a real dichotomy in Alistair's upbringing that intrigues me. Eamon cared enough about Alistair to repair the amulet, and buy him a golem doll at The Wonders of Thedas when he was a small boy, but emphasized his lack of status, and encouraged him to not believe himself capable of any kind of leadership, not merely that he wasn't fit to be king, being a bastard. He took Alistair with him when he traveled to Denerim, but allowed him to be housed in the kennel when they stayed at the Arl of Denerim's estate.
When you include this with his sending Alistair to the Chantry as a small boy, and the fact that Alistair was specifically told that there was no room for him to be raising rebellions, there seems to have been rather an overkill approach to making sure that Alistair didn't become a threat to Cailan's rule. Why was this? As a boy, did he show signs of being a natural leader? Why was Eamon so concerned? I'd like to know more about his reasoning and motives.
-I'm interested in the civil war that seems to be taking place among the Qunari. Who are the rebels and what exactly do they want? Are they a conquered race, or a Qunari faction? If the Fereldans knew the details, which side would they be inclined to back?
-It sounds like the Grey Wardens of the Anderfels have a different approach to things than the rest of the Grey Wardens, not so much serving the populace against the blight as allowing that population to serve them in exchange for their work. I'm wondering just how far they take that. Have they become tyrants of a sort? Has power become a driving force? If the rest of the Grey Wardens had a better idea of what was going on, would they find it disturbing, inappropriate, or even criminal? We know that Wardens can go too far, and rationalize things they shouldn't be able to rationalize, things that put Thedas at greater risk (Sophia calling up demons, even the PC doing the ritual). Might the Wardens of Weisshaupt Fortress be going to far? If so, would the other wardens feel compelled to intervene?
Modifié par errant_knight, 10 mars 2010 - 05:53 .
#64
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 06:04
1) Broodmother - the whole sequence from hearing an unseen voice with the poem through to the final confrontation. Gave me semi-nightmares afterwards and as a Warden, I couldn't stop thinking about planning to
go after the Broodmothers to eliminate/reduce darkspawn after the Blight ended.
2) Alister vs Loghain at Landsmeet - the 1st playthrough I didn't harden Alistair so he left when I spared Loghain - Alistair's departure and subsequent drunken wanderings noted in the epilogue was like a sword through the heart. I felt such a combination of guilt and betrayal.
3) Morrigan's departure after refusing to do the ritual with her. Even though I was hooked-up with Zev and had no 'romantic' interest in her, the whole play of dialogue and visual display of emotions in that scene was darn effective and gave me a lot of insight into her character for future playthroughs.
4) All the 'good-bye' scenes when you split the party at the city gates at the finale were well done, but nothing was more poignant than leaving behind my dog...
5) Also well done was the whole Wynne disapproving my relationship with Zev and then coming around when she saw how strong (and ultimately unselfish) it (and he) really was.
6) The human noble bidding farewell to his parents at the end of that origin.
Things I'd like to learn more of:
1) My favourite origin is the Human noble - so from that perspective I was somewhat frustrated at being unable to learn more (or even question Loghain) about the Loghain/Rendon Howe collaboration. Did Loghain know about Howe's plot to seize Highever ahead of time (makes sense in light of the steps he took to 'neutralize' Arl Eamon)? Howe certainly didn't seem to be worried about an angry Fergus returning to take revenge post-Ostagar, which suggests he knew ahead of time that the battle would be lost.
1a) Related to that is the question at what point did Loghain decide to betray Cailan. Anora seems to suggest that while he prepared ahead of time, he may not have decided to actually do it until the last moment... true? Or wishful thinking from a biased source? Having read the books, (Stolen Throne, the Calling), I find Loghain's progression from 'hero' to 'tyrant' fascinating indeed and would like to see that further explored...
2) Another NPC who really interested me was Bhelan. On the one hand, I can't help but think of him as a prototype Hitler who wooed the underclass to gain their support, blackmailed and assassinated his rivals and dissolved/neutered the Assembly - all to further his own sinister intentions/ambitions. Or was he more like a Julius Caesar, 'forced' to take undemocratic/illegal actions because he was constantly opposed/thwarted by narrow-minded members of his own aristocratic class who were more concerned to maintain their own privileges than reforming a system that was corrupt, increasingly alienated from its people and doomed to fail? I have to say that (except as the dwarven noble) I always end up supporting Bhelan in the Orzammar power struggle, but I
always leave wondering what kind of monster I may have raised up in the name of 'change' and what the larger consequences for Thedas might be...
3) I always ask for a 'translation' of the ancient text I sell to the Denerim curator because I'm genuinely interested in seeing how a contemporary view of Andraste/Maferath may differ from what's being taught by the Chantry centuries later. A Thedas version of the Dead Sea Scrolls if you will. It would be fun to follow that up in a future
instalment...
4) And yes, searching for a less dogmatic approach to the origins of the darkspawn (is it related to the mixture of elvish-Tevinter ruins that no one can seemingly explain, I wonder?) would be cool too.
5) While being very interested in the ultimate 'fate' of Flemeth, I've always been really reluctant to do/endorse Morrigan's ritual just because so much harm has been done in Thedas as the result of unintended consequences (e.g. darkspawn) that I just can't bring myself to allow the creation of a new hybrid being with so much potential power. Even scarier to my 'lawful good' mentality is the thought of such power being raised/trained by Morrigan's rather amoral approach to morality. I thus have mixed feelings about following this up, mainly because I think it's going to be hard to reconcile this thread with the very different approaches I've read from people who have done/not done the ritual...
6) Oh and more Zevran, please!
Modifié par qalan, 10 mars 2010 - 06:08 .
#65
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 06:06
Also i would like Alistair to get a heir somehow, with the HNF.
Tevinter mages!
Qunari!
Morrigan?
This added to all the great thing that other members said and i won't repeat them
Congrats Bioware for making such a great game!
#66
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 06:30
Arlathan - I bought into the elves story about Arlathan - until I played through the Dalish Elf origin. It's strange how Arlathan elf statues seem to be in the oddest places (blood mage headquarters, Brecilian ruins, Kitty's dungeon, the Fade). What if the Arlathan elves were targeted, not because of racism, but because they were really evil? Maybe we could see Dragon Age's version of dark elves...
Broodmother - I knew it was coming, but I still didn't want to go down the corridor. I want more scenarios where I really don't want to walk down that hallway or open that door, but I know I have to.
Andraste - At first, I believed she was the wife of the Maker. Then I strongly believed she was a very powerful mage. Then I suspected she might have been reincarnated as the High Dragon. Now I'm confused and would like answers!
Modifié par DogOfThunder, 10 mars 2010 - 06:43 .
#67
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 06:31
Ambiguous moral choices. Sometimes the best outcome for me is not someone else’s preferred outcome. It is interesting to seriously debate what is “right” and what is “good” since they are not always the same thing (e.g. new dwarf king).
The evolutions of all the characters as you gain approval with them, and other means of gaining insight into each of them. You developers take time to really flesh out their personalities; stumbling onto a new insight is really delightful (e.g. Alistair revealing he slept on hay/in the kennels).
Every time I would gasp and them bust up laughing. Examples: passing out from Oghren’s brew; companion conversations regarding pike twirling and tying knots in cherry stems; “my bruises form pretty patterns;” Sten and kittens; “shall we play for points” being followed by “one for me” by other companions; “Maker’s breath, what is wrong with you women?” and so on.
Companion initiated conversations. I was always surprised to get back to camp and have someone confront me about something, good or bad. Or start singing.
I liked that persuade and intimidated did not automatically equate to paragon and renegade options, such as the option to persuade Zerlinda to abandon her child.
When you got a tie-in to your origin. All six have a moment, at a various time in the game, when it comes back. Having things come back around made a big impact on me.
Having NPCs react depending on who was in your party, such as Wynne and Bevin or Zevran and Isabela/Master Ignacio.
Moar plz:
Yes, Fiona, please. Also on The Calling topic, Kell’s people. The closest we get is in Haven, and they were generally dragon worshipping reavers and not strictly highlanders.
Arcane Warriors. Only a tiny introduction from the phylactery, and then nothing further.
Ash Warriors. We meet them in Ostegar, and they have a rich history, but then we never see them again.
Dalish. We know that they have only barely recaptured some of the lost culture and crafting skills from their ancestors, but aside from the story about how the Dales were lost we don’t learn much about how everyone knows a great deal is lost. We get snippets of wonder from the ruins but no one seems to follow up on those.
What is happening to the world with the Dragons and Griffins dying out? Does their loss impact anything, or is this just an “Age of Man” style evolution?
I’ve always been troubled that the Archdemon could sense Alistair and I while we slept and could pinpoint our location enough to send Shrieks to attack, but I was within smell distance of the dragon in the Deep Roads and it ignored me. I’d really like to understand the connection between the taint and being able to sense darkspawn, or even “listen in” as Riordian puts it. What limitations are there, and the Grey Wardens have known about this for centuries, what have they been able to do to turn it into strength. Surely it must be more than just Avernus and his questionable research.
On that topic, Weisshaupt. What secrets are there? How much do the Grey Wardens know about
everything? They’ve had a thousand years to research…
The Golden/Black City. If it is/was Heaven, why is it in the Fade? I’m just saying…
And so much more. Clearly, Thedas is a well developed world, and we are eager to discover more about it.
Modifié par SidheKate, 10 mars 2010 - 06:33 .
#68
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 07:19
#69
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 07:21
#70
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 07:57
#71
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 08:38
And if no example is too big, I thought that the "Paragon of her Kind" story, as a whole, was brilliant. From the political backstabbing in Orzammar to the progressively more creepy and oppressive Deep Roads journey culminating in the Dead Trenches, it presented a different take on many usual fantasy quests and scenarios. The two big decisions both lack an easy solution. This is the kind of thing I was expecting when I heard that Dragon Age is going to be dark (heroic) fantasy. It's really the style of storytelling that I'd like to see more of, rather than the specific content. Not that I didn't like the content, but that was enough of it.
Another part of the game that was really memorable for me was playing the Mage Origin as a Circle loyalist. I was trying to be the law-abiding good guy and yet here I am, leading these poor, clueless fools to their presumably horrible doom! I felt kind of terrible, even though I didn't much like either Jowan or Lily. On that note, I would love to see more of mage politics. In Origins, it was mentioned only very briefly and mostly relegated to the codex.
#72
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 08:58
My main fascination in the Dragon Age universe is with the Tevinter Magister's, the Old Gods and the Black City.
As long as there's more information about this, I'll be happy.
Other elements I liked were politics, the Legion of the Dead and the information we gained about previous Blights.
#73
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 09:00
Larger scale things is probably the past Qunari invasion (I guess we would get to see their cannons, finally!), and also more about past blights!!
The Orlesian occupation is an interesting subject too, of course...
EDIT: Oh, and more about Morrigan and her/our baby! I would also greatly appreciate more about the Legion of the dead, such as if they ever get to be their own house...
Modifié par ninnisinni97, 10 mars 2010 - 09:03 .
#74
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 09:11
Fiona. Fiona, Fiona, Fiona. Is she Alistair's mother? If not, who is the babe from The Calling?
I am really curious about this, I do wonder if Alistair will ever learn the truth about his birth, and if his mother is still alive. Fiona became a Grey Warden only months before Duncan, and even though her Calling may be close, she might still be alive.
#75
Posté 10 mars 2010 - 09:14
1) Kolgrim and the high dragon. Why did it listen to him? Was it REALLY the reincarnation of Andraste? If that were the case why does the guardian not seem to make mention of it? Was the dragon just not hungry so it went away? I'd love to know the deal behind that situation.
2) Leliana's song. On top of being beautiful it was cool to see the different characters' reactions (especially when Sten bowed his head as if provoked into deep thought). I just loved the whole scene and keep a save just before it on my main PC so I can hear it whenever. Of course I love Leliana as a character in general.
3) Sandal at Fort Drakon. WTF happened plz
4) Zevran's suggestion against harrowment and that it actually turned out to be a good decision. (more or less) Despite his ways he actually seems wise and to possess leadership qualities. I don't know why it stands out, but it does.
On the ps3 and nearing the wc limit so that's all for now





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