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Finished Awakening - Not a review, but some questions/concerns. (Hope a dev can shed some light)


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#1
Smaaen90

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Before getting to the post itself, this is not a 'bash and flame' post, I enjoyed Awakening, fun story and gameplay, some of the new chars were great and all in all it was worth the money. However, as the title indicates, I do have a couple of questions/concerns, which I hope some of the Devs can shed some light on.

-I know this is the no-spoiler section. And I've tried real heard not to spoil, but if I do end up spoiling something for anyone, I apologize-




Regarding team-members:
First and biggest part of Awakening I didn't care for at all, was the fact I couldn't have Alistair and Lelianna in my team, when the FAQ for Awakening first came out, it said you would be able to play it with an imported character with your old companions or the new ones, or start as a new Grey Warden (but the old companions part was later removed, why?).

I know that the point above might sound mundane to some of you, but I really enjoyed playing with Alistair and Lelianna (I got one female char and one male char as mains, "play through the game in all possible ways". My male char is with Lelianna and my female char is married to Alistair), and I was really looking forward to playing Awakening once with the team from Origins; Alistair, Lelianna and Wynne. Then one time with just the new people, and finally, one last time doing it without importing one of my Origin characters (play as a new Grey Warden).

Then to my disappointment, in regards to the Origin team members, you only get to see Alistair/Anorra/Loghain for about 4 minutes in the start, and then wynne for an equal amount of time later in Amaranthine. And that is all you see from any of the original main companions. Which brings up Shale. Wynne and Shale said that they were going to travel to see if they could find a way for Shale to become a dwarf again, we heard nothing of that in Awakening from Wynne, and to top if off, I found several crystal weps/armor pieces for Shale, which left me hoping I'd run into Shale.

It's not all bad and negative, I did enjoy playing with Oghren (don't understand why people dislike him so much, fun and carefree, but serious when he needs to be), Anders and Howe. The other new people introduced have some fun parts, but so far I've only played through it using the 3 mentioned above. I did enjoy it, but was still left a bit disappointed when I found out I couldn't use my old companions from Origins.

Regarding dialogues with team-members:

There's been a lot of different opinons on this matter, and I thought I'd share my thoughts on the matter as well. I must say I miss how it was in Origins, I rather enjoyed being able to ask my party members rather inane questions (get to know them better), when I wanted to, and not on those rare occasions where they initiate it, or you can click on an object behind where they stand in order to trigger a conversation.

A little disappointed that the only person you could really 'talk' with was Oghren, I already knew much of him from Origins, and thus, I knew his attitude and the outcome of the conversation options I chose (knew what kind of answers he likes and dislikes). Not saying that I didn't like it, just saying I would've liked to see more conversation plots, and conversations in general with the other party members..

Just as in Origins, the bickering/arguing/mocking/talking between them as you run around exploring/fighting is well made, and I was happy to see you kept that aspect alive in Awakening.

Regarding what happens after completing Awakening:
This is a tricky point to bring up, without spoiling that is, but after you start the final quest, you can't do anything besides it (just like in Origins, once you enter Redcliffe Castle after the Landsmeet, all you can do is the final battle), which was a bit annoying for me, cause I couldn't put Sigrun through the joining ritual, once I returned to the keep after finding her, all I could do was start the final quest.

I was hoping there was a 'free roam - prior to "the last quest"' as Origins have, except, in Awakening you would be able to travel eveywhere you've been in order to finish your sidequests and such. It isn't the biggest issue, but it would've been nice to have the option, to finish everything you've started, but couldn't finish.


Final notes, as mentioned at the very top, this wasn't meant as a 'bash and flame' post, so if any Devs read this, I am sorry if I offended you in anyway. I really love Dragon Age, both Origins and Awakening. I just wanted to put what's bothering me about it down 'on paper'.

Point of bringing all of this up, obviously it's far too late to change things in Awakening as it's been released, but I'm secretly hoping (like a high-school girl with a crush on Justin Timberlake, hoping she gets to meet him. Yes, that bad.) that there will be some addons or a 2nd 'expansion' to Awakening where you actually get to find and 're-recruit' your old companions, and face down a new threat, or something similar.

Other than that, I would like to thank all of you who've worked on both Dragon Age: Origins and Awakening, regardless of the size of their role. Amazing experience, and I know that there will never be time when I 'put Dragon Age up on the shelf to collect dust.'



Sincerely,
Smaaen - Mikael.

Modifié par Smaaen90, 24 mars 2010 - 01:09 .


#2
MrsNewton

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I agree with everything you said. I was disappointed because my character was married to Alistair and I only saw him in the beginning for a few minutes and then they made one comment about him after defeating the game. The thing I found wierd was I remember reading somewhere that they knew Alistair was such a big hit and everybody loved him, so that leaves me a tad confused on why we didn't see more of him. I hope the next dragon age (that comes out a very long year from now) has more of not just Alistair but the old characters aswell.

#3
Bergendorff

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Could not have said it better myself, more or less all the points are what went through my head when i finished Awakeing

I would love to see a dev replying here, hopefully some of his points will be taken into consideration.

Modifié par Bergendorff, 21 mars 2010 - 09:25 .


#4
Smaaen90

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MrsNewton, I felt the same. First scenes with Alistair I thought "Hm, guess I'll run into him later during a problem in a city, or he'll be in the keep one of the times I return." -



But no such luck. I wonder what happens with Alistair if you don't make him a King in the end of Origins. Will he just be left out of Awakening completely?

#5
Sabriel

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Smaaen90 wrote...

MrsNewton, I felt the same. First scenes with Alistair I thought "Hm, guess I'll run into him later during a problem in a city, or he'll be in the keep one of the times I return." -

But no such luck. I wonder what happens with Alistair if you don't make him a King in the end of Origins. Will he just be left out of Awakening completely?


I didn't make Alistair King at the end of Origins and I didn't see him once which I was very disappointed about :( In fact he was only mentioned at all at the end of the game which I found incredibly strange as he is a Grey Warden (obviously) and what possible reason would he have for not being at Vigil's Keep? Even at the end of Origins I remember saying something to him along the lines of 'What do we do now?' and him saying 'I suppose we rebuild the Wardens etc'.

I have to say I liked Awakenings a lot overall despite the lack of continuity with the first game (as detailed above) but I was very disappointed with the ending, there was waaaay too much text and I was disappointed with how some of the characters ended up including my own (sorry, trying not to put spoilers in here but the way I read the ending I wasn't best pleased with how my char ended up)!

Modifié par Sabriel, 21 mars 2010 - 10:12 .


#6
Smaaen90

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Indeed, mine (married to Alistair), was quite disappointed with the turn-out, but can't go into deeper explanation without spoiling ^^

#7
N0rr0x666

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Yeah, couldn't agree more to the points you bring up. Was kinda dissapointing.

#8
Smaaen90

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Don't get me wrong, as I mentioned in my post, I liked Awakening and the story it had to offer. Just the points mentioned in my op bugged me, and left me wondering.



I was hoping a Dev would take the time to reply, and clear up the confusion =)

#9
N0rr0x666

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Aye, so did I, and as I said in my previous reply, I agree on all your points.



I would also like to see a dev reply to this post.

#10
UrsulaCousland

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Wow...very well said. And I agree with you on the hoping-like-a-schoolgirl statement too. Sad/hilarious, isn't it?Image IPB

#11
DoDadds

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I don't remember reading in the FAQ about being able to have Alister in your party.


#12
Smaaen90

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Ursula:

No, it isn't sad ^^ For months I've been looking forward to doing Awakening with my old party members and try out the new ones, so far from sad (:





DoDadds:

I guess the reason for that is that they removed it from the FAQ prior to you reading it? I just know I read it there (can't quote on quote word for word), and then after Awakening was out, and I saw nothing to them I decided talked with a bud and he informed me that they had removed it from the FAQ.

#13
UrsulaCousland

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Smaaen90: That was more a jab at me. :)

#14
rabbitchannel

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 I only read half of it because to be honest, the font color is hurting my eyes! Yellow = not good! Excellent format and presentation, but I can't read it. :pinched:

#15
Smaaen90

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Oh, sorry 'bout that. No yellow coloring there though. I guess I could change it, just hope it doesnt clash the other coding I've used. Gimme a few mins =)





Ursula:

I know, was merely letting you know that you're not alone in it ;p

#16
CybAnt1

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About the returning characters issue ... let me raise one question that I think is worth considering.



Let's say for contractual, career, or whatever other reasons, Leliana's voice actress was not able to return for Awakening.



Let me just ask you an interesting question: would you accept if the character returned in the game but had a completely different voice because she had a new voice actress?



I think what players don't realize is that when chars. don't return in a game like this, sometimes this is the issue.




#17
Smaaen90

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CybAnt1:
Yes, I have considered that, but keep in mind that there are several hundred, if not thousand of people who are masters at mimicking voices, getting someone to have Lelianna's voice, or something close to it is not that far-fetched.

And to answer your question, seeing as it's not the voice-actors who made the story/dialogues. Yes, I wouldn't mind.



*Edited in*
Rabbit-channel:
Font color should be changed now, is that any better? : )

Modifié par Smaaen90, 24 mars 2010 - 01:11 .


#18
N0rr0x666

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rab****annel wrote...

 I only read half of it because to be honest, the font color is hurting my eyes! Yellow = not good! Excellent format and presentation, but I can't read it. :pinched:


Don't understand how you found it hard to read, I found it pleasent to my eyes :P


Still no sign of a Dev posting, get out of the woodwork devs, awesome post here.

#19
peregrinefalcon46

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Great post.



Would love to see a Dev answer ALL of these questions.

#20
BillWatson08

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I'll agree with the sentiment that I was disapointed at first when I heard Lelianna wasn't going to be in this expansion. But then I thought about it. For the Warden, this was only supposed to be a small side adventure. It wasn't going to be a change of life. Back in Origins, I often varied my party, depending on where I was going, and who was best suited to the occasion. I'm guessing, when the next game/expansion comes out, we'll probably see more of our favorite characters.

#21
Miri1984

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I'm hoooping that they're saving the old companions for DA:2 or possible more downloadable content. I think they'd be crazy not to have the option of your old companions in DA:2, simply because of the massive popularity of those characters.



That said, I think I'd probably be upset if they couldn't get Steve Valentine for Alistair again - his voice is fabulous. But if the only Alistair I get is one with a permanent throat infection I'll live with it.

#22
Smaaen90

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BillWatson08 wrote...

I'll agree with the sentiment that I was disapointed at first when I heard Lelianna wasn't going to be in this expansion. But then I thought about it. For the Warden, this was only supposed to be a small side adventure. It wasn't going to be a change of life. Back in Origins, I often varied my party, depending on where I was going, and who was best suited to the occasion. I'm guessing, when the next game/expansion comes out, we'll probably see more of our favorite characters.


Regardless of it being major or not, it's still an expansion from the original game, and with that I was so looking forward to use, as mentioned in my op, my original companions.

I didn't do as you did though, I picked a couple few I always play with (Alistair and Lelianna on all save chars, and the last one changes depending on who I want with me on that character).

Miri1984 wrote...

I'm hoooping that they're saving the
old companions for DA:2 or possible more downloadable content. I think
they'd be crazy not to have the option of your old companions in DA:2,
simply because of the massive popularity of those characters.

That
said, I think I'd probably be upset if they couldn't get Steve
Valentine for Alistair again - his voice is fabulous. But if the only
Alistair I get is one with a permanent throat infection I'll live with
it.


I'm hoping they will bring the old companions back in future possible downloadable content and in DA:2 (in DA:2 they really need a different threat than darkspawn, or at least, just darkspawn).

On the off chance that they don't get Steve Valentine for Alistair (which I don't hope for), I'm sure there are a lot of people who can mimick his voice to near perfection, though, it won't be the same I will still enjoy playing it.

#23
Unseen_Reaper

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At first i felt like lelianna broke up with my charater i was so lonely without her but then as in origins the charaters grew on me to the point where i wanted to play origins with them ander and oghren are the funniest group of dudes i've ever seen nathanal is leliannas replacement since he can pick locks and velanna is morrigan elf verson full of hate lmao but shows compassion more all i would like back on DAO: 2 is lelianna and oghren from origins and i would love having anders it made me laugh as soon as i met him in DAO and you can talk to the charaters in this game you have to upgrade there approval ratings by sidequesting and taking your favorites along its not much but its better then nothing but over all good game i want to use my volcanic gear way more then i got to and they need to get some DLC for awakening cause i'd like more areas to play in all this new gear and its over within a average of 7-8hours but they delivered what i expected them to deliver so i think it was a good 40bucks spent i wont address the horrible load times the frame rate droping at random velannas inviso conversations or the autosave generated lag but everyone knows its there but if you can look past that like i did you'll find yourself enjoying the game and for all you hero's of ferelden out there Orlesians FTW!

#24
Smaaen90

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Unseen_Reaper:

Wow. I had a hard time reading that, lack of commas and periods. Even lack of paragraphs ;o



But great to see you're enjoying Awakening as much as I, despite the points I've brought up ^^

#25
Unseen_Reaper

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Lol ya sorry gotta work on my grammar a bit i tried to edit it but it didnt let me so i was like ah well