So, is anyone playing this on a console? I heard the PC version was vastly superior, both graphically and tactically.
Was listening to an IGN podcast that touched on Dragon Age and how harsh it is. It was hilarious The guy mentioned that early in the game you get sent to clear out
some wizard's guild tower or somesuch, and he went in with the impression that it would be some kind of quick tutorial. Instead it was a huge floor-by-floor slog that took twelve hours. Then at some point you get sent to another dimension, which again he figured would just be some minor fetch-quest that introduces you to dimension-traveling. Again he was proved wrong when a detailed map popped up with all the places he needed to go. And then when he was done and returned to his dimension, the boss was still waiting for him. He had played about thirty hours total at that point.
All this, and no vendors, no chances to resupply. Sounds rough. Is it really like that?
It is that harsh without vendors, but I think if you follow the conversations it's clear that this is not just some tutorial, especially considering that you already went through your background story (which is a form of tutorial) and the battle of Ostagar at that point.
It's one of the major arcs on your way to securing assistance, and the different arcs can be taken on in different sequences, too.
One thing to look out for during the Ostagar section is buying a couple of backpacks to increase your party's carrying capacity. For some reason, they're a lot cheaper there than later on.
Mass Effect... Dragon Age: Origins... Mass Effect 2... Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening... The Old Republic... (not to mention all the great games that came before...)
Mass Effect... Dragon Age: Origins... Mass Effect 2... Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening... The Old Republic... (not to mention all the great games that came before...)
Was that a console version? On the PC, I can't say I've noticed the HUD dominating the screen - it's just a few sets of icons around the edge. Here's a screenshot from IGN.
I've had to pull the quickbar out across the bottom of the screen (mages' spells eat quickslots fast), but it's still not obtrusive.
Hmm, actually, taking a look at their X-Box screenshots, they certainly do look more cluttered. The price for playing on a TV screen, I guess.
Mass Effect... Dragon Age: Origins... Mass Effect 2... Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening... The Old Republic... (not to mention all the great games that came before...)
I happen to agree with the review regarding what a slog-fest the Tower is. While I was playing, I kept waiting and waiting for it to be finished, and it kept on going. Luckily, it's the only quest that's like that; the rest are decent length but not absurd.
As to difficulty - I did the Tower first (after the origin, which is basically the tutorial), and I didn't find it difficult at all. I think the reviewer simply wasn't up to snuff on his basic tactics, and that's ignoring stuff like kiting.
I happen to agree with the review regarding what a slog-fest the Tower is. While I was playing, I kept waiting and waiting for it to be finished, and it kept on going. Luckily, it's the only quest that's like that; the rest are decent length but not absurd.
And to be fair, you're given plenty of indication that it'll be a long slog, and there's a vendor right outside to cater to your last-minute shopping needs.
As to difficulty - I did the Tower first (after the origin, which is basically the tutorial), and I didn't find it difficult at all. I think the reviewer simply wasn't up to snuff on his basic tactics, and that's ignoring stuff like kiting.
Just purchased it. Didn't have much time last year. Played through the starting area for a Dwarf Commoner Warrior and in the middle of playing a Human Mage. I'm really impressed with the voice acting so far, and the little details. Stuff that you're not part of, but happening in the background, such as the other
Grey Wardens praying before a battle
. The stories so far have been interesting and entertaining.
Graphics-wise, I saw a lot of clipping with the dwarven beard (also a problem in WOW), particularly when you have a helmet or armor on, but my machine is probably on the low end for the game.
One thing did bug me. You're like a mute in the game. Everybody else is talking except you. Sometimes it just feels as though the game is going on AROUND you.. ah well.. Still, will not rush through it and savour it slowly.
One thing did bug me. You're like a mute in the game. Everybody else is talking except you. Sometimes it just feels as though the game is going on AROUND you.. ah well.. Still, will not rush through it and savour it slowly.
That part does feel weird, but I get why they did it. There are about five different voices each for both male and female characters, each of which would have to record every major line of dialogue - a lot of extra recording time. And since Dragon Age's dialogue system works by letting you choose exactly what you're going to say, mostly what you'd get is a voice actor delaying the dialogue process by speaking the words you just read on-screen. Add to this the fact that Dragon Age puts a lot into letting you personalise your character, and it's easy to see why they didn't want that character speaking up independently of your input too often.
Contrast this with Mass Effect, which is built for the opposite effect - just two voice actors, a main character with a rather distinct personality for all that you can mold their ethics, and a dialogue system which has you tending to choose attitudes of response rather than exact words, so you need to hear what Shepard actually says.
I get the impression that each of these methods were something of an experiment for Bioware, and hopefully they'll build on both of them for the sequels.
