Just a heads up. Don't know if any of you know of or are looking forward to getting Dragon Age origins but the release date is Nov 3rd.
Brief game gumf >
BioWare's Dark Fantasy EpicFrom the makers of Mass Effect™, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™, and Baldur's Gate™ comes an epic tale of violence, lust, and betrayal.
Dragon Age: Origins is a dark heroic fantasy set in a unique world. As the spiritual successor of BioWare's popular Baldur's Gate series of games, it uses a pause-and-play tactical combat system. Play in over-the-shoulder mode, or the more tactical top-down view. Dragon Age: Origins features a stunning amount of cinematic dialog. Players will be able to acquire unique party members. These party members will have their own motivations for accompanying the player.
The game offers a unique new feature called Origin Stories that shapes the way the world sees you and the way you will see the world. Each origin determines the player's motivations, shapes his or her experience, and renders a unique prelude, path, and ending to the game. We also chose "Origins" because it symbolizes BioWare's return to its roots.
for the rest of the big it up check it out....dragonage.bioware.com/game/#2.10
i dunno bout you ladies but i'm looking forward to that
I'm so on the fence about this one. BioWare is very hit or miss for a high maintenance gamer like myself. But then again it will be at least another two hundred years before Bethesda makes another game . . .
dogma wrote:Honestly, so long as the combat mirrors the Baldur's Gate series I'll be more than happy with the game. I miss my top-down RPGs.
Thats interesting. I never liked the real time combat of Baldur's Gate, but the rest of the game made it worthwhile. I mean, I didn't strongly DISLIKE it, but I would prefer a total turn based game. But I like the traditional overhead view as well.
I got a developers presentation of it at Gencon last year and it reminded me of a cross between their Baldurs Gate and Jade Empire. Of course at that time they said it was PC only and now it is coming to 360 and PS3 so who knows what is changed.
kirsanth wrote:"Bioware has announced that Dragon Age: Origins will be available on PS3 on November 3rd in the US, day and date with the 360 and PC versions."
I'm going to be waiting on the fence here, (Disregarding my lack of money. XD). Bioware hasn't produced anything near the caliber of BG2 since the death of Black Isle, but if it's at least a worthy substitute I'll get it.
I am also looking forward to Dragon Age. Looks like the story changes so completely depending on which main character you start with. The combat also looks very interesting. I hope I can keep up with it!
Main storyline was good enough to make ME great, more than I can say about any of Bioware's D&D games. The exploration was indeed repetitive but was mostly an XP grind anyway. BGs, Icewind Dales, Neverwinters all had the same crap only it was even more repetitive given that it wasn't optional. KotOR was not cheesy (except perhaps the light side ending) for a SW game. Actually it was an amazing rpg measured against all but the newer Bethesda ones. KotOR2, I'll grant you, fell down on the job a bit--that was Obsidian, by the way--but it was still better written than the cheese for the D&D games.
I am excited about Dragon Age: Origins but I think I will wait for it to be bargain binned or discounted on Steam. I have trouble paying so much for a game I can not play with my friends. My impulse buys are usually because I see my friends playing something and I want into it.
"Never plays the same twice" is a claim that's has yet to be matched with reality. DLS, have you downloaded the character builder? There aren't a ton of options. I'm not upset about that, however, as BioWare writing is usually enough for me to play through more than once and the relatively narrow choices probably indicate deeper plots for the ones that are available.
Oh and gimme a shout out in your PwnAge review, yo.
Indeed, plus I would really like to see how certain spells interact with one another. In one of the vids an elf mage uses a blizzard spell to stop a fire spell. Looks to have some nice tactical options(from what I saw in the vids)for RPGers that like that sort of thing, I am more a run in beat it all to death with a stick kind of guy.
I will keep my eye on this thread for the first reviews of those lucky few who have got it. I'm really curious about this game, but I've not read/heard too much about it. If it turns out to be any good I'll be getting it after Christmas. Until then my money has been spent on Modern Warfare 2 and my usual 'xbox game for christmas' slot from my family has already been filled with Left 4 Dead 2.
I love Bioware though and my faith in them is supported by the top notch job they did on Mass Effect (although there was room for improvemnet) and I trust that Dragon Age will be at least half decent.
Does anyone have a list of the voice actors? One of my more geeky traits is that I am a fanboy for famous (or at least well known) actors doing voices in games (I direct you to Halo 3/ODST - so that's where the cast of Firefly went! ).
I know what you mean . . . this will be a really slow day until I get home from Best Buy. Well, then there are 360 load times to think about . . . i wonder if I shouldn't have gotten this for PS3?
Manchu wrote:I know what you mean . . . this will be a really slow day until I get home from Best Buy. Well, then there are 360 load times to think about . . . i wonder if I shouldn't have gotten this for PS3?
The PS3 loads a bit quicker cos of the HD Install... I'm sure it'll improve dood ^^
I have a quirk for getting games I love across platforms. Played Oblivion on PC and PS3 and Fallout 3 on PS3 and Xbox. Oblivion was a chore on PC and a pleasure on PS3. Fallout looked and played better on PS3 than on the 360. I got DA:O on Xbox because ME2 will be (or at least likely remain) 360/PC only and I wondered if there would be some DA: O stuff released with ME2 as there is ME2 armor with DA: O. I hope it wasn't a mistake . . .
I posted this on the other thread without response, I am curious if anyone had seen the 2d tactical prelude of sorts, Dragon Age: Journeys?
I've been playing it. Got the first item unlocked but haven't had time to get the other 2. Also if you create a character on the character creator they released and upload to the bioware social site they are suposed to give you another item.
I am having fun. Once I hit the first town things expanded quite a bit. I rather like the dialogue, and have spent a lot of time reading - but I like to read, thus the avatar.
Only played about 9 hours or so yesterday. Still, I say
I am excited about Dragon Age: Origins but I think I will wait for it to be bargain binned or discounted on Steam. I have trouble paying so much for a game I can not play with my friends. My impulse buys are usually because I see my friends playing something and I want into it.
Depends on expected gameplay.
DVDs are 15-20 dollars for 1.5-3.0 hours. Double that if you're into commentary.
Video Games are 50-60 dollars.
Multiplayer= Bargain rate if you like that sort of thing.
10 hours single player = worth 4-6 DVDs
30-50 hours single player= 3-5x the DVD amount
So while multiplayer can be a factor, it doesn't really matter to people like me who
treat video games like expensive interactive books.
Don't get me wrong, I like the game thus far. I'm just looking for that wow effect that will sperate it from the other bioware games in my mind.
There hasn't been a Bioware game yet I didn't like, but there are some which are better than others and I was hoping this was going to be one of the better ones. Like I said still a little early to tell I think.
malfred wrote:
So while multiplayer can be a factor, it doesn't really matter to people like me who
treat video games like expensive interactive books.
Win. And not that expensive either for me, as I read very quickly - to the extent that I get accused of skimming rather often (I do not).
BrookM wrote:So, are the camera controls and angles better than Neverwinter Nights 2 or is it the same old frustrating crapfest?
I never played NWN2, but I have had no issue with camera controls in Dragon Age.
1. I really recommend playing on Normal. I'm playing on Hard and it's frustrating. Virtually every battle results in my party getting wiped out. Even things like random encounters when traveling. Sometimes I'll get lucky and it's just a few spiders, other times it's a group of 6-7 darkspawn and even my tanks (Sten & Alistair) go down hard. It's especially jarring after recently playing Mass Effect (really easy) or being accustomed to KOTOR/KOTOR2 where a Sith Lord can win most battles in seconds by simply casting Force Storm twice. Boss battles are a real chore. I fought the Whitefang battle (Brecelian Forest) at least a dozen times today before I quit in frustration (which is why I'm here posting instead of playing).
2. Character specialization and party diversity are essential. I have no one who can heal my party, and having my fighters stop to drink potions only delays their deaths for another 15 seconds or so. In BG2, you could run a larger party, and found diverse characters rather quickly (IMO), so you always had each role covered. In DAO your party is small, and you gain little from leveling. Each character's levels must be carefully planned. Picked a sub-optimum spell @ level 4? You'll probably realize it @ level 7 when you're getting your teeth kicked in.
3. Whenever you can afford a backpack, buy it. You'll accumulate lots of trinkets that you don't want to sell. Unlike in BG2, you don't have a nice castle where you can store stuff.
4. Get your mages ranged area of effect spells ASAP. You are almost always greatly outnumbered, against opponents that are a match for your characters 1:1. see #2
I've been really enjoying the game though, I'm just a bit frustrated right now. I think yesterday I played from 0900hrs to 0130hrs this morning. I'm thinking of starting a new character, just not sure if I want to play on Hard again or Normal...
Noble713 wrote:
3. Whenever you can afford a backpack, buy it. You'll accumulate lots of trinkets that you don't want to sell. Unlike in BG2, you don't have a nice castle where you can store stuff.
You can buy a castle for $7 via DLC, or 'free' with the CE. No idea how far into the game you have to be in order to actually acquire it (its a quest reward).
I gotta say, the fact that launch DLC requires an extra investment annoys me. Though I'll probably buy it anyway.
I'd pretty much agree with Noble's assessment except for I'd recommend playing it on hard. It's definitely harder than Mass Effect or KotOR but normal is way too easy.
Noble713 wrote:
3. Whenever you can afford a backpack, buy it. You'll accumulate lots of trinkets that you don't want to sell. Unlike in BG2, you don't have a nice castle where you can store stuff.
You can buy a castle for $7 via DLC, or 'free' with the CE. No idea how far into the game you have to be in order to actually acquire it (its a quest reward).
I gotta say, the fact that launch DLC requires an extra investment annoys me. Though I'll probably buy it anyway.
I had not heard about the microtrasnactions yet. This somewhat sours me on the game a bit.
Ok, put about 20 hours into a second character. Like the first, I'm playing as a Mage on Hard. This time, however, it is MUCH easier.
I made a beeline for Fireball, getting it at Lvl 3 just when I started the Korcari Wilds. It's been a godsend. Now my mage dishes out so much damage that very few fights are nail-biters. My basic tactic is:
Fireball (damage + knockdown)
Earthquake (repeated knockdowns keep them from approaching)
Petrify (toughest target)
Stonefist (to shatter petrified target)
The rest of the party mops up. I still crap my pants whenever I encounter a Revenant though...
Now the only other frustration is having two Rogues, both of which suck at unlocking chests. One is understandable, being an assassin with no skill points in lockpicking, but the other has 3 levels of lockpicking and feels like she STILL can't open half of the chests I encounter. It's pretty much the only reason why I bring her along and she can't even do her job properly....
I have now spent approximately 38% of the past 4 days playing DAO. Nothing like sitting around waiting to receive orders so you can start working...
Noble713 wrote:Ok, put about 20 hours into a second character. Like the first, I'm playing as a Mage on Hard. This time, however, it is MUCH easier.
I made a beeline for Fireball, getting it at Lvl 3 just when I started the Korcari Wilds. It's been a godsend. Now my mage dishes out so much damage that very few fights are nail-biters. My basic tactic is:
Fireball (damage + knockdown)
Earthquake (repeated knockdowns keep them from approaching)
Petrify (toughest target)
Stonefist (to shatter petrified target)
The rest of the party mops up. I still crap my pants whenever I encounter a Revenant though...
Now the only other frustration is having two Rogues, both of which suck at unlocking chests. One is understandable, being an assassin with no skill points in lockpicking, but the other has 3 levels of lockpicking and feels like she STILL can't open half of the chests I encounter. It's pretty much the only reason why I bring her along and she can't even do her job properly....
I have now spent approximately 38% of the past 4 days playing DAO. Nothing like sitting around waiting to receive orders so you can start working...
Been playing through this. As normal, I'm playing my first run through as a tank (Human noble sword&shield fighter). The game is definately harder than the more recent rpg fluff fests, and I think one of the keys is the order you visit the towns. I went to Brecilian forest after leaving the wilds first, and struggeled significantly through the game. Then did Redcliff, picked up a rogue there, and then trotted off to the circle of mages where, gods be praised, I found a healer. The game is much easier now, which is not to say I don't have a character drop every now and then, even in massive armor and shield expertise with shield wall up, there are times my main character is getting his face smashed in by physical damage.
Ahtman wrote:
I had not heard about the microtrasnactions yet. This somewhat sours me on the game a bit.
Having played for a bit I think its worth adding that these microtransactions are advertised in game. Basically, you can talk to the quest-giver and there will be a dialogue option which allows you to purchase the content.
Ahtman wrote:I had not heard about the microtrasnactions yet. This somewhat sours me on the game a bit.
Having played for a bit I think its worth adding that these microtransactions are advertised in game. Basically, you can talk to the quest-giver and there will be a dialogue option which allows you to purchase the content.
Yeah, the game is kind of pissing me off. The gameplay has been fairly mediocre so far (completed first part of Redcliffe and the Circle quest) and the writing isn't up to Bioware's standards. The Dwarf noble beginning has been the only one that I think is very compelling. I don't see why a game can't have a decent level of difficulty and be a fluff fest. This game is doing neither.
It's better than the way they did it for Mass Effect(constantly check for content, then buy it and have to either A) start a new game just to play it or B) play it on a completed save and end up having to deal with content far below your level or so far above you that it's frustrated).
I don't really see how they can win with these microtransactions though. They can't just sneak them in on you.
But they have to let you know the content is there, somehow.
But man, I'm having a blast just fooling around in the first few levels. My Rogue has Improved Stealth and Improved Trap Making, and I must say...
Luring zombies in Castle Redcliff by making them walk over Large Shrapnel Traps and Large Caltrop?
The first character I started up was a sword-and-board warrior. Then I realized that your first real NPC is a sword-and-board dude, and that you can pick up another warrior within the first couple hours of play. Re-rolled as a rogue set up to become an assassin/duelist. The backstab has been invaluable when combined with the warrior's taunt talents.
Gwar! wrote:I got a chance to play this at a mates house, and I have to say, it's actually very good.
However, I won't be buying it because of the forced DLC purchases to make the game enjoyable. I mean, you have to pay extra for launch DLC?
No thanks.
Aye, I can dig that.
Hell one of the reasons I've played Sims 3 only a few times is I'm still ticked off about the ammount of stuff they had the cheek to put in the 'store' on day one.
Still pondering on this game, I might pick it up, but I'm hearing bad things about the 360 version, and I never buy PC games unless its a MMO.
Gwar! wrote:However, I won't be buying it because of the forced DLC purchases to make the game enjoyable. I mean, you have to pay extra for launch DLC?
If you buy it new, it includes one of the DLCs, and the missing one is $7. Some bonus items you can still get for free from Journeys.
Buying the CE gives you both but costs $10 more.
I am still having a blast, playing as an elven mage - the hardest part was unlocking Spirit Healer so I need no other mage in the party.
The dialogue still makes me laugh.
dogma wrote:Having played for a bit I think its worth adding that these microtransactions are advertised in game. Basically, you can talk to the quest-giver and there will be a dialogue option which allows you to purchase the content.
Yeah, I didn't like the idea of being charged for DLC available at launch, but I figured I paid for the main game, I'll play that and then look at the DLC afterwards. Then a fellow starts talking to me about how I can go on a quest for this and that, if I download this new content. That's gone way past the limit.
I am really enjoying the game, though. It's a decent little tactical system, and there are some challenging fights. I've enjoyed the story too, as well as the interplay between the characters.
But there's no way I'll pay for any DLC after that effort.
sebster wrote:I've enjoyed the story too, as well as the interplay between the characters.
I like most of the characters, though a couple are disappointing thus far. One in particular is selfish to the point being a detriment to her own well-being. I'm sure that's the point of character, particularly when laid against another early companion, but it still annoys me.
I can see downsides to it, but so far it is the only game that's that I've played for 9 hours straight in a very long time. I personally find it more compelling than either Oblivion or Fallout 3.
I don't like the idea of microtransactions, and especially don't like that they are labeled as 'premium content' IN GAME, but otherwise I get a little chubby every time I play so far.
Grignard wrote:I can see downsides to it, but so far it is the only game that's that I've played for 9 hours straight in a very long time. I personally find it more compelling than either Oblivion or Fallout 3.
I don't like the idea of microtransactions, and especially don't like that they are labeled as 'premium content' IN GAME, but otherwise I get a little chubby every time I play so far.
Envy89 wrote:wait wait wait... so if i get the game, i have to pay REAL money (or X-box points which i have to pay for to get) to get download content?!?
Yup, just like every other game now. Apparently paying $9001 for a game that more often than not installs spyware isn't enough for these companies
Envy89 wrote:wait wait wait... so if i get the game, i have to pay REAL money (or X-box points which i have to pay for to get) to get download content?!?
Yup, just like every other game now. Apparently paying $9001 for a game that more often than not installs spyware isn't enough for these companies
Few expansions are free in any game; mods, updates, and patches sure, but expansions?
There is a fair amount of free DLC in it as well.
Regardless, it has 100+ hours of gameplay without spending the extra seven dollars.
/shrug
editing to add:
Even so, I did blink a few times when I talked to the NPC in camp about the uninstalled DLC. That was a first for me, and not in a good way.
well now wait... i was under the impresion it was a large load of DLC that i needed to get sprayed all over my face or the game was not fun and i get pwnd in every combat.
a few bucks extra i can handel.
i think i might rent the game next weekend when i got time to sit and play (gun show this weekend )
DLC is 100% optional. And only the free ones involve helpful items.
One of the pay ones ($15 that is free if you buy the game new) has a new area with a new NPC party member.
The $7 one (that is free with the CE of the game) has a new area with a second "base" to use. The biggest advantage here is a place to store items for free - not something I have found to be necessary, just nice.
Both of these do involve some items, but nothing game breaking. In fact most of the new items in the first are for the new character.
You can get 3 free items for playing the free 2d flash game, and one free item for uploading a character to their servers with the character generator.
Again none of those items are all that helpful, one of the better ones is +1 all stats, which is not all that honestly.
Buying the game new, you can also get an armor set - that while nice, takes a really hefty Str score to use. By the time you can use it, there is comparable loot to be found.
Editing to add:
The reason there is DLC so soon after release (same day even) was because the design team was done a long time before the team responsible for doing the PS3/360 conversions and they wanted to keep going with the game. So they added more stuff instead of simply better stuff, or no stuff.
I am also playing this game on the PC (its much better and plays differently then the console, FYI) set to hard as a rogue. Lots of fights see one or two of my characters go down, if not a prty wipe all together, but I like that and keeps it a nail bitter. A sword to the ribs tends to kill as I see it, haha. I loved the zombie hold out battle on hard. Took me a few tries to get it done without a wipe (it lasts about 20 minutes depending on your party layout), but was great and took some tactical planning to get the job done. So far I've liked the range of quests and stories (i'm 16 hours in and only completed the noble quests, the warden induction and Redcliff.) Looks like this is a game that will keep me going for some time, which is good means the MW2 boycott will be easier and xmas will be hear with a few new games in no time. haha.
I don't understand how you weirdos can play it on hard. I am playing as an Elf Mage on Normal and getting my ass handed to me left and right (and I am only up to Lothering!)
Gwar! wrote:I don't understand how you weirdos can play it on hard. I am playing as an Elf Mage on Normal and getting my ass handed to me left and right (and I am only up to Lothering!)
Have you messed with the AI controls or taught your mage healing? Hard is only rough in the begining and if you didn't buy the game(ex rent)
Gwar! wrote:I don't understand how you weirdos can play it on hard. I am playing as an Elf Mage on Normal and getting my ass handed to me left and right (and I am only up to Lothering!)
Have you messed with the AI controls or taught your mage healing? Hard is only rough in the begining and if you didn't buy the game(ex rent)
My mage already has the top 4 healing spells, but I haven't tweeked the AI system yet. Not been able to figure it out yet (which is weird because I was an expert at FF12's system, which is close to identical).
Gwar! wrote:I don't understand how you weirdos can play it on hard. I am playing as an Elf Mage on Normal and getting my ass handed to me left and right (and I am only up to Lothering!)
Have you messed with the AI controls or taught your mage healing? Hard is only rough in the begining and if you didn't buy the game(ex rent)
My mage already has the top 4 healing spells, but I haven't tweeked the AI system yet. Not been able to figure it out yet (which is weird because I was an expert at FF12's system, which is close to identical).
It will make your life much easier when you get the party you want and have their AI tweaked.
Its not just the con score, but the abilities that come from from stoneheart. Its an automatic, pulsing aoe taunt; unlike all of the other taunts which only work on hit. Once that skill line is maxed out there's no reason any of your other characters should ever be targetted in melee, no matter how much damage they do to the enemy.
In terms of dps: he's the only character that can convert all of his damage to spirit, which ignores armor.
He's kind of like the dog (second best tank, in my opinion) in that his ability set (within each mode) is really limited, but also really effective.
Plus his rock mastery mode makes a certain companion quest far, far easier.
Dagger rogue/assassin/duelist is easily the best in terms of dps. Though that may be a result of a poorly conceived hot-fix.
Good luck with that.
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