|
|
Post by Sosa on Nov 12, 2009 16:04:20 GMT -5
[/u][/quote]
I you would like me to publish a full point by point disclosure of my exact position on DLC and why I feel that way, I will be more than happy to oblige... in a different thread. I'm not interested in discussing it here because my feelings on the topic are very heated and I don't feel it has much to do with whether the game itself is any good.
If you like Dragon Age - buy it. If you like Dragon Age but don't like the publisher's policies - buy it used. That's what I did.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sosa on Nov 12, 2009 16:26:19 GMT -5
The inclusion of day-one DLC, and the specifics regarding how they were executed by the publisher was a buying concern for me. Hence, it warranted mentioning in my own impressions of the game.
If someone had a problem with the voice acting in the game, I would think that they would be able to say something like "the voice acting wasn't very good, which seems to be a reoccurring trend with EA games" without it causing a pointless argument.
...The voice acting is fantastic, by the way. Character development is easily one of Bioware's strongest areas and it shows in Dragon Age.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vindication on Nov 12, 2009 16:30:03 GMT -5
The eye movement during the vocal cutscenes seems a little weird sometimes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Markus on Nov 12, 2009 16:48:07 GMT -5
I'd like to know what RPG you guys have played that allows you to play "in" the cut scene?
Every game that I have played has better cut scene graphics then it does actual game play graphics. I don't think I could explain effectively why this is so, but it's very logical to me and this has always been the case.
My only complaint regarding the graphics is that the image occasionally "stutters" before entering a cut scene or conversation. But it is either happening less and less or I am just getting used to it.
I never played Baldur's Gate so idk. I plan on posting some more info later, I was doing it now but, alas... Got distracted.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vindication on Nov 12, 2009 16:50:31 GMT -5
Cutscenes are basically a pre-rendered movie that wont put strain on the system. If the entire game had to render the same gfx as the cutscene the system would go boom. At least that's what I think  What do you mean play "in" the cutscene? Oo |
|
|
|
Post by Sosa on Nov 12, 2009 16:50:50 GMT -5
Did you play Neverwinter Nights or KOTOR?
It's basic structure is very similar to that, but it's undergone a number of refinements (especially the UI) that just makes the whole thing play a lot more smoothly.
I think what he's referring to here is how the game shifts from a pre-rendered cut-scene to an in-game rendered one that shows your character. I found the process to be surprisingly seamless. There are a few other technical issues that annoyed me, though.
A good example is that I had to turn down my GPU / memory clock speed manually in order to avoid the game hard-locking my system during dialogue and normal play. It's apparently a pretty common issue, so PC players that are on the fence may want to wait a few patches for some of the issues to get resolved.
|
|
|
|
Post by Markus on Nov 12, 2009 17:13:05 GMT -5
Cutscenes are basically a pre-rendered movie that wont put strain on the system. If the entire game had to render the same gfx as the cutscene the system would go boom. At least that's what I think What do you mean play "in" the cutscene? Oo You know what I mean, you pretty much explain my thinking in the first paragraph! The voice acting is okay. I will now and forever compare all voice acting to Tidus. The biggest bitch to ever hold a Gunblade. But because the game takes place in a medieval setting, it kind of gets redundant when speaking to nobody important NPCs. It's the accent, idk. But I'm not complaining, I'm enjoying the voice acting and the interactive conversations. When speaking with someone, you always get multiple options for a response. ===================== Bah, I'm not going to have time for a review now. Shit, fan, etc... Here are tons of random info. Many people may consider these as spoilers, so read on at your own peril.===================== The game has a talent tree and skills. It makes me think of WoW. I started off as a Human Warrior. I have a pet dog named Bronx and yes... He fights by my side!! You fight in real time and can set tactics for your party members that you don't control. You can make them tank. You can be a Rogue that stealths. Many mobs stealth. You have to loot mobs when they die. The game seems to have mages, rogues, warriors, elves, humans, dwarves. Herbalism, trap making, poisoning, lock picking, all in the game. You are constantly having people join your group and consequently leave. Some of them important characters others are random people just fighting in the war with you. War? Yar. At war with the Darkspawn, the Blight. I'm at the point in the game where I just became a Warden and as a Warden I have treaties with all of the nations. I am needed to recruit these nations and make an army to crush the Blight. Idk if this is actually going to happen but that's what the story says atm. You spend the majority of the game with arterial spray across your face and body... Even if you haven't sliced any arteries lol... Idk, they like splashing blood I guess. Seriously, lots of blood. One of the CSs is eerily reminiscent of LoTR, the big battle in front of teh castle. It's still a fucking awesome CS. But idk, I must be a geezer or some shit or I am so desensitized I am insulted by the fact that they put blood all over the place alllll the time... Nowait... That's not it... Lol, I just hate it that my character is dirty... More later, fuck the review... Let me tend to my Inbox lol.... |
|
|
|
Post by plague on Nov 13, 2009 11:54:26 GMT -5
I always digged this game, I was going to buy it day one, but then again I just don't have the fucking time to play anymore. Then add on top of that all the other cool games out now/coming soon, like MW2 and AC2 and it adds up that I'll buy the games and not play them for the longest time, so this time I'm not buying them lol.
As far as graphics, I never gave a rats ass about graphics on a role playing game. So long as the story rocks, the shit can look like atari 2600 for me. I like how you have multiple answers you can give to the NPC's too, that imo is awesome. I think I'll pick this up around xmas time and I'll take a week off from work and just glue myself to it.
As far as DLC, I think it is a dickhead move by EA to charge for DLC(specially DLC that's available when the game comes out, thats just penny pinching imo).....But, idk around your way but here the game is already down to 49.99 brand new........So I guess you can spend the 10 bucks and pretty much pay the same 65 dollars for the dlc and the game. Now for those of you that got it day one and paid 59.99....EA should give ya a refund!!! (or free dlc) lol
|
|
|
|
Post by Sosa on Nov 13, 2009 13:26:40 GMT -5
Some people did. As part of the reaction to all the negativity regarding the pre-release announcement that there would be DLC available on day one, most retail purchased copies included a code which you could use to unlock the cheaper of the two options available. They then changed their stance on the matter, citing that the reason for withholding the content was to help combat piracy and loss of sales due to the used game market.
People buying used need to be aware that they are not getting any of the DLC 'bundled' with the game.
The graphics aren't really a deal breaker for me either - I agree with plot (and gameplay) being much more important for these types of games. On that note, the plot isn't particularly original - there's a blight of evil creatures threatening to devour the land, you're the only one that can stop it, etc. The subject matter may be done to death, but in typical Bioware fashion, they do an excellent job of immersing you in the story and its characters.
|
|
|
|
Post by Markus on Nov 13, 2009 15:18:03 GMT -5
lol ><
I want to DL this content now...
Man... I think this game represents Mages the best. All elemental spells, including shape shifting! All that's missing is being able to summon an Energy Vortex or Blade Spirits or Titan... Some kind of summon! But I can shape shift into a spider and it's a pretty big scary fucking spider lolol... I love it. And the Mage... Morgain (spelling) is kinda hawt.
|
|
|
|
Post by Markus on Nov 13, 2009 19:54:10 GMT -5
Enchantment!
>.>
<.<
|
|
|
|
Post by Markus on Nov 13, 2009 21:28:05 GMT -5
My Warden sense is tingling.
|
|
|
|
Post by Markus on Dec 15, 2009 11:29:31 GMT -5
The auto save is horribly laggy. The ending is unclimatic, they didnt build it up enough... You are saving the world, I want a CS, music that makes me feel the drama.
Inventory management is also a pain in the ass, this seems to be a theme in many games these days...
Idk, 40 hours of game play? Entertaining enough, 7/10 overall, it definitely has replay value, the nightmare difficulty setting is just that... A nightmare.
|
|
alanthiana
Retired Orphan
Gone, but not forgotten?
Posts: 36
|
Post by alanthiana on Dec 15, 2009 12:48:47 GMT -5
No... don't say anything bad about the game. It'll make me not pick it up. =p
|
|
|
|
Post by Markus on Jan 5, 2010 22:40:11 GMT -5
|
|
