Dragon Age 2

[Isiolia]

Oh and the other thing about DA:O I preferred over DA2 is, in DA:O, the dungeon and fighting areas were huge and epic feeling. DA2 used the same 5 dungeons which took 3 minutes to get from beginning to end, and reused them about 15 different times. I really don't think there should have been an excuse for that.

Still on my first playthrough, but thus far it really feels like the game was rushed, with Bioware just kind of doing what they could with limited time. Still, too many models/textures are just plain -bad-, plus the extremely repetitive elements like that are a bit of a letdown. Even the "framed narrative" seems to just be there as a mechanism to keep the story in as few areas as possible. Still enjoying it, but I can't say I wasn't hoping for more.

[Katlan]

The recipe trophy / achievement is pretty bs. Making it so certain things you can only get in specific acts, and during specific quests. If that's the case then these things should be 100% obvious to spot, nothing more annoying then figuring out you missing one regeant in act1 and are now SoL.

They should have at least given you extra's throughout the game (black emporium doesn't count since those extra regeants don't work towards the achievement unlocking)

Still on my first playthrough, but thus far it really feels like the game was rushed, with Bioware just kind of doing what they could with limited time.

I agree. Areas that they improved upon they did a really job, and the game looks better then DA:O, but the caves kill me everytime. When reviews and ppl posted how they all look the same... I assumed it was just the same texture / skin for all caves. And while that is true, 90% of caves are identical w/the only difference being how many doors are unlocked.

And while DA:O had a lot of sidequests, it didn't feel as bad as DA2. Maybe it's because DA:O was one giant game and if you skipped some sidequests you could come back to them later, but since this game is split up into different act's it makes it feel like more of a sidequest grind then DA:O

[Souj]

not to mention you would complete a majority of the side quests during a big story line dungeon, whereas in DA2 you have to specifically do 1 quest at a time.
I'm not buying the exiled prince dlc cause I'm pretty sure it'll be just more of the same. and they'll have to really sell me on any other new DLC.

[Eanae]

You can tell where they took their time and thought it out. Up through the deep roads everything was pretty new and exciting, and then I assume the rush syndrome hit on the start of act 2 and went downhill from there. I blame EA more than Bioware, EA ruins everything it touches.

[TacoTaru]

The Exiled Prince is a good addition to the actual story of the game. For $7 I don't know, it doesn't add that much, so if you have a friend who bought the Sig Edition I would just ask them if you can game share it. Not sure if this question is spoiler or not but I'll ask anyway.

Spoiler: show

Is there not a post game hub, like in the first one? I saw my game autosave midway through the credits, but when I loaded the game up it started at my last manual save. It makes me wonder how they're going to do any DLC at all if there isn't.

[Souj]

nvm

[Tyrath]

...what?

First, you dont need to start a new game to do ME2 DLCs.

And DA2 DOES have a post game. Its just every area is blocked off. I'm assuming they'll open up when future DLCs are placed.

[Azull]

Resuming the game after beating it left me in my house with no quest. The dickish elf was not able to be selected as a PT member when i tried to leave my house (i had to kill him and didnt feel bad about it) but my sister was.

[Souj]

hmm well, I beat the game, credits went past and then it sent me to the main menu. I went to Load, there was a file that said "Post-Campaign." I clicked it and it sent me back into the last fight.
I'm checking it now, and now it sends me to my house... so idk, guess maybe I clicked the wrong save

and yeah, I forgot about the ME2 stuff.

[Eanae]

Spoiler: show

If you can play your sibling if you didn't take them on the expedition in future DLC I'm going to be pretty damn pissed that I brought her along on my first file...

[Katlan]

It's been a long time, but wasn't DA:O post game the same? i.e: every area blocked off aside DLC and the camp? I'm really surprised its the same way considering how many ppl didn't like that in DA:O and wanted to be able to finish sidequests. I understand they want to be lazy and not change all dialogue, ect... to reflect post-game and thats fine w/ me since that would be a ton of work for a small investment. But no reason why they can't just make the game world to reflect right before you went down the final story arc

[Tyrath]

Spoiler: show

If you can play your sibling if you didn't take them on the expedition in future DLC I'm going to be pretty damn pissed that I brought her along on my first file...

Spoiler: show

Yeah they live and you can play them. The same applies if you made them a grey warden by bringing anders along, you might even get to play them before the last fight. Not completely sure.

It's been a long time, but wasn't DA:O post game the same? i.e: every area blocked off aside DLC and the camp? I'm really surprised its the same way considering how many ppl didn't like that in DA:O and wanted to be able to finish sidequests. I understand they want to be lazy and not change all dialogue, ect... to reflect post-game and thats fine w/ me since that would be a ton of work for a small investment. But no reason why they can't just make the game world to reflect right before you went down the final story arc

In origins the DLCs made you start a whole new file >.>

[Atreides]

yea DA:O didn't have a postgame, once you entered the castle area to prepare for the final battle you can't revisit anywhere else on the main map. You get a save file after you beat the final boss (you can actually save whenever you want during the coronation and use it as a game clear save for import, but the game ends as soon as you go outside).

Return to Ostagar, Stone Prisoner, and Warden's Keep must be completed during the main game since you can't go back for them. The other pieces of DLC are treated as separate games, with items that unlock for completion/achievements and work like the other DLC gear in Origins and Awakening (meaning they just appear in your characters inventory).

[Eanae]

Spoiler: show

Yeah they live and you can play them. The same applies if you made them a grey warden by bringing anders along, you might even get to play them before the last fight. Not completely sure.

In origins the DLCs made you start a whole new file >.>

Spoiler: show

Looks like I need to do things right on my warrior then and use that as my main save... wow that pisses me off... Now I have to seriously rethink killing Anders off to keep Sebastian since I want to use him in my party. Is there really no way to keep Anders, Fenris, and Sebastian? I know you can keep Fenris and Anders, but I couldn't keep Sebastian with me...

edit: added to my text in spoiler

[Eanae]

Did some reading on companions...

Spoiler: show

Sebastian or Anders has to go no option to keep both. Carver only comes back if you side with Templars, Bethany only comes back if you side with mages. That's as playable characters, I guess they come back as nonplayable if you side against their side. So much for siding with the templars in this play through of the game... Looks like I'll be doing that with my mage. =/
<<removed due to copyright problems/new policy>>

[TacoTaru]

Is there any surefire way to guarantee max rivalry with Sebastian? I'm trying to knockout two trophies at once while maximizing relationship bonuses with everyone else, as well as doing their quests.

[Insanecyclone]

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011...ii/#more-53897

[Rivero]

The recipe trophy / achievement is pretty bs. Making it so certain things you can only get in specific acts, and during specific quests. If that's the case then these things should be 100% obvious to spot, nothing more annoying then figuring out you missing one regeant in act1 and are now SoL.

They should have at least given you extra's throughout the game (black emporium doesn't count since those extra regeants don't work towards the achievement unlocking)



I agree. Areas that they improved upon they did a really job, and the game looks better then DA:O, but the caves kill me everytime. When reviews and ppl posted how they all look the same... I assumed it was just the same texture / skin for all caves. And while that is true, 90% of caves are identical w/the only difference being how many doors are unlocked.

And while DA:O had a lot of sidequests, it didn't feel as bad as DA2. Maybe it's because DA:O was one giant game and if you skipped some sidequests you could come back to them later, but since this game is split up into different act's it makes it feel like more of a sidequest grind then DA:O

I agree completely on the sidequest thing. I have his weird tendency to do all the sidequests that I'm offered and it seems like every time I complete one there is another ready. It's not that I don't like that there is a buttload of side-quests, I feel like the placement is kind of crappy and I've spent most of my 6 hours so far doing sidequests.

The Zones/Sidequests seem like the only negative aspect this game has at the moment. I feel like if they took what was great from DA:O and DA2 they could make a really amazing game, so who knows... maybe DA3 = the best title?

[Kyo]

I blame EA more than Bioware, EA ruins everything it touches.

Spoiler: show

Both Dead Spaces were amazing, Mass Effect 2 is amazing, and three is looking even better. Battlefield 3, dont need to go into detail here. Portal 2 and so on.

Just a fun fact, EA had no hand in the development of this game. Their part was handling the marketing and publishing. EA never set a dead line of when they wanted this game to be released. Everything was solely in Bioware's control.

The EA partners program gives developers tons of freedom to develop their games how they see fit, very few titles outside of the sports games does EA have any kind of direct control. We have a group of guys that do work with the developers and gauge progress but ultimately all creative decisions is in control of the developers.

Inb4 raging me about defending who i work for, this is a huge miss perception on how things work in companies like this. Of course each project is different and handled differently. Sure EA does some dumb shit and has done alot of dumb shit in the past but they really have come a long way as far as the quality of their games and lineup.

If you want to throw some blame at a company, look at activision, drives every franchise into the ground, fucks users constantly and treats their employee's horrifically. Why Bungie went into a development agreement with them I'll never know.

[Souj]

question regarding Act 2:

Spoiler: show

I just started act 2 and walked into Sundermount. a group of Templar and dalish hunters are at the entrance. Talking to them ends up giving me 3 option. Kill Templars, Kill Hunters, or Leave.
so, I'm trying to get the "Agree with Templars trophy so I don't want to mess that up, but I also don't want to commit a mass genocide on the dalish if their whole village decides to attack me like in the Merrill quest.
I don't remember doing at all my 1st playthrough, so I obviously missed it. Anyone done either options?

nevermind... I left the area and came back and now theyre gone lol