Dragon Age 2!

[Zenoth]

Anyone pick up the Lelianna's Song DLC? Lelianna, before she went into the Chantry and became super preachy. Only DLC that even looks interesting.

I completed it yesterday, and in my humble opinion it is the best payed DLC so far available for DAO, it's better than The Stone Prisoner, Warden's Keep, Return to Ostagar and The Darkspawn Chronicles. It links Leliana's past with the events tied to her in Origins way better than the little we have under that aspect between Origins and Awakening (in other words I believe that Leliana's Song is better connected to Origins than Awakening is to Origins). Additionally, I had the feeling of playing a mini-prequel to Origins, which is something I liked, not to mention that the setting, context, environment and characters are all grittier and more on the "dark" side just as much as I expected of such a context to be like in Leliana's past, without forgetting that Leliana herself had a darker side during those events, although not darker in a direct way because she was a full-fledged Bard (Bards tend to be quite subtle, but can be deadly) under the tutelage of a very malicious Marjolaine.

Also with Leliana's Song we now understand her motives in Origins much better (at least I do now). I would say that overall it's a very good quality DLC, and I must say it again perhaps for my own pleasure, Leliana's voice and accent is irresistible, her voice actress did a superb job just as she did in Origins (if not better in certain scenes, and the same goes for Marjolaine, even if I profoundly hate her broken French accent, I still objectively admire the talent of the voice actress behind it, just as much as Morrigan). And finally I have to say that it lasted longer than I expected, I was expecting an hour long DLC or so, but it took me four hours to complete it (on Hard setting mind you, I died a couple of times, its difficulty surprised me more than once but I liked it nonetheless).

I highly recommend it, it truly is a breath of fresh air when compared to the more action-oriented DLCs we've had so far (not saying that the other DLCs are boring by the way, just that Leliana's Song is the best of them in my book). From now on when I'll play a "full game" of Origins I will always start with Leliana's Song (since the events occur some time/years before the events of Origins).

 

[Bateluer]

I completed it yesterday, and in my humble opinion it is the best payed DLC so far available for DAO, it's better than The Stone Prisoner, Warden's Keep, Return to Ostagar and The Darkspawn Chronicles. It links Leliana's past with the events tied to her in Origins way better than the little we have under that aspect between Origins and Awakening (in other words I believe that Leliana's Song is better connected to Origins than Awakening is to Origins). Additionally, I had the feeling of playing a mini-prequel to Origins, which is something I liked, not to mention that the setting, context, environment and characters are all grittier and more on the "dark" side just as much as I expected of such a context to be like in Leliana's past, without forgetting that Leliana herself had a darker side during those events, although not darker in a direct way because she was a full-fledged Bard (Bards tend to be quite subtle, but can be deadly) under the tutelage of a very malicious Marjolaine.

Also with Leliana's Song we now understand her motives in Origins much better (at least I do now). I would say that overall it's a very good quality DLC, and I must say it again perhaps for my own pleasure, Leliana's voice and accent is irresistible, her voice actress did a superb job just as she did in Origins (if not better in certain scenes, and the same goes for Marjolaine, even if I profoundly hate her broken French accent, I still objectively admire the talent of the voice actress behind it, just as much as Morrigan). And finally I have to say that it lasted longer than I expected, I was expecting an hour long DLC or so, but it took me four hours to complete it (on Hard setting mind you, I died a couple of times, its difficulty surprised me more than once but I liked it nonetheless).

I highly recommend it, it truly is a breath of fresh air when compared to the more action-oriented DLCs we've had so far (not saying that the other DLCs are boring by the way, just that Leliana's Song is the best of them in my book). From now on when I'll play a "full game" of Origins I will always start with Leliana's Song (since the events occur some time/years before the events of Origins).

Just started a new game of DAO, with my character just having gotten to Ostragar. If I buy the Lelianna DLC now and play through it, will I still be able to take advantage of its effects on this Origins campaign?

 

[Zenoth]

Just started a new game of DAO, with my character just having gotten to Ostragar. If I buy the Lelianna DLC now and play through it, will I still be able to take advantage of its effects on this Origins campaign?

Yes, I've done it myself for my current DAO game, I started it prior to installing and playing Leliana's Song, I completed it (the DLC) and then resumed my "regular" DAO game where I saved it. I won't reveal how, where or when, but during the DLC you'll get a specific item, and that item will transfer to your regular DAO save. Additionally, note that Leliana's Song plays like a separate campaign, just like the expansion, it won't "appear" on your map in your regular DAO game, so don't search for it there, instead go to the main menu and select "Other Campaigns".

 

[Bateluer]

Yes, I've done it myself for my current DAO game, I started it prior to installing and playing Leliana's Song, I completed it (the DLC) and then resumed my "regular" DAO game where I saved it. I won't reveal how, where or when, but during the DLC you'll get a specific item, and that item will transfer to your regular DAO save. Additionally, note that Leliana's Song plays like a separate campaign, just like the expansion, it won't "appear" on your map in your regular DAO game, so don't search for it there, instead go to the main menu and select "Other Campaigns".

I bought it, seems interesting so far.

Edit - Finished it. Not really worth 7.57 for about 2 hours of gameplay. An anti-climatic ending, minimal character development for Leliana's companions.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Heh, I was waiting for that. Leliana's song might be better than most of the other DLC in feel and quality but it's still definitely snack sized. Over before you know it.

 

[Zenoth]

Heh, I was waiting for that. Leliana's song might be better than most of the other DLC in feel and quality but it's still definitely snack sized. Over before you know it.

I've read so far (on various forums) that it seems to usually takes around two hours to complete, I for one took around four hours or so, I haven't checked the exact time but it's around that, I played on Hard, I died a couple of times, and I went through it at a relaxed pace, maybe it helped, I'm not sure, I think I spent the most amount of time in the Denerim market, the rest is pretty straightforward and fast enough, I concur. I really liked it nonetheless.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Ugh.... apparently it is fully voice acted and you can only choose your class. The race and sex are already decided for you. Human only.

 

[Bateluer]

Ugh.... apparently it is fully voice acted and you can only choose your class. The race and sex are already decided for you. Human only.

Thought you could choose the gender?

http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/3064634/1#3064634

Looks like it may also use ME2 style dialogue, rumor though. That's a major let down and extremely detrimental. The dialog system in ME1 and 2, despite having excellent voice acting, was terrible. If I choose an option to say 'I do not agree with this', that is what I want my character to say. I do not want my character to say something completely different. This pissed me off constantly in MEx. In some cases, both options would be the same and spoken the same, but choosing the 'paragon' option resulted in paragon points and the renegade option in renegade points.

The 'morality and delivery' of the dialog shouldn't be chosen by the position of the lines in a wheel.

Not sure if this dumbing down of Bioware's games is the result of EA's influence or just Bioware catering toward a larger market.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Agreed. Dialog in Mass Effect was one of the things about both games that I felt was done strangely and it detracted from the immersion. By that I mean, when I looked at a response that I could choose I imagined myself saying it or even using my own words. Then when you select the response it sounded quite different on occasion and in some cases I thought the voice response could be misconstrued as a different response altogether.

They really do seem to be putting kid gloves on us all. Mass Effect 2 started that feeling for me, and if Dragon Age 2 is the same flavor in a fantasy setting I will not be picking it up on release day. I'll still buy it and play it but I don't want to pay full admission another time for a game that plays the same way games I already own do. I worded that weirdly, but that's how I feel about it.

 

[thujone]

Waiting for a GOTY edition of DAO before I pick it up, want the OC, expansion and all of the DLC in one package.

yeah i learned my lesson from buying fallout 3 at launch. i've still yet to play any of the dlc since the cheapest way to get all of them (still) is the goty edition... and i can't bring myself to essentially buy a game ALL OVER AGAIN just so i can get the dlc.


plus i thought fallout 3 was fairly meh.

 

[nastymoon]

RPG of the year gotta milk it more that's ok for me since I liked it a lot

 

[skace]

Nor should there ever be one. Leave perfection alone please.

Well, I wouldn't mind a total conversion for PST, say to the dragon age engine. Keep all the dialogue, voicing and music the same. Redo the terrible CGI and use a recent engine (with a possible overhaul to the combat). Would make an amazing game much more accessible to people who haven't played it and I'd definitely play it again.

 

[Liet]

Well, I wouldn't mind a total conversion for PST, say to the dragon age engine. Keep all the dialogue, voicing and music the same. Redo the terrible CGI and use a recent engine (with a possible overhaul to the combat). Would make an amazing game much more accessible to people who haven't played it and I'd definitely play it again.

I'd buy a graphic engine update of PST a hearbeat, any price up to $100. No other changes besides a combat rework, though!

If I choose an option to say 'I do not agree with this', that is what I want my character to say. I do not want my character to say something completely different. This pissed me off constantly in MEx.

Dude, I'm SO with you. That drove me CRAAAAZY. I'd select "What's in it for me?" and Shepherd would say something dumb like "I never sleep with dolphins on an empty stomach". ARRRRRGH.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

It would be nice if they would add online multiplayer and custom content options, bringing back what was offered by Neverwinter Nights.

 

[TheVrolok]

Thought you could choose the gender?

http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/3064634/1#3064634

Looks like it may also use ME2 style dialogue, rumor though. That's a major let down and extremely detrimental. The dialog system in ME1 and 2, despite having excellent voice acting, was terrible. If I choose an option to say 'I do not agree with this', that is what I want my character to say. I do not want my character to say something completely different. This pissed me off constantly in MEx. In some cases, both options would be the same and spoken the same, but choosing the 'paragon' option resulted in paragon points and the renegade option in renegade points.

The 'morality and delivery' of the dialog shouldn't be chosen by the position of the lines in a wheel.

Not sure if this dumbing down of Bioware's games is the result of EA's influence or just Bioware catering toward a larger market.

This human only thing is a huge let down. So is the new dialog mechanism if true. I agree completely about the ME1/2 (I noticed it more with 2) dialog wheel. I HATED it when I chose an option based on the few words listed and then Shepard said something completely different.

 

[murphy55d]

I still havent finished the first one.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I dont know why they did the dialog that way in Mass Effect. It became kind of a game (mini-game???) to me to try to guess what Shepard would really say based on what you clicked on. It did not bother me as much as some of the other posters though.
Maybe I am not a true RPG gamer, but I still enjoyed both Mass Effect games more than DAO. Although I would consider Mass Effect more of a shooter than an RPG.
I still makes me angry that they can make all these Mass Effect and Dragon Age games (although I like them), and not finish up the KOTOR series though. And dont even mention The Old Republic. No matter what they say or how much content it has, I refuse to play an MMO and it wont finish up the storyline of the first 2 games because it is set in a different time period.

 

[Nintendesert]

Refuse to play an MMO? That game is shaping up to be a KOTOR CO-OP. Get a group of friends and have some fun exploring the story and world they created. Not sure what the aversion would be.

They seem to be creating the world to allow that. I'd like to see a KOTOR 3 wrap up the story, but with TOR they could actually do flashbacks and entire storylines within the game that would do the same.

Or reading through and exploring sub plots and story that trickle out information on what was going on. I trust BioWare to make a good story and game, they usually don't disappoint.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Refuse to play an MMO? That game is shaping up to be a KOTOR CO-OP. Get a group of friends and have some fun exploring the story and world they created. Not sure what the aversion would be.

They seem to be creating the world to allow that. I'd like to see a KOTOR 3 wrap up the story, but with TOR they could actually do flashbacks and entire storylines within the game that would do the same.

Or reading through and exploring sub plots and story that trickle out information on what was going on. I trust BioWare to make a good story and game, they usually don't disappoint.

There are 2 reasons I wont play an MMO. First I dont want to have to pair up with friends, find people of the same ability, find a time to play together, etc. I want to play alone at my own convenience, for however long I want at a time.

Secondly, I still am not convinced that any MMO can have the story and plot lines and resolution of a single player game. If they make a story with a plot resolution, how can they keep you playing the MMO??? How long has WOW been going on?? Has there really been a final ending to the story??

Anyway, TOR is the only MMO that I would even consider if the reviews say it has a good single player experience. But isnt that an oxymoron, a good single player experience in an MMO?? I have nothing against MMOs of themselves, if one wants to meet or find freinds, join a party, etc. It is just not my thing.

 

[KMFJD]

Starting to sound like another cookie cutter sequel...

 

[msi1337]

I got DA:O on steam sale last week. Played it the entire weekend and ended up finishing it Sunday night. Wonderful game, I need to get the expansion and DLC now for it

 

[Kev]

I don't understand the people complaining about the ME style dialogue. The point is to just show you a quick idea of what you are going to say, so you can choose a basic response based on your reaction to the situation.

Whether the response is selected the quick way, or by reading an entire sentence, you are still not really "controlling" what the character says. You are still selecting from a predefined set of responses. Also, you can probably discern which DAO responses are bad, good, or neutral, just like in ME.

Personally I prefer not having to read an entire paragraph to figure out what my response is going to be.

 

[Arkaign]

DAO was one of the most underwhelming experiences I've ever had. I've played a few sessions, and eventually gave up on it. The combat and controls are unbelieveably tedious and sluggish (watching a ball and chain pass through the enemies head as if it were invisible over and over is a real detriment to the element of immersion), the graphics are okay maybe for 2005. I hear some people complain about the thing being on rails, I think it's okay for some games though I do prefer more open RPGs. Morrowind >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DAO (for their particular times). Oblivion with good mod packs (not even graphics, Oblivion graphics are better 4 years later than DAO) is also a lot more interesting. The old Ultima and Might and Magic series were also a bit more open in terms of where/what you could do in what order.

Sorry to threadcrap, and I do hope DAO 2 is an improvement and not just a duplicate with new quests/characters. I just should have done more homework before spending $60 on this thing.

 

[lupi]

Waiting for a GOTY edition of DAO before I pick it up, want the OC, expansion and all of the DLC in one package.

times infinity.

 

[QuantumPion]

Voiced dialogue might be ok if you still get the 4-5 dialogue options written out exactly (or nearly so) what you will say. If it is the ME style I will be disappointed, but I'll probably still get it.

That being said, the western RPG genre is really taking a nose-dive here. DA was good but was seriously hurt by the too simplistic plot, linear dungeons, and repetitive combat catered for the console crowd. This even more so.