Dragon Age: Origins, Awakening & DA2 : Othor Games

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:09 am

would it be worth it even for science? Or as a fan of the original is it just a waste of time?

not sure how the PS3 version compares, but I'm a huge fan of DAO and I'm actually enjoying DA2 more. On Nightmare and Hard settings, combat is a lot more tactical and you have to plan your actions carefully. In DAO, Nightmare was a joke because you could spam healing potions, which were very cheap to craft and had very short cooldowns.

You really have to use all the party members in a smart way to pull off cross class combos, as opposed to DAO where your mage basically paralyzes and nukes everything, doing orders of magnitude more damage than the other classes.

On PC they released an official high res texture pack, with DX11, SSAO, 16x AF at 1920x1080 it looks great. I imagine it will not look so good on console.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:43 am

The combat is a lot more tactical and you have to plan your actions carefully.

Not if you're playing as a 2H Berserk/Vanguard Warrior. You just auto attack everything to death.

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:28 pm

There's two quests in my journal that are bugged, and I'm OCD about this kind of stuff, and it really bothers me. I'm a completionist and those two bugged quests that are stuck in my journal bother me.

Which ones? I only had... one in Act 2, I think, and two in Act 3 that got stuck. One did not even start, the rest just didn't go away once finished, gold, items and experience rewarded.

Not to mention if these non-horned qunari are so socially special, why is it that I encounter a ton of them doing lowly mercenary work for dwarves and Fereldeners.

Those born without horns are special, those who remove them when they stop following the Qun are not. That's the explanation for the mercenary Qunari missing them in Origins.
After all, almost all the encyclopedia entries are from secondary or tertiary sources. They can always rely on this as an explanation as to why things seem to change. Just like Beth does, mind you.

Not really, Hawke is casting spells in front of city guard pretty much straigth after getting off the boat. At the gallows. That is the Templar's base.

I'm guessing they didn't have time to implement it properly, and rather than half-ass it they just ignored it.

That's what I meant with the Chinese whispers and half-finished integration of gameplay into plot. Have to start my mage Hawke first though, for a first-hand experience.

Well y'know.. if Bioware would do what people wish now, there would still be things people find to complain about. It'll always be that way.

True. Like getting rid off standardised good-neutral-evil responses. Did this with DA2, people complain that even those six new options - where the blue ones are definitely not always the "good" alignment, are a bad thing.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:21 am

Which ones? I only had... one in Act 2, I think, and two in Act 3 that got stuck. One did not even start, the rest just didn't go away once finished, gold, items and experience rewarded.

Sketchy on the Details(even the Wiki says it's bugged) and Forbidden Knowledge(Wiki says nothing about the quest not updating, though).

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:21 am

I've been playing Dragon Age: Origins over the past couple weeks, and though at the beginning I thought it was freaking boring, I've found it more interesting the farther I've gotten though it. It's as standard fantasy as standard fantasy can get, but there's something about the religious difference that seems to work against their standard fantasy background. Even a little making fun of the mage in the tower tropes. I pretty much hate playing with parties though, even if it worked well in the Might and Magic series.

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:07 pm

Sketchy on the Details(even the Wiki says it's bugged) and Forbidden Knowledge(Wiki says nothing about the quest not updating, though).

I had that one with Sketchy, too. I think everyone does. Forbidden Knowledge though wants you to exactly follow its description. Destroy those evil tomes - the only one you are allowed to read seems to be the very last one, that updates your quest before you decide what to do with it.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 2:19 am

It's as standard fantasy as standard fantasy can get

That was a common complaint about Origins, and the reason for many of 2's changes.

BTW, for PC players: Exploding bodies be gone! http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=2363 That .50 Dalish Longbow was a bit ridiculous :hehe:

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:14 pm

Just finished Dragon Age 2 last night, it took me 25 hours and I completed all the side quests in act 1 and 2. Act 3 I ran into a bug in a side quest which led it to be broken so I couldn' t complete. Also I apparently missed a side quest in act 3 because of a choice that was made in the previous game. Anyway I've got to say the ending was dissapointing because it felt like I was slapped in the face and told by Bioware to buy all DLC if you want a proper ending. Even with the bad cliff hanger ending it was still a great game and I will replay it as other classes very soon.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:31 am

The Elves look horrible in DA2, they looked a lot better in DAO. Although I do like the Dalish having specifc accents.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:30 am

Complete... misinformation.... must... not... reply. Anyways I'm considering giving Dragon Age 2 a play through on my cousins PS3 (will hopefully have that opportunity soon), would it be worth it even for science? Or as a fan of the original is it just a waste of time?

Seems I was wrong, I'll just let this rest then, no need to discuss it here.

Finished the game for the second time last night as a mage, I romanced Isabela...at first, then suddenly I was able to romance Merrill as well, which surprised me. Naturally I did it, everything seemed to be going well, I even talked to isabela about it...and then

Spoiler

At the final battle, Merill gave me a kiss and we shared the classic moment and so on, then...Isabela did the exact same thing, Varric mentioned them both at the same time in the summary at the end

Hopefully this won't screw me over when it comes to save exporting, though I suppose I could do act 3 again without much trouble. I have a feeling the save will work, but it'll count the first romance and disregard the second one, had it been the other way around that would've been fine, but only time will tell how much of an issue this really is.

Then again, I suppose Hawke could live with it, maybe set up a schedule with alternating sundays or something.

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:09 pm

I've completed three playthroughs now, love the game. It may not be as good as Origins but that doesn't make it a bad game, a lot of people don't seem to understand that.

Hope there will be some good DLC in the near future.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:46 am

I've completed three playthroughs now, love the game. It may not be as good as Origins but that doesn't make it a bad game, a lot of people don't seem to understand that.

Hope there will be some good DLC in the near future.

I agree I think DA 2 is a good game although it's certainly not as good as Origins. The bugs though in DA2 just turned me off from playing it anymore and also not having auto attack. I don't mind button mashing but it gets old after a while.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 3:21 am

For those wondering about the Red Lyrium (I think it was Ratslayer in particular.)

Spoiler

The Idol found in the Deep Roads is what made the Red Lyrium. Information on the Idol is almost non-existent as they Thaig it was found in wasn't suppose to exist and/or predates Dwarf History. What is known is that it channels very powerful spirits that prey upon the desires of others. I assume it is a Desire Demon but I am probably wrong. The Idol is what also created the Rock Wraiths which feed on normal Lyrium. During a quest in Act 2, after the Idol has been removed form the Thaig, you have a chance of going back into the Deep Roads to rescue three idiots that followed your excavation path. When you enter the Thaig you'll notice that all of the lyrium has turned back to blue. This is because the Idol is no longer there. So it can be concluded that Red Lyrium is not natural.

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:11 pm

I've completed three playthroughs now, love the game. It may not be as good as Origins but that doesn't make it a bad game, a lot of people don't seem to understand that.

Hope there will be some good DLC in the near future.

I agree with you. In fact I like DA2 more but there are a lot of things that Origins does better. My only problem with DA2 is how ugly Origins companions look in it and its ending. Heres a video to sum up how I felt about the ending: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG2677ew0T0 Morrigan is the player and the bearded guy is Bioware.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:17 am

Is there a trick to

Spoiler

defeating the Arishok in single combat? My Hawke is a force mage and I am having trouble with this. Two tries on normal and I even set it to casual for a third try, and still kept getting impaled when he does whatever move that is.

@Ozor - I am disappointed with this game in comparison to DAO. But as I have said, I am still enjoying it and plan on completing it. But it lacks the charm and depth of character and better overall writing than the first game. It just feels and plays differently - less interesting, more generic in a lot of ways, in spite of, or perhaps because of, the hyperspeed flashy combat and the brevity of character development. And although I appreciate a story where you need to deal with politic and other machinations, it's not like they are setting up some deep game story there. The choices and actions are blatantly telegraphed, which again, goes back to the weaker writing on this one.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:57 am

Is there a trick to

Spoiler

defeating the Arishok in single combat? My Hawke is a force mage and I am having trouble with this. Two tries on normal and I even set it to casual for a third try, and still kept getting impaled when he does whatever move that is.

@Ozor - I am disappointed with this game in comparison to DAO. But as I have said, I am still enjoying it and plan on completing it. But it lacks the charm and depth of character and better overall writing than the first game. It just feels and plays differently - less interesting, more generic in a lot of ways, in spite of, or perhaps because of, the hyperspeed flashy combat and the brevity of character development. And although I appreciate a story where you need to deal with politic and other machinations, it's not like they are setting up some deep game story there. The choices and actions are blatantly telegraphed, which again, goes back to the weaker writing on this one.

Seriously you couldn't beat him on casual with a mage? I beat him on my first try on casual using only the mouse. On normal I had alittle trouble playing as a warrior.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:48 am

I just started playing DA2 in my rare free time, and I'm still on the part where you first get to Kirkwall and do quests, but I'm really enjoying it! So far, I've enjoyed the story a lot more, it's not just 4 long dungeons like in DAO and I'm really liking a few of the characters.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:52 am

For those wondering about the Red Lyrium (I think it was Ratslayer in particular.)

Spoiler

The Idol found in the Deep Roads is what made the Red Lyrium. Information on the Idol is almost non-existent as they Thaig it was found in wasn't suppose to exist and/or predates Dwarf History. What is known is that it channels very powerful spirits that prey upon the desires of others. I assume it is a Desire Demon but I am probably wrong. The Idol is what also created the Rock Wraiths which feed on normal Lyrium. During a quest in Act 2, after the Idol has been removed form the Thaig, you have a chance of going back into the Deep Roads to rescue three idiots that followed your excavation path. When you enter the Thaig you'll notice that all of the lyrium has turned back to blue. This is because the Idol is no longer there. So it can be concluded that Red Lyrium is not natural.

Just a note on that, putting it in spoiler tags to be sure, that quest is not available if:

Spoiler

Carver or Bethany is a Gray Warden instead of Templar/Circle Mage. You will instead help some wardens who are investigating the area your expedition uncovered.

EDIT: The trick to beating the big guy with the impaling fetish (More fun than spoiler tags) as a mage is to simply freeze him and hold him in place while unleaashing all your damaging abilities at him, I got him to 50% HP in about ten seconds by using Winter's Grasp, Fireball, Chain Lightning, Stonefist, Spirit Bolt, Crushing Prison and then a couple of Force Mage spells, when he broke free I just had to casually jog away from him for 2 seconds untill winters grasp was ready, rinse, repeat, dead.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:24 am

Seriously you couldn't beat him on casual with a mage? I beat him on my first try on casual using only the mouse. On normal I had alittle trouble playing as a warrior.

thanks, that was a helpful answer. :rolleyes: Now I feel even worse. *runs out of thread crying*

Yes, seriously, he kept pwning me. Admittedly I haven't paid too much attention to spell sequences and so on because it generally doesn't matter in the slightest in this game, it's a spam fest of spells and other fast paced nonsense. This was the only fight, bar none, that I have been remotely challenged by.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:06 am

thanks, that was a helpful answer. :rolleyes: Now I feel even worse. *runs out of thread crying*

Yes, seriously, he kept pwning me. Admittedly I haven't paid too much attention to spell sequences and so on because it generally doesn't matter in the slightest in this game, it's a spam fest of spells and other fast paced nonsense. This was the only fight, bar none, that I have been remotely challenged by.

Haveyou tried running around in circles waitng for spells to recharge ?

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:15 pm

thanks, that was a helpful answer. :rolleyes: Now I feel even worse. *runs out of thread crying*

Yes, seriously, he kept pwning me. Admittedly I haven't paid too much attention to spell sequences and so on because it generally doesn't matter in the slightest in this game, it's a spam fest of spells and other fast paced nonsense. This was the only fight, bar none, that I have been remotely challenged by.

I wish I could help you here, but I settle things peacefully with the Arishok.

edit:ratlsayer is right about that one. Most enemies in this game just can't hit a mage that is running around them.

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:10 pm

Anyone tried and successfully made Merrill into a good Blood Mage?

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:31 pm

Just a note on that, putting it in spoiler tags to be sure, that quest is not available if:

Spoiler

Carver or Bethany is a Gray Warden instead of Templar/Circle Mage. You will instead help some wardens who are investigating the area your expedition uncovered.

EDIT: The trick to beating the big guy with the impaling fetish (More fun than spoiler tags) as a mage is to simply freeze him and hold him in place while unleaashing all your damaging abilities at him, I got him to 50% HP in about ten seconds by using Winter's Grasp, Fireball, Chain Lightning, Stonefist, Spirit Bolt, Crushing Prison and then a couple of Force Mage spells, when he broke free I just had to casually jog away from him for 2 seconds untill winters grasp was ready, rinse, repeat, dead.

Spoiler

My Bethany was Gray Warden and I still got this quest. Did you mean the other way around?

EDIT:

@Kyuuen

No. She just keeps killing herself.

EDIT2:

I played as a dual-wielding Rogue. By the time I got to the Arishok I was hitting on average about 200 a hit. Criticals were usually 400-600. Put that together with incredible attacking speed and everything dies before Hawke's awesomeness.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:34 am

I played as a dual-wielding Rogue. By the time I got to the Arishok I was hitting on average about 200 a hit. Criticals were usually 400-600. Put that together with incredible attacking speed and everything dies before Hawke's awesomeness.

Sounds like hell-gate london.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:01 am

thanks, that was a helpful answer. :rolleyes: Now I feel even worse. *runs out of thread crying*

Yes, seriously, he kept pwning me. Admittedly I haven't paid too much attention to spell sequences and so on because it generally doesn't matter in the slightest in this game, it's a spam fest of spells and other fast paced nonsense. This was the only fight, bar none, that I have been remotely challenged by.

Yeah I'm sorry about that. I had Rock armor on and Arcane shield, and I used healing spells, lyrium potions, and health potions alot during this fight. He was generally easy though just like all bosses were. I've never been killed by a boss in this game yet, I seen the game over screen twice and that was from being overwhelmed by numerous normal enemies.