After the Mass Effect 3 controversy about "bad endings" and "endings that didn't make sense", as Dragon Age gamer and fan, I felt I had to say a few things about Dragon Age.

While ME was nice and fine, Dragon Age is what I really care for. Now given, a company can make with it's own IP whatever it wants. But you see, it's a bit like with Star Wars. Of course George Lucas has the *right* to edit the Star Wars films in any way he wants. But in another sense, Star Wars is part of my youth. And in that part, Dath Vader DOESN'T yell "Noooo" when he tosses down Palpy, and in that memory Han Solo shot first. Period.

So with Dragon Age, while I understand an story and setting evolves, what I expect from Bioware is, that they don't put the story and content of DA1 & 2 just into the trash bin for some presumed "even cooler story". It was hard enough to swallow the redesign of the Qunari, but as it was just one thing, and we had not seen any Qunari in DA1 besides Sten, I though, ok wth.

But with DA2, I began to get a bit weary. DA1 had set the Blight and the background story, the idea of the Creator, the Chantry, the Dragons/Demons and the Old Gods as THE background story of the world. And suddenly, in DA2, that backstory was almost entirely dropped. I mean, it was still there. But none of the questions I had about the world were furthered one bit. It was as if Bioware had begun a totally new series with DA2 and DA1 was sort of *NOT* continued. Not that I would have needed the return of the Warden. It could have been another character, but besides the same world, there was no connection or continued overall story, and that felt quite... wrong to me. DA2 sort of just circled around itself, about Hawks personal life, and only in the end, a world event suddenly and totally unexpected blew into our faces. That was what I disliked about DA2 the most, it just didn't feel like a next chapter in a larger story that meant something, and Hawk never felt like he had a real impact. He was just IN some events happening around him, and his impact on the outcome seemed zero. I mean, sure, technically the DA1 ending was always the same, more or less, too. But I *felt* like my presence made ALL the difference! Whereas in DA2 I felt my presence made no difference at all!

And THAT is in a way the same dilemma the of the ME3 ending! Without spoiling any of it, the ME3 ending has the same issue, that the influence of the protagonist during the game was zilch. In the end is a button and you have 3 decisions no matter what you did during the game AT ALL.

During the course of Mass Effect, Bioware dropped a LOT of important story arcs, and some were entirely changed. I can not tell which, since I don't want to spoil here. But that REALLY unsettles me about the Dragon Age lore. As, will the Blight/Old Gods/Dragon theme EVER be solved? Or will it just be dropped? Will it be totally rewritten? Will the hero of DA3 matter in the ongoings and decision from DA1 and DA2? Or will all these decision be equally meaningless in DA3? I really hope not.

DA1 has set a really great lore and background, and what I expect of Bioware is that they respect that background and our experience within it, and sticks to it. That whatever comes in the Dragon Age future, it takes up what happened and doesn't put the lore and decisions into the transcan to frabricate something unconnected. And on top: I really hope Dragon Age really develops more back to a ROLE PLAYING GAME, with decisions, options and all the small and big things that make a RPG, and the trend that Bioware games are more and more tunnel shooters with story is reverted, so RPGs from Bioware more become worlds to experience. A bit more back to Baldurs Gate virtues.

What I expect is ME3: Medieval Edition.

Fuck EAware.

I'm sorry, you'll need to buy a few DLCs to get what you expect.

Personally Im pretty finished expecting good things from Bioware.  The deal with Bioware is they have always been top of the hill when it comes to telling a story within a game.  They seem to be loosing their touch regarding that, and if they loose that, they're not really special anymore. 

EA got ahold of them, and they've been slowly riding downhill since then.  Other game developers will rise to take the top spot though.  Nothing good lasts forever. 

EA will continue to buy up these companies and turn them into poorly run, profit at any cost, tread mills. EA  has already stated that casual games are the future.

Don't even get me started on DA2....I wish I could completely erase the memory of that horrible game forever. I'd like to see Bioware pretend DA2 was a dream and go back and really make it this time.

Originally posted by Elikal

After the Mass Effect 3 controversy about "bad endings" and "endings that didn't make sense", as Dragon Age gamer and fan, I felt I had to say a few things about Dragon Age.

While ME was nice and fine, Dragon Age is what I really care for. Now given, a company can make with it's own IP whatever it wants. But you see, it's a bit like with Star Wars. Of course George Lucas has the *right* to edit the Star Wars films in any way he wants. But in another sense, Star Wars is part of my youth. And in that part, Dath Vader DOESN'T yell "Noooo" when he tosses down Palpy, and in that memory Han Solo shot first. Period.

So with Dragon Age, while I understand an story and setting evolves, what I expect from Bioware is, that they don't put the story and content of DA1 & 2 just into the trash bin for some presumed "even cooler story". It was hard enough to swallow the redesign of the Qunari, but as it was just one thing, and we had not seen any Qunari in DA1 besides Sten, I though, ok wth.

But with DA2, I began to get a bit weary. DA1 had set the Blight and the background story, the idea of the Creator, the Chantry, the Dragons/Demons and the Old Gods as THE background story of the world. And suddenly, in DA2, that backstory was almost entirely dropped. I mean, it was still there. But none of the questions I had about the world were furthered one bit. It was as if Bioware had begun a totally new series with DA2 and DA1 was sort of *NOT* continued. Not that I would have needed the return of the Warden. It could have been another character, but besides the same world, there was no connection or continued overall story, and that felt quite... wrong to me. DA2 sort of just circled around itself, about Hawks personal life, and only in the end, a world event suddenly and totally unexpected blew into our faces. That was what I disliked about DA2 the most, it just didn't feel like a next chapter in a larger story that meant something, and Hawk never felt like he had a real impact. He was just IN some events happening around him, and his impact on the outcome seemed zero. I mean, sure, technically the DA1 ending was always the same, more or less, too. But I *felt* like my presence made ALL the difference! Whereas in DA2 I felt my presence made no difference at all!

And THAT is in a way the same dilemma the of the ME3 ending! Without spoiling any of it, the ME3 ending has the same issue, that the influence of the protagonist during the game was zilch. In the end is a button and you have 3 decisions no matter what you did during the game AT ALL.

During the course of Mass Effect, Bioware dropped a LOT of important story arcs, and some were entirely changed. I can not tell which, since I don't want to spoil here. But that REALLY unsettles me about the Dragon Age lore. As, will the Blight/Old Gods/Dragon theme EVER be solved? Or will it just be dropped? Will it be totally rewritten? Will the hero of DA3 matter in the ongoings and decision from DA1 and DA2? Or will all these decision be equally meaningless in DA3? I really hope not.

DA1 has set a really great lore and background, and what I expect of Bioware is that they respect that background and our experience within it, and sticks to it. That whatever comes in the Dragon Age future, it takes up what happened and doesn't put the lore and decisions into the transcan to frabricate something unconnected. And on top: I really hope Dragon Age really develops more back to a ROLE PLAYING GAME, with decisions, options and all the small and big things that make a RPG, and the trend that Bioware games are more and more tunnel shooters with story is reverted, so RPGs from Bioware more become worlds to experience. A bit more back to Baldurs Gate virtues.

  Sorr but the Bioware wrtter for both DA:o and Baldurs gate has left Bioware and you can google his comments about Bioware "No longer being the same company he knew." and In refence to ME3 how they dedcide to make it more "like a mnovie" and less like a interactive game.

  In truth there is no Bioware now just EA and I for one will not be buying anymore of thier games where they throw away the story for "lots of player speculation" YMMV.

I'd suggest you check into information currently being sold as the ME3: Final hours a ap for the iphone soon to be out for pc. it cost about $3 but you can probably google up enough on its contents. Inside there are Developer notes. Things like Casey and mac cutting The final boss because it was too "video gamey" Also deciding players didn't need information on the ME3 universe so cut dialogue., etc

Yesterday, Bioware released the details of the meshing of the ME world with the DA world (Dragon Age 3). After the Normandy crashed landed on the planet after the destruction of the Citadel, the surviors created a new civilization with existing locals. The locals were in a pre-medieval age. The survivors named the continent Thedas and and their first city Minrathous.

"Magic" is simply biotics from an abundant source of eezo (such as that on Thessia), but has allowed the development of different powers over the years.

There's more, but you can read the whole article here.

^

That makes as much sense as sigma being a primarch on warhammer 40k

See EA begins a new market trend

Selling endings and other important plot details as dlcs

As long as biodrones are droning, they will keep doing that

I clicked Dekrons link.

Originally posted by Suzie_Ford

Don't even get me started on DA2....I wish I could completely erase the memory of that horrible game forever. I'd like to see Bioware pretend DA2 was a dream and go back and really make it this time.

oh noes, not a dream.... dreams tend to be inspiring. More like a terrible nightmare with the drunk sewer creature of madness

Originally posted by Suzie_Ford

Don't even get me started on DA2....I wish I could completely erase the memory of that horrible game forever. I'd like to see Bioware pretend DA2 was a dream and go back and really make it this time.

Suzie Ford, congratulations! You are the first professional reviewer that called Dragon Age 2 a bad game that I have seen so far.

I expect a less linear game and please gamepad support... DA2 pc controls were plain awful. Or at least add "free (non targeting) attack" so you dont have to mouse click target after target in order to attack. That was a really terrible experience.

Originally posted by Castillle

I clicked Dekrons link.

What did you go and do that for? But, better you than me!

My expectations are that DA:3's big reveal will be that:
 

***spoilers related to another recent Bioware game***

The Darkspawn are eradicating all life in order to prevent life from eradicating themselves.

Derp.

yes, I want a game with a good ending but the rest of it sucks and only lasts 4 hours of gametime.

0.o

some people.

Originally posted by adam_nox

yes, I want a game with a good ending but the rest of it sucks and only lasts 4 hours of gametime.

 

0.o

 

some people.

You're right. Some people...can't read.

Well stated Elikal.  For Dragon Age 3, there needs to be a story that makes actual sense.

DA2 really should've just been a "spin-off" game.  Considering it was in development alongside DA1 (hence they were able to announce it's release in the manual with copies at launch), it shouldn't have been a true "sequel."

And if EAware can be trusted, they have stated that in Dragon Age III, positioning and tactics will matter once again.  We shall see.  They also think that the best way forward for your companions is giving a lot of different custom clothing outfits, but keeping the "iconic" feel of not having to actually equip them.  "Iconic" was dumb when Julio Torres said it back in 05.  It hasn't gotten any less dumber in 2012.

Originally posted by Ceridith

My expectations are that DA:3's big reveal will be that:
 

***spoilers related to another recent Bioware game***

The Darkspawn are eradicating all life in order to prevent life from eradicating themselves.

Derp.

Now how do we fit in the "Yo Dawg, I heard that....." into this?

Originally posted by Elikal

DA1 has set a really great lore and background, and what I expect of Bioware is that they respect that background and our experience within it, and sticks to it.

I would stop expecting things like this from this company.  They have made some great games in the past, but I dare say those days are long gone. 

I would expect that DA3 would be better than DA2, I mean it's hard to get worse than that (although fully possible I guess), but I don't expect that Bioware will do anything that preserves the lore.  The main lore they care about is the the kind that makes good DLC and makes them more money.  I think they have proven that over the last few years.  EA's influence is much too strong now...they have chosen the dark path :P