F Yeah! I'M SO!

Boycott for SHITTY MMO's start now!

Playing Drakensang instead of MMO atm, Dragon Age looks cool.

MMO = too much drama atm.

Yeah, first Borderlands then Dragon Age, can't wait.

I got to see DragonAge at E3 this year and I have been waiting for it ever since.     It looks like it could be the best RPG ever made.   The demo we saw had some really cool things going on.   I will not ruin it but lets just say, we are all in for some cool surprises when talking to NPCs.

They have the character creation tool on their website (PC ONLY) that you can download and play with.  Its nice.

While I am sure it will be a good game I am really worried about a few things.

• Zones - I hate loading between zones in a RPG game.
   
• Common inventory between all characters - Another immersion breaking game mechanic
   
• Bioware likes invisible walls - Don't know if they exist in DA, but they always kill the fun of exploring if I feel like I am being too directed.
   
• Emo inter-party dialog - I don't care if Draco, the barbarian took offense to my unkind words when talking to the beggar. I am also not caring whether or not Feathermoon, the druid has a crush on me and wants to get it on.

Originally posted by Aganazer

While I am sure it will be a good game I am really worried about a few things.

 

• Zones - I hate loading between zones in a RPG game.
   
• Common inventory between all characters - Another immersion breaking game mechanic
   
• Bioware likes invisible walls - Don't know if they exist in DA, but they always kill the fun of exploring if I feel like I am being too directed.
   
• Emo inter-party dialog - I don't care if Draco, the barbarian took offense to my unkind words when talking to the beggar. I am also not caring whether or not Feathermoon, the druid has a crush on me and wants to get it on.

I think the dialog is going the help the immersion factor a ton.   NPCs reacting to what the player does.  That is a good thing.
 

Zones - something we have to live with.

Common inventory - I have not heard of that but whatever, it makes sense if the characters know each other.  I have things that my friends own in my house.

Invisible walls - again something we have to live with until technology gets better

Originally posted by TdogSkal

I think the dialog is going the help the immersion factor a ton.   NPCs reacting to what the player does.  That is a good thing.
 

Zones - something we have to live with.

Common inventory - I have not heard of that but whatever, it makes sense if the characters know each other.  I have things that my friends own in my house.

Invisible walls - again something we have to live with until technology gets better

There are plenty of RPG's that don't have Zones or Invisible walls. Its a technical shortcoming the Bioware seems to have embraced rather than overcome with technology. They both work against exloring and immersion. Its probably my biggest complaint about Bioware's RPGs in the past.

As for the spoken dialog versus text. Its nice, but it doesn't necessarily make it a better RPG. Is watching a movie better than reading a book? Not in my experience. I'm sure the speech will be well done, but doesn't do much for what makes a game a game. It really just makes it more like a movie and less like a game.

I don't mean to be too negative. It looks awesome. I am just concerned that it will be more of an interactive movie instead of an immersive open world RPG.

Another generic Bioware RPG with Elves, Dwarves and dragons.

Yawn.

I can't wait, I love elves and dwarves and particular dragons (in a platonic kinda way :D)..........also Mass Effect doesn'tr have any elves in it and I believe it has been developed by Bioware.......

Originally posted by Gameloading

Another generic Bioware RPG with Elves, Dwarves and dragons.

Yawn.

So true. Kotor had so many dragons, elves and...oh wait.

And than Mass effect 1/2.  So many of all three you couldn't take a step in the game without running into 10...I think.

Jade Empire had no other races but dwarves and elves.  And you even recruited dragons on your team!

Could Dragon Age suck? It could.  But after playing past Bioware games, I doubt it.  All of them have been amazing (eh, I'll grant that Jade Empire wasn't that great, but better than most rpgs out).  Can't wait to play.

Originally posted by Swanea

Originally posted by Gameloading

Another generic Bioware RPG with Elves, Dwarves and dragons.

Yawn.

 

So true. Kotor had so many dragons, elves and...oh wait.

And than Mass effect 1/2.  So many of all three you couldn't take a step in the game without running into 10...I think.

Jade Empire had no other races but dwarves and elves.  And you even recruited dragons on your team!

 

Could Dragon Age suck? It could.  But after playing past Bioware games, I doubt it.  All of them have been amazing (eh, I'll grant that Jade Empire wasn't that great, but better than most rpgs out).  Can't wait to play.

some great examples you have there. A sci fi game based on a universe they didn't even create themselves and another sci fi game that couldn't possibly have a more generic sci fi setting even if they tried. They seem to have hit just about every sci fi cliche imaginable with Mass Effect.

mass effect is a good game

Origins does have the hype of a good game, that much is certain. It does look like a well polished game, based on the interviews and clips available. Thinking out loud: I'm a little concerned that many of the 'options' involved with quest completions / storyline telling all lead to the same point. Disguising linear play in this manner is a personal put-off. I'd much rather a single storyline if that was the case.

Also, really looking forward to Vigil's Darksiders. A nice twist on common Neo-Judaic lore, with a very polished PR. Huge options for franchising given there are still 3 horsemen you could potentially give their own game.

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Swanea

Originally posted by Gameloading

Another generic Bioware RPG with Elves, Dwarves and dragons.

Yawn.

 

So true. Kotor had so many dragons, elves and...oh wait.

And than Mass effect 1/2.  So many of all three you couldn't take a step in the game without running into 10...I think.

Jade Empire had no other races but dwarves and elves.  And you even recruited dragons on your team!

 

Could Dragon Age suck? It could.  But after playing past Bioware games, I doubt it.  All of them have been amazing (eh, I'll grant that Jade Empire wasn't that great, but better than most rpgs out).  Can't wait to play.

some great examples you have there. A sci fi game based on a universe they didn't even create themselves and another sci fi game that couldn't possibly have a more generic sci fi setting even if they tried. They seem to have hit just about every sci fi cliche imaginable with Mass Effect.

 

They did create Baldurs gate (one of their studios, Black Isle) which didn't have any elves or dragons...............just some dwarves.

Who doesn't want to see more innovation.
Truth is nowadays innovation is a rarety, so we should be happy to have decent games to play, and at least Bioware can do decent games that's for sure.

Originally posted by Gameloading

Another generic Bioware RPG with Elves, Dwarves and dragons.

Yawn.

To be fair, Dragon Age is offering a few interesting twists on your standard high fantasy lore.

1. Dwarves are rather sophisticated and obsessed with assassinations and intrigue, which is a big departure from the "I'm Scottish and all I want to do is drink!" cliche found in nearly every other fantast RPG/MMO.

2. The Elves are for all practical purposes enslaved to humans, except for the few who live as nomads. I get the feeling that the Elves were once an advanced race that fell hard. Once again, a big departure from your stereotypical snooty high elf.

3. Instead of simply being able to sling spells, new mages will have to face off against demons in another dimension to EARN their powers. And it looks like mages will always be worried about being corrupted. As a guy who likes playing magic users, I find this system a very nice twist on how most games approach magic.

4. Since this is a new IP, Bioware is free to finally make a game with plenty of mature content. Which is also a big change from the D&D games which by-and-large were PG-13 rated.

The fact that your character can have a unique origin which will affect them throughout their career is enough for me to get excited for this game.

Originally posted by Gameloading

some great examples you have there. A sci fi game based on a universe they didn't even create themselves and another sci fi game that couldn't possibly have a more generic sci fi setting even if they tried. They seem to have hit just about every sci fi cliche imaginable with Mass Effect.

 

Well... you were complaining about the dragons and dwarves and such, so I think they were just pointing out the other settings they've made games in.  There are few other developers out there with as stellar a track record as Bioware as far as I'm concerned, but I am willing to accept that you disagree.

Can't wait for Dragon Age and Mass Effect 2!  Star Wars: The Old Republic... undecided.

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Swanea

Originally posted by Gameloading

Another generic Bioware RPG with Elves, Dwarves and dragons.

Yawn.

 

So true. Kotor had so many dragons, elves and...oh wait.

And than Mass effect 1/2.  So many of all three you couldn't take a step in the game without running into 10...I think.

Jade Empire had no other races but dwarves and elves.  And you even recruited dragons on your team!

 

Could Dragon Age suck? It could.  But after playing past Bioware games, I doubt it.  All of them have been amazing (eh, I'll grant that Jade Empire wasn't that great, but better than most rpgs out).  Can't wait to play.

some great examples you have there. A sci fi game based on a universe they didn't even create themselves and another sci fi game that couldn't possibly have a more generic sci fi setting even if they tried. They seem to have hit just about every sci fi cliche imaginable with Mass Effect.

 

They didn't create the universe but they completely reshaped it, they also created most if not all the lore to the Old Republic era. Basically, Lucas made the IP, BioWare gave birth to The Old Republic.

You're right, Mass Effect was a bit cliche. But to me, it had its appeal, and part of that was not just the world, but the people you encountered, much like KOTOR, the characters you meet would alter your story and you started to have characters you was attached to, and others you just wanted to dump on a planet somewhere.

Originally posted by Gameloading

Originally posted by Swanea

Originally posted by Gameloading

Another generic Bioware RPG with Elves, Dwarves and dragons.

Yawn.

 

So true. Kotor had so many dragons, elves and...oh wait.

And than Mass effect 1/2.  So many of all three you couldn't take a step in the game without running into 10...I think.

Jade Empire had no other races but dwarves and elves.  And you even recruited dragons on your team!

 

Could Dragon Age suck? It could.  But after playing past Bioware games, I doubt it.  All of them have been amazing (eh, I'll grant that Jade Empire wasn't that great, but better than most rpgs out).  Can't wait to play.

some great examples you have there. A sci fi game based on a universe they didn't even create themselves and another sci fi game that couldn't possibly have a more generic sci fi setting even if they tried. They seem to have hit just about every sci fi cliche imaginable with Mass Effect.

 

Wow great point.  The obviously did not create any of the story behind KotOR at all, it was all done by another company!   The game play sure wasn't fun either.  Leveling a Jedi in the D20 system made me hate star wars too!  Being serious, KotOR brought some actual Star Wars feeling back into the IP since the lack from the new movies and games that had been released.  And god, Force Unleashed tried to take that Star Wars feel away.

Every sci fi cliche imaginable.  I don't know if I can even think of a sarcastic reply to that, I am dumbfounded on how silly that makes you look.

But hey, since they did not write their own story, create their own game play, characters, system, and the ones they used were so terrible, why not apply for a job there and show them how it is done!?  I mean, obviously all Bioware games have done TERRIBLE in sales, so you could give them pointers!

Creating a story isn't really all that hard to do, and lets not pretend as if Bioware sets a new standard for storytelling.

There have been many companies that were able to create games in Unique settings with good storylines that didn't involve a generic fantasy setting or a generic sci fi setting with laser swords and laser guns.

Originally posted by pojung

Origins does have the hype of a good game, that much is certain. It does look like a well polished game, based on the interviews and clips available. Thinking out loud: I'm a little concerned that many of the 'options' involved with quest completions / storyline telling all lead to the same point. Disguising linear play in this manner is a personal put-off. I'd much rather a single storyline if that was the case.

Also, really looking forward to Vigil's Darksiders. A nice twist on common Neo-Judaic lore, with a very polished PR. Huge options for franchising given there are still 3 horsemen you could potentially give their own game.

My understanding is that the player choices will effect the outcome of the story so it is not linear.