Dragon Age: Origins gameplay and discussion thread.

[Vladimir]

Okay, I'm bored. I'll spare those who enjoy the game my criticism. Good console game, poor PC game. I expected more for the money.

In a way it reminds me of Halo 2. Good cutscenes with poor gameplay.

I tried to outlast this candle but, meh.

[FactionHeir]

As posted, I hated the camera control too but after some 20 hours or so you do get used to them. Still, that doesn't mean they shouldn't look into making some changes to them.

[Beskar]

As posted, I hated the camera control too but after some 20 hours or so you do get used to them. Still, that doesn't mean they shouldn't look into making some changes to them.

There isn't a problem with them, and since it is the common/mainstream camera style (in many other games such as every MMORPG, many RPGs, et al), everyone is used to them. I really cannot see any problems at all with the camera on the PC version, if anything it works really good.

If you are the Xbox or PS3, obviously it would be different, so I cannot comment on those.

According to Kotaku, Dragon Age's devs just released an editing toolset for characters, campaigns, etc. etc.

...How long ago was it that CA promised editing tools for ETW, again? I seem to recall that was pre-release.

They are meant to have a bug at the moment in relation to the game. There are apparently fixes for that though, so just a warning.

I have to say I am mentally exhausted from this, like reading a book all in one sitting - fun times but I couldn't do it again right away. Even so, I find myself... eager to start another character and go through it all again only this time dungeon crawling and picking up every extra i missed. Maybe not hit it so hard and stretch it out over more days.

Basically at the end myself, though you played more hours into it (due to getting it earlier.)

I saved it just before key moments, which allowed me to look at the "other side" in some places. However, I forgot to do this at two moments at red-cliffe, which means I have to playthrough the game to unlock the two specials (blood-mage and ravanger). Going to also do all the origins stories to see how they look like as well.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Monk, how do I unlock the romance options for Leliana as a male, is it only after a certain time or something? I am up to the Leadsmeat and she has had basically no talk options all game, except for after the Urn.

[Monk]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Monk, how do I unlock the romance options for Leliana as a male, is it only after a certain time or something? I am up to the Leadsmeat and she has had basically no talk options all game, except for after the Urn.

Leliana:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Romance options are born over the course of the entire game. I had to spend the entire main plot woo'ing her to get anywhere, and I'd imagine it's the same for the others. There should also be a point at which you express your interest, normally in the first camp conversation. If you miss that you might have missed your chance.

If you want to get any party member to like you just bring them along on the main plot quests. Invariably you'll do something they either approve of or disprove of - just follow their advice to get massive bonuses to their influence.

If that fails load her up with some gifts. Leliana likes holy symbols of the Chantry and Andraste.

[Beskar]

Leliana:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Romance options are born over the course of the entire game. I had to spend the entire main plot woo'ing her to get anywhere, and I'd imagine it's the same for the others. There should also be a point at which you express your interest, normally in the first camp conversation. If you miss that you might have missed your chance.

If you want to get any party member to like you just bring them along on the main plot quests. Invariably you'll do something they either approve of or disprove of - just follow their advice to get massive bonuses to their influence.

If that fails load her up with some gifts. Leliana likes holy symbols of the Chantry and Andraste.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

That is why it doesn't make sense, I got high approval rating with her, and I gone through the whole game with her so far. My team has always been Leliana, Morrigan and Alistair, pretty much. Alistair views me as his bestest buddy and Morrigan loves me, even though her chat consists of her going nutjob as her feelings are causing her to go insane. What makes little more sense is that Zevran would go to bed with me, if I just ask him. (on another save, I did this to get the achievement... my eyes...

So yeah, I got high-approval rating with Leliana but she has no chat options at all, in the entire game. Compared to the other characters. I checked with her everytime I been in camp.

I found out what the boxes do, they give you experience. I bought a stack of plants from Ruck at around 10silver or something ridiculously cheap and I donated them into the box for the elves and they gave me experience (enough to level, which is how I noticed).

[Monk]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

That is why it doesn't make sense, I got high approval rating with her, and I gone through the whole game with her so far. My team has always been Leliana, Morrigan and Alistair, pretty much. Alistair views me as his bestest buddy and Morrigan loves me, even though her chat consists of her going nutjob as her feelings are causing her to go insane. What makes little more sense is that Zevran would go to bed with me, if I just ask him. (on another save, I did this to get the achievement... my eyes...

So yeah, I got high-approval rating with Leliana but she has no chat options at all, in the entire game. Compared to the other characters. I checked with her everytime I been in camp.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

That's very strange. Leliana was almost criminally easy to get to open up to me playing a female character. She should have some chat options, at least.

[LeftEyeNine]

Just ordered Collector's Edition. Which DLC's are in, anybody cares to enlighten ?

[Zenicetus]

There isn't a problem with them, and since it is the common/mainstream camera style (in many other games such as every MMORPG, many RPGs, et al), everyone is used to them. I really cannot see any problems at all with the camera on the PC version, if anything it works really good.

Same here, I don't understand the camera complaints if it's the PC version we're talking about. It's like any other recent 3rd person perspective game like WoW, Mass Effect, Bioshock, etc. It might be that those having problems are using mouse clicks exclusively for movement, instead of combined left hand WASD and mouse? I can see where that might be a little clumsy.

Note: there is a bug in the game that will affect dagger-wielding Rogues. First really nasty bug I've heard of, so far. You're supposed to get the dagger attributes half from strength and half from dexterity, but currently it's only being applied from strength. That hits Rogues pretty hard because they're sinking more points into Dex, unless they're going for a dual-wield with longsword in main hand or something like that. Here's the developer thread about it:

http://daforums.bioware.com/viewtopi...4869&forum=135

Latest news is that daggers are fixed and we're waiting on a test file that they'll release ahead of the official patch (the test file will go in an override directory). That's an advantage with the PC version; we'll get that fix before the consoles, which may take a while. There is also a minor problem with damage from bows, but that's trickier to fix. Details in the second page of that thread, above.

FWIW, I haven't seen this dagger bug being too serious in my current campaign. The dual dagger Rogue in my party does well enough, and people are finishing the game with a Rogue main character (presumably using daggers). But if I was playing a Rogue as my main player character, I think I'd be waiting for the patch, just because I'd want my stat choices to be effective and not a waste of points.

[Beskar]

Same here, I don't understand the camera complaints if it's the PC version we're talking about. It's like any other recent 3rd person perspective game like WoW, Mass Effect, Bioshock, etc. It might be that those having problems are using mouse clicks exclusively for movement, instead of combined left hand WASD and mouse? I can see where that might be a little clumsy.

Yeah, I am using WASD to control (easy to access 1,2,3,4,5etc as well) and only using the mouse to move camera and click on objects.

Note: there is a bug in the game that will affect dagger-wielding Rogues. First really nasty bug I've heard of, so far. You're supposed to get the dagger attributes half from strength and half from dexterity, but currently it's only being applied from strength. That hits Rogues pretty hard because they're sinking more points into Dex, unless they're going for a dual-wield with longsword in main hand or something like that. Here's the developer thread about it:

http://daforums.bioware.com/viewtopi...4869&forum=135

I know Leliana in my campaign hits for 30 per go, but he attacks three times faster than my main who is hitting repectifully far less as a Greatsword user.

[Furunculus]

great game, playing it today.

it is impressive how happily it will run on low end hardware.

my bro's computer runs it fine, and it is only:
7900GT
X2 3800+
2GB DDR400

the corollary to that is that it looks worse than oblivion, even tho the latter is at least three years older.

[Meneldil]

Just ordered Collector's Edition. Which DLC's are in, anybody cares to enlighten ?

2 rings, 1 armor set, warden's keep, shale, a book and a wand.

[Vladimir]

Ugh. Okay, for movement. Just because you're used to something doesn't make it better; it makes it more familiar (yes I know, that applies to me too). In Total War, Neverwinter Nights series, and etc the controls are different and give you more control. I'm also using a stationary mouse where you control the wheel with your thumb. Get the sensitivity right and you're in for a good time. Here, the right mouse button is used for everything except for scratching your nose. Which would be BRILLIANT if anyone wants to develop that.

As a rogue I'm doing a lot of shoot, move, and communicate. What makes it incredibly difficult is that every time you move the camera wants to do it's own thing. You're fighting the game to get a good POV. Now, this isn't teh pr0n or anything but a good POV is always nice. What ever happened to options? And whatever happened to depth? This was designed as a council with too much development time spend on cinematics. Very pretty but more like an interactive movie.

One thing I really, REALLY like is how the characters move. There is a "weight" to the animations which you don't even see in some big budget cinemas.

[frogbeastegg]

Lelianna's elvish lament at the camp fire after the forest quest was completely unexpected. Animation was dodgy but nice music and a good touch of atmosphere.

This game loves its binary, obvious good/evil choices no matter what it claims. Kick the orphan or give it all of your gold. Typical Bioware.

I completed the section in the mage tower today. Oh I hated it! Worst section of the game by far.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

First the long trek through the bland tower, which I'd already explored and gotten bored of during my origin story. Then the fade section - a maze filled with repetitive combat against enemies my mage struggles to handle. Getting mobbed by groups of strong melee dudes without any party members at all sucks; I was dying at least once on most fights and ended up having to save obsessively in every single room. And it went on forever. And it ended in yet another binary save everyone/ill everyone choice. It was at this point that I realised such choices were grating on my nerves; I was expecting better and have seen better in many other games.

I got a load of permanent stat boosts out of it but I'd forego them all if it meant skipping that area on future playthroughs.

On the subject of romances:

Alistair

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

needs his influence into the white box before he will sleep with your character. That takes persistent effort, time, and it evolves along quite natural lines. He's an old school charmer - he gave my character a rose. He's shy, he's bashful, and there's some good flirty conversations. The one about licking lamp posts in winter is memorable.

His scene was shorter than Zavran's. One wonders if that was a subtle comment on the fact he was a nervous virgin?

Zavran

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

chucked himself at me after a couple of conversations, the very first time we were in camp after I acquired him. I was able to sleep with him when his influence was about halfway filled on the good side. He's flirty, charming, and basically the kind of guy who sidles up to you in a bar and tries to get you into bed for a laugh. :cough: scum, then :cough: I'm also going to have to label him a bit selfish; most of the sex scene was about what my character was doing for him, without him returning the favour.

He also comes straight out and says he's attracted to both men and women right at the start which kind of feels a bit nasty (in terms of attitudes to those preferences) when he's basically a man-slut who admits he never says no and will take whatever he can get. The attitude does fit the character history, I admit.

I reloaded my 'entering the camp' save to wipe his feelings back to a lower level rather than continue with him drooling after me.

Lelianna

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Was making passes at my female character quite early on as well. How matters would have progressed I can't say; I didn't realise that one of the dialogue lines I chose completely shut down the possibility of the relationship developing past friendship.

Combined Lelianna and Zavran barely even spoilers comment

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It feels rather bad that the two characters that are romanceable by both sexes are both so easy to win over.

Maybe Morrigan is easy too, and it's only Alistair who takes a bit of effort?

I found both of the romantic cutscenes to be excruciating to watch. These character models are no way good enough for animation which requires contact - it was like watching dolls with clipping issues. At one point my character's face disappeared up to the ears through a torso. The facial expressions were worse; I don't know what effect they were going for but drugged date rape probably wasn't it. At one point in the Alistair scene my character's face was pure "Did you know you had rough fingernails before you did that?!" Should have used high quality renders like Mass Effect did or cut to a black screen as per KOTOR.

[Monk]

Lelianna's elvish lament at the camp fire after the forest quest was completely unexpected. Animation was dodgy but nice music and a good touch of atmosphere.

This game loves its binary, obvious good/evil choices no matter what it claims. Kick the orphan or give it all of your gold. Typical Bioware.

I completed the section in the mage tower today. Oh I hated it! Worst section of the game by far.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

First the long trek through the bland tower, which I'd already explored and gotten bored of during my origin story. Then the fade section - a maze filled with repetitive combat against enemies my mage struggles to handle. Getting mobbed by groups of strong melee dudes without any party members at all sucks; I was dying at least once on most fights and ended up having to save obsessively in every single room. And it went on forever. And it ended in yet another binary save everyone/ill everyone choice. It was at this point that I realised such choices were grating on my nerves; I was expecting better and have seen better in many other games.

I got a load of permanent stat boosts out of it but I'd forego them all if it meant skipping that area on future playthroughs.

Mage Tower:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Is the definite low point of the game. As soon as i completed the last quest there I left and never looked back, i refuse to go back there. A companion quest will take you back there but it's just a quick search quest and is completed in 10-15 min. Not only is Mage Tower long, drawn out, and filled with stupid sections, it is tedious.

The only saving grace is Sloth. Seriously.

[Krusader]

Crafting woes:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Where can I find crafting recipes? Done Redcliffe & Orzammar but no merchants selling.

Don't know what I've done right, but have 91 approval with Leilana as male character, not even done companion quest yet.

[Beskar]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Really really big spoiler, don't read unless you want to be spoilt.

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I got Loghain as a party member.

[Monk]

In response to Beskar.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Double spoiler, its a big one!

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Wow! You mean he actually survives the joining? That's interesting. I would assume that sets the stage for what happens next, then. How does he perform as a Party member?

[Beskar]

In response to Beskar.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Double spoiler, its a big one!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Wow! You mean he actually survives the joining? That's interesting. I would assume that sets the stage for what happens next, then. How does he perform as a Party member?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Big one, really big super big spoiler stuff. This is spoiler stuff you wouldn't know of unless you was hit in the face with it. It will spoil a lot of things.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

He is basically a clone of Alistair, but he has Champion as his spec. He stands where Alistair is, in the party select menu. I am currently trying to get his ending now. I have gotten the other 3.
https://img195.imageshack.us/img195/...9110902352.jpg

Edit: I just got the "Redeemer" achievement and perfectionist. The best ending is the one you die.

[FactionHeir]

Achiever
Just loading the save before you go into the final to make a different decision huh?

I'm currently trying to see whether I can get both Morrigan and Leliana

[Beskar]

I tried, but then, I accidently got Morrigan probably before I had a chance with Leliana. Even then, I dumped Morrigan and still didn't work with Leliana.

Yeah, I did it with the Dwarf story as that is the easiest. Do a save just before you speak to the golem. You can get 4 different achievements (so two quick 10 minute plays) to get them.

Unfortunately, I didn't do it for Redcliffe, Elves and Circle. But I was playing on playing a female character to get the female only unlocks anyway.

[FactionHeir]

Well I currently got both Morrigan and Leliana in Romance state + tent but in their banter they still think that Morrigan is the one. Probably wasn't intended for this to work this way?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Had both in initial romance state first and then chose Morrigan. After the Denerim quest for Leliana, you seem to be able to woo her back without either of them forcing you to choose anymore

[Beskar]

After completing the games and seeing the endings, I decided to do the other 5 origins...

I have to say one thing "Wow", it is amazing seeing the backstories and the happenings of all these characters you meet. It is truely and interesting experience.

I will do one in spoilers for instance:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Take the life of Rita, the Dwarven girl.

From main story, you hear about Bhelen marrying a commoner, and a love note in his room.

Casteless Dwarf story: Rita is your sister! And you are supporting her as she gets dolled up, etc, trying to seduce some one important, etc.

Noble Dwarf story: Rita comes out of Bhelen's room! So straight after commoner where she says she said some one is interested, you find out it was Bhelen from this, added from the first play through, that she had all this backstory and different appearances.

This happens to a lot of characters, it is truely a sight.

[Monk]

Finally figured out how to complete Redcliff.. the "right" way.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It isn't enough to armor the militia, do Ser Perth's quest and then hit the Chantry. You should take time to recruit Dwynn and his thugs by the waterfront, the Elf in the Tavern and the Tavern owner.

Interesting side note: Recruiting the Tavern's owner for the fight lets the Barmaid be in charge. She will then give you whatever you want for free, she won't charge you a dime! You'll also be able to buy a special gift, a bottle of fine wine, that was not in stock before. Sten will approve, as in his words anyone who can fight should be.

[seireikhaan]

Well, finally finished what I believe is the last of the "gather army" quests:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Holy . Did NOT like the Dwarven mission. That sucker dragged ON and ON.... Liked the second to last "boss fight", but aside from that, the best respites for me were turning blood magic on the ogres for quite a bit of fun. For what people are saying about the mage tower, I found it much more enjoyable. I went through it with not a huge amount of difficulty, but it was still challenging, and quite fun, I thought.

Double spoiler, just in case Mages experience it differently than rogues or warriors

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I thought the shapeshifting was a load of fun. Picking matchups and figuring out which form was best for confronting different foes was a good time. Especially liked the spirit form, a killer on bosses.

\
The dwarfen part was easily my least favorite of the quests. First, because I got stuck with what's his face, the dwarf after a while, and I liked the setup I had. Second, because almost none of my magic worked on golems. Third, because as I said, the thing just dragged on and on, and it seemed like a fair amount was added for no particular reason, other than making the whole quest more difficult.

[Zenicetus]

Finally figured out how to complete Redcliff.. the "right" way.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It isn't enough to armor the militia, do Ser Perth's quest and then hit the Chantry. You should take time to recruit Dwynn and his thugs by the waterfront, the Elf in the Tavern and the Tavern owner.

Interesting side note: Recruiting the Tavern's owner for the fight lets the Barmaid be in charge. She will then give you whatever you want for free, she won't charge you a dime! You'll also be able to buy a special gift, a bottle of fine wine, that was not in stock before. Sten will approve, as in his words anyone who can fight should be.

Argh, I missed all that. I'm probably rushing too much so I missed the clues, I did it the hard way:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mainly by bottlenecking once the fight moved down to the main village square, and then when it got too bad, running up the hill leading a "freight train" of enemies so I'd have help from the soldiers up by the windmill. I had a little trouble figuring out how to end that sequence, because one of the undead guys was trapped in the village due to a pathfinding glitch. Took me a little while to find him. With help from the village that probably wouldn't have happened.

[Sheogorath]

http://kotaku.com/5400986/explore-th...ith-dragon-age

Hot Gimli x Legolas action. Just as Tolkien intended

Really though, as the article mentions, doesn't anybody find the complete lack of moral outrage rather amusing? Relieving, but also amusing.

[al Roumi]

http://kotaku.com/5400986/explore-th...ith-dragon-age

Hot Gimli x Legolas action. Just as Tolkien intended

Really though, as the article mentions, doesn't anybody find the complete lack of moral outrage rather amusing? Relieving, but also amusing.

Well the games-bashers have COD:MW2 to bash at the moment anyway, so I suspect it's stealing all the thunder of this "controversey".

[FactionHeir]

Something that's bothering me at the moment is finding that my investment in the persuasion talent seems to have been a bit of a waste for my warrior.
Basically if you succeed on persuade/intimidate, stuff advances but you get no XP benefit, though at rare points you may get access to a shop instead which doesn't sell anything useful.
On the other hand, if you just choose the hard way (i.e. fighting) you get loads of XP, loot and usually the same benefits.

I think the use of persuasion talents should be rewarded somewhat at least, like open lock / disarm trap which do.

[Vladimir]

Something that's bothering me at the moment is finding that my investment in the persuasion talent seems to have been a bit of a waste for my warrior.
Basically if you succeed on persuade/intimidate, stuff advances but you get no XP benefit, though at rare points you may get access to a shop instead which doesn't sell anything useful.
On the other hand, if you just choose the hard way (i.e. fighting) you get loads of XP, loot and usually the same benefits.

I think the use of persuasion talents should be rewarded somewhat at least, like open lock / disarm trap which do.

There are times when you can do both. Often times it gives you a greater advantage.

[Monk]

I think Persuade and Intimidate are best saved for getting special plot elements. There is a particularly good one for female PC right before you fight the final battle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Double spoiler, cuz it's pretty cool but at the same time a huge spoiler on a specific part.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You have the chance to persuade your way onto the Throne. Marry Allistar and you can become Queen of Ferelden, obviously the current queen isnt gonna like that but - well, yeah! I never did this as in my first play-through I romanced Leliana.

Is it incredibly cheesy? You bet, but I wasn't expecting it.


Very minor spoiler on conversation choices

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Oh. And someone on the DA team loves Star Wars. I've spotted numerous lines taken right out of Episode IV like "Sorry about the mess..." after killing a number of soldiers in a tavern, or "Aren't you a bit short for a guard?"