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Last post: Yesterday at 12:37
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:38 |
Gamers' gripes examined
Were you among the many gamers left a bit underwhelmed by the claustrophobic setting in http://www.trueachievements.com/Dragon-Age-II-xbox-360.htm? Did you yearn to break free of the chains of Kirkwall like the zipper on the skinny jeans of an obese hipster? Were you upset by the limited story? Did the rags-to-riches tale ring hollow like the cranial cavity of Paris Hilton? Were you simply just upset with how BioWare handled the sequel? If so, the following news story may pique your interest.
In a blog post on BioWare's Dragon Age II forum, Lead Designer Mike Laidlaw offers as close to a mea culpa as gamers can expect:
I am absolutely aware of the concerns voiced here. Issues like level re-use, the implementation of wave combat, concerns about the narrative and significance of choice and so on have all been not only noted, but examined, inspected and even aided me (and many, many others on the team) in formulating future plans. Further, I'm not only aware of the concerns, but I agree that there are aspects of DA II that not only can but must be improved in future installments. And that is precisely our intent.(Editor's Note: The emphasis is Laidlaw's.)
While many media outlets trumpeted the combat evolution between Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 Laidlaw understands that many gamers did not enjoy the same evolution from Dragon Age: Origins to Dragon Age II. While he does admit that the changes to the combat and story were made to appeal to a "larger potential audience" he further explains the choice with the following:
I believe that there's also more potential for rich stories, for deeper RPG mechanics, for more choice, and for something even more epic to come. The story events of DA II have fundamentally altered the political and power landscape of Thedas, in a way that's open to intrigue, drama and sweeping conflict in the future, and evolves a world that, while still very much involving the Grey Wardens and Darkspawn, is about more than just that one struggle.As for what's to come in Dragon Age, Laidlaw admits to sharing some gamers' desire to explore outside of Kirkwall:
In the mean time, though, I stumbled across a few images I thought I might share with you folks. After all, there’s been a lot of requests to explore areas outside of Kirkwall, and I agree that seeing some more of the Free Marches would be cool.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/5777154884_78379998....jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5777154900_e86f6f6e....jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/5777154904_16d4ed2e....jpg
There is no word from Laidlaw or BioWare on how these images are being used and if/when gamers can expect more, but it is known that BioWare is already working on Dragon Age III.
External link: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/315/index/7475089 |
Last post: 20 Sep 12 at 04:24
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:42 |
| One day, maybe I'll pick up Dragon Age. Maybe. |
Last post: 10 Apr at 18:37
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:45 |
Personally I felt the combat was a massive step up in DA2, yet the impossed class restrictions with weapons, armour and companions armour felt like a step backwards.
The main problem seems to be PC gamers though a smaller audience they are a more vocal group on bioware forums. Also I believe since Biowares bed hoping with EA we will see more rush and incomplete games in the future. Seriously this game was marketed as Hawkes rise over 10 years and the game stop in year 6! |
Last post: 24 Apr at 11:31
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:45 |
| My only problem with the game was the level re-use, besides that I thought it was pretty good. But it's good to know Bioware can take criticism and willing to always improve their games. |
Last post: 02 Apr 12 at 22:56
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:48 |
| I was REALLY hoping there would be a DLC announcement in there.... |
Last post: Yesterday at 11:31
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:55 |
DA2 was a prime example of how most "professional" reviewers don't know how to review games properly.
Open-world - check
Dialogue options - check
Non-linear story/characters - check
Therefore the game must be brilliant! Oh my god 9/10, 94% reviews from so many outlets.
Film critics don't judge films like that. Game reviewers should take note. |
Last post: 25 Feb at 20:49
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:56 |
It's good that Bioware is aware of these problems and are trying to fix them for DA 3. My main problem with the game is the constant level re-use, and the inability to equip new armor to your companions. The level-up system seemed improved, and the combat was a lot more fun, as you didn't just sit there after hitting A once, and then use a move now and again.
I wonder if DA 3 will be announced for the Holidays, and then get delayed......
*knock on wood* |
I never said I was not crazy |
Last post: 02 Apr 12 at 20:22
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:58 |
| Thought this was going to be a DLC announcement. I actually thoroughly enjoyed the game personally. YAY for Dragon Age III !! |
Last post: 19 Apr at 10:07
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 17:58 |
| I haven't played either Dragon Age games, but have definitely been interested in them - can anyone clarify the "level re-use" issue in DA II for me? Was it that you would return to a same level later in the story or were certain levels cut-and-pasted and passed off as "different" ones later on? |
Last post: 10 Apr at 18:37
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 18:09, Edited on 30 May 11 at 18:09 by Seb Smith |
| spletchie said:I haven't played either Dragon Age games, but have definitely been interested in them - can anyone clarify the "level re-use" issue in DA II for me? Was it that you would return to a same level later in the story or were certain levels cut-and-pasted and passed off as "different" ones later on?Caves and dungeons are copy and pasted, or mirror copies. This is only in DA2 though, not true of Dragon Age Origins. |
Last post: 19 Mar at 18:44
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 18:12 |
@spletchie:
Yes, levels are literally cut-and-pasted in some side and even main quests. Additionally, there are only a handful of dungeon designs (maybe 3 or 4) that are reused for 30+ quests. |
Last post: 16 Mar at 14:50
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 18:26 |
| Nice artwork :D |
CabbageWithPie |
Last post: 13 May at 16:32
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 18:52 |
Hurball said:DA2 was a prime example of how most "professional" reviewers don't know how to review games properly.
Open-world - check
Dialogue options - check
Non-linear story/characters - check
Therefore the game must be brilliant! Oh my god 9/10, 94% reviews from so many outlets.
Film critics don't judge films like that. Game reviewers should take note.I couldn't agree more. Mainstream titles get an auto 8.5 or higher for some of the pointless stuff you mentioned, just because it's a bit more "popular". Sometimes I think these guys are paid to build up mediocre games and the more paid the better the review / score.
OT: Pretty neat screens I guess, the battle system seemed much less sluggish in the second from what I've seen. Still haven't had a chance to sit down and play it through though. Hopefully it's better than the first. |
You seem a little furious... |
Last post: 07 Dec 11 at 05:08
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 18:56 |
| Bring back the customization of the first one and add more. |
Last post: 16 Apr 12 at 00:06
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 19:00 |
| spletchie said:I haven't played either Dragon Age games, but have definitely been interested in them - can anyone clarify the "level re-use" issue in DA II for me? Was it that you would return to a same level later in the story or were certain levels cut-and-pasted and passed off as "different" ones later on?I don't think DA2 repetition would have been a problem if DAO had suffered from it. DA2 seemed like it had about 1/8 of the environments that DAO had. I highly recommend DAO for starters. The ultimate edition is quite reasonable priced these days. |
Who doesn't like unicorns? I mean, it's a horse with a seat on it's head! |
Last post: 12 May at 03:38
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 19:13 |
| Tried the demo hoping to like it but Fallout 3 / New Vegas are the only RPGs i play . |
Last post: Yesterday at 23:34
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 19:29 |
| Too little too late for DA2. Hopefully DA3 will get it right and be more like DAO. |
Last post: Yesterday at 04:56
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 19:35 |
| I really hope DA3 is closer to Origins than 2 was. While I enjoyed DA2, it was a huge step back from Origins imo. |
Last post: 15 May at 00:32
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 19:39 |
| The level reuse was laughable, it wasn't like you enter an area from the same place or that it was even supposed to be the same area, you were supposed to believe it was a new place, when you had already seen the dungeon 3 or 4 times already :D |
Last post: 18 Dec 12 at 19:44
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Posted on 30 May 11 at 20:23 |
Actually, I can live with reusing some caves/dungeons. I think there were way bigger issues than some scenery. The game had 1 ending! 1! After playing DA:O through a few times it was a lot of fun to see what kind of changes you could make. In DA2 there was a few minor things you could change but nothing major. To me, being able to manipulate the outcome of the game by your dialog choices is the cornerstone to a game like Dragon Age.
It makes me sick to see a epic game like origins get trashed because they use it's popularity to make good sales on a visually and immediately entertaining sequel that fails to measure up to the original in the long run. In business sense it was a good move, they got paid, but the consumers suffer... Especially the dedicated fans. |