Dragon Age (omg, it's not a fps!)

[Bulldogs 10]

For anyone who hasn't played Dragon Age, here's a couple of things to expect.

Basically, it's the ArmA of RPG's. It's incredibly compelling but extremely difficult. Most combat situations (especially those cursed Revnants) requires pausing and planning out tactics... very challenging. In a way that's a good thing, the downside being that your team mates are too stupid to carry out any advanced tactics.

The Tactics system with team mates is a good concept, in theory. In reality they generally ignore what you tell them (probably be ironed out in a patch), you can't effectively position them even though it tells you to (you tell them all to go somewhere, the unpause the game and they all run to that position then all run straight back to you, no way to tell them to stay)

When trying to do difficult pulls (like bringing a group of enemies down the stairs to avoid pulling any other groups), you can put them in "ranged" mode in which case they will try to attack from range, which to them means running up the stairs, past the enemy, into another group of enemies, and then shooting from a range.

Alternatively, you can tell them not to attack the enemy at all, regardless of what happens. In which case they'll run up the stairs, stand next to the enemy (pulling another 2 groups of enemies in the process) and smile politely.

Of course, the best option ends up being just to generically select them all, manually give them all ranged weapons, and then tell them to all stand still and attack (right click) whatever you see in LoS first.

Right... now I have that off my chest, the rest of the game is quite brilliant if you like RPGs. There's a massive amount of story/side story, and the combat can be quite fun and tactical (when it works), and they've already released a patch making the game less difficult (seriously, unless you picked the perfect class and made the perfect setup, it's really hard), so it's really a good game, and worth a bash if you're into RPGs.

[bangtail 0]

For anyone who hasn't played Dragon Age, here's a couple of things to expect.

Basically, it's the ArmA of RPG's. It's incredibly compelling but extremely difficult. Most combat situations (especially those cursed Revnants) requires pausing and planning out tactics... very challenging. In a way that's a good thing, the downside being that your team mates are too stupid to carry out any advanced tactics.

The Tactics system with team mates is a good concept, in theory. In reality they generally ignore what you tell them (probably be ironed out in a patch), you can't effectively position them even though it tells you to (you tell them all to go somewhere, the unpause the game and they all run to that position then all run straight back to you, no way to tell them to stay)

When trying to do difficult pulls (like bringing a group of enemies down the stairs to avoid pulling any other groups), you can put them in "ranged" mode in which case they will try to attack from range, which to them means running up the stairs, past the enemy, into another group of enemies, and then shooting from a range.

Alternatively, you can tell them not to attack the enemy at all, regardless of what happens. In which case they'll run up the stairs, stand next to the enemy (pulling another 2 groups of enemies in the process) and smile politely.

Of course, the best option ends up being just to generically select them all, manually give them all ranged weapons, and then tell them to all stand still and attack (right click) whatever you see in LoS first.

Right... now I have that off my chest, the rest of the game is quite brilliant if you like RPGs. There's a massive amount of story/side story, and the combat can be quite fun and tactical (when it works), and they've already released a patch making the game less difficult (seriously, unless you picked the perfect class and made the perfect setup, it's really hard), so it's really a good game, and worth a bash if you're into RPGs.

Couldn't agree more.

Bioware does it AGAIN!

[killaalf 0]

I'm only into Lothering, but so far things are looking quite good indeed (story, background info, character interaction, etc.). Also struggling with combat a bit, as you said, if you put your party on "hold position" they stay put where you park them, but don't actively engage enemies. At all. Would have wished for more pause-options a lá BG2, where for example the game could be made to autopause if a targeted enemy was killed - automatically highlighting the character who was without a new target. As it is right now I'm constantly pausing/unpausing the game manually and as it has been quite some time since I last played what is essentially a turn-based RPG this is still a bit awkward. I'm slowly getting better at it though.

Have not delved too deeply into the tactics system yet, at the moment I use it mainly to have my characters quaff potions when their hitpoints and/or mana fall below a certain level.

[-RIP- Luhgnut 10]

I've found that you have to get the tactics setup right is the key to combat. and always have them slam a health potion below 25%. They should have that as a default.

My key to combat success is to zerg a single enemy. Pause the game, put everybody on selected Group (so when you switch you don't have to set it each time) then gang-rape whatever mob you're after. It works much better than selecting individual targets. It's a challenge but engrossing game. I've played nearly 18 hours, and I've looked at my total progress to finish.... 4%

Now that is a long game. Without even starting the DLC stuff.

[GoOB 0]

Had the game since release and I am loving it - The DLC is mostly air that they charge through the nose for, especially the Soldiers' Peak one. It's reportedly about one hour of gameplay.

As for the game itself, it really is great for any RPG fan. As close to a true successor to the Baldur's Gate series as possible in my opinion. The sidequests feel a bit too generic and too many of them are fetch-quests of the MMO variety. Combat is also a bit akward at times, positioning being the hardest thing to carry out correctly - I wish there was a setting in the tactics' menu to tell a character to try to flank and or backstab whenever possible. Minor inconveiences in the combat system aside, combat is most often engrossing and tactical.

[da12thMonkey 1770]

I was thinking of picking it up for the 360 for a change; are any of you lot playing it on console?

I've heard really good thing good things about it from players so far and BioWare are on a roll when it comes to making titles that I like: Mass Effect was pretty awesome and KOTOR rocked my world (I've played it through several times).

[killaalf 0]

Had the game since release and I am loving it - The DLC is mostly air that they charge through the nose for, especially the Soldiers' Peak one. It's reportedly about one hour of gameplay.

Bought my Digital Deluxe Edition (= includes most of the DLC released so far) from G2play.net for € 32,50 - it's now going for 28,50! Don't know about you, but I consider that a bargain.

[PrivateNoob 0]

Finally a game that not only lives up to the hype but surpasses it,

unlike another recently released...hmm....game. ;)

Im totally absorbed by Dragon Age!

Game of the year perhaps is not an outraging thought.

Although the collectors edition was not as loaded

as I thought it would be.

[GoOB 0]

Bought my Digital Deluxe Edition (= includes most of the DLC released so far) from G2play.net for € 32,50 - it's now going for 28,50! Don't know about you, but I consider that a bargain.

Sure, that's a good price - But 7 yankee dollars for an hour (or less, depending on how quick you are) of content isn't my image of a bargain. Soldiers' Peak is really alot like the "horse armour" of Dragon Age, the horse armour being a piece of overpriced DLC for Bethesdas Oblivion. I am also not a fan of how the DLC is more or less advertised in the game - An NPC stands about in the camp with an exclamation point over his head, one of the conversation options with him being:

"Hold on, I'll be right back (download new content)"

[Barely-injured 0]

How does it compare to Neverwinter nights 2 ?

I used to play BG2 long time ago and despite not finishing it, I still have a lot of found memories for it, the story was awesome, the music was beautiful and the characters were very interesting. For NVN 2 I haven't finished it either:o, but i guess because the main story is not that interesting and some characters are so one dimensional and annoying, although some others are interesting. However the biggest complaint I had was that you can only have a party of four which I felt sort of limited the tactical possibilities compared to BG2, but from what I saw in videos that seems to be the case with dragon age as well, correct?

[GoOB 0]

In my mind there's really no way to compare Dragon Age with NWN2, atleast not when it comes to the depth and quality of the story. Dragon Age is alot more consistent and offers characters that are alot less generic than the NWN2 ones - Some are rather flat and boring, I admit that, but most are rather well thought out and every single one of import has quality voice acting to go with. The overall storyline is also very engrossing, and there is alot of variety to the main quests I have finished so far - Also interesting to see that choices made in game actually make a difference, or a semblance thereof.

And yes, party size is still only four - But so far, I haven't found that to be a limiting factor. It makes battles challenging and it forces you to make some tough decisions in regards to how you want to fight, and what approach is suitable for each battle.

[Bulldogs 10]

NVN 1&2 are a lot like Diablo. Sure there's a story somewhere there, but it's not too interesting and it's better to focus on your next phat loot.

Dragon Age kinda has you thinking "Crap, I'm getting in combat, I don't want to fight, I just want to get on with the story!", but then when you're in combat it's so challenging that some battles can feel like you've just completely an hour long RTS battle, "Must kill more... wait, what was I doing again?"

[bascule42 10]

DA is a great game. There a few problems though. The biggest one for me is the PC crash, mainly with HD 3800 series cards. The game kinda crashes the graphics card itself. Screen goes black and you get a "no signal" on the monitor, which then needs a PC manual reset. The DLC is a bit of a nightmare too...stuff just disappearing, items and even the map icons - which you need to travel.

That said, I would still recommend this game. Someone said its the ArmA of RPG's. Spot on. The games is that good, you don't mind waiting for the fixes, (mostly).

The graphics look good, and the game runs brilliantly on medium spec PC's. Combat is great round based fun. You could play on easy and play "realtime", but that's no fun, anything higher and you need to pause the combat to plan your attacks, (or "run awaaay" moments). Melee and range combat works well, mages have some pretty good spells. The combat system is a bit simpler than Biowares usual AD&D based rule set which on some levels is a good thing. I ddin't mind pouring over stats and combat feedback, but this makes a change to not have to bother, and we still get the same kind of feel to the combat.

The story, where do I start. I read a lot of fiction, (mainly Pratchett & Iain M Banks), I'm never without a book to read. And I can honestly say, the story in DA is comparable to a good book. I actually give a shit about the characters and what happens to them, what they say. Im interested in their opinions. That's is something very rare for me in games these days. Sometime, as has been mentioned, the game gets in the way of the story.

Overall, this is one of the best games Ive bought this year. One of the best. I haven't forgot where I am. ;)

6 second video of my fave moment.

[Bulldogs 10]

Hah! Brilliant

I love all the little references like

Jason and the Argonauts, or the random scene with a farmer husband and wife finding a boy in a smoking crater and deciding to raise him as their own

I was having a major problem with Redcliffe castle. I was banging my head against the wall trying to kill two groups (the Mabari Hounds and the Revnant), couldn't kill either group no matter what I did. Got close on the Revnant once, but couldn't stand up against him, then I got the download content and after finishing that (in under 45 mins, bit short) with the armor and abilities from there, plus the bonus items, went back to Redcliffe and the place was 100 times easier.

[Daddl 10]

I was thinking of picking it up for the 360 for a change; are any of you lot playing it on console?

I've heard really good thing good things about it from players so far and BioWare are on a roll when it comes to making titles that I like: Mass Effect was pretty awesome and KOTOR rocked my world (I've played it through several times).

Well, you can't go wrong with Biosoft as far as RPGs are concerned. From what I saw so far the pc version and the console version differ quite a bit, so I'd think twice which version to get: the PC version has a more tactical gameplay while on the console it's more hack'n slash: easier fights and while you still can pause the game to give detailed orders it's neither constantly required nor as quick as on the pc. Oh, and as far as I know both versions are missing the event based auto-pause the old games had.

I'll still get it for the console first - if it's as good as I hope I might get it for the pc later, too, once I buy a new rig in 1-2 years.

[Bulldogs 10]

The only event based autopause I noticed is that you can set it to pause on entering combat, no on death pause or anything like that, but I see that as more of a challenge, forcing you to monitor the whole while micro-managing.

[Placebo 12]

I thought it was awesome up until I learned the combat was point and click "excel" fighting, can't stand that crap, went back to Risen :)

[Clavicula_nox4817 0]

A friend rented it for 360. He said that he would prefer PC controls and that the constant dog barking is driving him crazy. Other than that, he said the game was great.

[sickboy 12]

Not sure if it was said anywhere, but you can make your party members hold, by pressing the hold key, which is 'H'. It's a small button under your party members list.

Further Tactics settings determine the behaviour of the units. Where defensive and passive, will not make them move into the battle iirc.

Still probably some things left to improve in patches, but it seems to work for me.

I thought it was awesome up until I learned the combat was point and click "excel" fighting, can't stand that crap, went back to Risen :)

Haha, that was exactly the same thought and plan I had. I'm glad I stuck a little longer to it, and gave it some more time.

I'm actually enjoying it now tons and tons more than I ever did Risen, sure do miss ramming on the mouse keys for block and fighting, but the tactical and story telling thrills make up greatly for it :)

Edited November 13, 2009 by Sickboy

[-RIP- Luhgnut 10]

I thought it was awesome up until I learned the combat was point and click "excel" fighting, can't stand that crap, went back to Risen :)

Not really. It's not like Diablo for that matter. The combat is realtime with pause. Pause is your friend. You can let it run, select target and cast/attack. But with so much going on you can get all tangled up. So you hit pause. Select the character you want, select the target, then what you want it to do. Then do the same for next toon. Once you have it setup, you unpause and let it run. You can set default tactics for the other three toons while you're controlling one of the others, which go off, while unpaused.

I've gone through some battles and afterwards gone "Wow.... how'd I make it through that?" and other times, you get rolled. Then try different tactics and then slaughter what once rolled you.

The trick to combat is to understand ALL the spells your party can cast and in what order. For instance if someone casts an oil slick, then the wizard casts a fireball. The friendlies catch on fire as well. So you cast a spell that puts out the fires on your buddies. :)

[Bulldogs 10]

Most of the time combat is fine (rhyme unintentional) the problem I have is line of sight. Most of the time when mobs are out of LoS, regardless of what setting you have your party members on (range, defensive, cautious) at least one of them will run around the corner to get LoS even though you told them not to pursue or attack.

The other issue I get, at least with the human starter area, is that it's hard to find a healer. The only one I've found so far is the dark Mage with shapeshifting spec, I had to force her to heal which is a pity because she does some major spell damage.

[sickboy 12]

The other issue I get, at least with the human starter area, is that it's hard to find a healer.

Morigan should be able to at least heal, (she's the witch of the wild) ;) And otherwise Wynne in the Circle's Tower who's a Spirit Healer.

upd. Oh actually realizing that you probably meant Morigan with "Dark Mage" :D

In any case, if you set the Tactics to Healer or Custom configure one, she will heal automatically.

You can gain Tactics Slots with the Combat Tactics skill/stat during level up.

Edited November 13, 2009 by Sickboy

[kozzy420 10]

This is an amazing game, simply amazing.

The best rpg ive played in like 10 years to be honest.

Its my favorite game of the year, along with ARMA2 and Forza3.

[Nazul 10]

Ive just started playing, Im in the "netherworld" section. See that's my problem i dont read the story on screen, i dont even know the name of this bit, in the beginning? Is the game like this all the way through? Just pages of text to read on screen? Im thinking of going back to Risen too. Risen has a story but its quick and easy to follow and i prefer that style of action.

[Bulldogs 10]

It's mainly listening to characters talking. If you're not up for that then it's probably not the game for you. It's a very compelling story and there's a lot of good side stories and such but you have to have the patience for them.

On the plus side, if you do get bored you can usually pick just about anything (although sometimes it will mean you getting killed or losing party members for good), and there's usually an option for something like "I don't want to talk, let's keep moving", you can pretty much wing it through if you're just interested in the combat and loot, but you'll be selling yourself short.