Support NeoGAF

[gregor7777]

Is Dragon Age : Origins would be good introduction for me in the RPG (with a party) category. I've been enjoying RPG and MMO for while, but always incertain about ones where I have to controls more than 1 character. Is it accessible to someone new to this style of RPG or only for the hardcore who played BG?

Definitely not just for the hardcore. But if you've never played a game where you need to tend to more than one character, you may be overwhelmed at first. Hard to say.

 

[Vinci]

Is Dragon Age : Origins would be good introduction for me in the RPG (with a party) category. I've been enjoying RPG and MMO for while, but always incertain about ones where I have to controls more than 1 character. Is it accessible to someone new to this style of RPG or only for the hardcore who played BG?

If you can afford it, grab it right now and play on Easy difficulty till you've got a grasp on how the game works and how to manage the additional characters. If you can't, wait till it's on the cheap and do the same thing.

 

[charsace]

Heh, has this been posted yet?

BioWare RPG Cliche Chart.

Very funny (and obviously full of spoilers for every game they've ever made).

You can apply a lot of those to most RPG out there.

 

[AIRic]

Thanks for the answers. I think I'll buy it this weekend since It got high praise everywhere. I'm still undecided between this game and Risen. The latter is interesting me mostly because of the sense of exploration it seems to have. Can you say the same about DA:O? I like exploring the forest and finding caverns, dungeons, and some enemies that give you a fight and some good rewards. I'm not a loot whore, but it does improve my experience in a RPG.

 

[Basileus777]

Is

Spoiler

Oghren joining you supposed to be automatic? I'm at the dead trenches and I haven't seen him yet. Did I miss him?

 

[Spirit of Jazz]

Shatters are supposed to happen on critical hits. Maybe your Warrior is getting more of those?

Right, Rogues backstab so will rare get crits. That said the duelist gets an ability that has them only land crits for a period of time and given Morg focuses on ice magic...

Am loving the game but I really wish Sten got two specialisation points Shale too but maybe that's because I'm a little greedy.

 

[Doytch]

Yeah it's way more palatable to someone who hasn't played this kind of game than any of the D&D games. My main problem with it (lack of transparency in the combat system) - and one that a lot of people here have echoed - doesn't even factor into the equation if you're not used to D&D games where all that info is given to you. Get it and enjoy.

Question regarding Morrigan spell choice: I was debating whether to get Blizzard last night. I get the feeling that working around the FF would be a chore, especially if the AOE effect is decently sized. Cone of cold FF is managed easily, but I'm not so sure about Blizzard. Would I need to CC a group first? Sleep->Hex->Horror->Blizzard?

 

[angelfly]

Definitely not just for the hardcore. But if you've never played a game where you need to tend to more than one character, you may be overwhelmed at first. Hard to say.

I'm playing through the game like I always play through the KOTORs. Everyone besides me gets auto-leveled.

 

[Durante]

BioWare RPG Cliche Chart.

Very funny (and obviously full of spoilers for every game they've ever made).

The sad thing is that NWN1 could only have been better had they followed the chart more closely. (Note that I haven't looked at the DA column)

Thanks for the answers. I think I'll buy it this weekend since It got high praise everywhere. I'm still undecided between this game and Risen. The latter is interesting me mostly because of the sense of exploration it seems to have. Can you say the same about DA:O?

Short answer: No.
Exploration is one of Risen's strongest points, and probably DA's weakest. Most areas in DA are very linear.

 

[bjaelke]

Is

Spoiler

Oghren joining you supposed to be automatic? I'm at the dead trenches and I haven't seen him yet. Did I miss him?

He joined me

Spoiler

when I went looking for Branka in the Deep Roads, Orzammar

.

 

[Doytch]

He joined me

Spoiler

when I went looking for Branka in the Deep Roads, Orzammar

.

First time I talked to him I didn't outright dismiss him, but he told me to fuck off and won't talk to me anymore. Did I lose?

(He got mad at me since I was doing Bhelen's quest.)

 

[Basileus777]

He joined me

Spoiler

when I went looking for Branka in the Deep Roads, Orzammar

.

I think it may be a bug.

Spoiler

I talked to some dwarf in the Diamond quarter who acts like I just saw him argue with Oghren, but I never saw that happen. And Oghren never spawned outside of the entrance to the deep roads.

 

[bjaelke]

First time I talked to him I didn't outright dismiss him, but he told me to fuck off and won't talk to me anymore. Did I lose?

(He got mad at me since I was doing Bhelen's quest.)

I got the same response but managed to persuade him.

 

[Doytch]

I got the same response but managed to persuade him.

Hmm, weird. I have maxed coercion and high cunning.

 

[Killthee]

No, I didnt enjoy it much. But I did LOVE Mass Effect.

I'm at the first town on my main character and I've finished 2 origin stories with 2 other characters and so far the game is feeling like KOTOR with a new skin/story. Don't go into this game expecting Mass Effect because IMO its nothing like it.

 

[Basileus777]

First time I talked to him I didn't outright dismiss him, but he told me to fuck off and won't talk to me anymore. Did I lose?

(He got mad at me since I was doing Bhelen's quest.)

Where did you talk to him?

 

[Ventrue]

Heh, has this been posted yet?

BioWare RPG Cliche Chart.

Very funny (and obviously full of spoilers for every game they've ever made).

It's a bit weak. An insightful Bioware cliche chart would be something like "The 'good' female betrays you and dons an outfit of black leather," "One ending features you being applauded by a crowd of people, and the other is you taking over the empire," "Main villain goes MAD WITH POWER."

None of these are necessarily applicable to DA:O by the way.

EDIT:

I'm at the first town on my main character and I've finished 2 origin stories with 2 other characters and so far the game is feeling like KOTOR with a new skin/story. Don't go into this game expecting Mass Effect because IMO its nothing like it.

This game is a lot more BGII than it is KOTOR. It's interesting you'd say that actually; in my mind, ME is basically KOTOR minus Star Wars.

I'd also say that DAO is a lot like ME in its cutscenes/dialogue. But the gameplay is distinctly BG.

 

[NewLib]

I think it may be a bug.

Spoiler

I talked to some dwarf in the Diamond quarter who acts like I just saw him argue with Oghren, but I never saw that happen. And Oghren never spawned outside of the entrance to the deep roads.

Edit: I didnt realize he didnt show up.

 

[Doytch]

Where did you talk to him?

In Tapsters. He mentioned some stuff about Branka, I wasn't a total asshole about it, but he told me to fuck off. Now he just says "Sod off Duster" when I click him. I've gone to the Deep Roads (only had one location, the one with the Dace family dude in it) since then, though. Do I need to pick a side in the Assembly bit first?

 

[-tetsuo-]

Playing an all melee party in Haven right now. Not easy.

 

[bjaelke]

In Tapsters. He mentioned some stuff about Branka, I wasn't a total asshole about it, but he told me to fuck off. Now he just says "Sod off Duster" when I click him. I've gone to the Deep Roads (only had one location, the one with the Dace family dude in it) since then, though. Do I need to pick a side in the Assembly bit first?

Weren't you doing the Bhelen quest (and thereby sided with him)?

 

[-Mikey-]

Question about Magic.

I got Wynne recently and have been pumping her magic. The idea was she could cast big heals on my tank. Either I'm putting points in the wrong attribute or the spell Heal isn't affected by Magic.

Do I need to invest points in Magic for the person being healed or will it always be a flat out +50 healing spell?

 

[Domcorleone]

Which version is better? I'm thinking about picking this up, I dont want to play it on the PC so thats out of the question. I hear PS3 looks better but 360 has better framerate, is this so? Thanks in advance

 

[Masta_Killah]

Heh, has this been posted yet?

BioWare RPG Cliche Chart.

Very funny (and obviously full of spoilers for every game they've ever made).

Eh, a lot of developers have a pattern for their games (Bethesda for example).

 

[Basileus777]

Well I guess I can't get Oghren. I suppose I could load from an earlier save, but I'd have to replay 5+ hours and I don't think it's worth it.

 

[-tetsuo-]

Anyone know what type of gift Alister likes?

 

[LCfiner]

It's a bit weak. An insightful Bioware cliche chart would be something like "The 'good' female betrays you and dons an outfit of black leather," "One ending features you being applauded by a crowd of people, and the other is you taking over the empire," "Main villain goes MAD WITH POWER."

None of these are necessarily applicable to DA:O by the way.

EDIT:

This game is a lot more BGII than it is KOTOR. It's interesting you'd say that actually; in my mind, ME is basically KOTOR minus Star Wars.

I'd also say that DAO is a lot like ME in its cutscenes/dialogue. But the gameplay is distinctly BG.

Mass Effect was going for a stronger shooter vibe than kotor. Yes, it was still die rolls behind the scenes but they encouraged you to play it like a squad based shooter with powerups. They've tried to emphasize this even more with the sequel.

Kotor, otoh, was more obviously a traditional d&d game with a new skin. DA on consoles has much more in common with kotor than mass effect. From combat to character interaction.

All three are great, though

 

[Basileus777]

Anyone know what type of gift Alister likes?

He likes those statues/carvings you can find.

 

[Fredescu]

I'm over 50 hours and the party banter is still throwing out suprises. Amazing.

 

[Einbroch]

Console versions aren't gimped. They don't have isometric view, but that's because that view favours mouse control and may be more graphically demanding. It's fun to play in 3rd person even on the PC.

As for graphics, 360 version has worse textures than PS3, PS3 version has worse framerate than 360, but both are apparently fine to play. If people could enjoy Mass Effect at the 360 framerate (I did), they can enjoy Dragon Age Origins on the PS3.

Ah, thank you very much. Just picked up a PS3 last week and I need me some games!

Probably will head out tonight to pick this bad boy up.

 

[Anerythristic]

I am a little upset.

Has anyone had real difficulty going late game with a dual dagger Rogue?

I would have to start putting points into strength for long swords and axes, wouldn't I?

 

[Doytch]

Well I guess I can't get Oghren. I suppose I could load from an earlier save, but I'd have to replay 5+ hours and I don't think it's worth it.

I think I have the same thing, considering he never showed up outside the Deep Roads like he was supposed to. If I go in there again and he doesn't show up, I'll just add him to the party through console commands (which is what other people who had it bug out did).

 

[gregor7777]

I am a little upset.

Has anyone had real difficulty going late game with a dual dagger Rogue?

I would have to start putting points into strength for long swords and axes, wouldn't I?

I believe there's a hotfix for that issue out there.

 

[water_wendi]

The sad thing is that NWN1 could only have been better had they followed the chart more closely. (Note that I haven't looked at the DA column)

Neverwinter Nights started my most hated Bioware legacy.. getting the x things from x places. FFS i hate that shit.. even in DA. First off it gives you and idea of how long the game is since you know once you get the 4th of the 4th places done you are coming to a finish. Worse still it forces the game to flow unnaturally.

 

[Basileus777]

I think I have the same thing, considering he never showed up outside the Deep Roads like he was supposed to. If I go in there again and he doesn't show up, I'll just add him to the party through console commands (which is what other people who had it bug out did).

What's the command to add Oghren?

 

[Woo-Fu]

I am a little upset.

Has anyone had real difficulty going late game with a dual dagger Rogue?

I would have to start putting points into strength for long swords and axes, wouldn't I?

If the game was working as intended you'd still want a mix of dex and str even if you were going to stick to daggers only, as the intention was for them to be half dex/half strength. With the bug they're all strength.

There is a fix posted on their community site to make daggers half str/half dex---if it actually works---but it won't do anything about you having ignored strength all this time.

 

[Doytch]

What's the command to add Oghren?

Apparently, you're supposed to see him arguing with someone in the Diamond District and he gets added to your party without you knowing. So try "runscript selectparty" and see if he's there first. If you want to force him into your group, use "runscript zz_addparty Oghren" (though it might be lowercase Oghren).

 

[Woo-Fu]

Ogrhen gets added in the pc version if you go into the deep trails in search of you know who without him.

Spoiler

he gets added to your crew there and when you head into the anvil he gets forced into your current party, regardless of how useless a 2handed melee character is at that point in time.

 

[water_wendi]

If the game was working as intended you'd still want a mix of dex and str even if you were going to stick to daggers only, as the intention was for them to be half dex/half strength. With the bug they're all strength.

There is a fix posted on their community site to make daggers half str/half dex---if it actually works---but it won't do anything about you having ignored strength all this time.

Sure it would. It would .5 more than they are doing right now since atm it ignores all Dexterity instead of half.

 

[Woo-Fu]

Sure it would. It would .5 more than they are doing right now since atm it ignores all Dexterity instead of half.

Well yeah, it would make dex more important to daggers, but my point was it wouldn't do anything about his low strength. I figure there will be a $20 DLC somewhere in the near future that has a mystic respec NPC/quest.

 

[Anerythristic]

If the game was working as intended you'd still want a mix of dex and str even if you were going to stick to daggers only, as the intention was for them to be half dex/half strength. With the bug they're all strength.

There is a fix posted on their community site to make daggers half str/half dex---if it actually works---but it won't do anything about you having ignored strength all this time.

No, nobody said that :lol My Str. is maybe six points below my Dex. So on the next level up I will put two points, or maybe all of it into Str. Thanks.

Edit : I don't have the ability to jump in and grab a hotfix. I have to wait for a damn ofiicial console patch.

 

[Basileus777]

Ogrhen gets added in the pc version if you go into the deep trails in search of you know who without him.

Spoiler

he gets added to your crew there and when you head into the anvil he gets forced into your current party, regardless of how useless a 2handed melee character is at that point in time.

I went there, and an invisible Oghren was talking. He wasn't available in the party select screen. I tried adding him through the console, but I get stuck with an Oghren I can't remove from my party.

Edit: I used the console to get him, but there's two Oghren's in my party select screen. I guess this will have to do. :lol

 

[Doytch]

The fix basically helps melee rogues who focused much more on dex than str or cun+lethality. It does a lot more to help archers though. Gonna try it out tonight, and start working through the stealth line so I can get combat stealth + guaranteed crits.

 

[Zeliard]

Neverwinter Nights started my most hated Bioware legacy.. getting the x things from x places. FFS i hate that shit.. even in DA. First off it gives you and idea of how long the game is since you know once you get the 4th of the 4th places done you are coming to a finish. Worse still it forces the game to flow unnaturally.

I don't think it's that bad. In those four main quests, several other smaller quests (not side quests, but ones that have to do with the main plot) come out of them, so it's not like you're just going down some line of 4 main quests to the end. It's more organic than that. It tells you to gather armies from different places, but several different things go into accomplishing that.

I think it's okay - since the game isn't open-world, and the environments are fairly linear, giving you the big main quests right when you hit the world map is a good alternative way of offering player choice. I prefer that to forcing the player to start with Redcliffe, and then off to another specific, chosen-for-you place.

 

[bengraven]

* Some of the large areas really remind me of KOTOR. The area north of that first village (Lothering) reminds me strongly of Dantooine. I keep expecting to go over a hill and find a group of Mandalorians, not bandits or wolves. I LOVE these large areas.

* Morrigan and Alistair need to just fuck and get it over as well. It's obvious they have something going on...I almost feel bad for romancing her. I feel like he's muttering in his sleep at night like a jealous best friend.

* These are my favorite RPG characters in a very long time. Good job Bioware. You have succeeded in my book.

 

[Duress]

Those are some tough decisions near the end of the game. I sat there for a couple of minutes thinking about each one. Guess I can't make everyone happy :/

 

[Zeliard]

* Morrigan and Alistair need to just fuck and get it over as well. It's obvious they have something going on...I almost feel bad for romancing her. I feel like he's muttering in his sleep at night like a jealous best friend.

If you sleep with both it's almost like they fucked by proxy.

Spoiler

not sure if you can with both in one playthrough

 

[Psy-Phi]

Those are some tough decisions near the end of the game. I sat there for a couple of minutes thinking about each one. Guess I can't make everyone happy :/

C'est la vie. A bit too much like the real world in that regard it seems .

Got my freak on with Morrigan, and she still won't teach e Shapeshifting...stupid B! I'm gonna make her hate me with the quickness if she keeps being snooty about it.

 

[-tetsuo-]

Man I hope I haven't run into a bug. I'm in Haven temple and I picked up A key earlier. Now I'm at a locked door that says I need a key to continue D:

 

[Tadale]

Strange bug at the end of the long quest in Orzammar, concerns Branka:

Spoiler

I decided to destroy the anvil, and Branka attacked me. At one point during the fight, two more Brankas spawned in along with all the other golems that were attacking. I lost.