DAO and DA2

Son of Loki

Turns out I had those in my Origin library and completely forgot about it.

Should I bother? If so why, if not why? I never really gave a toss about those games so I know next to nothing about that series. Except that you can bang a emo-esque but pretty hot sorceress.

Pole Dancer Impersonator

It was free a while back which explains why you picked it up and forgot about it. The game is really good so you should give it a try. If you like it you may want to pick the expansion. There is an ultimate edition with all the dlc (some are much better than others). There are mods as well to make the game a lot better. I did an evil run just to prove it could be done and it was really fun. I did pick the city elf origin but the dwarf commoner would have done as well. Last but not least there are ways you can be creative with your builds especially when it comes to rogues.

http://www.sorcerers.net/community/index.php?threads/dead-men-tell-no-tales-spoilers.51285/

Son of Loki

Actually, I fucked up -- I just took a look at Origin and I have DAO and DA2, not the original. Those must have come from a Humble Bundle because I also have Dead Space 2 and Mass Effect 2 which I have no recollection of ever buying. I think I have the original DAO for idiot box -- some former friend of mine forgot it and never claimed it back. Not sure where said idiot box is now and I have no wish to play a RPG on an idiot box either.

What about DA2, then? What would you compare the DA franchise to? And speaking of Dead Space 2 and Mass Effect 2 should I bother playing those too?

Pole Dancer Impersonator

DAO is the original Dragon Age game so you're good. Smile

You may enjoy DA2 especially if unlike me you don't compare it to the original. I think Tri should be the person to tell you more about it because frankly I never cared for it.

I tried really hard to get into Mass Effect, I should love these games but they just wear me down. That being said your experience may differ.

Don't play on the console though. Mods can really bring a lot to the table and it would be a pity to pass on some of them.

The link I've posted above is the one referring to my evil run through the game. The screenshots are gone and they were spoiler heavy so it's not really a problem but you may want to avoid paying too much attention to the details of the story and focus on the comments in between. Basically it should give you some perspective on the possibilities offered to an evil character in this game.

Son of Loki

Hah, don't worry, the idiot box is buried in my storage bins and I have no intentions of fishing it out, especially not to play a game I own on PC. The only game I bought on idiot box was Sacred 2 but that's because I played it with friends back in the day.

Ergh, Swine's Puke... well, I suppose I can plug my nose to avoid smelling the assholiness if it's for a good cause! And even funnier that despite not posting for years I am still on the "Notable Members" list... very telling of how bad this shitehole sucks

DAO and DA2 are downloading (and killing my internet speed... thanks shitty cable connection) so I'll give it a crack sometime this week. Let's see if the worthless do goody two shoes feel like chiming on the topic in the meanwhile.

Enlightened Viewer

In my humble opinion;

DAO could be described as a modern day Baldur's Gate.

DA2 is more akin to an action RPG.

cat

Son of Loki

Finally gave Origins a bash. So far, not very impressed, and can't say I am really enjoying it, but I will give it a proper crack.

I do like the scantily clad witch, though. Looking forward to banging her.

Pole Dancer Impersonator

Which origin did you pick? Human sucks. Knowing you I'd say go for either dwarf origins instead. Dwarf commoner is badass and the noble one is perfect for a smug bastard.

The elves origins are fine but more about being the underdog (which dwarf commoner does as well with a little more attitude).

The human noble is just the worst.

Enlightened Viewer

Dwarf commoner here. Thief and dual wielder.

Bed everyone - it's hilarious.

cat

Pole Dancer Impersonator

Agreed. I've played Dwarf Commoner with both Fighter and Rogue and I absolutely love this origin.

My favourite build is a Strength focused Rogue with a shield, skipping weapon talents to focus on Rogue stuff and with just enough Dexterity to get by (capping at 52 points for the expansion if it is in the picture, mid 30s without).

Heavy armours help a lot especially on nightmare difficulty (defence won't protect you when you're grabbed whereas armour will) and my experience has taught me that Rogues get a lot more use out of Rogue abilities than weapon talents (plus skipping those means you can get the most out of specialisations that may feel slightly redundant otherwise like Duellist for instance).

Catnip Purveyor

Dwarf Commoner was my favorite origin, too. I liked the fact that it casts the events in Orzammar later in the game in a much different light. I enjoyed playing a dual-wield warrior, which I found to be ridiculously overpowered, but much more fun than the lumbering two-handed warrior. I never even thought of trying a rogue with a shield.

It's a real shame the later games in the series stopped giving the player the option to create unique builds like that.

Pole Dancer Impersonator

Couldn't agree more. The sequels take away most of the choices in terms of builds. It seems devs and publishers are convinced they have to make games that require no thinking on the player's part to appeal to the crowds. Sure somebody who had absolutely no clue could screw up in BG but that was also an opportunity for players to learn the ropes. Nowadays games tend to assume that players are lazy and that we should be spoon fed rather than left with a chance to come up with something different.

The Strength Rogue is a perfect example of an odd build that works wonders in DAO. I've played with both Cunning and Dexterity builds and the Strength build is my favourite by far. You get more options when it comes to gear and you have much more staying power (and I mean much much more) without sacrificing the effectiveness of the character in the long run.

EDIT: I have some notes on this build from back in the days (plus I've been playing through the Commoner Dwarf origin back in December) and here they are if someone wants to give it a try.

Spoiler:

Son of Loki

Yeah, I went with human noble. It was indeed bollocks. Going to stick with this character for my first run and then I'll see about experimenting with other builds. Went with a dual-wielding tank.

About romances -- I see there seems to be a pretty bloody nice selection of lasses. At first I wanted the sexy witch, then along comes the equally sexy redhead. So, do I have to pick one and stick with my pick, or can I just Fallout 4 it and go poly?

Catnip Purveyor

Nope, you can't go poly in DA, or any of Bioware's games, afaik.

Son of Loki

Shite. Well, sexy witch it is then.

Pole Dancer Impersonator

You can still get away with bumping uglies with both. I don't remember the details. The witch is fast and loose so you can switch to the readhead once you're done with her. Basically you can lead them on right until one of them gives you the talk and asks you to choose.

Human noble is really crappy, if I were in your shoes I'd start over. I don't know how many runs you're planning but one dwarf and one elf are the essential runs.

What I did back then was play all origins before picking which one I should follow through. Non human origins are miles above human origins.

As far as mods are concerned Dragon Age Redesigned (lore version) and Improved Atmosphere are two mods that will make the game look a lot better even on a first run (the only spoilers are the faces of companions in the DA redesigned mod).

In any case human noble is the least interesting way to play the game and the only one I never finished the game as (and I finished it numerous times). It's that bad (and bland) compared to the rest.

Enlightened Viewer

I haven't played as a male, only a female, but you can bed more than one person. There are dialogues for this situation. I have romanced and bedded 3 people in one playthrough.

cat

Pole Dancer Impersonator

Indeed but there comes a point when they make you choose (just like in Mass Effect). I've played male and female characters and two romance NPCs go both ways (the witch is actually straight).

There is something to be said about playing a horny dwarf who gets into the pants of of all the ladies (and the elf) in the camp. Laughing

Seriously though if you really want to see how a romance plays out then it's worthwhile to stick with it and as much as I like the redhead I have to say that the witch gets the more mileage in the end (I won't go into spoilers).

Son of Loki

I can get away with banging both lasses? That's more like it! Very Happy

I don't really feel like starting over again. I am still very much on the fence, it's not a bad game, but it's not a great game either, at least from what I have seen of it. I'll still see this run through to the end, but this is a possible contender for "play once and forget about it".

Though, to be fair it seems that there's some potential to be an arsewipe -- I couldn't help but grin at a certain line -- "I heard you are making a killing. Well so am I!" and then promptly slicing his throat Very Happy

Pole Dancer Impersonator

Then the more reason to start over as a Dwarf Commoner and enjoy the hell out of what the game has to offer!

There are plenty of opportunities to roleplay a total jerk (and it is really fun).

If you're only playing this once then don't waste your time on the crappy human... Grow some facial hair, get a brand on your face (the mark of casteless commoners in Orzammar) and be a manly dwarf instead! Smile

Enlightened Viewer

I repeat my earlier endorsement:

Bed everyone - it's hilarious.

cat

Pole Dancer Impersonator

And good advice it is. Smile

Son of Loki

Already banged the witch, the redhead is next on the list, and that will be it. Got no interest in going both ways -- the only kind of two way I enjoy is Fun-size going at it with another lass Very Happy

Played a bit more, and that Fade puzzle was a real buzzkiller for me. Especially having to put that bloody demon down 4 times before he finally croaks. I don't mind puzzles, I played the Lufia games which are very puzzle-heavy but this sequence was just a bloody test of patience and not a very enjoyable one at that.

Pole Dancer Impersonator

It's so annoying that there is a mod for it:

http://www.nexusmods.com/dragonage/mods/816/?

I must have played through the fade at least three times before getting this mod, I never looked back.

Son of Loki

Ah, wish I knew aboot that mod earlier -- would have saved me a lot of rage quits and nearly uninstalling the bloody game!

I'm further down the story, and I have to say, it's kind of nice that you can pick and choose your allies. I didn't like that arsewipe elf and letting the werewolves tear the entire tribe to shreds was very satisfying. I'm in Orzammar now, and I'm helping Bhelen -- sure, he might be a prick, and an evil bastard, but rather have a leader that will lead the city in a new age of prosperity rather than one who will remain in statu quo and then die a year later so the city is back at the starting point. I can see how having Dwarven origins would change that part, though.

It's kind of fun to watch the witch and the redhead bicker back and forth and throw barbs at each other Laughing

I'm focusing on the redhead right now, and I am at aboot 40 approval with her. I'm at 100 approval with the witch, but she doesn't really seem to want to move things along, so eh, whatever, I'll wait for her to get in my face and ask me to choose. And my choice prolly will be the redhead, I'm kind of growing fond of her, as she reminds me of someone.