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General discussion (archive)Dragon Age 2 review is lulzy(202 posts)(202 posts)
(202 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted March 11, 2011
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orcishgamer: What you just described is actually worse than any MMO I've ever played.
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Red_Avatar: At least MMOs span across more than a single location and have decent crafting usually.
That's why I was saying that. Even more, a few have the decency not to spawn adds right in your face, at least not while you're already in combat.
Posted March 11, 2011
Quite hilarious thread over at BSN, mostly trolls being trolls but turned out to be quite comical.

http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/6470785/1

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Red_Avatar: At least MMOs span across more than a single location and have decent crafting usually.
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orcishgamer: That's why I was saying that. Even more, a few have the decency not to spawn adds right in your face, at least not while you're already in combat.
The way the adds drop into combat was what really killed this game for me. They expect us to take this game seriously when adds are dropping out of the sky like they had some sort of personal teleport device?
Post edited March 11, 2011 by StonerMk2
Posted March 11, 2011
I played the Torchlight demo on XBox Live last night, mostly because I was curious to see how they'd ported it. While they had some minor, UI improvements, I didn't think it was better and I'm pretty sure it can be had for less than 15 bucks on PC these days.

But that's not the point, now that I think about it, the point is, the combat almost makes me feel the same way I did in the DA2 demo. I mean, I've heard "action RPG" before, but there's action RPG and there's the Torchlight level of action RPG (those who've played Torchlight and Titan Quest both maybe can understand what I'm talking about here).

Now, don't get me wrong, I liked Torchlight for what it was. I found it dull and without purpose all too soon, but maybe for 20 bucks the main story was deep enough.

If, and this is a big if, I took the really "trite" (maybe this is an unkind word), simple combat from Torchlight, and wrapped it up in a better story (I mean, complain if you want about DA2's story, it seems deeper than your average action RPG story, if we're calling it a action RPG, which doesn't mean it can't be criticized, I'm just saying there's more there), added the AAA release bells and whistles (promise of DLC, some minor, premium stuff for preorders, etc.) is that what we've got here? Is that mixture so incompatible that it just can't be good? Is it a rip-off? Would we feel the same way if this is what we got as Torchlight 2 (just swap out DA2 graphics for the TL cartoony ones)? What about as a completely new property?

I'm just musing here.

I still want to know if there's anything to these "paid off reviewers" accusations.
Posted March 11, 2011
So how many of the rabid anti-DRM crowd pre-ordered/bought DA2 and continued to support EA and their deceptive business practices and dedication to draconian DRM schemes (which they don't even disclose)? Let's see...

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StingingVelvet: After 4 hours or so I have to say the game was streamlined, tactical combat is there but feels a little forced, but God damn this game is awesome anyway. Great visuals, great fights, great story... if you like Bioware games I can't imagine not liking this. If you hate Bioware games you will hate this even more probably, it's like Bioware essence in a DVD case.
Figured. Hypocrisy at it's finest. I'll say it again, no matter what platform you buy their crap on you support such practices with your wallet.
Post edited March 11, 2011 by Metro09
Posted March 11, 2011
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StingingVelvet: After 4 hours or so I have to say the game was streamlined, tactical combat is there but feels a little forced, but God damn this game is awesome anyway. Great visuals, great fights, great story... if you like Bioware games I can't imagine not liking this. If you hate Bioware games you will hate this even more probably, it's like Bioware essence in a DVD case.
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Metro09: Figured. Hypocrisy at it's finest. I'll say it again, no matter what platform you buy their crap on you support such practices with your wallet.
While what you say is true, picking on StingingVelvet isn't necessary, he's explained his mindset and admitted to its shortcomings several times.

I hope I don't come off like a jerk-off for saying that. I'm not intending it in any such manner.
Post edited March 11, 2011 by orcishgamer
Posted March 11, 2011
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Metro09: Figured. Hypocrisy at it's finest. I'll say it again, no matter what platform you buy their crap on you support such practices with your wallet.
Since when is StingingVelvet one of the "rabid anti-DRM crowd"?
Posted March 11, 2011
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Metro09: Figured. Hypocrisy at it's finest. I'll say it again, no matter what platform you buy their crap on you support such practices with your wallet.
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Delixe: Since when is StingingVelvet one of the "rabid anti-DRM crowd"?
Trying to figure that out myself. I see nothing DRM related in his post.
Posted March 11, 2011
If they didn't disclose it, how do you expect anyone is going to avoid it?
Posted March 11, 2011
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Coelocanth: If they didn't disclose it, how do you expect anyone is going to avoid it?
I think the activation requirement for DA2 was well known.

StingingVelvet has made it clear that while he doesn't like activation it's not a deal breaker for him.
Posted March 11, 2011
Say, does anyone know if "Yahtzee" Croshaw is going to finish his DN3D TC?
Posted March 12, 2011
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Coelocanth: If they didn't disclose it, how do you expect anyone is going to avoid it?
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orcishgamer: I think the activation requirement for DA2 was well known.

StingingVelvet has made it clear that while he doesn't like activation it's not a deal breaker for him.
My mistake. I thought instead of general DRM, Metro09 was talking specifically about BioWare/Ea's "We don't use SecuROM, but pay no attention to the SecuROM behind the curtain" tactic.
Posted March 12, 2011
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Delixe: Since when is StingingVelvet one of the "rabid anti-DRM crowd"?
People seem to associate my dislike of Steam as being anti-DRM, which really has nothing to do with it. I just find the client annoying and worry about them taking over the market.

I have explained this to Metro09 several times and responded to his continued baiting of me but he never replies to my reply, so I guess he doesn't actually want to come to an understanding, just troll me.

My position on DRM is and has been for quite some time: it's irrelevant, so I treat it as irrelevant.
Posted March 12, 2011
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orcishgamer: I played the Torchlight demo on XBox Live last night, mostly because I was curious to see how they'd ported it. While they had some minor, UI improvements, I didn't think it was better and I'm pretty sure it can be had for less than 15 bucks on PC these days.

But that's not the point, now that I think about it, the point is, the combat almost makes me feel the same way I did in the DA2 demo. I mean, I've heard "action RPG" before, but there's action RPG and there's the Torchlight level of action RPG (those who've played Torchlight and Titan Quest both maybe can understand what I'm talking about here).

Now, don't get me wrong, I liked Torchlight for what it was. I found it dull and without purpose all too soon, but maybe for 20 bucks the main story was deep enough.

If, and this is a big if, I took the really "trite" (maybe this is an unkind word), simple combat from Torchlight, and wrapped it up in a better story (I mean, complain if you want about DA2's story, it seems deeper than your average action RPG story, if we're calling it a action RPG, which doesn't mean it can't be criticized, I'm just saying there's more there), added the AAA release bells and whistles (promise of DLC, some minor, premium stuff for preorders, etc.) is that what we've got here? Is that mixture so incompatible that it just can't be good? Is it a rip-off? Would we feel the same way if this is what we got as Torchlight 2 (just swap out DA2 graphics for the TL cartoony ones)? What about as a completely new property?

I'm just musing here.

I still want to know if there's anything to these "paid off reviewers" accusations.
I know there's been a shitstorm of misdirection, accusations and the like on both sides of the fight for the hearts and minds of Dragon Age Fans. I just wanted to add my input as someone who played the first numerous times and is 3/4 the through the second. As a Caveat, I have played through both at normal difficulty. The biggest improvement IMHO is the combat pacing, There is room for tactical combat, but there is less complete reliance on mage healing and micromanagement on support units. The two handed warrior build now feels like a real powerhouse, and while the animations can seem over the top, they aren't really bad once you get used to them. The key gripe on the other hand, is the centralization of everything. You travel throughout a big city many times, and occasionally a few outdoor locations. The writing suffered somewhat, but it is not as debased as some would say. The decision to make Hawke a more defined character plays off the strongest point of interest in origins, the origin. Although focused on one family, it gives a sense of identity that the backgrounds lost when they were the grey warden. It also runs about 5x better on my aging computer. In the release state, I'd give it a 7.5, with the potential to become better with some expansions that would hopefully expand the scope of the game's region a bit more.

PS I wholeheartedly endorse the bringing back of Anders as the resident healbitch, and Isabellla is a disease ridden harlot. That is all.
Posted March 12, 2011
I reinstalled the first Dragon Age and started to replay it for the last few hours and wow, how can people be so blind to think DA2 is not a dumbed down, simplified experience is beyond me.

I forgot you could pick skills like herbalism, traps, etc. -- all gone in DA2.

And the the game itself promotes the free floating camera, calling it "tactically superior" in the tutorial - ironic, isn't it. But so many little touches show that the first game was really made with a great attention to detail - the voices feel more polished, the dialog more engaging and fluent, the world feels more real and it just feels ... better. It wasn't my imagination then, when DA2 felt like a beta version because the content has so many rough corners and feels so disconnected as a whole.
Posted March 12, 2011
Ok, I just got the "Signature Edition" in post. The game was $60, which is exactly the same price as the regular edition. All the scalpers on marketplace sites are selling the "Signature Edition" for upwards of $105. If the "Signature Edition" is just "Hi, thanks from Bioware for pre-ordering the game, and not cancelling said pre-order when you heard about DRM. We're going to reward you with free passes to the launch DLC and an official, but downloadable only, soundtrack.", then there's not much incentive for buying a scalped version for anything higher than $70. I mean, that's about as much as the launch DLC costs, plus the cost of the game itself. You can buy the regular version and the launch DLC, and have all the content of the "Signature Edition" right there.

Not really as impressive as the Origins "Collector's Edition", with the tin and the cloth map. I can only guess what the Mass Effect 3 "Better than Regular" edition is going to be like, if they choose to make one at all. Looks like the series is beginning to peter out.
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This is my favourite topic
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General discussion (archive)Dragon Age 2 review is lulzy(202 posts)(202 posts)
(202 posts)