The casual gamer rule set by the sound of it. Any solo RPG should be better than a MMO at drawing the player in and telling a story. MMO’s are made for many players; they cannot come to a conclusion. Solo rpg’s are made for you as the main protagonist and can end till the next game is released. So any solo rpg that does not do a better job than a MMO in terms of making you feel part of the story and telling a great story has really missed the boat.
I picked up DA:O as soon as i saw Bioware were making it, luckily i got the early access gift So I installed it and then got teh Wardens keep DLC. I have been hammering away at it like a dwarf hammering Lyrium, and have been having a blast, I like how the quest line kind of 'holds you hand' but then you find a mash of other stuff that you need your brain to figure out (summing ritual in Circle, Dead Legion in Dwarf, etc) Even now I still stop what I am doing, click into the relevant section and try and figure out the quest.
I also like thats its possible to totally spanner your group by not completing subquests (the Sten quest for example)
My "spanner" was cutting the assassin's throat rather than showing some mercy (bit out of character really :P). Still I will re-play the game, live and learn as they say
In BG you paid for your mistakes and you learned from them In DA who cares if your party dies, no emotional investment at all.
Nah, in BG, you saved the game, and just reloaded if too many party members died. DA does away with this unnecessary downtime. And in DA, when party members "awake" after falling in combat, they have permanent, stackable injuries that lower stats, and must be removed.
The "legendary" RPGs stopped being made by around 1990. The Wizardry series, Ultima series, those are truly legendary games.
It's so offensive to me to put the Baldur's Gate name out there, in an OBVIOUS attempt to bring in sales from old school gamers, then you don't even live up to the old school name by having game mechanics that make no fukking sense and are NOT old school. shame on bioware for this abomination, it could have been a worthy successor to Baldur's Gate, but its clearly not.
I have been playing CRPGs for 25+ years. BG 1 and 2 were great games (not nearly the best) and DA, IMO, most certainly is a worthy spiritual successor to them, in every way and more.
To say that Dragon age copied anything from WoW is just plain moronic...and your parents should bar you from the infernetz moronz....
Why do you want Mike Laidlaw, Lead Designer of Dragon Age to get of the internet.
Mike next talked about what elements from MMOs Dragon Age took and how they used certain tools to make the player feel comfortable in the game. Mike explained that anyone making a fantasy game in today's marketplace cannot ignore MMOs and World of Warcraft specifically. He said that you are always competing against that juggernaut. He explained that what early MMOs gave WoW was the common user interface that all players have grown accustomed to. In the same way that Quake set the stage for FPS games, WoW has standardized the interface used to play RPG games. That interface was translated into Dragon Age specifically to make the player feel comfortable with the game. This way, players can dive right into the action and feel comfortable and confident. They can then go on to experience the more in depth parts of the game like story, the world, and character development.
To say that Dragon age copied anything from WoW is just plain moronic...and your parents should bar you from the infernetz moronz....
Why do you want Mike Laidlaw, Lead Designer of Dragon Age to get of the internet.
Mike next talked about what elements from MMOs Dragon Age took and how they used certain tools to make the player feel comfortable in the game. Mike explained that anyone making a fantasy game in today's marketplace cannot ignore MMOs and World of Warcraft specifically. He said that you are always competing against that juggernaut. He explained that what early MMOs gave WoW was the common user interface that all players have grown accustomed to. In the same way that Quake set the stage for FPS games, WoW has standardized the interface used to play RPG games. That interface was translated into Dragon Age specifically to make the player feel comfortable with the game. This way, players can dive right into the action and feel comfortable and confident. They can then go on to experience the more in depth parts of the game like story, the world, and character development.
The way I read this is:
Mike next talked about what elements from MMOs Dragon Age took and how they used certain tools to make the player feel comfortable in the game. Mike explained that anyone making a fantasy game in today's marketplace cannot ignore MMOs and World of Warcraft specifically. He said that you are always competing against that juggernaut. He explained that what early MMOs gave WoW was the common user interface that all players have grown accustomed to. In the same way that Quake set the stage for FPS games, WoW has standardized the interface used to play RPG games. That interface was translated into Dragon Age specifically to make the player feel comfortable with the game. This way, players can dive right into the action and feel comfortable and confident. They can then go on to experience the more in depth parts of the game like story, the world, and character development.
Which means that WoW got its interface from the combined contributions of earlier MMO's and its contribution was to Standardise it, make it popular.
Hence, saying that Bioware copied WoW even in its Interface is false and inaccurate because it was not WoW's invention to begin with.
And last I checked using a Standard is the smart thing to do, why try to re-invent the wheel.
Therefore, Bioware in this passage is paying homage to WoW and Blizzard for establishing a standard which permited them to use for their own game.
It is courtesy, in my perception.
---
On a different note, while I beleive that Story in a Solo RPG is crucial and that Bioware has up to now been one of the greatest Creators of Solo RPG's...I do not agree that this same concept would apply to an MMORPG.
If for instance Dragon Age was an MMORPG instead of a Solo RPG...I would not be playing it, simply because it would feel like a Solo RPG game...why pay a sub to play such a game..first of all, and second, an MMORPG is about interaction and Adventuring within the RPG element with other players...not NPC's screaming the Story to every player individually and separatly...
I just feel that the MMORPG genre has been Invaded by the Solo RPG players who want to play an MMORPG for 4-6 months and reach the end of the story and the Character progression in that span of time and then move to the next MMORPG...
I feel the genre has lost its way and its essence...plain and simple.
- Duke Suraknar - Order of the Silver Star, OSS
ESKA, Playing MMORPG's since Ultima Online 1997 - Order of the Silver Serpent, Atlantic Shard
Bioware clearly is one of the best in doing fantasy. I would rather give my money to Bioware because I know I'll be getting a quality game. This mmo genre needs companies that actually care about making great games rather than other companies who push out unfinished products just to make a quick dollar.
Agreed, although I am slightly biased, seeing as Bioware employs a member of my family :P
Bioware has really hit the mark with DA:O, it is without a doubt the best single player rpg developed since the early 00's, and I think it will hold that title for the next few years. It is going to be very difficult to top what they have accomplished.
Epic doesn't even begin to describe the game, and the guy above who considers it a "generic setting" is clearly someone who just shouldn't play rpgs at all. You think LOTRO and DA:O have similar storylines because each story features an antagonist? That's as ridiculous as someone saying one book is the same as another just because they both have pages...
Dragon Age is truly a great game, but I don't know if I would say that its the best RPG since the early 00's seeing as I adore all BioWare's RPG's and can't wait for Mass Effect 2. I'm probably a bit different in my tastes though as I prefer the Sci-Fi genre to Fantasy so I'll always have KOTOR and Mass Effect very high on my personal RPG leaderboard. I can say, however, that Dragon Age is without a doubt the single best Fantasy RPG that I have ever played. Since picking it up I have had absolutely no desire to log into EVE or Aion and I don't think that I will be logging into either of them for a good few weeks to come, after all I have to try every origin a few times over, male/female, evil choices, good choices, and how I would actually react myself in any of these given situation (which usually tends to be pretty down-the-middle with a slight leaning to more of a 'renegade' style).
To be honset, I can't understand the people who buy a game like Dragon Age and rush through the main campaign once, ignoring all other possibilities and sidequests and then say the game is too short and is very linear, well duh! I think these people would be happier sticking to FPS and driving games imho
MMORPG History: Playing - EVE Online. Played (Retired) - AO, SWG, MxO, WoW, RFO, SoR, CoX, EQ2, GW, L2, Vanguard, LotRO, AoC, TCoS, Aion. Favourite MMO - Pre-CU SWG, 3 Years, 4 Accounts, 2 Pre-CU Jedi (1 Pre-9). Awaiting - Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Secret World, Earthrise.
In BG you paid for your mistakes and you learned from them In DA who cares if your party dies, no emotional investment at all.
Nah, in BG, you saved the game, and just reloaded if too many party members died. DA does away with this unnecessary downtime. And in DA, when party members "awake" after falling in combat, they have permanent, stackable injuries that lower stats, and must be removed.
The "legendary" RPGs stopped being made by around 1990. The Wizardry series, Ultima series, those are truly legendary games.
So instead of being forced to come up with different ways to beat a certain battle, your whole party gets up and regens in 10 seconds?
"unnecessary" my ass. It's called "consequences" I fucked up, I have to start over....
Not.. I ran in there barely survived and now everyone has healing factors like wolverine.
How long before we get this in MMO's? “Party wiped? Fear not, with DA (tm) rezzing technology our new MMO brings you all back if one survives.” So casual you can play it in a coma.
It works well in a single player RPG. I wonder how many of you have actually played the game before coming in here and ranting about something you haven't experienced for yourself?
It really has nothing to do with the game being "casual" or "hardcore".
You could definitely levy a number of criticisms against this game, but this is not one of them.
How long before we get this in MMO's? “Party wiped? Fear not, with DA (tm) rezzing technology our new MMO brings you all back if one survives.” So casual you can play it in a coma.
It works well in a single player RPG. I wonder how many of you have actually played the game before coming in here and ranting about something you haven't experienced for yourself?
It really has nothing to do with the game being "casual" or "hardcore".
You could definitely levy a number of criticisms against this game, but this is not one of them.
I have played the game, enjoyed it quite much till I realized death meant nothing.
immersion counts for something to some gamers...
I like to be able to relate to my games with something that would happen in real life.
and getting up and being fine after being so close to death is about as far away from immersion as one can get.
Yes, if MMORPG would have so many choices it would have great replayability value (or whatever people call, I dont know as I am one game = one character player). But Dragon Age didnt have feeling that you change world with your choices, maybe because it is too short to feel them affecting world or maybe it was just my choices. It would be if they would create Dragon Age 2 with your choices showing changes after lets say 10 years. Premium Content was real immersion killer... I understand it good marketing but still, it made me want to puke... Story was good but nothing new: end of the world is coming and you are superhero who is going to save it. It simple as that with a bit of backstabing. That Loghan or whatever was his name didnt felt as great threat but minor nuisance, there was 100% chance of getting support of dwarves, elves, redcliff, mages. Wouldnt it be a lot more fun if you could be betrayed by some race or something like that. Bah 7/10 for story...
The mages help isn't garenteed as i took the templer side and killed all the mages including wynne. Also Sten tried to betray me and take charge of the group so i beat him down and now he follows me.
Remember this is a single rpg game. There is little incentive to keep players on for months on end. Death penalty of time is the now normal. Fallen toons also suffer debuffs (injuries) until you use a kit on them.
The other thing you have to consider : the Pause button. Can't do that in MMOs either. It is enjoyable, but can't go overboard comparing it to MMOs.
Overall the basic storyline is good. However, like I suspected, you can't account for the freedom many players enjoy. The game may let you vary paths a little, but it is eventually going to nudge or deny you actions if you don't move the story foward.
Remember this is a single rpg game. There is little incentive to keep players on for months on end. Death penalty of time is the now normal. Fallen toons also suffer debuffs (injuries) until you use a kit on them. The other thing you have to consider : the Pause button. Can't do that in MMOs either. It is enjoyable, but can't go overboard comparing it to MMOs. Overall the basic storyline is good. However, like I suspected, you can't account for the freedom many players enjoy. The game may let you vary paths a little, but it is eventually going to nudge or deny you actions if you don't move the story foward. SW:TOR - will we expect the same?
I agree as well, I am a bit surpised that we are even discussing this game in MMORPG.com, I guess whatever is a Hype is good now days even if technically it does not belong here.
On the other hand, DAO made me think about MMORPG's as well, and helped me define what it is I really dislike in a Modern MMORPG.
And In my opinion, it is strongly related to the fact that modern MMORPGs are designed from a single player perspective...not unlike a solo RPG game but Massive....and that is why they fail in my opinion.
When I play a Solo RPG game I am transported in to the fantasy Setting where I play the role of the Stories "Hero", it is like being given the leading role in a movie, and I try my best to carry him or her to the end of the story.
Within an MMORPG setting however, the dynamic simply Cannot be the same. We cannot all be given the leading role, yet we all have to have one nevertheless.
I feel like many modern MMORPGs, specially the Themepark ones, try to do just that, handing our the leading role to everyone, and that makes them non imersive because they present to all the players a Utopian Existence.
An MMORPG is first and foremost a world in which many people exist in and interact with one another, the game has to provide the tools for these people and within the desired setting so people can choose the role they want to occupy, but the game should not hand the role to the player in my opinion. The dynamics of interaction should be what determines which players get to be heroes or not, based on their own initiative actions and undertaking during shared adventures and situations within the virtual world that they share with their peers.
Of course, not everyone, like in RL becomes a hero, but everyone unlike RL has the opportunity to, and most importantly everyone does get to occupy a given role of their liking. Some people simply do like to be heroes and prefer to be the sidekicks or play a supportive role to the heroes, and thus, how is an MMO satisfying to these players when it makes everyone a Hero?
That is I beleive what made a most lasting impact to me in Ultima Online, that MMORPG was designed in such a way as to leave Heroship up to natural dynamics of the in game community of players. In every new adventure that impacted the players there were always heroes that stood out, and it was not always the same people either, but all of them were (within the cotext of the game) true heroes...and it is what I also beleive has been lost from the design of MMORPG's...as these got boxed in to pre-canned design, where heroship is just handed to everyone pending them completing a series of mondane actions such as a quest, leveling, killing an NPC boss etc...all things kin to a Solo RPG game...that should have no place in an MMORPG.
- Duke Suraknar - Order of the Silver Star, OSS
ESKA, Playing MMORPG's since Ultima Online 1997 - Order of the Silver Serpent, Atlantic Shard
Remember this is a single rpg game. There is little incentive to keep players on for months on end. Death penalty of time is the now normal. Fallen toons also suffer debuffs (injuries) until you use a kit on them. The other thing you have to consider : the Pause button. Can't do that in MMOs either. It is enjoyable, but can't go overboard comparing it to MMOs. Overall the basic storyline is good. However, like I suspected, you can't account for the freedom many players enjoy. The game may let you vary paths a little, but it is eventually going to nudge or deny you actions if you don't move the story foward. SW:TOR - will we expect the same?
I agree as well, I am a bit surpised that we are even discussing this game in MMORPG.com, I guess whatever is a Hype is good now days even if technically it does not belong here.
On the other hand, DAO made me think about MMORPG's as well, and helped me define what it is I really dislike in a Modern MMORPG.
And In my opinion, it is strongly related to the fact that modern MMORPGs are designed from a single player perspective...not unlike a solo RPG game but Massive....and that is why they fail in my opinion.
When I play a Solo RPG game I am transported in to the fantasy Setting where I play the role of the Stories "Hero", it is like being given the leading role in a movie, and I try my best to carry him or her to the end of the story.
Within an MMORPG setting however, the dynamic simply Cannot be the same. We cannot all be given the leading role, yet we all have to have one nevertheless.
I feel like many modern MMORPGs, specially the Themepark ones, try to do just that, handing our the leading role to everyone, and that makes them non imersive because they present to all the players a Utopian Existence.
An MMORPG is first and foremost a world in which many people exist in and interact with one another, the game has to provide the tools for these people and within the desired setting so people can choose the role they want to occupy, but the game should not hand the role to the player in my opinion. The dynamics of interaction should be what determines which players get to be heroes or not, based on their own initiative actions and undertaking during shared adventures and situations within the virtual world that they share with their peers.
Of course, not everyone, like in RL becomes a hero, but everyone unlike RL has the opportunity to, and most importantly everyone does get to occupy a given role of their liking. Some people simply do like to be heroes and prefer to be the sidekicks or play a supportive role to the heroes, and thus, how is an MMO satisfying to these players when it makes everyone a Hero?
That is I beleive what made a most lasting impact to me in Ultima Online, that MMORPG was designed in such a way as to leave Heroship up to natural dynamics of the in game community of players. In every new adventure that impacted the players there were always heroes that stood out, and it was not always the same people either, but all of them were (within the cotext of the game) true heroes...and it is what I also beleive has been lost from the design of MMORPG's...as these got boxed in to pre-canned design, where heroship is just handed to everyone pending them completing a series of mondane actions such as a quest, leveling, killing an NPC boss etc...all things kin to a Solo RPG game...that should have no place in an MMORPG.
Very well said.
My beef with RPG's that are not mmo's is that there is a dumbing down, playing to the instant gratification crowd. I'm old school, you work hard you get somewhere, you screw up, you get punished.
I want to say one word: Broodmother. Seriously, that was the most intense fight I had in years. We need more fights like that in games in general. (I loved that my main character, the tank, got the last blow. Glorious death!)
The Broodmother fight was awesome. Dragon Age has been a blast so far. The game is simply alot of fun.
My comment was not about DA, not played it, but the games genre is such that if any game does really well then everything from it is lifted for new games coming out. MMO's take from solo games and visa versa. So the one party member stays up followed my a magical all jump up is on the cards for a MMO now. And that would fit the casual mentality in MMO's that is so prevalent.
Well at least the hype is backed up by the game. The DLC is great too, I just finished the Warden Keep and I have to say it was well worth the $7. No spoilers so go out and get it.
Well at least the hype is backed up by the game. The DLC is great too, I just finished the Warden Keep and I have to say it was well worth the $7. No spoilers so go out and get it.
I have to agree.
Also, I find it funny that people are complaining about advertising. How many times have I seen players lament that a game company doesn't advertise their game of choice?
We can't have it both ways. Advertising is advertising. And besides, it is in their best interest to advertise it.
In any case, I just finished it and I had a great time. I have a few more characters to bring through and then I will look at the one downloadable quest. I have no interest in the golem or the armor and am really only interested in quests. Can't wait to see what else they release.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
I fail to see how the downloadable "premium" content is an immersion killer. And 7/10 for the story? What are you comparing it to? It certainly doesn't sound like you and I are playing the same game. It just shows you can't please all the people all the time. I suppose there will always be a minority of people who are so hard to please that to try is a waste of time. I'm glad they don't try. :P
1. I like the game but I don't care for the premium content thing, or the "ok I'll help you let me download it and return" thing. Don't lead into a quest and then leave out the content from the game. Bad move IMO
2. If you can't run this game on a dual core system with 4 gigs of ram its a PICNIC problem (PICNIC = problem in chair not in computer) I play it just fine on a Intel P4 3.0ghz HT with 2gig of ram and a 9800GT video card. No I'm not running on highest settings but I'm not running lowest eather, most of my settings are set to normal or above.
Comments
Exactly.
you summed up my thoughts on this to the letter.
My "spanner" was cutting the assassin's throat rather than showing some mercy (bit out of character really :P). Still I will re-play the game, live and learn as they say
Nah, in BG, you saved the game, and just reloaded if too many party members died. DA does away with this unnecessary downtime. And in DA, when party members "awake" after falling in combat, they have permanent, stackable injuries that lower stats, and must be removed.
The "legendary" RPGs stopped being made by around 1990. The Wizardry series, Ultima series, those are truly legendary games.
I have been playing CRPGs for 25+ years. BG 1 and 2 were great games (not nearly the best) and DA, IMO, most certainly is a worthy spiritual successor to them, in every way and more.
Try taking off your rose colored glasses.
Why do you want Mike Laidlaw, Lead Designer of Dragon Age to get of the internet.
Mike next talked about what elements from MMOs Dragon Age took and how they used certain tools to make the player feel comfortable in the game. Mike explained that anyone making a fantasy game in today's marketplace cannot ignore MMOs and World of Warcraft specifically. He said that you are always competing against that juggernaut. He explained that what early MMOs gave WoW was the common user interface that all players have grown accustomed to. In the same way that Quake set the stage for FPS games, WoW has standardized the interface used to play RPG games. That interface was translated into Dragon Age specifically to make the player feel comfortable with the game. This way, players can dive right into the action and feel comfortable and confident. They can then go on to experience the more in depth parts of the game like story, the world, and character development.
Why do you want Mike Laidlaw, Lead Designer of Dragon Age to get of the internet.
Mike next talked about what elements from MMOs Dragon Age took and how they used certain tools to make the player feel comfortable in the game. Mike explained that anyone making a fantasy game in today's marketplace cannot ignore MMOs and World of Warcraft specifically. He said that you are always competing against that juggernaut. He explained that what early MMOs gave WoW was the common user interface that all players have grown accustomed to. In the same way that Quake set the stage for FPS games, WoW has standardized the interface used to play RPG games. That interface was translated into Dragon Age specifically to make the player feel comfortable with the game. This way, players can dive right into the action and feel comfortable and confident. They can then go on to experience the more in depth parts of the game like story, the world, and character development.
The way I read this is:
Mike next talked about what elements from MMOs Dragon Age took and how they used certain tools to make the player feel comfortable in the game. Mike explained that anyone making a fantasy game in today's marketplace cannot ignore MMOs and World of Warcraft specifically. He said that you are always competing against that juggernaut. He explained that what early MMOs gave WoW was the common user interface that all players have grown accustomed to. In the same way that Quake set the stage for FPS games, WoW has standardized the interface used to play RPG games. That interface was translated into Dragon Age specifically to make the player feel comfortable with the game. This way, players can dive right into the action and feel comfortable and confident. They can then go on to experience the more in depth parts of the game like story, the world, and character development.
Which means that WoW got its interface from the combined contributions of earlier MMO's and its contribution was to Standardise it, make it popular.
Hence, saying that Bioware copied WoW even in its Interface is false and inaccurate because it was not WoW's invention to begin with.
And last I checked using a Standard is the smart thing to do, why try to re-invent the wheel.
Therefore, Bioware in this passage is paying homage to WoW and Blizzard for establishing a standard which permited them to use for their own game.
It is courtesy, in my perception.
---
On a different note, while I beleive that Story in a Solo RPG is crucial and that Bioware has up to now been one of the greatest Creators of Solo RPG's...I do not agree that this same concept would apply to an MMORPG.
If for instance Dragon Age was an MMORPG instead of a Solo RPG...I would not be playing it, simply because it would feel like a Solo RPG game...why pay a sub to play such a game..first of all, and second, an MMORPG is about interaction and Adventuring within the RPG element with other players...not NPC's screaming the Story to every player individually and separatly...
I just feel that the MMORPG genre has been Invaded by the Solo RPG players who want to play an MMORPG for 4-6 months and reach the end of the story and the Character progression in that span of time and then move to the next MMORPG...
I feel the genre has lost its way and its essence...plain and simple.
Order of the Silver Star, OSS
ESKA, Playing MMORPG's since Ultima Online 1997 - Order of the Silver Serpent, Atlantic Shard
Agreed, although I am slightly biased, seeing as Bioware employs a member of my family :P
Bioware has really hit the mark with DA:O, it is without a doubt the best single player rpg developed since the early 00's, and I think it will hold that title for the next few years. It is going to be very difficult to top what they have accomplished.
Epic doesn't even begin to describe the game, and the guy above who considers it a "generic setting" is clearly someone who just shouldn't play rpgs at all. You think LOTRO and DA:O have similar storylines because each story features an antagonist? That's as ridiculous as someone saying one book is the same as another just because they both have pages...
Dragon Age is truly a great game, but I don't know if I would say that its the best RPG since the early 00's seeing as I adore all BioWare's RPG's and can't wait for Mass Effect 2. I'm probably a bit different in my tastes though as I prefer the Sci-Fi genre to Fantasy so I'll always have KOTOR and Mass Effect very high on my personal RPG leaderboard. I can say, however, that Dragon Age is without a doubt the single best Fantasy RPG that I have ever played. Since picking it up I have had absolutely no desire to log into EVE or Aion and I don't think that I will be logging into either of them for a good few weeks to come, after all I have to try every origin a few times over, male/female, evil choices, good choices, and how I would actually react myself in any of these given situation (which usually tends to be pretty down-the-middle with a slight leaning to more of a 'renegade' style).
To be honset, I can't understand the people who buy a game like Dragon Age and rush through the main campaign once, ignoring all other possibilities and sidequests and then say the game is too short and is very linear, well duh! I think these people would be happier sticking to FPS and driving games imho
MMORPG History:
Playing - EVE Online.
Played (Retired) - AO, SWG, MxO, WoW, RFO, SoR, CoX, EQ2, GW, L2, Vanguard, LotRO, AoC, TCoS, Aion.
Favourite MMO - Pre-CU SWG, 3 Years, 4 Accounts, 2 Pre-CU Jedi (1 Pre-9).
Awaiting - Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Secret World, Earthrise.
Nah, in BG, you saved the game, and just reloaded if too many party members died. DA does away with this unnecessary downtime. And in DA, when party members "awake" after falling in combat, they have permanent, stackable injuries that lower stats, and must be removed.
The "legendary" RPGs stopped being made by around 1990. The Wizardry series, Ultima series, those are truly legendary games.
So instead of being forced to come up with different ways to beat a certain battle, your whole party gets up and regens in 10 seconds?
"unnecessary" my ass. It's called "consequences" I fucked up, I have to start over....
Not.. I ran in there barely survived and now everyone has healing factors like wolverine.
It makes no fucking sense
How long before we get this in MMO's?
“Party wiped? Fear not, with DA (tm) rezzing technology our new MMO brings you all back if one survives.”
So casual you can play it in a coma.
Magic makes "sense"?
It works well in a single player RPG. I wonder how many of you have actually played the game before coming in here and ranting about something you haven't experienced for yourself?
It really has nothing to do with the game being "casual" or "hardcore".
You could definitely levy a number of criticisms against this game, but this is not one of them.
It works well in a single player RPG. I wonder how many of you have actually played the game before coming in here and ranting about something you haven't experienced for yourself?
It really has nothing to do with the game being "casual" or "hardcore".
You could definitely levy a number of criticisms against this game, but this is not one of them.
I have played the game, enjoyed it quite much till I realized death meant nothing.
immersion counts for something to some gamers...
I like to be able to relate to my games with something that would happen in real life.
and getting up and being fine after being so close to death is about as far away from immersion as one can get.
The
The mages help isn't garenteed as i took the templer side and killed all the mages including wynne. Also Sten tried to betray me and take charge of the group so i beat him down and now he follows me.
Remember this is a single rpg game. There is little incentive to keep players on for months on end. Death penalty of time is the now normal. Fallen toons also suffer debuffs (injuries) until you use a kit on them.
The other thing you have to consider : the Pause button. Can't do that in MMOs either. It is enjoyable, but can't go overboard comparing it to MMOs.
Overall the basic storyline is good. However, like I suspected, you can't account for the freedom many players enjoy. The game may let you vary paths a little, but it is eventually going to nudge or deny you actions if you don't move the story foward.
SW:TOR - will we expect the same?
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I agree as well, I am a bit surpised that we are even discussing this game in MMORPG.com, I guess whatever is a Hype is good now days even if technically it does not belong here.
On the other hand, DAO made me think about MMORPG's as well, and helped me define what it is I really dislike in a Modern MMORPG.
And In my opinion, it is strongly related to the fact that modern MMORPGs are designed from a single player perspective...not unlike a solo RPG game but Massive....and that is why they fail in my opinion.
When I play a Solo RPG game I am transported in to the fantasy Setting where I play the role of the Stories "Hero", it is like being given the leading role in a movie, and I try my best to carry him or her to the end of the story.
Within an MMORPG setting however, the dynamic simply Cannot be the same. We cannot all be given the leading role, yet we all have to have one nevertheless.
I feel like many modern MMORPGs, specially the Themepark ones, try to do just that, handing our the leading role to everyone, and that makes them non imersive because they present to all the players a Utopian Existence.
An MMORPG is first and foremost a world in which many people exist in and interact with one another, the game has to provide the tools for these people and within the desired setting so people can choose the role they want to occupy, but the game should not hand the role to the player in my opinion. The dynamics of interaction should be what determines which players get to be heroes or not, based on their own initiative actions and undertaking during shared adventures and situations within the virtual world that they share with their peers.
Of course, not everyone, like in RL becomes a hero, but everyone unlike RL has the opportunity to, and most importantly everyone does get to occupy a given role of their liking. Some people simply do like to be heroes and prefer to be the sidekicks or play a supportive role to the heroes, and thus, how is an MMO satisfying to these players when it makes everyone a Hero?
That is I beleive what made a most lasting impact to me in Ultima Online, that MMORPG was designed in such a way as to leave Heroship up to natural dynamics of the in game community of players. In every new adventure that impacted the players there were always heroes that stood out, and it was not always the same people either, but all of them were (within the cotext of the game) true heroes...and it is what I also beleive has been lost from the design of MMORPG's...as these got boxed in to pre-canned design, where heroship is just handed to everyone pending them completing a series of mondane actions such as a quest, leveling, killing an NPC boss etc...all things kin to a Solo RPG game...that should have no place in an MMORPG.
Order of the Silver Star, OSS
ESKA, Playing MMORPG's since Ultima Online 1997 - Order of the Silver Serpent, Atlantic Shard
I agree as well, I am a bit surpised that we are even discussing this game in MMORPG.com, I guess whatever is a Hype is good now days even if technically it does not belong here.
On the other hand, DAO made me think about MMORPG's as well, and helped me define what it is I really dislike in a Modern MMORPG.
And In my opinion, it is strongly related to the fact that modern MMORPGs are designed from a single player perspective...not unlike a solo RPG game but Massive....and that is why they fail in my opinion.
When I play a Solo RPG game I am transported in to the fantasy Setting where I play the role of the Stories "Hero", it is like being given the leading role in a movie, and I try my best to carry him or her to the end of the story.
Within an MMORPG setting however, the dynamic simply Cannot be the same. We cannot all be given the leading role, yet we all have to have one nevertheless.
I feel like many modern MMORPGs, specially the Themepark ones, try to do just that, handing our the leading role to everyone, and that makes them non imersive because they present to all the players a Utopian Existence.
An MMORPG is first and foremost a world in which many people exist in and interact with one another, the game has to provide the tools for these people and within the desired setting so people can choose the role they want to occupy, but the game should not hand the role to the player in my opinion. The dynamics of interaction should be what determines which players get to be heroes or not, based on their own initiative actions and undertaking during shared adventures and situations within the virtual world that they share with their peers.
Of course, not everyone, like in RL becomes a hero, but everyone unlike RL has the opportunity to, and most importantly everyone does get to occupy a given role of their liking. Some people simply do like to be heroes and prefer to be the sidekicks or play a supportive role to the heroes, and thus, how is an MMO satisfying to these players when it makes everyone a Hero?
That is I beleive what made a most lasting impact to me in Ultima Online, that MMORPG was designed in such a way as to leave Heroship up to natural dynamics of the in game community of players. In every new adventure that impacted the players there were always heroes that stood out, and it was not always the same people either, but all of them were (within the cotext of the game) true heroes...and it is what I also beleive has been lost from the design of MMORPG's...as these got boxed in to pre-canned design, where heroship is just handed to everyone pending them completing a series of mondane actions such as a quest, leveling, killing an NPC boss etc...all things kin to a Solo RPG game...that should have no place in an MMORPG.
Very well said.
My beef with RPG's that are not mmo's is that there is a dumbing down, playing to the instant gratification crowd. I'm old school, you work hard you get somewhere, you screw up, you get punished.
The Broodmother fight was awesome. Dragon Age has been a blast so far. The game is simply alot of fun.
My comment was not about DA, not played it, but the games genre is such that if any game does really well then everything from it is lifted for new games coming out. MMO's take from solo games and visa versa. So the one party member stays up followed my a magical all jump up is on the cards for a MMO now. And that would fit the casual mentality in MMO's that is so prevalent.
I'd have to say Modern Warfare 2... but yeah it's hard to evade Dragon Age hype. EA sure spent some $ for the marketing...
BOYCOTTING EA / ORIGIN going forward.
Well at least the hype is backed up by the game. The DLC is great too, I just finished the Warden Keep and I have to say it was well worth the $7. No spoilers so go out and get it.
Sorry you didn't like it, sounds like mmo grindfests are more your thing.
I have to agree.
Also, I find it funny that people are complaining about advertising. How many times have I seen players lament that a game company doesn't advertise their game of choice?
We can't have it both ways. Advertising is advertising. And besides, it is in their best interest to advertise it.
In any case, I just finished it and I had a great time. I have a few more characters to bring through and then I will look at the one downloadable quest. I have no interest in the golem or the armor and am really only interested in quests. Can't wait to see what else they release.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
I fail to see how the downloadable "premium" content is an immersion killer. And 7/10 for the story? What are you comparing it to? It certainly doesn't sound like you and I are playing the same game. It just shows you can't please all the people all the time. I suppose there will always be a minority of people who are so hard to please that to try is a waste of time. I'm glad they don't try. :P
2 quick points
1. I like the game but I don't care for the premium content thing, or the "ok I'll help you let me download it and return" thing. Don't lead into a quest and then leave out the content from the game. Bad move IMO
2. If you can't run this game on a dual core system with 4 gigs of ram its a PICNIC problem (PICNIC = problem in chair not in computer) I play it just fine on a Intel P4 3.0ghz HT with 2gig of ram and a 9800GT video card. No I'm not running on highest settings but I'm not running lowest eather, most of my settings are set to normal or above.
If you don't give props to some of what DA:O does,your either A) Moron B)Hater that hasn't played the game.
The game is utterly amazing. Best game I've picked up in years. Done with MMO's for a bit.