Dragon Age Origins

[Red Dragon]

http://dragonage.bioware.com/

Don't know if anyone else has been looking at this lately. Supposedly coming out the "second half of 2009".

Most likely meaning November

They say it's trying to be the "spritual successor to Baldurs Gate". The whole Origins thing sounds like the character creation of Mass Effect, only expanded so you actually play through those stories instead of just hearing about them.

[John Mora]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

Also it forces you into a gender based on the origin story. }:c

I dunno. Could they have picked a more generic name?

[marcus]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

I'm on the fence.

I saw a live 20 minute preview at PAX which was a really wicked setup in an enclosed booth and the BioWare guys were wearing armor and stuff. The game itself looks cool as each character background alters the way your character and NPC's perceive you.

My main gripe is that the setting is sooooo generic Lord of the Rings fantasy. The big battle scene even features a generic siege scene where these orc-like creatures come rushing at the armored humans and it just felt so... Peter Jackson-ey.

My other concern was making it for consoles. At PAX, I noticed a choice on the menu called "Downloadable Content" and I asked them about it. The PR guy says "This game is being developed exclusively for the PC blah-blah-blah you can download official mods and extra stories from us using this feature." One month later they announce it for the PS3 and 360.

Now this is me being selfish, but I was banking on a PC exclusive. Back in 2005, consoles caught up with PCs but the PC has surpassed them again and it shows. The PC can handle larger levels, faster loading, and more content. Look at FEAR 2 in comparison to FEAR 1. The character models and textures have improved but what happened to the lighting? FEAR's atmosphere was defined by the way the engine handled lighting effects but FEAR 2 turned up the grain filter to make everything blurry and ugly. Deus Ex 2 was ruined by having tiny levels with hardly any people in them and a "console friendly" UI.

I could go on about the differences between PC exclusive games vs. PC/multiconsole games but only devote PC players will truly understand what I'm harping on. Dev's say there's no market in PC games (which I don't believe for a minute) but I rather have an exclusive, high quality product than a generic one because the publisher wants the widest coverage.

I'll no doubt buy the game. Probably enjoy it. But, I know deep down in my heart it would have been better as a PC exclusive.

[Red Dragon]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

That and they pushed back the release date so that console players can get it at the same time as PC gamers.

Also it forces you into a gender based on the origin story. }:c

Where did you read this? The FAQ says you get to choose.

[John Mora]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

Whaaaaaaaaa

[Red Dragon]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

3.01: How customizable will my character be? (Back to Top)

Players will be able to customize the appearance of their character using the most detailed facial customization tool BioWare has created to date. Players can also choose their character’s race, gender, and class. They will also choose their character’s point of origin and backstory. Continued customization choices open up as the character gains levels.

Blargh.

Also in the screenshots showing off the origin stories it shows a male or female PC.

So yeah.

Also the name has to do with the fact that dragons are popping up everywhere and that there are origin stories.

"Dragon Age" is the name given to the time period in which the game takes place. It was named so because, at the beginning of the age, dragons re-appeared in the world after being thought extinct.

[John Mora]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

I guess I was going off of the drawings they had for each storyline. {{{:3

[Karim]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

Personally my only problem is how lofty the claim of being 'successor to Baldur's Gate' actually is, given the size and scope of the games.

I'd be really surprised if this was anything more than Medieval KOTOR, but even if it is just that, it'll be pretty damn good.

[Red Dragon]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

I kinda don't enjoy the fact that this is supposed to be BG sucessor, yet they have a mana system for mages because they thought mage system was, and I quote, "sucktastic".

[Red Dragon]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

So a character creator comes out for it. I didn't really pay attention to it until Penny Arcade did a comic on it.

http://blog.bioware.com/2009/10/13/c...ocial-network/

[John Mora]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

Yeah, I made my guy.

[Valkysas]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

I decided to not get the game, I was gonna but looked into it a lot more and got all "meh".

[Red Dragon]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

Well, it's no Mega Man.

[Perversion]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

Yeah, I'm feeling a bit meh about it myself. I have a hard time getting into strict RPGs anymore.

[Dallas Alvis II]

Re: Dragon Age Origins

I suppose I'll try it when I get the chance but, maybe I'll rent it or something first. I kind of pictured what Karim mentioned above regarding the "medieval KOTOR" comment which is good and bad in my eyes but... maybe it'll surprise me.