Dragon Age: Origins -- Anyone got it? (no spoilers please!) [Archive]

Chanlin

11-04-2009, 04:46 PM

I picked it up and so far am enjoying the game immensely.

It is everything a gamer has come to expect of Bioware, great graphics, stellar voice acting and a very engaging story so far, and simple but very useful controls.

Out of curiosity for those playing which background did you choose? I'm playing as a Human Noble Rogue currently.

The game play is quite nice too. It is similar to Baldur's Gate to some degree, it should be since Bioware made it and all :P

Also for fans of FF12 the game uses a similar system to set the NPC AI except you don't have to unlock any of the statements like you do in FF12. Each character gains a set number of tactical slots based on level and it works just as well as the FF12 system. Not sure what the max number of tactic slots will end up being, but it makes for setting up a decent combat script individual to each character quite simple.

-- Very Minor Spoilers --

For Star Gate and Farscape fans Claudia Black voices one of the NPC party members that joins you. She plays a lippy mage by the name of Morrigan.

Kate Mulgrew voices the mother of Morrigan.

Haven't recognized any other voices yet, but I keep Morrigan in my party just on principle :P

CrazedClerkthe2nd

11-04-2009, 05:05 PM

I like the game, but really wish it had some kind of multiplayer option.

MaggieTheCat

11-04-2009, 07:14 PM

Multiplayer would be nice. It would be really fun to be able to play with my husband.

I'm playing an Elf Mage. I just hit level 6. It's pretty awesome. I told my husband it was a bad idea to get this game 'cuz now I'm hooked. XD I've found that you can play it like BG, but you can also play it like WoW. I changed my camera view so it's third person behind my main character's head and have my spell shortcuts setup like I do in WoW. Overall I think it's great.

Broomjockey

11-04-2009, 07:14 PM

I bought it on Steam, and I have a "multiplayer CD key."

:wtf: I dunno.

I've not played much. Just about an hour or two yesterday, then played borderlands with my best friend. I'm playing a human mage. I gotta say, considering I'm not in very far, this game effin' rocks. The combat took me a couple of tries to get in to, but I'm doing well now. And I keep going "hey, you ripped that out of D&D! Lazy bastards, at least re-write it" for spell descriptions. And some of the skills and spells will take you time to figure out. But (being vague so no real spoilers) I had to answer some riddles, and felt like a freaking genius for getting them correct. That's some good design.

Rine

11-04-2009, 08:07 PM

I'm downloading it right now on Steam. I hope my PC can handle it...I heard that it's better to play this on PC than on Xbox 360. We did a lot of research on the specs and maybe the desktop can handle it on some lower settings. XD The game looks SO awesome though and my friends are fanatics about it already.

LewisLegion

11-04-2009, 08:23 PM

I ordered the CE. It just shipped yesterday so I should be getting it here pretty quick. I'm totally stoked :D

Broomjockey

11-04-2009, 08:31 PM

I heard that it's better to play this on PC than on Xbox 360.

I heard they completely redesigned the interface for the PC version vs. the console versions. I certainly hope so, because navigating that with a gamepad would be horrible. :eek: Works well with a mouse though.

Oh, and maggie, yeah, I like the camera angles too. I basically run around in the over-the-shoulder view, switch to the overhead for the start of encounters, then switch to the half-between when we close to melee. I'm weird.

MaggieTheCat

11-04-2009, 10:41 PM

Oh, and maggie, yeah, I like the camera angles too. I basically run around in the over-the-shoulder view, switch to the overhead for the start of encounters, then switch to the half-between when we close to melee. I'm weird.

My husband was playing it like that last night. :lol: I started out like that and after about 5 minutes, realized that it was just easiest for me to play it like I play WoW. The great thing is, they designed it so it works well either way, so there's more than one way to play the game for people with different preferences.

Rine

11-05-2009, 06:38 AM

I love it so far. My computer is handling it very well on medium settings! Though, had a bit of problem early on and had to download some weird dll file for the video card. :confused:

My only complaint (and this shows how much PC RPGs I play) is the click to move. The only other game I've really played that compares to this is Oblivion and you pretty much had free reign there. I have never played WoW or Baulder's Gate or anything like that...so maybe my complaint is petty and that's just how all games typically are. :lol:

Great game, good storyline so far.

Chanlin

11-05-2009, 07:38 AM

My only complaint (and this shows how much PC RPGs I play) is the click to move.

You do know the game has FPS style movement. W and S forward and back, A and D to turn the camera and Q and E for left and right movement.

MaggieTheCat

11-05-2009, 01:36 PM

You do know the game has FPS style movement. W and S forward and back, A and D to turn the camera and Q and E for left and right movement.

That's how I play. I like it much better than the click-to-move option (which still isn't bad, but I played Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale and other games that used that style, too.)

Broomjockey

11-05-2009, 04:10 PM

My only major issue so far is just after I became a gray warden, I called the "plot twist." Such a hackneyed way to get me out on my own. Ugh.

And Rine, yes WASD will let you move manually. In my own "schizophrenic" playstyle, I run around mostly with WASD, and then use click-to-move in combat.

Rine

11-05-2009, 05:39 PM

Reaaaaally? I should have played more. Usually I read the info guide that comes with the game, but this time I downloaded it. Yaaay! I like moving about that way. I'll do that whenever I can play the game again, then. Thank you.

Broomjockey

11-05-2009, 06:23 PM

Usually I read the info guide that comes with the game, but this time I downloaded it.

There is a read-me file with the download. I dunno how to get to it, atm, though.

Guys don't read manuals. :p

Rine

11-05-2009, 07:35 PM

The first thing I do is read the manual. Well, after I get the installation started. My dad (not a RPG fan) is attempting to play the game and he wants me to go get him the guide for it from the store. :lol: I told him it's better to explore on your own but he wants the guide so I'm going to go buy it for him.

I haven't been this impressed by a game in a long time. I'm not sure which one I like better...Oblivion or Dragon Age.

Chanlin

11-05-2009, 07:47 PM

What i've liked so far is that while you do have your typical action RPG steamroll battles, aka no strategy required, I've also encountered a few battles where sheer brute force just won't hack it. What I'm talking about here is encounters where I've died, loaded, died, loaded (rinse repeat) developed a strategy based on where I see my failure and then kick the crap out of every last enemy without a single death. Those are the types of encounters I love. And whats better, one of them was a "random" encounter.

Jack T. Chance

11-06-2009, 02:57 AM

So, when I picked up the game on Tuesday, I just got the regular editions of the game and the Strategy Guide. Stupid me, I had forgotten to check if there were Collector's Editions coming out. And so, of course there are. A nice hardcover edition of the book with extra goodies like an art section, and a Collector's Edition of the game with all kinds of extra goodies, too. And so, of course, naturally, the CE of the game is COMPLETELY SOLD OUT at stores in my area. I found the hardback CE Strategy Guide at Best Buy, but the game was LONG GONE. :(

Luckily for me, I haven't removed the plastic wrap on the copies I bought from GameStop. I just ordered the Collector's Editions from Amazon, and will return the regular editions to GameStop tomorrow for a refund! And the best part is, due to Amazon's nicely discounted prices, I'm only paying about $6 more for the Collector's Editions and NO SALES TAX! :D

Broomjockey

11-06-2009, 04:50 PM

Okay, so I'm playing a mage, and I am enjoying it, but I'm still annoyed. There's like... NO equipment being dropped for mages. I think I've found one staff. I've had to buy anything else, and lemme tell you, I'm having issues scrounging up money. I'm doing every quest I come across, and I'm still flat-ass broke and not able to buy even 2% of what I want.

Then again, I'm playing a goody-two-shoes type.

Oh, and from what I can tell, completing quests does NOT give XP, only killing monsters and finding certain codex entries. Since I maxed out persuasion as soon as I could, I don't do a ton of fighting, and this makes me sad. :(

LewisLegion

11-06-2009, 05:37 PM

My CE that I preordered just came last night. I'm sad that I can't touch it or Borderlands until Sunday (waaaaah!).

Slightly off subject, has anyone heard any news about the CE of Mass Effect 2? I'm holding my breath so I can preorder it but I want the CE if they're going to have one...and they're being annoyingly closed-mouthed.

Broomjockey

11-06-2009, 07:04 PM

If there was a CE of 1, there will likely be a CE of 2, but I can't remember if ME1 had a CE or not. Usually in a series they'll do them all the same.

LewisLegion

11-06-2009, 08:15 PM

I believe there was for the first one, but they have said NOTHING about the second one. I wanna preorder it! I've been waiting three years for this game, I don't want to find out there's going to be a CE released three months after the game itself is released.

I wantz it my precious!

Broomjockey

11-07-2009, 07:29 AM

Okay, I'm officially annoyed now. I'm level 9, I've read you're only likely to get up to maybe level 22, and I've found almost no equipment for my mage. I swear, I'm going to make a warrior and just freaking rampage on everyone's ass.

Rine

11-07-2009, 07:39 AM

I'm playing a rogue (I'd like to be a bard :lol:)...but all the equipment I keep coming across is better suited for warriors. I had wanted to run through the game as a mage, if I had the time/desire, but if there's no equipment...I don't know about that...

Broomjockey

11-07-2009, 07:48 AM

if there's no equipment...I don't know about that...

Honestly, I suspect that it's simply the order I'm running through stuff, but you'd think they'd gear the drop system at least a little towards the members of your party. But apparently not, apparently the loot tables are fixed to location. I went for the Arl first, and I'm making my way to the mage tower now. I could buy equipment, but it's frakking expensive.

I do know my second playthrough is going to be as a warrior though, mostly because I got bonus armour for warriors. A rogue might be interesting just because I'm always running across locked stuff. Probably something interesting in there.

RayvenQ

11-07-2009, 09:48 AM

For Star Gate and Farscape fans Claudia Black voices one of the NPC party members that joins you. She plays a lippy mage by the name of Morrigan.

Kate Mulgrew voices the mother of Morrigan.

Haven't recognized any other voices yet, but I keep Morrigan in my party just on principle :P

Is it just me or is Claudia's voice perfectly suited to that kind of character?

Also, I was pleased to realise a Dwarf character was voiced by the same person who did the voice for Cyrus in Dawn of War 2, he has an Awesome Michael Wincott'y gravelly chainsmoking voice :lol:

I called the "plot twist." Such a hackneyed way to get me out on my own. Ugh.

Personally, I called it blindingly obvious.

Also one thing that majorly annoyed me is (tiny spoiler, unless you've played the start for all 3 of the races)

There's not even remotely a feeling of actual choice in joining the grey wardens, no matter what race you pick

Rine

11-07-2009, 09:21 PM

See...I think Oblivion tailored the drops according to what sort of character you were playing, if I recall correctly. I mean, at least for the most part. Sorry that I keep comparing this game to Oblivion...it's really the only PC game I've played that I can compare.

Stuff is *really* expensive. It's almost annoying expensive.

And yeah...the way the game gets your character out on your own is very obvious. I knew it was going to happen as soon as that whatshisname sent the character out to do that special thing. (Trying to be vague to not spoil things. XD)

Jack T. Chance

11-07-2009, 10:10 PM

Slightly off subject, has anyone heard any news about the CE of Mass Effect 2? I'm holding my breath so I can preorder it but I want the CE if they're going to have one...and they're being annoyingly closed-mouthed.*ahem!*

Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition for PC (http://www.amazon.com/Mass-Effect-2-Collectors-Pc/dp/B002VL6GAO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1257475455&sr=1-1)

Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition for Xbox 360 (http://www.amazon.com/Mass-Effect-2-Collectors-Xbox-360/dp/B002VL2HA2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1257475455&sr=1-2)

Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition Strategy Guide (http://www.amazon.com/Mass-Effect-Collectors-Prima-Official/dp/0307467082/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257475638&sr=8-3)

Thank the Maker for Amazon.Com! :DHonestly, I suspect that it's simply the order I'm running through stuff, but you'd think they'd gear the drop system at least a little towards the members of your party. But apparently not, apparently the loot tables are fixed to location. I went for the Arl first, and I'm making my way to the mage tower now. I could buy equipment, but it's frakking expensive.

I do know my second playthrough is going to be as a warrior though, mostly because I got bonus armour for warriors. A rogue might be interesting just because I'm always running across locked stuff. Probably something interesting in there.Sir, it is time now for me to pass on to you the accumulated wisdom of my roughly 3 decades as a gamer. Are you prepared to learn a life-changing lesson?

The secret to mastering any game is to fully embrace my video gaming philosophy...

Win if you can, lose if you must, but ALWAYS cheat (http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/code/920668.html)! :devil:

Unfortunately, Microsoft has declared that cheating should be severely limited on Xbox 360 games, so in the case of RPGs like Fallout 3 and Dragon Age: Origins, I'm picking up the PC editions in case I need that option. But then again, when I played Neverwinter Nights, I used the Tool Kit to create a "treasure room" module into which I placed more than a dozen Bags of Holding, and a couple bags of gold, so I could start my characters off with the ability to easily carry all the loot they found, AND so they'd have enough money at the start of the game to buy some good equipment right off the bat! :devil:

I'll also be picking up the PC edition of Battlefield: Bad Company 2, because when I was playing the original on the 360, there were definitely times when a god mode would have come in handy... stupid battle tanks, firing their main guns at foot soldiers! :pissed:

LewisLegion

11-07-2009, 10:54 PM

Yes, thank you! My Dad called me yesterday to tell me the CE was officially listed so I reserved my copy at Gamestop. I'm totally stoked :D I've been dying for ME2 for two years now. I can't wait!

Broomjockey

11-07-2009, 11:00 PM

The secret to mastering any game is to fully embrace my video gaming philosophy...

Win if you can, lose if you must, but ALWAYS cheat (http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/code/920668.html)! :devil:

Thank you sir, but my moral fibre prevents me from bowing my neck to the pressures of... ooo, is that an add XP code? No. NO! I shall not be swayed, I shall be strong. My strength of will and loyalty to the cause will see me through my darkest hours.

Well, on my first playthrough anyways. I'll cheat like a mofo on my second one.

Rine

11-07-2009, 11:20 PM

That's exactly what I do, BroomJockey. Play like a saint the first time through, cheat as much as possible the second time. :lol:

Jack T. Chance

11-07-2009, 11:59 PM

Well, on my first playthrough anyways. I'll cheat like a mofo on my second one.That's exactly what I do, BroomJockey. Play like a saint the first time through, cheat as much as possible the second time. :lol:That's what I did with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic! The first playthrough, I played it strictly "by the book" while I played my Jedi character, sticking to the Light Side. On the second playthrough, though, I turned my character to the Dark Side, playing as a Sith... and I cheated my ass off! :devil:

Hey, it's what a Sith Lord would do! ;)

Broomjockey

11-09-2009, 06:51 PM

Non-spoilerific hint for anyone who's not terribly far in the game yet. Save as many runes as you can, of any level, and pick as many elfroots and deathroots as you can get your hands on. People want them later.

LewisLegion

11-09-2009, 08:59 PM

I'm seriously enjoying it so far :) I played through the first game-start, then immediatley made chars for every single class so I could play through ALL the game-starts. Much love :D

I have noticed it is a bit buggy in places. I had a conversation with an NPC that was stuck in the floor, my screen repeatedly insists that I have enemies in a room even though I've already killed them, and won't let me go out of combat mode for nearly a minute because of it, and a few other little quirks. Anyone else notice the same thing?

Broomjockey

11-09-2009, 09:11 PM

won't let me go out of combat mode

My main character was stuck in combat stance for a while, though no one else in my party was. Could still do everything normally though. Apart from that, right near the start, I got stuck in a bit of geometry that I got unstuck by talking to a party member. Other than those two things, no, I've not seen a single bug. What version are you playing?

LewisLegion

11-10-2009, 12:19 AM

XBox CE. Another one I just remembered, I watched a short cut scene where a NPC talked to my char and then walked out. Immediately, the cutscene repeated with the NPC's voice saying the exact same thing but the NPC's image was missing. At the point that the NPC walked out, the game resumed just fine.

Broomjockey

11-10-2009, 12:40 AM

XBox CE

Ouch, my sympathies. :p :lol:

Nah, I'm playing the Digital Somethingorother edition off Steam, so with the apparent disparity in codebase (they rewrote the interface, I'm told, for one thing), it'd be unlikely we'd see similar bugs.

RayvenQ

11-10-2009, 09:59 AM

:rant: Where the heck is the exit out of Ozrammar, It seems dwarves, in the event of an emergency do not have clearly marked exits. :lol:

Rine

11-11-2009, 08:04 AM

I don't know...haven't got to that part yet.

Now, does anyone like Alastiar (sp?) as much as I do? I want to rip him out of the game and make him real. :lol: I feel bad when I do something evil and he disapproves.

MaggieTheCat

11-11-2009, 02:06 PM

I really like Alistair too. :D I'm playing a female main character, so I'm trying to initiate a romance with him. :love:

Broomjockey

11-11-2009, 02:24 PM

:rant: Where the heck is the exit out of Ozrammar, It seems dwarves, in the event of an emergency do not have clearly marked exits. :lol:
You've probably figured this out by now, but if not, you can fast-travel using the world map while you're in the area that connects to Dust Town/Diamond Quarter/Proving. I can't remember the name of the area itself. The one with the shops. If you want to leave by foot, the exit's at the north of the chamber, up the steps that are across from the bridge. If you mouse over markers on your minimap, the transition ones will tell you where they go.

Now, does anyone like Alastiar (sp?) as much as I do

Alistair is my new favouritest NPC of all gamingdom. And when I handled a situation in such a way that he got really upset with me, I reloaded, replayed about 4 hours of stuff, and handled it differently. Just for him.

I really like Alistair too. :D I'm playing a female main character, so I'm trying to initiate a romance with him. :love:

Been there, done that. Got boinked. He's such a doofus about it though. It's so awesome.

RayvenQ

11-11-2009, 04:12 PM

Also, it's occured to me, have you noticed that in nearly every fantasy, Dwarves are small but the cities and other things they build are &$£% massive?

My favourite NPC is Morrigan though, I just love her cynical yet slightly nieve snarkiness.

I just wish the game was as awesome as one of the trailers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iFrHRaH0Os

Broomjockey

11-11-2009, 04:36 PM

I just wish the game was as awesome as one of the trailers.

Oh sure, it LOOKS awesome, but that'd be a fucking bitch to play. For one, huge battlefields means you'd spend 3/4 of your time searching for your party as they went off to beat on things. For another, unless you're doing first person, most of those moves would be incredibly difficult to pull off. And destructable terrain always sounds like a good idea. And I could pick apart even more from it in a gameplay perspective. But overall? No, I do not think I'd want to play the game shown in that trailer. Watch the movie? Sure. Play the game? Hell. No.

RayvenQ

11-11-2009, 04:41 PM

I didn't mean exactly like it, but as awesome, in different ways of course, it wouldn't be that hard to have super cool moves, just have the range of the target away from the attacking character determine what animation is used.

So yeah, I didn't mean exactly like, but equal to in level of awesomeness :p

Broomjockey

11-11-2009, 04:49 PM

it wouldn't be that hard to have super cool moves,

If you want super cool moves, you are playing the wrong genre. You either want JRPGs, such as final fantasy, or you want spectacle fighters. Maybe I can interest you in a nice copy of WET?

RayvenQ

11-11-2009, 05:14 PM

I'm not saying I'd want it, but it wouldn't be all that difficult to implement it like i said, course, that depends mostly on the source and game engine code but still.

Even then I'm not saying make every single move one of the over the top super cool moves, but one every now and then wouldn't be bad :p

I'm just making the point, you said it'd be a bitch to play, I have to point out not neccesarily depending on how they did it.

LewisLegion

11-11-2009, 06:00 PM

Yeah, my version is definately buggy. In the Fade, every single cutscene repeated itself twice...the second time with the person talking 'invisible'.

And I definately like Alistair as well. He's my first char's romance :D My dwarf male char is hittin' up on Morrigan and I have to say, it's hilarious how they change size when they smoochy :D

Rine

11-11-2009, 07:07 PM

Lewis, I had that problem too...I had to learn to just sit there and wait, wait, wait. Even if it meant about five minutes after those battles until the game goes..."oh, you beat those" and plays the next cutscene. I had one repeat three times until I practiced patience and just sat there.

Okay, yeah...love Alastair. Especially the "lamp post in winter" conversation." :lol: He's such a goof. Broomjockey, I think I might know what you are talking about...the part were Alastair got really upset over something. It happened to me so I reloaded, completed another massively huge quest just to finish up the other one in such a way that Alastair would be happy. (hard being vague...)

Morrigan and my female character are like BFF. XD Too bad I can't take care of that thing in her personal quest...yet.

And that Zevran guy...when I got him, all I thought about was Inigo Montoya. The accent is so...distracting.

trailerparkmedic

11-11-2009, 10:10 PM

Is anyone playing the PC version with a computer that is above system requirements but below recommendations? I'm trying to decide if I should buy the PC or Xbox version.

Chanlin

11-11-2009, 10:30 PM

Not quoting, but replying to a few things i've seen in the thread :)

Yes Claudia Black's voice is perfect for the character she plays. I love it.

Am I the only one who finds it extremely funny/convenient that the people who ask you for the elfroots because they need them so badly have an infinite supply in their own shop?

@ Broom - I think I know which scene your talking about having Alistair gets extremely pissed off at you. You can actually with the appropriate skills talk him around and get him to agree with your decision.

--
So here's a curious question now that quite a few people have been playing.

Do you have a main party? Or do you rotate characters from time to time?

My main party has been Alistair, Morrigan and Leilana. For some reason I can't seem to break myself of this. The party dynamic works quite nicely, at least for me, especially the dialogue between them because they all have such different view points on the same subjects.

MaggieTheCat

11-11-2009, 10:59 PM

I actually decided to re-roll my mage. I was originally thinking about going arcane warrior/spirit healer, but the more I read about them, the more I wanna be a blood mage. :( So I wrote down all the spells I want my MC, Morrigan, and Wynne to have so I can spec them correctly from the get-go. I want my main party to eventually be the three mages plus Alistair. I'll probably rotate Leilana in when I need someone to pick locks. I did really like the war dog, too, though.

Broomjockey

11-11-2009, 11:01 PM

My main party has gone as follows:

Alistair always
Stein replaced by Wynne.
My dog (named woofer :D ), currently replaced by the dwarf whose name I cannot recall. Though I may switch back. I'm unsure. I find having two mages (Wynne and I) capable of healing very useful. And of course I can pump out the damage well, too.

And note, if you're playing a mage, Petrify is your ultra-mega spell. Even if you don't think it. You can cast it on almost anyone, and any regular enemy will shatter if struck with critical hit/stonefist, and many yellows will as well. Anything higher, you just get a whole bunch of free shots.

Rine

11-12-2009, 07:50 AM

My main party is Morrigan, Alastair, and Wynne. My PC is a rogue. So, I have a pretty balanced party, I think. We can pretty easily plow through most battles, now that I fully understand the combat system. :lol: Sometimes I switch out Morrigan for Leilanna or Zev, as I haven't gotten the dwarf yet. Though, Zev has nearly identical skills as my PC so...I don't use him as much. I keep him around mostly because he's amusing.

Chanlin

11-12-2009, 11:51 AM

I have to say I'm not normally one for downloadable content, but since I pre-ordered on steam I got the stone prisoner for free.

Anyhow, I'm at the final battle for my first play through and I have to say getting the Stone Prisoner is worth it solely for the extra character who is quite humorous and has a few great lines in the final battle.

I won't spoil anything, but I will say to hear IMO what is one of the best lines in the game leave the golem behind when you get to choose your final battle party.

Gost2036

11-13-2009, 04:06 AM

I like shale, the golem you get with the Stone Prisoner DLC. I like the short cut scene as you leave the village where you find him.
If you care to see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfLNxJaJqQQ

MaggieTheCat

11-13-2009, 04:22 AM

My husband got Shale recently and has kept him in his active party ever since. I think his relationship with Shale is the highest of all his party members too (+64 or something.) Some of the comments Shale makes really make my husband giggle, and the ones I've overheard have been amusing. I'm working on unlocking Arcane Warrior at the moment so I haven't taken the time to get him. :(

Chanlin

11-13-2009, 11:51 AM

I just finished my first play through. I am minorly disappointed in a very glaringly obvious error in the story at the end (based on the choices I made). Otherwise the game and the end were supremely satisfying.

My last bit of very minor spoilery type advice is make sure to talk to everyone at the end twice for some priceless lines.

One other confirmed famous actor voice:

Arl Howe = Tim Curry

Broomjockey

11-14-2009, 02:53 AM

HOLY CRAPPING %$*#!!!!!!!

I TAKE IT ALL BACK! THERE ARE AWESOME MOVES! :jawdrop:

Alistair just ran up an ogre, STABBED IT IN THE CHEST, RODE IT DOWN, THEN STABBED IT IN THE HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!

RayvenQ

11-14-2009, 10:16 AM

HOLY CRAPPING %$*#!!!!!!!

I TAKE IT ALL BACK! THERE ARE AWESOME MOVES! :jawdrop:

Alistair just ran up an ogre, STABBED IT IN THE CHEST, RODE IT DOWN, THEN STABBED IT IN THE HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!

He did that with me at the start during the Tower, he had a greatsword on him, then in another play through MY character did it, again with a great sword and it looked awesome.

Chanlin

11-14-2009, 11:07 AM

If you think those were good wait until you take down The Brood Mother and the final boss. :D

There are other simpler ones, but I think my favorite is with duel wielding: standard off hand stabs into the chest and lifts the enemy up, main hand lops the head off.

Broomjockey

11-14-2009, 02:46 PM

Eh, already took down the brood mother. Nothing special happened there. The issue, I've discovered, is I'm a mage. And I now realize this was both a good and bad first choice for a playthrough. Bad, because really it's quite mediocre. Magic doesn't give you any spiffy kills, you deal decent amounts of damage from a distance, and you can heal the snot out of your party. Makes for a fairly easy playthrough. Good, because it gave me the opportunity to learn the game mechanics. I think I'll revise my plans for my second playthrough, and take a rogue instead. I think I'm familiar enough to get away with it.

LewisLegion

11-14-2009, 03:53 PM

On my first ogre in the tower, my PC and Alistair BOTH did the bear-down stabby leap thing.

It totally rocked. We're so in sync...

Binky

11-25-2009, 05:43 AM

:ashamed::ashamed: I am a gamer nerd! I got this game about 4 days ago....and I've already finished it :o

OK so I may have used a few cheats here and there because I get frustrated when I pic a REALLY weak character and can't get past certain areas simply because they die! I tried a few things again and again! And died every time, using as many different tactics as I could....so I decided to just finish it.

The next time round I'll pick a better character! And do ALL the side quests...build things up naturally! :o

LewisLegion

11-25-2009, 04:16 PM

I finished my first playthrough and boy, was it messy. Looking back I made stupid mistakes and it was just...just messy. I started a second playthrough with a human noble and so far this is going much better. I'm also romancing Leilana this time and I must say, now I'm torn between her and Alistair. She's so sweet :)

Broomjockey

11-25-2009, 04:58 PM

I'm trying to do a second playthrough, as a rogue this time around, and let me tell you, it's *hard*. I'm dying way more than I did before, and I'm cheating this time. I bumped myself up to max level at one point, just trying to get through a section. I also went for Morgana as my paramour. And I had to laugh when it came time to bump up the relationship to "the next level." She's about as subtle as a freight train.

Binky

11-26-2009, 05:33 AM

lol yeah I played as a Rouge the first time round...that's why I cheated I could NOT get past a lot of things and just gave up.

This time I'm going to do everything :D didn't know you could romance anyone ;) guess I have to try now

Rine

11-26-2009, 05:38 AM

I'm playing a rogue and it's fun. Though, I'll admit to having not played in a little while because of being too busy.

I use stealth function a lot. I get my party to hold their position and I sneak up to where there's a bunch of enemies, sneak attack one, and then run like hell back to the party. Only a few of the enemies go after me at a time, so we can get through big combats bit by bit this way. :lol: Another attack I use a lot is the one that stuns enemies. I stun an enemy, the tank drops it, and I move on to the next enemy. Yeah...maybe I think about this too much.

RayvenQ

11-26-2009, 06:26 AM

LewisLegion

11-26-2009, 04:10 PM

I'm a warrior and probably will be on all my playthroughs (except my human mage because, well, ya can't be).

I'm just a tank. I like beating on stuff. To heck with being sneaky. RARR!!

Gravekeeper

11-28-2009, 03:40 AM

I've done all 3 classes so far to the 20 hour mark until I foolishly installed the Toolset and Microsoft used it to annihilate everything I know and love as punishment for not upgrading to SP3.

Now I have to start over again. ><

Oh well, kept my specialization unlocks at least.

I recommend the City Elf or Human Noble origin though, those two are the best. Being an elf also gives you lots of smart ass commentary options throughout the game. <3

Get Shale asap too for the comedic value.

LewisLegion

11-30-2009, 08:11 PM

Gravekeeper

12-01-2009, 05:43 AM

I liked the City Elf starting story but my two favorites stand as the Human Noble and the Dwarf Noble. Played as a female, the Dwarf Noble has a whole different set of context, esp where you and your second Gorim (if I remember his name right) are concerned.

Human Noble just because it has Tim Curry? ehe

I mangina'd City Elf too so it was doubly horrific. I have a golden rule to never play anything under 5 feet tall in an rpg though so dwarves, halfings and hobbits are out. =p

Going to do Mage now I guess. Or maybe an archer build. Mage Origin kinda blows but its the only class I haven't played much yet.

LewisLegion

12-02-2009, 05:53 PM

Yeah, not terribly fond of the mage origin. Once you get past that though the mage isn't a bad class to play, and this is from someone who hates caster-classes.

Broomjockey

12-02-2009, 05:59 PM

Huh, I liked the mage origin. Then again, I'm a sucker for glass cannons in games.

Gravekeeper

12-02-2009, 08:53 PM

Huh, I liked the mage origin. Then again, I'm a sucker for glass cannons in games.

The mage origin is less personal, more educational, if that makes any sense. You learn more about the game world and the Fade, but have no real personal attachments to it like you do in Human Noble or City Elf. As there are no honestly likable characters in the Mage origin, frankly nor do you have any meaningful relationships with them.

Jowan encourages a swift dickpunch within 5 minutes of meeting him for example. Which is very unlike Human Noble where you feel actual affection for your family members. Or City Elf, where it gets rather personal rather quickly too. Both origins involve family ties and people you care about. Mage origin involves no one particularly interesting and a few people I'd like to toss off the highest point of the Tower.

Speaking of which, fark Dwarves. My god. Fark the entire city of Ozgrammar.

<grumbles about the Deep Roads>

Broomjockey

12-02-2009, 09:46 PM

okay, well, I've only played the Mage and Human Noble origins so far, so I'll grant you the "not as attached to people" during the mage one, but it does make sense to me for the Mage origin to be educational. After all, it's the only one with a proscribed class. Mages are supposed to be smart, and know things about the way the world works. And you don't exactly get to choose to be a mage, you're just drafted in to it, so the resentment and competition fit.

It would be nice if Jowan wasn't such a dickface, though. At least give you a real reason to want to help him, rather than my pseudo-self-justification of "well, he's supposed to be my friend, I should act like he is." I do wonder how it falls out if you don't help him, though.

LewisLegion

12-03-2009, 02:19 AM

I've done it both ways. Helped Jowan or tried not to help Jowan. In the first case, you get to deal with dicky Jowan. In the second case, you get to deal with dicky Irving AND dicky Jowan and just feel like you were slapped on both sides at the end of it.

Yeah, really not fond of the mage start. I DO like Wynne though, I have to say. One of my fave chars.

And GK, I agree with you on Orzammar. I loved the dwarf noble start, but running through the whole Orzammar section to get the dwarfs as allies is a HUGE pain in the butt. That, and the Fade....I get a migraine every time from the slightly out-of-focus 'dream world'. Seriously, can't you just blurr the edges? Talk about eye-strain...

Gravekeeper

12-03-2009, 08:37 AM

okay, well, I've only played the Mage and Human Noble origins so far, so I'll grant you the "not as attached to people" during the mage one, but it does make sense to me for the Mage origin to be educational.

Oh it made sense and was interesting from a learning perspective. It just didn't invoke any emotion by the end like some of the other Origins. I didn't feel like I had as many roots in the storyline. Conversely, Human Noble is great but almost *too* involved in the main plot if that makes any sense.

In the second case, you get to deal with dicky Irving AND dicky Jowan and just feel like you were slapped on both sides at the end of it.

Yeah, that was my main prob. Dick either way.

Yeah, really not fond of the mage start. I DO like Wynne though, I have to say. One of my fave chars.

Wynne surprised me. An older woman is a very unusual character design. As the game industry, much like the Hollywood, considers women dead by 40. Though Bioware is Canadian I suppose ( which really shows at times ). She was also a surprisingly deep character. I underestimated Bioware. I should know better by now.

Most RPGs, especially console ones, give you lots of party characters but its always blatantly obvious who are the favourites of the designers. The rest are just tacked on. Final Fantasy is particularly bad for that. But Bioware gives equal love to all its characters.

I perfer Wynne for my support over Morrigan anyhow. Morrigan is argh. She's either amusing or downright aggravating depending on the situation. No inbetween.

And GK, I agree with you on Orzammar. I loved the dwarf noble start, but running through the whole Orzammar section to get the dwarfs as allies is a HUGE pain in the butt. That, and the Fade....I get a migraine every time from the slightly out-of-focus 'dream world'. Seriously, can't you just blurr the edges? Talk about eye-strain...

Yeah, the Dwarves are the last ally I have to get and I hate them all already except the one that wanted to study at the Tower ( She's adorable ). As for the Fade, are you playing the PC version? There's a mod to remove the effect.

LewisLegion

12-03-2009, 06:13 PM

No, Xbox. Le sigh...

MaggieTheCat

12-03-2009, 06:23 PM

When I rolled my mage, Jowan pissed me off enough in the first 30 seconds upon "meeting" him that when he asked for help, I immediately went and told Irving about it. >.> I like Irving alright. He's kind of a jerk for making you do his dirty work (he basically tells you to go through with Jowan and Lily's plan, because he wants the templars to catch Lily in the act so she'll be punished as well as Jowan.) It's Greagoir who really pisses me off at the end. "She was conspiring with a blood mage! She has no right to be a member of the Circle!" Even after Irving tells him to shut up and that I was working for the Circle the whole time, Greagoir still rants and raves and tells everyone that I'm untrustworthy and a traitor.

Broomjockey

12-03-2009, 06:40 PM

Oh, so absolutely nothing changes depending on what you choose. How nice. Here I had visions of the plot actually changing. My respect for the game just dropped a bit.

LewisLegion

12-03-2009, 09:50 PM

Broom, for the mage start...yeah, pretty much nothing, though later in the game it may determine your rep with the Circle or with Jowan. One of the reasons I like the mage start the least.

Edited to add, slightly off topic: ONE MORE MONTH FOR MASS EFFECT 2!!!!! *squeak!!*

Gravekeeper

12-04-2009, 05:05 AM

Oh, so absolutely nothing changes depending on what you choose. How nice. Here I had visions of the plot actually changing. My respect for the game just dropped a bit.

Each Origin has its moment to shine in the plot, but Mage's is fairly lowkey compared to Human Noble ( So far at least ). Noble origin can hugely effect things in the late game in rather surprising ways. I won't spoil it but I'll give a hint: Keep your romance options open and your Persuade high till the Landsmeet for a surprise. There's, er, more fish in the sea then the game would have you believe. >.>

I'm not sure how much I can affect as a Mage so far. Though it has let me persuade/intimidate my way out of a couple fights or make them easier by running off some of the enemies. No one wants to fark with a Mage.

I swear I will see Jowan dead though. ( and yes, its possible later in the game. Don't worry. You'll get your chance...oh yes... )

X-Box version sucks, however. I can't imagine playing the game with no mods. The character respec mod alone makes the game 5 times more enjoyable. It takes a few experiments before you find a good character build that fits your style and it can be pretty easy to botch up a character. Especially a Mage. Not to mention the ability to respec companions so they aren't stuck with arse builds they start with that forces them into specific roles. I'd rather use chars because I enjoy their company, not because I'm forced too because of the spec they came with.

LewisLegion

12-04-2009, 06:18 PM

Ehn, it's not so bad. My main gripe is the bugs. NPCs vanishing as you're talking to them, cut scenes repeating, esp in the Fade...guh, I hate the Fade...

Gravekeeper

12-05-2009, 05:13 AM

Ehn, it's not so bad. My main gripe is the bugs. NPCs vanishing as you're talking to them, cut scenes repeating, esp in the Fade...guh, I hate the Fade...

Ew. PC version I haven't had a single bug or crash so far. I can't imagine playing any Bioware game on a console, honestly. Better controls, better graphics, better mods. Not even Mass Effect. Which I'm hoping Dragon Age will tide me over too. Still gots ma saved games saved for the sequel.

Dragon Age is going to get as much mod treatment as BG2 did. New quests, new areas, new characters, new items, etc. Console really sucks for titles like this. ;/

Lady Legira

12-05-2009, 03:02 PM

I've just ordered it from Amazon (£15!) as as soon as I get hubby's old comp I'm putting it on there, mine is currently a bit creaky to run it. My sister has it already as it looks great. :D

LewisLegion

12-05-2009, 05:47 PM

Perhaps, GK, but with my pain issues playing games for literally hours on end (like I tend to do with Bioware games...twelve hour marathon sessions, booyah!) it's console or no go. The controller I can use for a very long time without pain but trying to play with mouse/keyboard for anything longer than an hour or two and I'm in serious agony.

Besides, 46" flatscreen or outdated computer monitor I need to replace....yeah, console still wins for me for now :)

Gravekeeper

12-06-2009, 05:28 AM

The controller I can use for a very long time without pain but trying to play with mouse/keyboard for anything longer than an hour or two and I'm in serious agony.

Besides, 46" flatscreen or outdated computer monitor I need to replace....yeah, console still wins for me for now :)

Fair enough.

Of course, hook gamepad and flatscreen to computer.....victory~

You can't use the Baldur's Gate 2 cam on the console can you? Granted I stopped using it after an hour or so as the game is more fun with third person camera.

LewisLegion

12-07-2009, 06:31 PM

ROFL

Sure, make sense and be logical. Don't you know that's not allowed??

I have no idea. Never tried to use the cam.

Gravekeeper

12-07-2009, 07:20 PM

ROFL

Sure, make sense and be logical. Don't you know that's not allowed??

I have no idea. Never tried to use the cam.

Its a PC version feature. If you zoom all the way out the game defaults to a BG2 style top down view and control scheme. I mainly only use it to set up coordinated AoE strikes though. ;p

Finally finished the bloody Deep Roads. My God. That is the longest section in the game bar none. I thought the Ruined Temple sequence was long. But its nothing compared to Deep Roads.

Not to mention that...that thing near the end. <cries>

LewisLegion

12-07-2009, 07:59 PM

Aaaannndd now you know why getting the dwarf allies is my most hated part of the game :)

There there, my poor GK *comforts*

Gravekeeper

12-08-2009, 06:11 PM

I have victoriously completed the game, and man does every single little decision you ever made come back to haunt you. Every last one. ;p

I hope you've been stocking your Allied Supply Crates in camp. It directly controls how many and how good of each ally you can call upon during the final battles and man do they make a difference. You'll be farked without them, no contest. You'll just get swarmed and overrun. Although the dwarves were quite useless. So even after all that trouble they still let me down.

The Dalish and the Knights of Redcliff were the most effective, imo. I didn't try the Mages, because they were too preciously few. I kept saving them for when I thought I might really need them and ended up never using them as a result. ><