Video Games Dragon Age

BegoneThought

begone thOT
Yes, yes, I'm aware Dragon Age Inquisition is leagues beyond the other two in regards to gameplay, but that's not what I'm asking here. Which Dragon Age game is the best if you're ONLY looking at the story and characters? (In other words: the layout of Dragon Age II sucked ass but why do you like it anyways?) How do you think Bioware could have handled the games differently? Who is your favorite protagonist? Hit me with any opinions you got!
 
I'm a massive Dragon Age fan. I personally enjoyed Dragon Age II. I held off for a long time due to it's hate, but I'm sad I did. I think the entire plot was riveting and the cast of characters very likeable. Plot and cast wise DA2 is not favorite. There is just so much to think about despite it's short comings. DAI will be my favorite game play wise since it was my first DA game, but I'm just seriously invested in all the lore and stuff.
 
I'm definitely inclined to say Origins. It was executed with better forethought and care that its successors don't exactly rival. It felt like the inception of our journey, being able to decide what the origin of our character was. It introduced us to the world of Thedas in a way immaculate and memorable. That's where I personally feel DA went wrong. They got a bit too careless. DA 2 and Inquisition just wasn't made with same formula Origins was.

Though I have to say, Morrigan > All. I'll never forget how she was revealed in Inquisition... Don't think I ever can lol.
 
I'm not sure where you're coming from in Dragon Age: Inquisition being leagues beyond the others in gameplay. Of the three I actually find Inquisitions to have the least enjoyable gameplay and it just feels like a single player MMO with clunky mechanics and quite poorly put together. The story is an improvement on the second, but worse than the first. I can't say I enjoyed the second an immense deal, but if I do feel the second was the most fluid gameplay-wise, but with the worst story and character combination, whilst the third has the worst gameplay and second best story, with origins having the second best gameplay as well as the best story and characters. Ideally a combination of the first two would be perfect in my eyes.

Ultimately the story of the Darkspawn has practically been dropped since Origins and the expansions, and I do recall statements saying the story wouldn't return to that direction either. The simple answer therefore, in my eyes, is that the story should have continued along with the theme of the Darkspawn and Old Gods, as opposed to this whole mage vs templar debacle. They've effectively swapped the template of the main plot with one of the side plots in Origins (the Mage section of the story) and that was always going to feel a little odd.
 
I'm a massive Dragon Age fan. I personally enjoyed Dragon Age II. I held off for a long time due to it's hate, but I'm sad I did. I think the entire plot was riveting and the cast of characters very likeable. Plot and cast wise DA2 is not favorite. There is just so much to think about despite it's short comings. DAI will be my favorite game play wise since it was my first DA game, but I'm just seriously invested in all the lore and stuff.
I did exactly the same thing as you. I held off and was amazed to see that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. The areas were a little dry, but the characters sure as hell weren't! I started off with DAI as well, and that was not a very good idea lol. I didn't understand any of it. Going back and replaying DAI after playing Origins and DA2 had me fucking shook.
 
I'm not sure where you're coming from in Dragon Age: Inquisition being leagues beyond the others in gameplay. Of the three I actually find Inquisitions to have the least enjoyable gameplay and it just feels like a single player MMO with clunky mechanics and quite poorly put together. The story is an improvement on the second, but worse than the first. I can't say I enjoyed the second an immense deal, but if I do feel the second was the most fluid gameplay-wise, but with the worst story and character combination, whilst the third has the worst gameplay and second best story, with origins having the second best gameplay as well as the best story and characters. Ideally a combination of the first two would be perfect in my eyes.

Ultimately the story of the Darkspawn has practically been dropped since Origins and the expansions, and I do recall statements saying the story wouldn't return to that direction either. The simple answer therefore, in my eyes, is that the story should have continued along with the theme of the Darkspawn and Old Gods, as opposed to this whole mage vs templar debacle. They've effectively swapped the template of the main plot with one of the side plots in Origins (the Mage section of the story) and that was always going to feel a little odd.
I guess I meant controls-wise. Going from an Xbox 360 to a PS4 was a huge difference, so it might have been more exaggerated on my end. I agree with you about Origins- it will always be the best one. I wanted to know more about Awakening and why the darkspawn were talking. I also totally hated the fact that they dropped the Grey Warden entirely. My GW was so much better than my Hawke or my Inquisitor. I get that some people's GWs died, but I mean... their loss lol. I wanted more than a letter, and if the fourth game doesn't explain what happened to the Warden-Commander, I'm gonna flip my shit.
 
I'm definitely inclined to say Origins. It was executed with better forethought and care that its successors don't exactly rival. It felt like the inception of our journey, being able to decide what the origin of our character was. It introduced us to the world of Thedas in a way immaculate and memorable. That's where I personally feel DA went wrong. They got a bit too careless. DA 2 and Inquisition just wasn't made with same formula Origins was.

Though I have to say, Morrigan > All. I'll never forget how she was revealed in Inquisition... Don't think I ever can lol.
YES MORRIGAN. She is the best fuckin character in the games. She grew so much, and she wasn't just the generic bitchy lady that you are forced to drag along. Some people saw her that way, but they didn't look hard enough. I feel like they could've done more with Leliana as a character, but even then, I doubt she would have hit Morrigan's level. Her voice actress could beat me with an end table while reading the encyclopedia and I would still have an eargasm. Have you ever played Uncharted: The Lost Legacy? Chloe in that game reminds me of Morrigan, though it might just be because Claudia Black plays them both.
 
I guess I meant controls-wise. Going from an Xbox 360 to a PS4 was a huge difference, so it might have been more exaggerated on my end. I agree with you about Origins- it will always be the best one. I wanted to know more about Awakening and why the darkspawn were talking. I also totally hated the fact that they dropped the Grey Warden entirely. My GW was so much better than my Hawke or my Inquisitor. I get that some people's GWs died, but I mean... their loss lol. I wanted more than a letter, and if the fourth game doesn't explain what happened to the Warden-Commander, I'm gonna flip my shit.

As far as I'm aware the GW won't make a reappearance and their role will be nigh-on non-existent in the story going forward. As you could see with the handling of Kieran in Inquisition, the handling of the boons upon reaching Dragon Age II, and the handling of Leliana should you kill her in Origins, the second and third titles have been trying their absolute best to revoke the key decisions of the original without formally calling it non-canon. Dragon Age: Origins is increasingly becoming as good as an entirely different reality to the subsequent titles.
 
As far as I'm aware the GW won't make a reappearance and their role will be nigh-on non-existent in the story going forward. As you could see with the handling of Kieran in Inquisition, the handling of the boons upon reaching Dragon Age II, and the handling of Leliana should you kill her in Origins, the second and third titles have been trying their absolute best to revoke the key decisions of the original without formally calling it non-canon. Dragon Age: Origins is increasingly becoming as good as an entirely different reality to the subsequent titles.
I saw that too. At first I was hoping they'd do exactly as you said and find their way around the GW's death. If you're going to take away our decisions, at least redo the good ones. Bioware needs to get their shit together. First Andromeda, now this? What is going on...
 
I haven't player DA2, but I have played Origins and Inquisition. And honestly, Inquisition wasn't that great. The story was alright, but the gameplay was pretty boring. I quit playing after I got to the ball to save the Empress. Now it gathers dust somewhere in the house and I never want to see it again.

Origins was far better, I liked both the story and the gameplay.
 
Origins had a much better story all around. While I would say inquisition had rather interesting character developement.
 
Hmmm. Origins is my favorite because it was interesting and very believable. That's why I love it the most. Also the whole origin thing was really nice and not many games did that at the time.

While I feel that Da2 is too hated upon, it is my least favorite since it just wasn't that engaging. The story was meh, a few characters were meh, it just wasn't a good sequel to me.

DaI is my second favorite because I felt like it was more unique, the characters were better, the story IMO is interesting, and the lore intrigued me. Because each game I feel focuses on an aspect of DA Lore, with origins being about the Blight/Darkspawn. DA2 about mages and Templars and the chantry. And DAI about Demons and Elves. I'm interested in what direction they will go next.
 
I haven't player DA2, but I have played Origins and Inquisition. And honestly, Inquisition wasn't that great. The story was alright, but the gameplay was pretty boring. I quit playing after I got to the ball to save the Empress. Now it gathers dust somewhere in the house and I never want to see it again.

Origins was far better, I liked both the story and the gameplay.
I agree with your favorite. Ever think about playing DA2? I can't really promise you it'll be worth it- only certain people can love it in it's entirety, dry-ass settings included, and I'm not one of them. However, if you're a lore and story junkie like myself, and if you can appreciate good mechanics, I would suggest trying it out!
 
Hmmm. Origins is my favorite because it was interesting and very believable. That's why I love it the most. Also the whole origin thing was really nice and not many games did that at the time.

While I feel that Da2 is too hated upon, it is my least favorite since it just wasn't that engaging. The story was meh, a few characters were meh, it just wasn't a good sequel to me.

DaI is my second favorite because I felt like it was more unique, the characters were better, the story IMO is interesting, and the lore intrigued me. Because each game I feel focuses on an aspect of DA Lore, with origins being about the Blight/Darkspawn. DA2 about mages and Templars and the chantry. And DAI about Demons and Elves. I'm interested in what direction they will go next.
I'm glad I found so many people that love Origins! I feel like I only ever hear about DAI, and I'm glad to see that's not the case everywhere. The "theme" idea of yours is very interesting. I can only hope that the next game doesn't take us into a part of the lore that's too obscure. I would like to have the already-seen themes explored a little more, because I'm pretty sure we all still have questions.
 
Major fan of the series. I enjoy all three of the Dragon Age Games. It is tough to decide on what is my favorite. I think Origins has the better story and DLC, and while I love the cast, I really really enjoy the cast of Inquisition and the development they get. I see a lot of people dislike the Gameplay which is fair enough. As someone who has played MMOs for years, I didn't dislike it, but I do see why people compare it to MMOs. Dragon Age II was fun and good in its own way, the layout and size was poor but I enjoyed the cast of characters, the friendship/rival system and the Plot was decent. It had some characters I really dislike though. Overall... I think Origins is my favorite, but just barely. Inquisition has an interesting story and does a good job at world building in my opinion and really expands the lore. Origins does a great job at being an origins story though.

Morrigan, Isabella and Cassandra are the best romances. FITE ME
 
Major fan of the series. I enjoy all three of the Dragon Age Games. It is tough to decide on what is my favorite. I think Origins has the better story and DLC, and while I love the cast, I really really enjoy the cast of Inquisition and the development they get. I see a lot of people dislike the Gameplay which is fair enough. As someone who has played MMOs for years, I didn't dislike it, but I do see why people compare it to MMOs. Dragon Age II was fun and good in its own way, the layout and size was poor but I enjoyed the cast of characters, the friendship/rival system and the Plot was decent. It had some characters I really dislike though. Overall... I think Origins is my favorite, but just barely. Inquisition has an interesting story and does a good job at world building in my opinion and really expands the lore. Origins does a great job at being an origins story though.

Morrigan, Isabella and Cassandra are the best romances. FITE ME
My thoughts (almost) exactly! The only problem I had with the development of the cast was that I couldn't get a gauge for whether they liked me or not. It left me wondering if I did enough for their character, and the first time I played it through (basically the first time I'd ever played a video game), I'm pretty sure I didn't do anyone's character missions. In other words, Inquisition was just a bit unfriendly to newcomers, which I don't have any problems with now lol.

I wish I could agree with you wholeheartedly, but Morrigan and Cassandra were both straight, so I'm partial to Leliana myself. As a romance. Morrigan will always be my favorite character, but Leliana has a special place in my heart. (She was the only one willing to screw my gay ass lol.) I would pay big cash to see Morrigan and Leliana's reactions were the Warden to come back.
 
My thoughts (almost) exactly! The only problem I had with the development of the cast was that I couldn't get a gauge for whether they liked me or not. It left me wondering if I did enough for their character, and the first time I played it through (basically the first time I'd ever played a video game), I'm pretty sure I didn't do anyone's character missions. In other words, Inquisition was just a bit unfriendly to newcomers, which I don't have any problems with now lol.

I wish I could agree with you wholeheartedly, but Morrigan and Cassandra were both straight, so I'm partial to Leliana myself. As a romance. Morrigan will always be my favorite character, but Leliana has a special place in my heart. (She was the only one willing to screw my gay ass lol.) I would pay big cash to see Morrigan and Leliana's reactions were the Warden to come back.
See I wish Morrigan and Cassandra were both Bisexual options, but I am not clamoring or hating on BioWare for making them straight. I am alright with my male characters always going for them.

Meanwhile Isabella does anyone ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
 
Dragon Age II has got to be my favourite. That could be because it was the first of the series that I played but I genuinely enjoyed it (mainly because of Fenris, because...c'mon). Despite the repetitive dungeons the story and characters drew me in and really set the scene for what would be DA:I, which I personally enjoyed almost as much as DA2. I haven't gotten around to finishing DA:O yet so I haven't formed a whole opinion about it, but its gotta be my least favourite.
 
Dragon Age II has got to be my favourite. That could be because it was the first of the series that I played but I genuinely enjoyed it (mainly because of Fenris, because...c'mon). Despite the repetitive dungeons the story and characters drew me in and really set the scene for what would be DA:I, which I personally enjoyed almost as much as DA2. I haven't gotten around to finishing DA:O yet so I haven't formed a whole opinion about it, but its gotta be my least favourite.
So you lean more towards looking at the characters and story? That's a good mindset- helps you look at a game for what it is rather than what it could be. I'm not sure if the ending to DA:O will change your mind, because... Well, let's just say it's not the easiest ending in the world. Make good choices! Particularly in who you bring to the final battle! Which origin did you pick in DA? The mage origin is basically the only origin that really gives you a heads up for DAI.
 
So you lean more towards looking at the characters and story? That's a good mindset- helps you look at a game for what it is rather than what it could be. I'm not sure if the ending to DA:O will change your mind, because... Well, let's just say it's not the easiest ending in the world. Make good choices! Particularly in who you bring to the final battle! Which origin did you pick in DA? The mage origin is basically the only origin that really gives you a heads up for DAI.
I try to focus more on characters and story, yes. Graphics have made me turn away from games in the past, its a nasty habit. I chose the City Elf origin at random. I may opt for starting a completely new run and see what the Mage origin has to offer then, to see how it relates to DAI.
 
I try to focus more on characters and story, yes. Graphics have made me turn away from games in the past, its a nasty habit. I chose the City Elf origin at random. I may opt for starting a completely new run and see what the Mage origin has to offer then, to see how it relates to DAI.
It's a habit that's hard to rid yourself of, especially if you start out playing newer video games. I was lucky because I started playing older video games early on, so I got used to the shitty graphics. The City Elf origin is one of the more interesting Origin stories. If you end up going with the Mage route, come back to this thread and let me know what you recognize and what you think of it! Or message me, I don't care. I'm a sucker for hearing people's opinions of video games I like lol.
 
The mage route doesn't show much beyond what the actual mage portion of the story shows if I'm honest. The only special thing about the mage origin is that if you're male then you're a relative of the DA:II protagonist.

I'll admit though, I find it difficult to play as anything but mage in DA: O because of how ridiculously overpowered they are. If Inquisition and II did anything good then it was balancing the classes out.
 
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YES MORRIGAN. She is the best fuckin character in the games. She grew so much, and she wasn't just the generic bitchy lady that you are forced to drag along. Some people saw her that way, but they didn't look hard enough. I feel like they could've done more with Leliana as a character, but even then, I doubt she would have hit Morrigan's level. Her voice actress could beat me with an end table while reading the encyclopedia and I would still have an eargasm. Have you ever played Uncharted: The Lost Legacy? Chloe in that game reminds me of Morrigan, though it might just be because Claudia Black plays them both.

Exactly! They made her so distinct it's crazy. Once I heard that voice... oh boy was I reminiscent. I kinda like Origins Morrigan better though. I feel like she's matured so much, I miss that bitchy side everyone loathed. I recently got a PS4 during Black Friday but decided to get Last Of us instead of that game. I'm guessing It was a bad decision lol?
 

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