chilyn

chilyn

43p

71 comments posted · 1 followers · following 0

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - An Optimist's View on ... · 1 reply · 0 points

Very nicely written! Unlike that other hack and his "doom and gloom"... :P

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - Is Dragon Age 2 the En... · 0 replies · +1 points

I'm not sure that they will not allow class choices -- that would be a huge mistake. I think the main issue is that, when there is a whole world of races and peoples out there with very detailed and rich histories and cultures, you as a player are stuck with some guy from Lothering. :)

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - Is Dragon Age 2 the En... · 0 replies · +2 points

The ability to play as a female is still available, just not a part of their frontal marketing. :)

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - Is Dragon Age 2 the En... · 1 reply · +3 points

So.... anybody think or dare hope that BioWare's grand plan with DA 2 is to capture the more mainstream action fantasy game market -- and then hit us with an MMORPG based in the Dragon Age world?

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - Is Dragon Age 2 the En... · 1 reply · +6 points

And if the posts about the colourful dialogue wheel over actually being able to read the text are true, that feels even more limiting. At least if you can read the text it sort of kind of maybe feels like you are the one deciding what the character says...

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - Is Dragon Age 2 the En... · 3 replies · +7 points

You know, I think a lot of the question of "controversy" comes from how people define an RPG. A traditional RPG, in my understanding, is something in the realm of old school D&D -- you pick everything from race to class to background story and appearance. Name too. Dragon Age: Origins embraced all of these things (though even Origins limited you somewhat by only allowing you to choose from six possible origins).

Now you get one origin possibility (refugee from the Blight), which could be viewed as either broad or extremely limited, depending on how BioWare approaches it. You lose the ability to choose much what can make your character YOUR character (including choosing a name -- you're stuck with Hawke, like it or not) -- therefore you lose the Role Play element as defined by a traditional RPG.

You are playing a character that is defined for you by the story, and then you choose between options to shape the story toward a possible ending. This is not role play, this is novel play or movie play -- this is that boiled down subset of role play that was so popular in the 80's: Choose Your Own Adventure. Remember those? Some of them even allowed you to roll stats -- but the character was never yours.

Games like Mass Effect 1 and 2, The Witcher, and all others of that set are awesome and fun to play -- but they are not really RPGs, no matter what the marketing people tell you. The Witcher at the least end of that scale, as you actually choose very little about the character, you simply help him make his choices -- just like you would in any -action- title that allows dialogue outside of in-game movies. Your not Playing a Role, you're helping a predefined character make one of a couple predefined choices. This can be said of Dragon Age: Origins as well, as there are limitations to a solo player video game that take away from true RP Gaming, but DA:O still made you feel like the character was yours -- could be YOU even. That's Role Playing.

Once again, the marketing reasons for this change make sense to me. They need a sequel that will appeal to a larger audience so they can make money on a grand scale. There are more action "RPG" players out there than traditional role players. The Origin Stories thing was sooo last year -- and to be honest, they would not be able to use it twice. That wouldn't sell games in the same way. It wouldn't be as powerful the second time around -- but an action "RPG" with a seriously kick ass story based on the best selling solo RPG pretty much ever, and appealing to a broad range of gamers (especially console gamers) is gold in a really, REALLY big bucket.

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - Is Dragon Age 2 the En... · 1 reply · 0 points

LOL! I may not agree with everything you said -- but you frickin' rock man! :D

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - Win the Entire Dragon ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Both of you... please feel free to enter, win and donate to me. :D

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - What's In a Name? · 0 replies · +1 points

LOL! Very nice!

I bet there were some nice traits below your obvious subconscious need for power and domination.... :P

13 years ago @ GreyWardens.Com - Drag... - What's In a Name? · 1 reply · +1 points

Fair enough! Bear in mind that those things would be balanced by the other traits and specifics in the sections below the #8 bit. And I hear you on Numerology as a science (or not) -- but it sure makes for some interesting and random fun, yes?