Noodles – Dragon Age isn't a flop game, it's just not your style, which is fine.  I think there's a lot of us that are loving the story, and the different characters.  I know I'm like Mr.D in that this is the first time in a long time that I've invested this many hours into a game.  It's not an FPS game at all it's a full-on RPG.  Borderlands looks cool, but it's an FPS first, so for those of RPGers that like a lot of plot, and character development, DAO is definitely a good choice.

I'm about 75% though the City Elf Mage storyline, and really loving some of the character choices.  I managed to get spoiled on some of the choices, and played according to how I wanted it to work out.

I know I'm closing in on the end, and I'm really hoping that there's more DLC ready by the time I'm done.  I've started a second character (Dwarven Noble Rogue) and was surprised by some of the story there (which helped me choose when I took my mage to the dwarves) and I'm looking forward to at least seeing the story for the other races I haven't tried yet.

Post edited 3:46 pm – December 21, 2009 by noodles

Good point Cherith, DAO is very different stylisticaly from an FSP.  I am all about in depth story and cool diolauge.  Mass Effect did a great job and yes I realize as I am writing this, mass effect was an FSP.  Fable did a great job with incorperating action and spell casting into an interesting storyline.  I was really disappointed when fable 2 tabled the mana bar, idiots.  DAO is fun, but I feel like people are vesting a bit much in this game. The spells for the mage are pretty sweet and are only getting better as I play.  The biggest beef I have with DAO is probably because I have a silly desire to tank with the mage.  The class system kind of keeps me from making a totally bad ass battle mage.  I am looking forward to Divinity 2 because I hear there is no class system, which is ideal for some one with the need to tank and whip out some epic spells.

I too started as an elven mage.  I am now a human rouge.  The class systems allows for different styles of gameplay, but seem to limit the overall experience in the long run.

noodles – there is an Arcane Warrior specialization where you can give your mage a mace or a sword and let them get in on the action.  I also like it when mages can get in on the fighting.  The shapeshifter specialization also gives you a bear form (Morrigan has this) that's pretty sweet as a tank.  I found that when I wasn't controlling him, Alistair was falling down often, so having the mage tank or Morrigan tank as a bear was incredibly useful.  (Alistair does get better with the levels, but it's annoying for a long while.)

noodles – I'm playing on the 360, and I like it.  Although I imagine it might be a touch faster on the PC because I could click through the menus instead of using the radial menu from the triggers on the controller.

I think I bought my arcane warrior specialization from a vendor.

Post edited 2:53 pm – January 7, 2010 by noodles

Good on ya Cherith.  I too am a 360 fan, but I would have to side with GI in the sense that I will always prefer the system that is better tailored to my needs.  I think it can be really silly when people refuse to play something just because it's Microsoft or Sony.  I like to tease my Jewish buddy Greg because he refuses to drink Welches, he says they are antisemitic, I seriously doubt it.  Although I don't think it's a difference in style that puts me off.  It's the class structure that I disagree with.  I just got Darksiders, so DAO is on hold for right now.  I think next time I play I will start out as a warrior.  Have either of you, Cherith or Amanda, played Divinity 2?  It looks good and I hear it's classless.

Hmmm?  I think the demo needs some retooling, but hey it's free and you do get what you pay for.  I have heard about problems with the frame rate, wouldn't bother me though cause my comp is a piece of processing poop.  I agree that it would probably be better to play it on the 360.  I am hope the final product is more polished.  Let me know how it is before I buy it.