How do you feel DAV compares to other Dragon Age games?

[erinrca]

So, I have played all the Dragon Age games. I started with Origins when it came out. I played all the DLC and continued from there with the other games. That said, I do have my favorite Dragon Age Games. So here are my personal ratings for each game in order from my favorite to least favorite. Please share your opinions as well; just make sure to be polite to other people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion even if it doesn't agree with yours. The point of this DISCUSSION is to see how people feel DAV stacks up compared to the other Dragon Age games without hate, vitriol and needless arguments. Please respect other people's opinions even if those opinions differ from yours.

1. Dragon Age Origins - My Rating 9.7- I love this game. If they decide to do another foray into Dragon Age, I would love to see an updated remake of this game that is true to the original. The rating for the DLC including Dragon Age Awakening is slightly lower at 9.5. Great story and characters. The only downsides are the outdated graphics and gameplay.

2. Dragon Age Inquisition - My Rating 9.4- This was a really good game that was a bit longer than it needed to be. Some of the side quests were unnecessary and didn't really contribute much to the story nor could they stand on their own as independent stories.

3. Dragon Age 2 - My Rating 8.5- This was a good game that got a little bit lazy with reused maps. Gameplay is a little bit clumsy and choppy and a bit dated. It has a good story and characters, but it had the potential to be better. I liked it overall. It wasn’t as good as Dragon Age Origins or Dragon Age Inquisition.

4. Dragon Age Veilguard- My Rating 7 to 7.5 - A fair/decent game which I enjoyed playing, but not up to level of the other Dragon Age games. It suffers by comparison to the other games. It has good combat and environments and the overall story has promise. However, it is unfortunate that there is no planned DLC because the game could be improved with added content to flesh out quests, characters, and the story. It also could use some dialogue fixes. Some of the dialogue seems awkward, forced, out of place, not nuanced and overly simplistic. Some of the voice acting is stiff and lacks feeling and conviction (not sure if this was the voice actor(s), the writing, voice direction or some combination of all three). It almost feels like they had an outline that they followed but did the minimum required to create a story. The game seems lacking for ten years of development. I know they changed course during development, but I wonder how many times they changed course during those ten years.

[fizzban]

Maybe this is off-topic, but I haven’t played any of the other Dragon Age games. I’ve played a lot of RPGs, though, and the only BioWare game that really stands out to me is Mass Effect 3. When it comes to RPGs, I tend to measure them against something like Baldur’s Gate 3. From everything I’ve heard, the earlier Dragon Age games were considered great RPGs on that level.

While Veilguard looks nice and has impressive environments, it doesn’t really feel like an RPG. Aside from one or two moments, your choices don’t seem to matter, dialogue options don’t change anything, and the story moves forward the same way no matter what you want or feel. For me, RPGs are about creating your own path and shaping the story to make it your own, and I didn’t experience any of that in Veilguard.

Honestly, while it carries the “RPG” label, Veilguard lacks the key elements that define the genre. If the previous Dragon Age games were truly RPGs, comparing them to this doesn’t seem fair. But again, I haven’t played the earlier games, so I can’t say for certain.

[Sassy Robot]

@Fizzban

You should really play Origins. I know I'm the 1,000,000th person to say this to you though so... lol

[Rabidnid]

Origins DA2/Veilguard Inquisition.

I just don't like Inquisition. Mostly because I played Greedfall about the same time and even with it's flaws it was a better game.

[piggs]

Publicado originalmente por Cassidy0z:

It's not good and definitely not good as a DA game. The people calling it good represent the smallest percentage of gamers who played it.

They want to point to the shills that had to pay homage for their access and gave it a good review but then when it came time to nominate it for the game awards, crickets. Then they'll want to point to steam reviews as if a 71% represents "good" while IGN, the same people that rated it 9 by an LGBTQ activist only to have IGN walk the rating back (though they still left the score there) and then do a poll to find out that 6% of their own viewers/players actually liked the game.

It's perfectly ok to like bad games, you just can't expect everyone else to. It's honestly a 6 game.

No... it's good, lol. The common consensus is that it's good. It's just not as good as other Dragon Age games. Review bombing (especially from people who fixate on the political angle like you are right now) is a thing. You can selectively say that only 6% of IGN readers liked the game because that meshes with your worldview, but that doesn't mean those people actually played it. Reviews are overall positive on here and those are from people that have actually veritably installed it.

I'm disappointed by it if I compare it to other Dragon Age games. It's not what I wanted. But it's not a "bad game" and the complete hysteria around it being irredeemably bad is unwarranted.

[Mewsha]

Origins was Bioware at its peak, and it's an anomaly even at Bioware, so I didn't really expect that level of quality writing, but this game falls significantly behind the rest of the series in everything except gameplay and graphics.

It's a good game, but a bad DA game. Much of it feels very disconnected due to the development changes, and then the ending, which does feel like DA, feels like it didn't need the rest of the game to be what it is. My theory is they knew how to end the story since the Tresspasser DLC, but not how to get there. This game is really afraid to do anything that's going to have a broader implication or noticeable consequence on the larger franchise, likely because another DA game wouldn't come out for at least 5 more years.

I think what got them was the choices matter aspect. Choices should matter within the game, but if you're going to continue a series then a decision on what is cannon must be made for the sake of the story, and it doesn't seem like they wanted to do that here. So they tip toe around Inquisition.

When you look at Loghain's retreat at Ostagar, Meredith's actions at Kirkwall, or election for the next Divine. These have broader implications on the world, and they're morally complex questions with no easy answer. There's nothing like that in Veilguard. That's why when the anti-wokes cry haha no DLC, and it's like what would the DLC even be about? It's a very self-contained story because it seems like they realized they couldn't get to another DA title for years and didn't want to be tied down again.

As for the TGA controversy, I'm not really surprised. Inquisition was the first winner of TGA for both Game of the Year and Best RPG back in 2014. Nominating this game in either of those categories wouldn't have worked. It's not really an RPG, and while it is enjoyable to play, ultimately it is not as good as Inquisition, which makes nominating it awkward.

It's a pretty slim year in general too for GOTY too. They already made two controversial decisions, including DLC into GOTY because they want FromSoft back at TGA for ratings and making the decision that remakes don't count, pushing Silent Hill 2 out of the running. Veilguard would just add more fuel to the fire for no good reason and truthfully Metaphor Refantazio stands head and shoulders above its competition right now anyway.

[SgtDragoon]

I compare it as thus... DA:O Loved it, DA:2 story good, DA:I personally loved it.
DA:V non-cannon fan fick 10/10 dumbsterfire.
mass effect: andromeda got more flack when it is a better game over all by and large compared to DA:V.
DA:V brings me nothing but contempt; because I know we wont get a 5th, let alone a remake of DA:V.
DA:I is the last game canonically, and Mass effect is likely next on the hit list of IPs taken to the backyard and shot like old yeller.

[erinrca]

Publicado originalmente por fizzban:

Maybe this is off-topic, but I haven’t played any of the other Dragon Age games. I’ve played a lot of RPGs, though, and the only BioWare game that really stands out to me is Mass Effect 3. When it comes to RPGs, I tend to measure them against something like Baldur’s Gate 3. From everything I’ve heard, the earlier Dragon Age games were considered great RPGs on that level.

While Veilguard looks nice and has impressive environments, it doesn’t really feel like an RPG. Aside from one or two moments, your choices don’t seem to matter, dialogue options don’t change anything, and the story moves forward the same way no matter what you want or feel. For me, RPGs are about creating your own path and shaping the story to make it your own, and I didn’t experience any of that in Veilguard.

Honestly, while it carries the “RPG” label, Veilguard lacks the key elements that define the genre. If the previous Dragon Age games were truly RPGs, comparing them to this doesn’t seem fair. But again, I haven’t played the earlier games, so I can’t say for certain.

I would actually argue that RPG video games are better described as merely having RPG elements; none of them are true RPG's because it simply isn't possible to have the flexibility needed to do that effectively with the technology we currently have. Perhaps AI will help with that as it becomes more sophisticated.

That said, some video games have more RPG elements than others. This is not an indictment of video games that are identified as RPG video games, most of them are story rich and allow players to influence their own play-throughs....to a degree. Video games simply do not have the flexibility and judgement that a human DM or GM has.

I believe this may be one of the problems that the developers ran into with DAV. The more games in a franchise that have choices that carry over, the more complex and harder it gets to continue to have those choices carry over in a significant way. Every outcome must be accounted for in the game. The more potential outcomes, the harder it is to do.

Even in earlier games in the franchise, the developers had a challenging balancing act that they had to do. Considering that they have an overarching story that they want to make into a game, certain things/events need to happen. Any choices within the game, can't interfere too much with the overarching story without running the risk of having to create a whole new story. As a result of this, only some types of choices can be realistically and reasonably supported.

In other words, minor choices that have nuanced , but, ultimately, minors effects on the overall story are okay. Major choices that affect the overall story in major ways can't be supported. This is why we can choose who we romance, who we make Divine, whether we support Loghain or Alistair or even whether we support the Mage rebellion or not, but none of those choices ultimately affects the overall story in a major way.

I, for one, like the nuanced choices that we can make in the games. It helps to make the games feel more realistic and helps get people more engaged in the story. And I do like seeing those choices referenced in some way in later games, but I also understand that it is not a simple process.

[piggs]

Publicado originalmente por Ezir:

Publicado originalmente por piggs:

No... it's good, lol. The common consensus is that it's good. It's just not as good as other Dragon Age games. Review bombing (especially from people who fixate on the political angle like you are right now) is a thing. You can selectively say that only 6% of IGN readers liked the game because that meshes with your worldview, but that doesn't mean those people actually played it. Reviews are overall positive on here and those are from people that have actually veritably installed it.

I'm disappointed by it if I compare it to other Dragon Age games. It's not what I wanted. But it's not a "bad game" and the complete hysteria around it being irredeemably bad is unwarranted.

And yet, for all those 9/10 scores it was given and so on, it didn't get nominated for TGA. I wouldn't go as far as claiming common consensus is 'good' I'd say its very mid. Positive reviews don't mean much, people who refunded / refused to play it after doing through research, cannot voice their opinion. Doubt anyone would purchase the game to 'review bomb' that's a waste of 70$ but it definitely wouldn't be 70% positive if refunders were allowed their opinion. It's definitely not the AAA quality expected after 10 years of development. But hey, it's common that people who like something go into denial that the thing they like is actually considered bad.

Glad you enjoy it though, that's all that should be important for each person.

It not getting nominated for TGA is reasonable IMO. It has some serious flaws. It's "good" and not worth calling a massive fialure, but it's not great. I agree that some people are in hard denial/playing defense way too hard for this game, but I don't think the bulk of the people who played it are thinking that way.

People who refund on steam within the 2 hour window can't give a fair review when playing a game that's 30-60 hours long, so I don't think it's fair to say that's skewing the steam reviews. 2 hours is not enough to make a fair review about the game's overall quality.

In general, I'd like to see people calm down and discuss this game with less emotion and more nuance. I think the freakout about identity politics has people pretty radically divided and maybe not discussing the game in good faith. Maybe in a year or two, we'll all have an idea of what the common consensus around this game really is, but the "7.5" rating I see floated around a lot seems right to me. It's above average, but not by a lot, and that's not where Dragon Age should be.

[Jayken ✜]

I like this game and I'm looking forward to finishing it.

That said, I can already tell that the lack of world state carryover prevents this game from being special. Imagine being able to assemble the Inquisition to help you in your fight. Or teaming up with the HoF or Alistar in Act 1. I understand there are some narrative limitation too what can be expressed in game. However, a codex entry on what happened with a certain witch's son would've been nice.

It's a good game, but EA's mishandling of BioWare kept it from being truly special.

[tbloxham]

The main issue with the game is the feeling that the factions are so very 'bland' in order to not have to upset anyone.

Elf faction faces no racism. Pirate faction doesn't rob innapropriate tombs. Necromancers aren't power hungry. Paid assassins only kill the guilty. Anti magic rebels are fine with wizards. Heck, the most morally questionable faction is the grey wardens!

Combat is fine, banter is fine, world is fun to explore and gorgeous but, you can't combine irredeemable super evil villains with good guys who include pirates who care about the innapropriate looting of artifacts. It just seems weird. Rook can just about carry the team if you always pick the most serious conversation option, but its the apocalypse here people. Life is awful, your friends and family are dying. The WORLD is dying. Stop being so damn cheery.

[Gloomseeker]

Inquisition had great NPCs and that's about it.

The game rode the open world trend and was an awful bore because it ended filled with pointless time wasting side quests that added padding to a main story that wasn't that long.

It had the infamous spaghetti hair and although it brought back non human main characters after DA2 had dropped them it managed to mess them up pretty badly. There is a reason Solas doesn't even have the same elf body as the inquisitor in DAI.

Factor in silly looking oversized weapons and you had the most awkward looking characters in the series.

I personally can't take seriously anyone who ranks DAI above the Veilguard or DA2 and I won't even acknowledge anyone ranking DAI above DAO, that's just nuts.

[zack0niel]

I cant stop playing it way better than I expected. Turned of map quest markers, unbound hard mode no ultimate no companion leveling. Having a blast exploring.. its crazy how big it is and the secret routes for companions, faction leveling via merchants its just too good.

[DaisyRay]

I'm still holding out hope that they will go back on their word and do some dlc, even if it's something small. I want so much more from this game, but I don't know if I'll do a fourth playthrough as it is now.

I'm really enjoying the game though, I also gave it 7.5/10. Seems the common rate from other players too.

[DaisyRay]

Publicado originalmente por Cassidy0z:

Publicado originalmente por DaisyRay:

I'm still holding out hope that they will go back on their word and do some dlc, even if it's something small. I want so much more from this game, but I don't know if I'll do a fourth playthrough as it is now.

I'm really enjoying the game though, I also gave it 7.5/10. Seems the common rate from other players too.

It isn't. And you know it isn't but you want to continue a narrative.

For someone who is a "big defender" of people giving their honest opinion on the game, it's odd how you go against honest opinions when they aren't the kind you like. I can post a bunch of videos of people loving the game, but what does that matter? At the end of the day, this is my opinion.

It's okay if you don't, you've made that very clear. Stop trying to force me to dislike it just because you do though. :)

[DaisyRay]

Publicado originalmente por Cassidy0z:

Publicado originalmente por DaisyRay:

For someone who is a "big defender" of people giving their honest opinion on the game, it's odd how you go against honest opinions when they aren't the kind you like. I can post a bunch of videos of people loving the game, but what does that matter? At the end of the day, this is my opinion.

It's okay if you don't, you've made that very clear. Stop trying to force me to dislike it just because you do though. :)

It's odd that I go against opinions that are purposefully crafted to disparage other opinions? That spin false narratives? Yes you can post videos of people loving the game and I can post far more of people very much disliking the game but what does that matter?

No one is trying or could force you to dislike something in the same way you can't force us to like it. Maybe you should try being fair in your comments if your going to make the false statement that people love the game.

Lol, girl are you okay? What about me saying that I like a game is trying to disparage other opinions? Also, how are you going to tell someone their opinion of a game is right or wrong? Do you know what an opinion is?

It sure seems like you're trying to force me to dislike it. My comment literally did not discuss anyone else, but me. So I don't know how I'm trying to force anyone to do anything. I am truly and honestly befuddled.