Dragon Age: Origins was an excellent RPG experience. Nay, it was a mighty RPG experience, evoking the classics of its genre while simultaneously pushing forwards with new ideas. But it wasn’t perfect, and with the announcement of Dragon Age II, this is the perfect opportunity for EA and BioWare to address some (hopefully all) of those issues.
Graphics
Probably the most obvious shortcoming of the game was the graphics engine, on the consoles at least. The game was designed first and foremost for the PC, where it is predominantly played from a high angle, “isometric” view. From this distance, the game looks stunning. However, the compressed textures and low resolutions of the consoles, combined with the third-person camera angle, just couldn’t do the game justice – the game looked washed out, blurry and jagged. Hopefully, the console ports of DA2 will be more successful.
Probably the most obvious shortcoming of the game was the graphics engine, on the consoles at least. The game was designed first and foremost for the PC, where it is predominantly played from a high angle, “isometric” view. From this distance, the game looks stunning. However, the compressed textures and low resolutions of the consoles, combined with the third-person camera angle, just couldn’t do the game justice – the game looked washed out, blurry and jagged. Hopefully, the console ports of DA2 will be more successful.
Combat
Again, a problem largely limited to the console ports of the game. The combat was frequently chaotic (which is good, I guess), and required a strong sense of what was going on over too large an area for the limited third-person camera angle. Although it was possible to change characters to get an idea of what was going on, the lack of an overhead camera made judging the positions and movements of enemy troops problematic. Not impossible, I should hasten to add: I’m sure plenty of people have completed the game on the higher difficulty settings; but for newbies starting to get a taste of larger combats, it can be very disorienting.
Again, a problem largely limited to the console ports of the game. The combat was frequently chaotic (which is good, I guess), and required a strong sense of what was going on over too large an area for the limited third-person camera angle. Although it was possible to change characters to get an idea of what was going on, the lack of an overhead camera made judging the positions and movements of enemy troops problematic. Not impossible, I should hasten to add: I’m sure plenty of people have completed the game on the higher difficulty settings; but for newbies starting to get a taste of larger combats, it can be very disorienting.
Urgency
Dragon Age: Origins has, in my opinion, an excellent storyline. The main arc is torn straight from the book of fantasy clichés, as are most of the side arcs. What elevates this material is how BioWare approach it both seriously, which it needs to be believable, but also with a kind of self-knowing: an acceptance that the material is largely derivative. Combine this with an absurd amount of background information on the world of Ferelden, and this is one of the most immersive stories you’ll play.
Dragon Age: Origins has, in my opinion, an excellent storyline. The main arc is torn straight from the book of fantasy clichés, as are most of the side arcs. What elevates this material is how BioWare approach it both seriously, which it needs to be believable, but also with a kind of self-knowing: an acceptance that the material is largely derivative. Combine this with an absurd amount of background information on the world of Ferelden, and this is one of the most immersive stories you’ll play.
Unfortunately, and this is a problem with many “open world” games: Despite the narrative telling you the end of the world is fast approaching, you’re still able to wander around aimlessly, completing irrelevant quests. A time limit could help this, and would also encourage repeat playthroughs if you simply don’t have time to complete all quests the first time. However, early reports that suggest the game will span a full decade mean this probably won’t be the case. There should also be no problem with urgency!
Romance
The ability to initiate a romance isn’t new in BioWare game; we’ve seen it in Baldur’s Gate and Knights of the Old Republic. We’ve most definitely seen it in Mass Effect—along with many peoples shocked response to being able to swagger round the galaxy, bedding every woman you meet in sexually explicit sequences. Good thing there was no overreacting or uninformed opinions in that little kerfuffle.
The ability to initiate a romance isn’t new in BioWare game; we’ve seen it in Baldur’s Gate and Knights of the Old Republic. We’ve most definitely seen it in Mass Effect—along with many peoples shocked response to being able to swagger round the galaxy, bedding every woman you meet in sexually explicit sequences. Good thing there was no overreacting or uninformed opinions in that little kerfuffle.
Anyhow, Dragon Age had plenty of romance options (same sex included: hooray for being progressive!), and this gave the game an extra dramatic layer. However, it was also a clunky and awkward system. Butter up your target with compliments and gifts, get a numerical “score!” value to a certain point, and initiate a cringe-worthy, clunky sex scene (not helped by the poor graphics). It was all a bit too, well, game-like. In DA2, the team need to keep things more organic and fluid. One thing should lead to another naturally, rather than piling gifts onto a character, thus unlocking the “should we sleep together?” dialogue. Also, only show romance if it doesn’t look stupid, don’t show it for the sake of it.
Themes
Dragon Age should be applauded for its willingness to tackle mature themes. Racism, religion, aging, surveillance and issues with leadership are all explored; not only is it surprising to see this level of narrative maturity in a game, these themes are all relevant in the world today. The way many humans treat the City Elves as inferior beings. The way the Templars keep constant, unrelenting watch over the Mages, just in case one of them poses a threat. The way Wynne talks bittersweetly about her life: Seeing an elderly woman talk (almost) openly about her younger day sexcapades is rare enough in the cinema, but unheard of in a game. It’s just a shame that a lot of the potential doesn’t quite feel fully realized. Certain themes and ideas seem touched upon rather than fully explored. Let’s hope with DA2 the team get a handle on what they want to say and just go for it, rather than pussyfooting around certain topics.
Dragon Age should be applauded for its willingness to tackle mature themes. Racism, religion, aging, surveillance and issues with leadership are all explored; not only is it surprising to see this level of narrative maturity in a game, these themes are all relevant in the world today. The way many humans treat the City Elves as inferior beings. The way the Templars keep constant, unrelenting watch over the Mages, just in case one of them poses a threat. The way Wynne talks bittersweetly about her life: Seeing an elderly woman talk (almost) openly about her younger day sexcapades is rare enough in the cinema, but unheard of in a game. It’s just a shame that a lot of the potential doesn’t quite feel fully realized. Certain themes and ideas seem touched upon rather than fully explored. Let’s hope with DA2 the team get a handle on what they want to say and just go for it, rather than pussyfooting around certain topics.
There we go. If DA2 can overcome these problems then it could well be among the very greatest of all RPGs. Bring on 2011.
