Dragon Age Origins: 95% talk, 5% actual gameplay

[MStele]

The game manual has a section that specifically addresses this. The develop was going for a story heavy, decision making, choose your own adventure style of RPG. I kind of disagree with the OP about "watching a movie." For the most part scenes are interactive, and decisions made can have big affects on how the ending plays out. If you want a "watch a movie" sort of game, try Metal Gear Solid IV, where your subject to literally hours of cutscenes with nothing to do but hit X to continue.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Again, this is just my perspective of the game so far. And I'll admit I should probably wait until I've completetd the game to give it a full thumbs up or thumbs down. I rolled a new toon this morning - this time a dwarf instead of an elf - and I find the beginning story line much more interesting, so that's something at least.

At any rate, maybe I'm just sore that I have slower than dial-up internet out here and can't do my MMORPG's anymore. I was hoping this would fill the void. Hopefully the replay value will be good. I guess time will tell.

 

[Mide]

The story is what makes the game so good. This is obviously not your genre.

 

[exar333]

Again, this is just my perspective of the game so far. And I'll admit I should probably wait until I've completetd the game to give it a full thumbs up or thumbs down. I rolled a new toon this morning - this time a dwarf instead of an elf - and I find the beginning story line much more interesting, so that's something at least.

At any rate, maybe I'm just sore that I have slower than dial-up internet out here and can't do my MMORPG's anymore. I was hoping this would fill the void. Hopefully the replay value will be good. I guess time will tell.

I might have been a little dissapointed too if I started as an Elf...their quests are definitely the weakest out of the humans/dwarfs/elves/mages.

Since you gave a "flame" disclaimer, I will resist the urge to flame back.

This is an RPG (in the true sense of the term) and should have dialogue. It's definitely not 95%, but I would say its more 80% gameplay, 20% dialogue. If you skip the sidequests, you get less dialogue, and really less of a game too. You defintely don't have to like it, but the game doesn't try to misrepresent itself at all, it's a honest to goodness RPG.

 

[Feneant2]

I havent played DAO yet but this thread reminded of most D&D games out there. I've been playing Neverwinter Nights 2 lately and my way around this is whenever you start talking, take the worst decisions... they always result in a fight and cut the conversation in half!

I don't know if that'll work in Dragon Age, but it always worked in the other D&D games.

 

[Caecus Veritas]

maybe torchlight is what you're looking for. 99.9% combat play.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Titan Quest is 99% monster bashing 1% dialogue, it's what I was playing until DA arrived.

 

[Jesusthewererabbit]

Titan Quest is 99% monster bashing 1% dialogue, it's what I was playing until DA arrived.

You can also walk away after they start talking. Just check your active quests occasionally.

I love the dialog in DA. Alistair is probably the funniest character I've seen in a game since Morte in Torment. All of the characters have some great lines for each other. The funniest yet has been Ohgren hitting on Wynne. The gay elf and Wynne have some good ones too. I haven't taken Dog out in a while, but I can imagine him humping someone's leg at some point.

I read a lot faster than they talk, so I skip through a lot of the dialog. It speeds it up a lot. I did the same thing in Mass Effect. It speeds it up a lot and gets you back to questing and monster killing.

 

[you2]

Well I don't mind the 99% talking but I do wish combat had been more satisfying. I've not finished the game (probably about 2/3 way but hard to judge). I think the maps are fine (though a bit elementary); the voice acting very good; the actual main story typical; the tactics in the combat -10. icewind dale and bg2 had much better combat. Oh and the camera is >>>> nwn2; very glad they almost got that right (cant' quite zoom out as far as I would like at times; hence the almost).

 

[Caecus Veritas]

Oh and the camera is >>>> nwn2; very glad they almost got that right (cant' quite zoom out as far as I would like at times; hence the almost).

wish they did the camera better. i'm always fighting with the camera view where its forced to zoom, usually inside buildings. only gripe with the game so far.

and damn, why i can't i... err the pc character continue to sleep with morrigan and leleina (?) or even a 3-some.... they're now forcing me to choose!

 

[StinkyPinky]

You've never played a Bioware game before have you?

It's called role playing for a reason. If you want talk, try Planescape Torment. That's like 99% talk 1% action. It's also the best game ever created imo. With the best plot.

 

[Liet]

Yeah, Planescape is one of the best games ever made. The storyline is powerful, long, and AWESOME.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Even the random banter between characters in DAO is really good. If you find there's too much dialogue, feel free to use the top-left-most key on your keyboard.

 

[IEC]

Don't forget to hold TAB to highlight interactive objects. Makes life a lot easier...

 

[HybridSquirrel]

the escape button is your friend.

 

[gorcorps]

That's how Bioware does things. It pays to know a developer before you spend the money on a game. It usually gives you a good idea of what to expect.

 

[Udgnim]

Don't forget to hold TAB to highlight interactive objects. Makes life a lot easier...

I learned about that 60 hours into the game. I can't imagine the amount of stuff I've missed because of it.

 

[dighn]

I learned about that 60 hours into the game. I can't imagine the amount of stuff I've missed because of it.

LOL. It's an old convention from Bioware games. I love how in this game you can even see through walls for looting.

 

[Achatina]

95% talk, 5% actual gameplay

I don't like Fable at all for the same reason :whiste:

 

[shortylickens]

Sorry guys, I cant agree.
Baldurs Gate was NOT 95% talk and 5% action. Neither was Baldurs Gate 2. Or Neverwinter Nights. Or NWN 2. Or KOTOR, or KOTOR 2, or Mass Effect.
I dont own Dragon Age yet, but based on the track record, I seriously doubt its 95% talking.
Just like sex, I bet you're doing it wrong.

 

[Schadenfroh]

95% dialog, character development and plot? Count me in, that is even better than PlaneScape Torment's (arguably the best RPG ever made) dialog / plot to dungeon crawl ratio.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Well, I made it to Denerim and the action is picking up, thankfully. The quests help a lot.

Question.. I was reading the manual and it says main characters are supposed to get get class specializations points at lvl 7 and 14. My main character is a Mage but she's lvl 12 now and still hasn't been given a Spec point. I want to maker her an Arcane Warrior. Is there a certain NPC I missed somewhere that is supposed to teach me to be an Arcane Warrior?

The only Spec Class Trainer I've come across has been the Deulist trainer.

 

[NYHoustonman]

Well, I made it to Denerim and the action is picking up, thankfully. The quests help a lot.

Question.. I was reading the manual and it says main characters are supposed to get get class specializations points at lvl 7 and 14. My main character is a Mage but she's lvl 12 now and still hasn't been given a Spec point. I want to maker her an Arcane Warrior. Is there a certain NPC I missed somewhere that is supposed to teach me to be an Arcane Warrior?

The only Spec Class Trainer I've come across has been the Deulist trainer.

You've been given a specialization point, but you haven't yet unlocked any of the specializations (at least this would be my guess). In a lot of cases the first place to look is your party.

See here: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Specializations

 

[Pepsei]

Well, I made it to Denerim and the action is picking up, thankfully. The quests help a lot.

Question.. I was reading the manual and it says main characters are supposed to get get class specializations points at lvl 7 and 14. My main character is a Mage but she's lvl 12 now and still hasn't been given a Spec point. I want to maker her an Arcane Warrior. Is there a certain NPC I missed somewhere that is supposed to teach me to be an Arcane Warrior?

The only Spec Class Trainer I've come across has been the Deulist trainer.

Spoiler

arcane warrior can be picked up during the elven alliance part, in the ruin, there's a spirit trapped inside a vial in the Elven Ruins (as you are making your way towards the Werewolves)

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I don't know what the OP is talking about. I'm only a few hours into the game (probably less than 10) but I found the balance between dialog and action very good, certainly NOT 95/5.