Finally completed DA:O.
My first thought...
This is one long-ass game! I didn't get all of the companions, and missed a lot of side quests, but chalked up about 40 hours play time. Oh well, at least you get your money's worth.
Overall, the game is rather enjoyable. The first bit of the game is the indeed the worst, mainly because it runs on rails, being propelled forward by cinematics and expository dialogue. But once the world opens up, it dials all that back, and you can finally get into the meat of the game.
As for all the people who are going on about how easy this game is... are we playing the same game? I've completed most of the well known RPGs without breaking a sweat, but DA: O is *brutal*. In a game like Baldur's Gate II, there was always some sort of cheap trick you could pull in any combat encounter that would guarantee a win, be it casting a certain protection spell (Casting Protection from Undead against the Demi Lich), or some sort of uber attack/disabling spell (Time Stop, Greater Malison + pick your poison). Fallout 1 and 2 had uber weapons/armor at mid-end game, although early game was tough. The early Ultimas all had overpowered magic axes/instant death spells. Dragon Age: Origins doesn't have a silver bullet. In fact, I'd argue that most of the spells at the end of the skill tree are pretty lackluster.
Anyway, I know this will also be considered heresy, but I... liked the companions. They each had a unique charm to them that made the companion in the OC of NWN2 look like a cardboard cutout. I don't know why people hate Alistar, he's a true bro, although his usefulness was overshadowed by Shale end-game
Some major *incline* moments for me were:
- Alistar executing Loghain. My jaw almost hit the ground when the senior Grey Warden suggested he be spared. Is he fucking nuts? Logain betrayed his King, was indirectly responsible for half the army being massacred, betrayed the Grey Wardens (the only people capable ending a Blight), was implicated in torturing nobles from rival families, and sold elves into slavery. I'm pretty sure that people in medieval societies have been hung, drawn and quartered for far less. Loghain's execution was a cathartic moment, because I'd been waiting the whole fucking game to fix his wagon.
- Putting Anora in her place. There's just something about her that made my skin crawl. I could tell that she'd stick the knife in the Grey Wardens/Alistar the first moment she got, and had no qualms about making Alistar king, and having her consigned to the tower.
- When the dog joined me, and I got to name it! There's nothing better than siccing a trained attack dog on abominations and slaver pricks.
- Recruiting Shale. Being able to turn into a Golem in the fade was great fun, but having a party member who could hurl boulders, stomp, slam, and output obscene amounts of damage was just awesome.
- The first time casting Storm of the Century. It basically liquified all opposition in a matter of seconds. The only problem is that it's hard to estimate where the AoE will extend to, often leading to friendly fire.
- The encounter with the head slaver in the Alienage. He had some documents that implicated Loghain in engaging in the slave trade. A number of dialogue options were provided where you could bargain for these papers, but the one I chose: "Give me papers and the gold, and free the slaves. And I'll let you leave with your life." Hell yeah! That's how you law down the law."
- A minor one involved the demonic possession at Redcliffe. Bann Teagan was asked to walk into an obvious trap. He pretty much agreed, and I thought to myself "You are an idiot. If you are going to go, at least have me sneak into the castle in case SHTF." He then recommended exactly that. Finally a good guy who isn't a complete moron.
My biggest regret is missing out on the Blood Mage specialisation. The abilities sound quite useful, but I didn't trust the Desire demon enough to make a deal with it. From what I've seen in the Dragon Age world, making deals with devil always lead to you getting burnt.
