Author Topic: Dragon Age Origins Awakening (Read 13168 times)

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #60 on:** February 02, 2010, 04:38:16 PM »

The characterization and the story are light years better in Mass Effect (hyuk hyuk, get it?).

And Dragon Age is longer, by virtue of some dungeons that are tedious and way too long. It is possible to overstay your welcome with length.

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #61 on:** February 02, 2010, 04:52:40 PM »

I haven't completed Mass Effect 2 yet, so I can't really comment about the story at length.

I agree with the characterization comment. But even then, it's still typical soap opera stuff. I'm not complaining, but at least in DA, helping the different races foreshadowed a greater objective.

In ME2, everyone has their own personal problem- "Oh, yo daddy went missing for 10 year and now you want me to go find him? Well I'm sure he can wait a few more days while I save the entire HUMAN RACE, guy!"

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #62 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:09:21 PM »

Helping the other traces in Dragon Age didn't foreshadow anything! Here's the brilliance of Mass Effect, your party's personal quests are a) completely optional and b) all varied. The loyalty quests are also paced in a way that they're interrupted by the important stuff and do not impede story advancement. You usually tackle them while waiting for something (the computer to figure out the IFF, going through the relay, etc.)

In Dragon Age, everyone is fighting for the crown or magic has been misused. That's it!

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #63 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:24:37 PM »

well I meant you have to help an entire people find its feet to help destroy a greater threat, as opposed to just help your crew because, well, they want to bury the past. And I agree with you, the side-missions and personal quests in ME2 annihilate DA.

I just prefer the slower and more tactical gameplay of DA. I also don't have the burning urge to keep playing ME2 like I did with DA.

I'll give ME2 this though, I'm not continuously skipping the dialogue. Whereas in DA I was constantly hitting the Esc key.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #64 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:28:35 PM »

Dragon Age is not necessarily my bag, but it was fun enough. Mass Effect is so vastly different that I can see people enjoying the more RPG stylings of Dragon Age over the third-person shooter antics of Mass Effect.

I just felt that the presentation behind Dragon Age was pretty underwhelming, and the story/characters really reached on occasion. I will say, it was a lot better than I thought it'd originally be.

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #65 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:29:45 PM »

I beat Dragon Age when it came out and I couldn't tell you the names of any party members besides Morrigan, Alistair, and Shale.

There was a dwarf guy? and an old priest lady? and, uh, a bisexual elf rogue? super cool characterization bro

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #66 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:30:48 PM »

Shale was the best character, and he isn't even in the main game!

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #67 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:40:18 PM »

the only characterization that matters in these games:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALL THE CHICKS IN DRAGON AGE SUCKED. I HAD NO URGE TO BED ANY OF THEM! WHAT A FAILURE

BUT MIRANDA - SHE GETS ME HARD EVERY TIME!

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #68 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:19:14 PM »

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

demi · « **Reply #69 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:25:24 PM »

Quote from: The Fake Shemp on February 02, 2010, 05:30:48 PM

Shale was the best character, and he isn't even in the main game!

> implying Shale is a he

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #70 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:37:33 PM »

haha wow

nice framerate, official trailer

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #71 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:42:47 PM »

I'm all for more Dragon Age but man everything they've shown about this expansion reeks of 'phoning it in'. That trailer included.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #72 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:46:26 PM »

Needs more Marilyn Manson. Right, Frag?

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #73 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:49:48 PM »

Quote from: The Fake Shemp on February 04, 2010, 01:46:26 PM

Needs more Marilyn Manson. Right, Frag?

I've come to expect that you can't judge anything by a trailer outside of that its a trailer. Everybody was down on Dragon Age on GAF until they actually played because of the Marilyn Manson stuff and "marketing".

Forum types love to think they are psychic for some reason despite all evidence to the contrary.

As far as the technical issues though Dragon Age was always a dog. It looks bad and doesn't run great and animates even worse. (In other words its like most PC RPG's)

I said as much when it came out.

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #74 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:55:11 PM »

Quote from: The Fake Shemp on February 04, 2010, 01:46:26 PM

Needs more Marilyn Manson. Right, Frag?

You know those trailers almost swore me off from buying the game period. I don't know who on earth handled the marketing for Dragon Age but they didn't get it right until they showed the CG trailer, where you saw "ooooh those characters look interesting" and "big fights!". That video and associated advertisements was what turned that game's marketing around.

and the game looks fine when in isometric, it just makes for a bad commerical I suppose

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #75 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:57:06 PM »

I am kind of surprised that BioWare just didn't make the game completely isometric.

Fragamemnon · « **Reply #76 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:58:31 PM »

Quote from: The Fake Shemp on February 04, 2010, 01:57:06 PM

I am kind of surprised that BioWare just didn't make the game completely isometric.

Pretty sure they just couldn't get it to work with the console control scheme.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #77 on:** February 04, 2010, 01:59:52 PM »

I think that is a hot load. Isometric would have look fine on consoles. I think the reality is that they couldn't market it as an action/adventure game on consoles with an isometric view, which immediately sets up red flags for dudebros looking to avoid nerdy RPGs.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #78 on:** February 11, 2010, 04:01:18 PM »

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #79 on:** February 11, 2010, 04:31:27 PM »

zzzzz ha hork listening

Yeti · « **Reply #80 on:** February 11, 2010, 05:01:15 PM »

I loved Dragon Age while playing it, but I don't think I can ever go back again. Especially after Mass Effect 2.

demi · « **Reply #81 on:** February 11, 2010, 05:08:38 PM »

Velanna Disapproves -10
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Velanna Disapproves -10
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Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10
Velanna Disapproves -10
Velanna Disapproves -10
Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10

Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10Velanna Disapproves -10

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #82 on:** February 17, 2010, 04:50:01 PM »

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BioWare's new Dragon Age: Awakening website has gone live and revealed many new areas, characters and creatures arriving in the March-bound expansion.

Among the discoveries are the haunted Blackmarsh, dwarven fortress Kal'Hirol, bastion against Orlesian invasion Vigil's Keep and the once tranquil but now troubled Wending Woods.

Key new creatures include Queen of the Blackmarsh - a giant, spectral dragon - and The Children, grinning worm creatures (on spindly legs) that devour their fleshy prey.

Important new characters are Velanna, a human-hating Dalish elf, and Anders, a trouble-making mage that doesn't take kindly to orders. Returning companions include Wynne, Loghain and Alistair.

The new Dragon Age: Awakening website has a detailed FAQ to answer your questions with, too. From this we know that there will be six new specialisation, 24 new spells and 32 new talents. Interestingly, there will be no romantic options in DA: Awakening, and the romances uncovered through Origins will be on hold while you tackle a new threat.

System specs for the expansion are the same as for Dragon Age: Origins, and you'll be able to import your saved character from that game should you wish - all items and loot will travel with your hero, apart from promotional DLC loot.

Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening will only be available to download on PS3 and Xbox 360 here in Europe. The PC version will be available on Steam and other digital distribution channels.

Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening will be released on 16th March.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/no-romance-in-dragon-age-expansion

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #83 on:** February 17, 2010, 04:58:46 PM »

wow that's alot of new skills - and no romance - yay!

I'm gonna do another runthrough of the game before I get this. Dragon Age - rpg of the decade.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #84 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:13:01 PM »

True. It came out in 2009, thus securing Mass Effect 2 as the rightful owner of RPG of the Decade.

demi · « **Reply #85 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:22:11 PM »

Dragon Age Journeys > Dragon Age Origins

Prove me wrong

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #86 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:23:24 PM »

Trying to prove that wrong is like trying to prove humans don't need to breathe or that the Earth is flat!

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #87 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:51:36 PM »

wow Dragon Age even has flash games that require more thinking than Mass Effect.

Thanks Demi. Oh, and Willco - try not to over stimulate your fragile brain whilst you try to decide between the 'nade launcher or the rocket gun. I know it's a tough, meaningless choice, but hey, this is Mass Effect we're talking about here.

I'll be over here trying to pick one of dozens of fundamentally disparate game changing spells/skills for my mage/warrior to learn.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #88 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:54:03 PM »

Actually, since I pre-ordered the game at GameStop, I get that wicked Terminus black hole gun. Have fun with, uh, yeah...

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #89 on:** February 17, 2010, 05:59:16 PM »

oh, one those 'lets make an easy game even easier' pre-order wotsits

I bet it isn't even half as cool as they make it sound.

demi · « **Reply #90 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:00:36 PM »

Quote from: InfectedGib on February 17, 2010, 05:51:36 PM

I'll be over here trying to pick one of dozens of fundamentally disparate game changing spells/skills for my mage/warrior to learn.

I'll be here spamming Cone of Cold and yawn

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #91 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:07:31 PM »

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #92 on:** February 17, 2010, 06:08:48 PM »

pfff.. It's all about Sleep + Horror

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #93 on:** February 18, 2010, 07:11:27 PM »

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Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening: Hands-On
Added by Vinny Caravella on Feb. 18, 2010
The first thing to know about the upcoming content for Dragon Age: Origins is that it is a full-blown expansion for the game. This isn't some extra dungeon, or merely a new set of armor, but a significant chunk of content that promises to justify its $39.99 price tag.

The expansion picks up after the final events of Origins, in which your character defeated the Archdemon and stopped the Darkspawn from overrunning the world in a full-blown Blight. For reasons that I'm sure will become clearer throughout Awakening, the Darkspawn are still hanging around, causing all sorts of trouble for the Grey Wardens, the ordained destroyers of all things dark and spawning. So, a mere few months after the events of the first game, you are charged with rebuilding the Grey Wardens and further investigating these troubling developments.

Since we're talking about a Bioware game, I don't feel too guilty in revealing that events may have occurred, and choices may have been made, that would make things difficult for your character to make a triumphant return to action in this expansion. Well, forget all that! If you have an indisposed character at the end of Dragon Age: Origins, you'll be able to bring him or her into Awakening via a bit of historical rewriting. Upon importing your character, you may find previous events did not occur the same way you remember, and certain choices have been made for you. This seems like an understandable concession, considering the circumstances, but retconning my previous choices definitely stings a bit.

If you'd like to let your choices stand, you will be given the option to start a new character. You'll take on the role of an Orlesian Grey Warden, who has come to Ferelden (aka Blight Central) to oversee the rebuilding of the Wardens. For those Dragon Age historians out there, you'll remember that not too long ago, Orlais was an occupying force in Ferelden, and the locals are none too happy about welcoming former invaders back onto Ferelden soil. This will, obviously, cause some interesting interactions as you make your way through a land that, for all intents and purposes, wants nothing to do with you.

The same writing team from Dragon Age: Origins is back, so you can expect more sharp dialogue and characters that go beyond the typical fantasy archetypes. Though many of your party members from the original game won't be joining you on this adventure, Bioware has promised to flesh out Awakening with characters just as dynamic. I briefly got to see Velanna, the Dalish mage with a huge chip on her shoulder about that whole "humans enslaving my Eleven brethen" thing. There was also Anders, who initially seemed like the apostate mage version of an even snarkier Alistair. Finally, I was joined by Sigrun, a female Dwarf rogue who is a member of the Legion of the Dead. I'm excited to see more being done with The Legion of the Dead, as they are an interesting part of the Dragon Age fiction, but only briefly touched upon in Origins.

The Wardens won't be the only ones gathering new forces in Awakening, though. Something is definitely amiss in Darkspawn HQ, with some freakish new creatures lurking in the depths beyond the Dwarven city of Orzammar. In the brief time I had with the game, I encountered The Children milling about in the Deep Roads. These things are foul. Do you remember how nasty the Broodmother was in Origins? Consider her a beauty queen when imaging the grotesque nature of The Children. They appear to evolve in stages, and I mostly encountered forms akin to slimy grubs, but with faces. Nobody wants to see that, especially when they are overpowering you and eating your head. A bit less creepy, but equally intriguing, are the sentient Darkspawn. The last thing the world needs are Darkspawn questioning their own existence, especially when the answers to those questions usually involve more efficient ways to kill you. If you've kept up with some of the Dragon Age fiction in the books, you'll already be familiar with the Architect, the thinking man's Darkspawn, and he'll definitely be playing a role in Awakening, though what that role is remains to be discovered.

With the world descending back into chaos, it's a good thing Bioware has raised the level cap and given you a host of new abilities and talents to use in your fight. Each class appears to have gained two new specializations, which will add plenty of new abilities ready to eat up those hard-earned talent points. In fact, I'm told there will be 50 new abilities across all the classes, and from what I saw it looked like that roughly translated into one new row per block of abilities. Of course, you'll also get plenty of new loot. I saw some snazzy new armor during the bit I played, which should please the image-conscious adventurer in all of us. Along with looking sharp, you'll be able to add runes to your armor as well as your weapons this time around. Did I mention that you'll be able to manage your runes yourself this time? No more heading over to Bodann and his...touched son for your enchantments. Enchantments? Ugh.

There's certainly a lot going on in Awakening, and every answer I received opened up two more questions. Bioware is -- understandably -- keeping a lid on many of the story elements in the game, but the team promises that they have been working long and hard to make sure that this is every bit as engaging as your first visit to the world of Dragon Age. If you want to make make someone working on Dragon Age sigh, ask them how long it will take to complete their game. Considering I've heard playthrough times ranging from 18-80 hours for the original game, I understand why. For its $39.99 price tag, there's an expectation of content that Bioware appears to understand, and I'm looking forward to diving back into their universe when Awakening is simultaneously released on March 16 across the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

http://www.giantbomb.com/news/dragon-age-origins-awakening-hands-on/1876/

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #94 on:** February 19, 2010, 01:46:50 PM »

[youtube=560,345]0GLlkMJbC5k[/youtube]

from the comments:

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he'll be an interesting romance option lol. she'll be able to suck ur cock standing up.

demi · « **Reply #95 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:14:41 AM »

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-4468-Dragon-Age--Origins-Updated-to-1375.html

lolz. It's not a 1000 game, meager 250.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #96 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:20:44 AM »

I thought it would be 250. This seems like a Gay Tony, or Shivering Isle situation. (Albeit it costs more). I don't think they are allowed to go above 250.

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #97 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:24:52 AM »

$40 for a 250 point expansion? That's like a $160 retail game.

demi · « **Reply #98 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:29:28 AM »

Now we just wait for the DLC for Awakenings to come out

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #99 on:** February 24, 2010, 01:20:50 PM »

I doubt there's any correlation between gamerscore and the length and quality of the game. Hopefully it's just an XBL regulated cap. I'll be disappointed if this expansion takes anything less than 20hrs to complete.

Dragon Age fans have come to expect substance. I wonder if people would express the same disappointment when they announce the inevitable $40, 250GS expansion for ME2. I expect a six hour campaign + new romantic interest for that so-called expansion.

demi · « **Reply #100 on:** February 24, 2010, 02:19:00 PM »

Somebody's been doing their homework. I am strangely erect.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #101 on:** March 01, 2010, 02:02:07 PM »

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #102 on:** March 01, 2010, 03:31:11 PM »

Mhairi > Miranda

cutsenes are quite jarring with shitty facial animation, it's like watching Orlando Bloom try to act. I try to offset it by focusing on the text but it's dam hard... thank god for the esc key.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #103 on:** March 05, 2010, 09:03:52 AM »

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Stoney Mason · « **Reply #104 on:** March 12, 2010, 07:42:17 PM »

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Stoney Mason · « **Reply #105 on:** March 12, 2010, 09:38:28 PM »

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Dragon Age: Awakening Raises Level Cap To 35, Boosts Lesser Players
You can be more powerful in next week's expansion to Dragon Age: Origins.

I got a quick demo of Dragon Age: Awakening, today, just enough to get a basic feel for the first major expansion to BioWare's celebrated 2009 role-playing game. Awakening takes players to a new land where they will be Grey Warden with authority over the city of Amaranthine and the castle Vigil's Keep. Your key problem will be the appearance of Darkspawn who talk, evidence of a new enemy threatening the Dragon Age world. Your key asset will be the game's raised level cap. Dragon Age: Origins capped players at Level 20 characters. Awakening allows players to rise to Level 35.

A member of BioWare's quality assurance team offered a couple more numbers regarding Awakening: 62 new talents, about 50 new abilities. But he refrained from offering another number gamers might want to know about: Hours needed to complete this $40 expansion. Player times varied so much with the promised 80-hour Dragon Age: Origins, the BioWare developer said, that it doesn't make sense to offer a figure. Some Origins players blazed through the game in 30 hours, others needed 120.

Whichever kind of player of Origins you were, you'll be able to play Awakening. The expansion requires a copy of the original game but does not require a high-level character. Players can start with a brand-new character or bring over their Origins hero. If their imported character is low-level, they will be raised to level 18 and offered points to spec their character. If they are higher than level 18, they will be play as is. Players who have maxed their character already need not worry about missing any of Awakening's new powers and abilities. Awakening offers in-game items, books, that allow a character to be re-specced.

Players of Origins will see some of their moral choices referenced in Awakening, I was told. We didn't have time to dig into that.

I played too little of Awakening to say anything about its quests. I was told that BioWare recognized that mages seemed overpowered in Origins and have raised the capabilities of other fighter classes in the expansion. Performance of the console versions may be improved, in terms of frame-rate, but again, the BioWare developer wasn't able to get into specifics.

Awakening will be out next week, on disc for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, also as a download for the PS3.

http://kotaku.com/5492350/dragon-age-awakening-raises-level-cap-to-35-boosts-lesser-players

Bocsius · « **Reply #106 on:** March 12, 2010, 09:56:57 PM »

Hold up, this is out next week?

Crap, I want to bring my mage character into the expansion, but that presents a handful of problems. (Dragon Age end game spoilers, numbnuts.)

spoiler (click to show/hide)

1) She's dead.
2) Being that she's a she, she can't accept Morrigan's proposal.
3) I can't have Alistair accept the proposal. Just wouldn't be right, seeing as how I fixed him up with the Queen.
4) I can reload a save prior to the final battle and then let Alistair sacrifice himself instead. But then Alistair would be dead.
5) I can reload a save prior to the landsmeet and recruit Loghain and then let him sacrifice himself. But then Alistair would be pissed.

[close]

I guess I could use my human noble warrior character. But being a mage was so much cooler.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #107 on:** March 14, 2010, 12:32:59 PM »

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Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening Q&A - High-Level Abilities, Characters, Items, and StoryNews by Staff, GameSpotMar 12, 2010 10:41 am PT47 commentsLead designer Ferret Baudoin explains Awakening's new skills, items, and story.

Last year's Dragon Age: Origins told an epic fantasy tale of a world torn apart by both a monstrous invasion and a traitor's civil war. As a Grey Warden, your character defeated the threat of the evil darkspawn--the ugly monsters from the depths of Earth that threatened to overrun the kingdom--and reunited the shattered country. However, in Awakening, you find that the darkspawn threat hasn't ended--there are rumors of a darkspawn general who thinks, speaks, and organizes his forces into an army while spawning a whole new battalion of enemies. Lead designer Ferret Baudoin explains what to expect.

We chat with online producer Fernando Melo about Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.

Comment on this videoWatch this video in High Def
GameSpot: We understand that the expansion isn't being built around one whiz-bang new feature, but rather on giving players more of what they want--story, interesting characters, and decisions with consequences. Why go in this direction?

Ferret Baudoin: Awakening is a true expansion pack, not a sequel. Expansion packs seem rarer than they were in yesteryear. Awakening harkens back to some of the expansions we did in the past, like Hordes of the Underdark for Neverwinter Nights or Throne of Bhaal for Baldur's Gate II.

We started work on the expansion pack during the latter part of Origins' development. The Awakening team is full of Origins veterans. We [combined] all our knowledge of how to make our engine really shine while creating an exciting new story and a host of memorable new characters.

You definitely nailed some of the key things we focused on, though--story, characters, consequence. It was a great experience for the writers, especially, because there were so many more stories we wanted to tell.

GS: We also understand that there will be all-new high-level skills and advanced professions in the expansion. Give us an overview of them.

Awakening's battles will be bigger, badder, and tougher.

FB: Absolutely. Awakening takes place after the events of Dragon Age: Origins, and the expansion pack allows you to import your hero from the first game. This means that returning characters are already high level--so we focused our new abilities on exciting high-level talents and spells. New characters created for Awakening start off at level 18 so they'll be able to pick up the great new content quickly.

Each fighting style has a new chain of four abilities. For example, the archery chain starts with "accuracy"--a modal ability that you turn on (and should leave on) that gives you a great damage boost based on your dexterity and also adds to other ranged attack stats. It culminates with "rain of arrows," which lets you shower a large area with a gazillion deadly missiles. Good stuff!

Rogues and warriors get a new chain of abilities added to them, and mages get two chains. These chains include abilities like "peon's plight," which lets your warrior outright kill one non-lieutenant enemy in one powerful swipe, which is very useful and can turn the tides of battle in your favor.

We also have two new specializations for each class and three new skills. If all of this sounds like a lot...it is! We have close to 70 new spells, abilities, and skills available to your party.

GS: What do these new skills and professions add to the game? Were there some gaps or interesting opportunities in the original Dragon Age that these high-level classes and abilities fill in?

FB: In Origins, mages were very potent forces on the battlefield. Many folks found that a three-mage party was one of the most powerful combinations out there. So while mages certainly have been given some neat new spells, we spent extra time on rogues and warriors to make them more valuable additions to your party.

It's really paid off. Archers have received a significant boost to their damage-dealing capabilities. Dual-wielding rogues are simply murderous when their weapons are fully slotted with runes (especially if a friendly mage adds a "flame weapons" spell to the mix). And a fully decked-out warrior can wade into the thick of any fray and hold the line until the party annihilates the opposition.

The result is better balance between the classes and their roles. A lot more party combinations are fun and entertaining.

GS: What about the new characters who will join your party? Do they fill in any particular gaps that the team noticed from the first game? How will the new high-level abilities give players more flexibility out of a four-character party?

FB: One of the features we've added in Awakening is the ability to "re-spec" your character--and your companions, as well. Anders, for example, starts as a spirit healer with a great collection of utility spells to help out. He has also picked up a bit of rune crafting during his misadventures. But the nice thing is that you can re-spec him to be whatever you want him to be.

There will be all-new foes, like the Queen of Blackmarsh, who is part ghost, part dragon, and all trouble.

So if you enjoy a particular companion's company, you can always kit that character out to be an ideal companion for your adventures. And since the classes are more balanced, you can bring your favorites alongside you and not have to worry so much about your party's class composition. Parties with three rogues, three fighters, or three mages all work (as do any other combination).

GS: We understand there will be hundreds of new items and new item tiers. What are they and how will they work?

FB: Since you're facing greater threats, the rewards have been beefed up, as well. There are two new advanced tiers for all weapons and armors available with higher base stats, rune slots, and exciting new item properties, as well. We've spent a lot of time placing loot in chests, on monsters, and in stores for people who live for the next item upgrade. In addition, Master Wade is back from Origins, and this time he has a whole new set of exciting new items he can craft for you--if you can bring him the "essential" materials he demands.

GS: We know that the expansion will challenge players with new foes like the Children, which are part of the new brood of darkspawn. Tell us about some of these foes and the new threats they offer.

FB: The Children are one of the creepiest monsters in Dragon Age. The artists really outdid themselves. In their larval stage, they aren't especially deadly--unless they swarm. When that happens, they have a penchant for overwhelming party members and feeding on them unless they are bashed off or killed.

If one of the Children eats enough, it can evolve. They'll eat anything--you, Velanna, other darkspawn. So things can get scary fast, and it can become a race to kill them before you're surrounded by increasingly dangerous foes.

In their final phase, the Children are especially brutal with quick strikes, area-based attacks, and worse. When one of the Children pop out of hiding, it can really make you jump in your seat. They're trouble.

GS: Tell us about the new direction of the story. The original Dragon Age was about sacrifice, betrayal, and standing in the face of overwhelming odds. What are the main themes of Awakening? How will the expansion explore these themes?

FB: Overwhelming odds are still a theme in Awakening. But a new theme that has been added is "heavy is the head that wears the crown." As the Grey Warden commander of Ferelden, you are tasked with recruiting more Wardens and subjecting them to the Joining. And as players saw in Origins, the Joining doesn't always end well...

If that wasn't enough responsibility, you are the ruler of the lands of Amaranthine. Your word is law. This is made especially interesting if you start a new character because that new character will actually be from the neighboring kingdom of Orlais, which had previously invaded and ruled Ferelden for generations with tyrannical excess. Orlais had only recently been overthrown after a bloody war, so obviously your subjects won't be happy about your new character's nationality.

Grab an axe and get moving. What are you waiting for...an invitation?

In Awakening, you're faced with many difficult choices, often with no clear "right" answers. Plus, the darkspawn are evolving now--they think, they talk, they strategize. It can make their actions far more villainous, and defeating them becomes that much trickier. Put it all together and you have an exciting new chapter in the Dragon Age universe.

GS: Finally, is there anything else you'd like to add about Awakening?

FB: March 16 can't come soon enough. The team is eager to share our new story and give our fans a chance to come back to Ferelden. We've missed you.

GS: Thanks, Ferret.

http://gdc.gamespot.com/story/6253504/dragon-age-origins-awakening-qanda-high-level-abilities-characters-items-and-story

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #108 on:** March 15, 2010, 09:24:52 PM »

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

pilonv1 · « **Reply #109 on:** March 15, 2010, 09:52:18 PM »

I'm waiting for the GOTY edition. No interest in playing the vanilla DA now.

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #110 on:** March 16, 2010, 01:10:37 PM »

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/dragon-age-origins-awakening-review?page=1

9/10

dragon age - rpg of the year for the second year running.

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #111 on:** March 16, 2010, 01:19:26 PM »

Quote from: Kosma on March 16, 2010, 01:15:01 PM

Quote from: Bocsius on March 12, 2010, 09:56:57 PM
spoiler (click to show/hide)
1) She's dead.
2) Being that she's a she, she can't accept Morrigan's proposal.
3) I can't have Alistair accept the proposal. Just wouldn't be right, seeing as how I fixed him up with the Queen.
4) I can reload a save prior to the final battle and then let Alistair sacrifice himself instead. But then Alistair would be dead.
5) I can reload a save prior to the landsmeet and recruit Loghain and then let him sacrifice himself. But then Alistair would be pissed.
[close]

Wow didnt even think about the fact that
spoiler (click to show/hide)
if youre a female youre fucked
[close]

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I would risk getting Alistair pissed. Who knows, he might actually like being king, and might even forgive you in DA: Awakening.

[close]

bork · « **Reply #112 on:** March 16, 2010, 01:28:04 PM »

Is a GOTY version official or are you guys just hoping for one to come out?

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #113 on:** March 16, 2010, 01:44:52 PM »

no, the GOTY version isn't official yet and is just conjecture on our part.

Remember, there is possibly another expansion or even sequel slated for Feb 2011. So who knows when a GOTY version with all the expansions included might come out. Most likely bundles will be available for DA:Origins & Awakening, though.

bork · « **Reply #114 on:** March 16, 2010, 01:48:57 PM »

If I find the battle systems in turn-based RPGs boring, should I bother with Dragon Age? I liked KOTOR and Mass Effect, although the latter obviously doesn't count.

WrikaWrek · « **Reply #115 on:** March 16, 2010, 02:05:45 PM »

Quote from: Good Day Sir on March 16, 2010, 01:48:57 PM

If I find the battle systems in turn-based RPGs boring, should I bother with Dragon Age? I liked KOTOR and Mass Effect, although the latter obviously doesn't count.

Sure. The game doesn't feel turn based at all, it's pretty close to KOTOR, so you should really like it.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #116 on:** March 16, 2010, 02:52:47 PM »

http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1864/Dragon-Age-Origins-Awakening/p2/
http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/dragon_age_origins_a_awakening/review.html
http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/63130/Dragon-Age-Origins---Awakening/review/

The length seems to be about 15 to 25 hours.

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #117 on:** March 16, 2010, 03:00:31 PM »

That's really short for that price

ManaByte · « **Reply #118 on:** March 16, 2010, 03:54:58 PM »

This is up on XBLA for 3200 points. Only about a gig download.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #119 on:** March 16, 2010, 04:32:29 PM »

Quote from: Kosma on March 16, 2010, 04:10:21 PM

Quote from: Father_Mike on March 16, 2010, 03:00:31 PM
That's really short for that price

Seriously?

SP games are 10 hours nowadays for 60 a pop. Metro, Uncharted, GoW, Gears, Alan Wake.....

I think what he means to say is that its much less bang for the buck than the original game was and perhaps for that genre which is probably a valid statement. I'll still play it myself though.

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Author Topic: Dragon Age Origins Awakening (Read 13168 times)