So, Found Out About DA2 Stuff

[1smut_princess]

Apparently there is a reason DA2 went the way it did. Like it or hate it, there are aspects that are extremely different from other BioWare games in DAII.

The senior writer wanted it to be more like Twilight (the underline is merely because it is a book title, not stressing any distaste - hubby had to ask as he's reading over my shoulder).

Complaints of a Senior Game Writer

Now - what confuses the (insert a stream of inappropriate words please) "stuffing" out of me is why on earth would someone who does not like playing video games would become a senior writer in the gaming industry? Granted it could give an edge on how to appeal to a broader audience...as in those who don't like video games. But then would it still be a video game if one took all that out? Also, the trash battles, with 'hey ser bandit please fall over dead for the thousandth time, m'kay?' and his buddies, are suddenly explained.

Thoughts, observations?

Should gameplay suffer for plot? Or plot suffer for gameplay? What elements could balance these things, do you think?

Comments

[schreibzeug]

I thought the idea of cross-class-combos in DA2 was a neat one. Not that you couldn't shatter frozen targets in Origins too, but still.
But everything else: the warriors weilding their massive weapons like gymnastic elements, rogues teleporting and mages twirling themselves into oblivion while physically knocking templars out with their staves... No.
And the way talking to companions is implemented is just awkward. I remember getting back from the Deep Roads and being told by my journal that Fenris wanted me to visit him. I wondered, "Who? Oh, that guy I briefly met over 3 years ago and never got to talk to again. Sure. I'll get right on that."

[sakuratea]

...You never tripped a conversation at a very awkward time in DAO? The first time I got the Zev/Alistair jealousy dialogue I was knee deep in spiders in the Deep Roads :) "Why yes, I just got up from being nommed by a corrupted spider, let's talk about our feelings in front of everyone." To me, it did make sense that people felt more comfortable telling you their secrets in their house.

[schreibzeug]

Oh, I absolutely got the awkwardly timed conversations. But the thing is, they weren't meant to happen like that: Neither my character nor I were particularly interested in anyone's feelings in the middle of a fight, so when those sudden declarations happened, they only did so because I misclicked.
I think the idea of: "Hey, I have something I'd like to talk to you about... when you have time" could have worked (in Origins there were certain dialogues that only happened in the relative safety of camp, as well), I just don't think it was done well in DA2. Of course I could imagine that Hawke talked to the others all the time; but I was only allowed to witness that every few years. Maybe it wouldn't have been such an issue to me if the timeframe was smaller.
And honestly, suddenly being in a deep conversation in the heat of battle didn't seem more ridiculous to me than being summoned by Anders to his clinic because the house we both lived in wasn't the right place to talk.