This is not a sequel in the common sense. There is not another archdemon to beat. In fact, it is much more mundane than the first in the sheer number of trivial pursuits taken up. Gone are the six different story lines, and you now have one. Also gone are the abilities to further edit your appearance. You are to be human, but will you be a warrior, rogue, or mage? As I am always a warrior, it is not difficulty for me to choose.
Gameplay:
Infinitely smoother and more choreographed than in Origins. I went back to playing Origins and found myself consistently frustrated at the lack of control provided. Very linear story line, but it is intriguing and addictive. The side kicks and relationships built are definitely of interest throughout the game as well. I kept waiting for the crisis, trying to figure out what it would be at each stage and failing to figure it out until the stage was almost over. I think, in that way, Origins created an expectation of on major quest ending. The minor quests were somewhat tedious to get to the one final quest for each segment of life the game covers.
The graphics are as smooth and wonderful in the second version as in the first, no lack of creativity went into this. Even going into the Deep Roads was an interesting turn of events. The different appearances of the Dwarves and Elves, however, did take me by surprise originally, as did the change of the darkspawn. For some reason, I found them less easy to relate to in the first case, and found myself less intimidated by them in the second case. Part of this no doubt due to the sheer level of repeated interaction with darkspawn found in Origins and Awakening.
Girly Attributes:
The emotions in this game are quite intense at times. The highs are great, the lows the same, and the stressors are felt throughout. This makes the game quite attractive from a female perspective. I can empathize, and want to kick butt whenever someone comes at my sister or anyone on my crew. On the other hand, the relationships are oddly forced and lack the finesse that the first ones did. Anders is the only one with whom the relationship is quite similar. Otherwise, it is much more uncomfortable throughout the game and nothing really happens until the very end, prolonging the repetitive questions until then.
This game is certainly worth a couple of plays to test and determine the different options available, but the options are more finite, and the outcome often the same. Certain aspects of the game it would have been nice to avoid altogether depending on how the conversations worked out throughout. At least once, I would have liked to prevented a catastrophe in the game. Then again, would it have made as powerful a statement if we were able to?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Dragon Age: Awakening
The sequel to Dragon Age: Origins was disappointing. I did not expect much for the money, but I did expect more. For a relational game, the lack of time to develop relationships in this sequel was not uplifting at all. Even with doing all the side quests, there was little time before the end of the game to develop the types of friendships that had grown in Dragon Age: Origins so smoothly and freely.
Gameplay:
Very similar to Dragon Age: Origins. The fighting is exactly the same, the environment slightly different but the graphics quality the same as in the first. Both very nice scenery, even in the depths of the caves and underground Thaigs. This story line is much the same, very linear, but with entertaining side quests throughout.
Girly Attributes:
Not many. Of course, the two stars of this addition are our Mage: Anders, and Nethanial Howe, the son of one of our enemies in Origins are definitely the handsome guys to choose from. For lovely ladies, we have the elf maiden, Velanna, and Sigrun, a dwarven lass. Add Justice, a "good" spirit, and Oghren, and it makes for quite the conversation topics as you trek through the world of Amaranthine. Anders is the flirtatious cutie pie throughout this one if you are a woman, and I believe that Velanna would be the beautiful woman of this game, if you've created a male character.
Different characters from Oblivion make appearances throughout the game, which certainly adds interest to it, but overall, the disappointment lies in the speed in which this sequel progresses without regard to the reputation and relationships of the prior full version.
Gameplay:
Very similar to Dragon Age: Origins. The fighting is exactly the same, the environment slightly different but the graphics quality the same as in the first. Both very nice scenery, even in the depths of the caves and underground Thaigs. This story line is much the same, very linear, but with entertaining side quests throughout.
Girly Attributes:
Not many. Of course, the two stars of this addition are our Mage: Anders, and Nethanial Howe, the son of one of our enemies in Origins are definitely the handsome guys to choose from. For lovely ladies, we have the elf maiden, Velanna, and Sigrun, a dwarven lass. Add Justice, a "good" spirit, and Oghren, and it makes for quite the conversation topics as you trek through the world of Amaranthine. Anders is the flirtatious cutie pie throughout this one if you are a woman, and I believe that Velanna would be the beautiful woman of this game, if you've created a male character.
Different characters from Oblivion make appearances throughout the game, which certainly adds interest to it, but overall, the disappointment lies in the speed in which this sequel progresses without regard to the reputation and relationships of the prior full version.
Dragon Age: Origons
From the beginning, this promises to be an interesting game. From the level of customization and the different story lines, you are able to truly make your character into exactly what you would want to be. For myself, a female warrior is always a required role.
Gameplay:
The fights are somewhat anti-climactic. Unless you are facing the opposite direction, you are going to hit your foe, but the movements and graphics are choppy and difficult to see through the fights. On the other hand, the relationships built through the game are phenomenal. The stories that are developed as you build or ruin the relationships make for an intriguing game play as well as ensuring that one never loses interest in the amiable sidekicks. As for the game itself, it is rather linear, although the ability to do side quests within the areas is definitely a plus.
Girly Aspects:
Relationships are awesome, regardless of who you develop the relationship with. The relationship with Morrigan was probably the biggest surprise, but even she was able to be charmed by the right person. Throughout the game, the choices made affect how not only the people on the opposite end of the choice treat you, but also how the people in your group will be affected by your choices. That is the most endearing and challenging part of the game overall. Still, I found that it did not detract from the story line but rather added to the complexity of the game. I found myself playing the game over and over again simply because I wanted to determine the perfect relationship equation for this or how to make someone do that, etc.
Overall Opinion:
This game is well worth the money and is a great addition to anyone's collection who prefers the story line over sheer action and fighting all of the time. If the relationships and quirky comments of your group don't have you groaning or giggling, the monotonous walking would be much less fun. I even found myself stopping or pausing just to hear the end of a conversation before moving on to the next section. This is a game to be repeated.
Gameplay:
The fights are somewhat anti-climactic. Unless you are facing the opposite direction, you are going to hit your foe, but the movements and graphics are choppy and difficult to see through the fights. On the other hand, the relationships built through the game are phenomenal. The stories that are developed as you build or ruin the relationships make for an intriguing game play as well as ensuring that one never loses interest in the amiable sidekicks. As for the game itself, it is rather linear, although the ability to do side quests within the areas is definitely a plus.
Girly Aspects:
Relationships are awesome, regardless of who you develop the relationship with. The relationship with Morrigan was probably the biggest surprise, but even she was able to be charmed by the right person. Throughout the game, the choices made affect how not only the people on the opposite end of the choice treat you, but also how the people in your group will be affected by your choices. That is the most endearing and challenging part of the game overall. Still, I found that it did not detract from the story line but rather added to the complexity of the game. I found myself playing the game over and over again simply because I wanted to determine the perfect relationship equation for this or how to make someone do that, etc.
Overall Opinion:
This game is well worth the money and is a great addition to anyone's collection who prefers the story line over sheer action and fighting all of the time. If the relationships and quirky comments of your group don't have you groaning or giggling, the monotonous walking would be much less fun. I even found myself stopping or pausing just to hear the end of a conversation before moving on to the next section. This is a game to be repeated.
Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV is still one of my favorite games to play when I want to let loose and get rid of all excess baggage. What could be more fun than taking a rocket launcher to time square? In all seriousness, this is one of the only gun games I have truly enjoyed playing. It is intense, action packed, and full of moral honor codes throughout. It makes me happy to be sitting at home and comfortable that I am not really living in that environment when I turn off the PS3.
Gameplay:
In a word: Awesome. The gameplay in GTA4 is stunning, beautiful in a stark, "NYC" way. It was neat, intriguing, and intense how close to the real city this was. I found many different things I'd never seen before, only to search them and realize they were actually there. From an exploration standpoint, this definitely does not disappoint. While the plot line is primarily linear, there are chances to foray into the external world, dating, hanging out with friend, etc. Playing pool or getting drunk at a club were always fun hangouts.
Girly Attributes:
The most fun about this game is the idea of leaving myself to be in the game. I could be whomever I wanted, acting as though no law could hold me down. The perverse romantic trysts in this game were definitely an additional amusement to be had any time I felt that the game was becoming too stressful or if I was frustrated at a certain part. Even holding up different stores was fun at times, although it was just as interesting to begin buying things as you progressed through the game and realized that you could finally afford them.
All in all, this is a great game for a once-through.
Gameplay:
In a word: Awesome. The gameplay in GTA4 is stunning, beautiful in a stark, "NYC" way. It was neat, intriguing, and intense how close to the real city this was. I found many different things I'd never seen before, only to search them and realize they were actually there. From an exploration standpoint, this definitely does not disappoint. While the plot line is primarily linear, there are chances to foray into the external world, dating, hanging out with friend, etc. Playing pool or getting drunk at a club were always fun hangouts.
Girly Attributes:
The most fun about this game is the idea of leaving myself to be in the game. I could be whomever I wanted, acting as though no law could hold me down. The perverse romantic trysts in this game were definitely an additional amusement to be had any time I felt that the game was becoming too stressful or if I was frustrated at a certain part. Even holding up different stores was fun at times, although it was just as interesting to begin buying things as you progressed through the game and realized that you could finally afford them.
All in all, this is a great game for a once-through.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
My original foray into the world of Oblivion, well both worlds actually, was on the PS3. I was quickly lost in the world, trying to figure out how to get out of these dungeons, intimidated by the skeletons and rats throughout. After the first play, these things were much less intimidating, by the third or fourth time through the game, I enjoyed the slight challenge they presented as I plowed through them on my way to fresher, more challenging prey.
Oblivion marked my first foray into the truest form of gaming. I had finally found the craving to complete the story, the need to not only conquer the world, but also to explore it and find every nook and cranny, discover the different speeches made by the characters as I made my way through the world. I discovered that I enjoy pleasant scenery and a good social dialogue throughout the game to keep me interested in playing.
Gameplay:
The fighting is straight forward and pretty accurate, although you will most likely do some bit of damage as long as you are facing the general direction of your foe and within range of the weapon. The only choppy parts I found were when riding horseback, especially on the black horses, you will have moments of pause while the game loads the scenery. The environment is the best part of Oblivion and indeed the sweet beauty of the rolling hills, forests, rivers, and ocean make the world of Oblivion that much more daunting to enter. As you progress through the storyline, the reddening of the sky as you near an Oblivion Gate raises the level of stress and feeling, promoting the sense of loss to that world you had previously so enjoyed.
Girly Aspects:
While Oblivion is wonderful in its intrigues (I especially love the quest in the Skingrad Mansion in the Dark Brotherhood quest line), I would have liked to see more actual relational development between the characters and the quester. Aside from a couple of comments from the Shopkeeper's daughter about being her hero, or the random side comments about assistance on various quests, not much is stated relationally.
On the up side, the articles and gossip regarding the claim to fame on different quest lines was very pleasing. Hearing the newest name of the victor in the arena was great. It would have been nice if some of the more ignorant attitudes would have been discarded then, once they realized how intimidating my character was. Still, the effort was much appreciated in seeing the notes in the newspaper and hearing the gossips talk, even if most of the time my character was not recognized.
Introduction
Hello,
I have been playing video games since I was roughly six years old. I remember the first birthday I received a nintendo and 40 video games to play. The three I always think back to are Mario Brothers, Zelda, and The Three Stooges games. I played those games non-stop for years.
We skipped purchasing the super nintendo, the sega, and many other gaming systems, and did not purchase another one until the N64. My brother and I would play Rush, loving all of the secret areas we could play "bumper cars" in and push each other out of the secret area and back to the road so they would have to make the trek to the secret lair we decided to play in. The cave was always the hardest one to work with.
At the moment, I enjoy a range of games on my PS3, my macbook pro, my laptop, and my Wii. We do not have a 360 but I have debated purchasing one so that I can enjoy games such as Fable. Some of my upcoming posts will be about previous games that I have enjoyed playing to catch us up. I will post about every game that I have played, the reactions I have had to each, the graphics, controls, story line, and girl appeal. Please feel free to post comments as I will enjoy a good debate as well as an interesting perspective.
Thank you for Reading!
Sincerely,
Deanna
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