Dragon Age: Origins

[BluHavik]

Originally Posted by Terjyn

I asked my question because the 360 achievements total 1100 points, with the final 100 being Stone Prisoner/Warden's Keep.

To me that made it almost certain that the Platinum did not require those four trophies, and it seems I was right.

Good to see confirmation on this.

Yet if you want to stow away the good equipment you find but can't use yet, have to buy dlc. This is were it started rubbing me wrong. I have all kinds of armor/weapons I'm close to being able to use. Googled for a place to store them and only one is Wardens Keep(The 7 dollar dlc). Seems I'm the minority but they gimped the game to sell dlc. Again I have nothing against dlc.. I'm going to buy the fallout dlc soon(rest of it already bought one), I loved that game. Thing is they didn't gimp it from day one to force it on me. I find it hard to take that I have a camp feature but nothing to put stuff in.. I have to pay for it on top of the disc I bought. A most basic feature of rpg's. Even Demon Souls(game known to be cruel) let you stow away stuff with only the disc you bought.

They have NPC's in your camp that if you talk to take you to the playstation store to buy an add on. Salesmen in your game as characters.

[SleeperAgent]

Originally Posted by BluHavik

Yet if you want to stow away the good equipment you find but can't use yet, have to buy dlc. This is were it started rubbing me wrong. I have all kinds of armor/weapons I'm close to being able to use. Googled for a place to store them and only one is Wardens Keep(The 7 dollar dlc). Seems I'm the minority but they gimped the game to sell dlc. Again I have nothing against dlc.. I'm going to buy the fallout dlc soon(rest of it already bought one), I loved that game. Thing is they didn't gimp it from day one to force it on me. I find it hard to take that I have a camp feature but nothing to put stuff in.. I have to pay for it on top of the disc I bought. A most basic feature of rpg's. Even Demon Souls(game known to be cruel) let you stow away stuff with only the disc you bought.

I agree with the "release date DLC" being extremely lame. I read they had planned that about a month ago. I was like "if you haven't started producing discs yet why not just add it in???'

Normally I wouldn't care, but RPG's should ALWAYS have somewhere to store loot you aren't using. This is what bothered me about Borderlands.

Still haven't even put this in since I got it from Amazon for 29.99.

[Beefbowl]

Originally Posted by BluHavik

Yet if you want to stow away the good equipment you find but can't use yet, have to buy dlc. This is were it started rubbing me wrong. I have all kinds of armor/weapons I'm close to being able to use. Googled for a place to store them and only one is Wardens Keep(The 7 dollar dlc). Seems I'm the minority but they gimped the game to sell dlc. Again I have nothing against dlc.. I'm going to buy the fallout dlc soon(rest of it already bought one), I loved that game. Thing is they didn't gimp it from day one to force it on me. I find it hard to take that I have a camp feature but nothing to put stuff in.. I have to pay for it on top of the disc I bought. A most basic feature of rpg's. Even Demon Souls(game known to be cruel) let you stow away stuff with only the disc you bought.

I'm curious to know what items you have that you want to hold on for so long.

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by BluHavik

Thats all fine and good, they gave us codes for the excuses you mention. Still the fact of if you want a platinum or a chest to store stuff in YOU MUST BUY DLC. Unless I can get Wardens Keep for free somewhere and I'm not aware of it. Face it, good game gimped to make you spend more money. Also if the qa was saying it's glitched why did they release it anyway?

Essentially what they said the disc would have been delayed to do that, most likely it got pulled from the disc's Q/A and solved on the side to be released later, separating the processes and issuing to another team, you do not delay the process of getting the game ready discs pressed and quality assurance checking the last bugs.. the discs can be burned while the company works on finalizing extra content.

Unless you think they should have delayed the game a month to say add it to the disc.. wouldn't have bothered me personally.

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

I usually don't either, but when I find a game that I want to replay, having something fun to play for increases the interest. I personally own only one platinum.

Okay

Ah. When you first get to the surface, you are partyless, of course.

Not really after you leave the swamp you have Alister and Morrigon at least usually. You have two missable characters north of the swamp town its a little town that survivors of the last battle fled to.

Sten and a rouge

Just as annoying to me when online play is required.

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

Not so much. You can still play the game without the DLC and the DLC doesn't really affect the storyline of the game. Now if they charged me DLC for the ending of the game I would be upset.

I would imagine the dlc could have an effect on the ending particularly with its fate give or take.

Originally Posted by BluHavik

Yet if you want to stow away the good equipment you find but can't use yet, have to buy dlc. This is were it started rubbing me wrong. I have all kinds of armor/weapons I'm close to being able to use. Googled for a place to store them and only one is Wardens Keep(The 7 dollar dlc). Seems I'm the minority but they gimped the game to sell dlc. Again I have nothing against dlc.. I'm going to buy the fallout dlc soon(rest of it already bought one), I loved that game. Thing is they didn't gimp it from day one to force it on me. I find it hard to take that I have a camp feature but nothing to put stuff in.. I have to pay for it on top of the disc I bought. A most basic feature of rpg's. Even Demon Souls(game known to be cruel) let you stow away stuff with only the disc you bought.

They have NPC's in your camp that if you talk to take you to the playstation store to buy an add on. Salesmen in your game as characters.

To be honest buy backpacks they increase your inventory size they cost very little in the start but they start get higher and higher.. I think now in my game they are 6 gold.. I believe I can carry 120 unique items at once plus what my characters have equipped.

Originally Posted by TheSoviet

I agree with the "release date DLC" being extremely lame. I read they had planned that about a month ago. I was like "if you haven't started producing discs yet why not just add it in???'

Normally I wouldn't care, but RPG's should ALWAYS have somewhere to store loot you aren't using. This is what bothered me about Borderlands.

Still haven't even put this in since I got it from Amazon for 29.99.

[wallet]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

I'm curious to know what items you have that you want to hold on for so long.

I admit I horde things I have no intentions of using.. btw do not sell empty vials those things are hard to come by. They are like epic rare at least so far in my playthough no shop sells them and they are neccesary to make potions.

[jsteinhauer]

I don't recollect being able to store everything I ever collected in PC RPGs in the past. Gotta decide what to keep and what to ditch!

Finally getting the hang of things a little bit. Not very far, but leveled up a few times today. It's very forgiving of noobs early on, even on hard. It's also a little passive, huh, but still addictive? The more I get into it, the better I like it, but it's not a good beer drinking game. All of the dialog responses require intact judgement. Thus far, the party has changed too much. You can't really get a feel for who you're working with. Maybe it's not the same for all character origins.

[Show spoiler]My fellow recruits did not survive the ritual. Morrigan did not offer the opportunity to accompany us. My dialog options did not let me reveal her presence.

It doesn't matter. Things will happen as they will.

I did miss the shooter aspect of the game, though. Played a little Dead Space afterword. Thinking of doing some trophy collecting.

[CasualKiller]

Just beat it.

Not going to spoil any plot points but I will say this. Before you make any plot based decisions pull any valuable items off of your party.

[Terjyn]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Just beat it.

Not going to spoil any plot points but I will say this. Before you make any plot based decisions pull any valuable items off of your party.

Yeah, heard this was a really nasty surprise, especially since earlier in the game people who leave give their items back.

[dk3dknight]

You can have a happy ending but most likely you closed that door accidentally.

[Show spoiler]Give Morrigan the book from the mage guild called black grimore, and do her personal quest which opens up a road to a happy ending

I have to say im really enjoying the arcane warrior specialization.

i already discussed the passive benefits of combat casting but that skill goes on... when you actually turn it to an active skill you get the following.

Attack Bonus + the ability to use spellpower to determine your physical attack.

(Spellpower + Bonus = Physical Damage) in lamens terms.

Then the other skill arc is very interesting.

Aura of Might (enhancement to combat magic)
Grants additional Attack, Defense, and damage when combat magic is on.

Fade Shroud (enhancement to combat magic)
You know partly exist between the real world and the fade grants mana regeneration bonus + increased chance to dodge incoming attacks.

pretty cool stuff.

[Proteus]

Fun game. Wish it had better options.

I'm on the PC even so I have mods and everything crazy cool like that, but even using the toolset there are very few graphical options for say, armor, to choose from. I bet some people make new models for that though.

Anyway, popped into thread to say:

The DLC was a kind of a bummer to pay out yet another $7 off the bat. I read something on the Bioware social network that it was indeed an effort by Bioware/EA to ensure the games profitability in the used market still.

By the way, apparently some places in Europe received Warden's Keep as the free DLC and had to pay $9 (equivalent) for Shale's DLC instead.

Now, was the DLC already there for the disc? YES. No question. The DLC wasn't something that was pushed out 11th hour... No way. It was planned from the start to use as a tool against the used games market and ensure some income there still. The promotional side was even more bonus for them. So, yes, if the dev's are stating otherwise (that thing about only the last month so couldn't go on disk) they are flat out lying.

And, here's proof:

The Prima strategy guide has detailed walkthroughs, etc. for both DLC's. Not just an 'added section' but they are actually integrated into every aspect of the guide from party possible listings to _items available at vendors lists_ to EVERYTHING. I'm sorry, but Prima would not have that much information (with detailed references during main campaign walkthroughs to parts of DLC content where things can benefit it) integrated into the guide, designed in perfectly and printed for delivery if that content wasn't even conceptualized until a month before release. Prima would need that information in a completed form AT LEAST 60-90 days out.

So, yeah, the devs are liars. It's true. But, it's just because they don't have the balls to just say the real reason for it up front: So they can make some money off used game sales which will start almost day one of release still (as well as a little extra because marketing figured they can split the DLC release and make some more on top by making a mechanic that is gamebreaking not to have, i.e. storage, part of the DLC... Probably why Warden's Keep is cheaper than Shale's).

Also, the best armor and the best weapon in the game, bar none, is only available in Warden's Keep. Nothing beats Starfang (longsword or twohand sword) or Warden's Commander Armor (dragonbone if you get later or do the sell/buyback trick to upgrade).

Edit: This should piss off anyone who didn't buy the PC version. Look what Bioware just gave the PC! http://social.bioware.com/project/463/ (party camp storage chest in case that link doesn't work)

[Beefbowl]

Originally Posted by Proteus

Fun game. Wish it had better options.

I'm on the PC even so I have mods and everything crazy cool like that, but even using the toolset there are very few graphical options for say, armor, to choose from. I bet some people make new models for that though.

Anyway, popped into thread to say:

The DLC was a kind of a bummer to pay out yet another $7 off the bat. I read something on the Bioware social network that it was indeed an effort by Bioware/EA to ensure the games profitability in the used market still.

By the way, apparently some places in Europe received Warden's Keep as the free DLC and had to pay $9 (equivalent) for Shale's DLC instead.

Now, was the DLC already there for the disc? YES. No question. The DLC wasn't something that was pushed out 11th hour... No way. It was planned from the start to use as a tool against the used games market and ensure some income there still. The promotional side was even more bonus for them. So, yes, if the dev's are stating otherwise (that thing about only the last month so couldn't go on disk) they are flat out lying.

And, here's proof:

The Prima strategy guide has detailed walkthroughs, etc. for both DLC's. Not just an 'added section' but they are actually integrated into every aspect of the guide from party possible listings to _items available at vendors lists_ to EVERYTHING. I'm sorry, but Prima would not have that much information (with detailed references during main campaign walkthroughs to parts of DLC content where things can benefit it) integrated into the guide, designed in perfectly and printed for delivery if that content wasn't even conceptualized until a month before release. Prima would need that information in a completed form AT LEAST 60-90 days out.

So, yeah, the devs are liars. It's true. But, it's just because they don't have the balls to just say the real reason for it up front: So they can make some money off used game sales which will start almost day one of release still (as well as a little extra because marketing figured they can split the DLC release and make some more on top by making a mechanic that is gamebreaking not to have, i.e. storage, part of the DLC... Probably why Warden's Keep is cheaper than Shale's).

Also, the best armor and the best weapon in the game, bar none, is only available in Warden's Keep. Nothing beats Starfang (longsword or twohand sword) or Warden's Commander Armor (dragonbone if you get later or do the sell/buyback trick to upgrade).

Edit: This should piss off anyone who didn't buy the PC version. Look what Bioware just gave the PC! http://social.bioware.com/project/463/ (party camp storage chest in case that link doesn't work)

I was watching the video and the lead designer said the Juggernaut was the best armor

Anyone know how many different endings this game has?

[Terjyn]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

I was watching the video and the lead designer said the Juggernaut was the best armor

Anyone know how many different endings this game has?

Juggernaut armor is nice, but the best?

I don't have Warden's keep...from what I've seen so far I'd call the Dragonbone plate Dragon armor is the best, because of the stamina/magic/fatigure bonuses. Heavy armor with only 23% fatigue and a bonus to stamina/mana? Yes please.

[twinkie]

Originally Posted by Terjyn

Juggernaut armor is nice, but the best?

I don't have Warden's keep...from what I've seen so far I'd call the Dragonbone plate Dragon armor is the best, because of the stamina/magic/fatigure bonuses. Heavy armor with only 23% fatigue and a bonus to stamina/mana? Yes please.

well, the Juggernaut armor is the best if you want to build a tank. defensively, nothing beats it. as for the Dragon armor, it's best suit for a character who'll do the most DPS

[Beefbowl]

Originally Posted by twinkie

well, the Juggernaut armor is the best if you want to build a tank. defensively, nothing beats it. as for the Dragon armor, it's best suit for a character who'll do the most DPS

ah..that makes sense since he was going over the tank build...

didn't know Tim Curry was one of the voice actors in this game. He's pretty funny.

[hellmonkey]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

ah..that makes sense since he was going over the tank build...

didn't know Tim Curry was one of the voice actors in this game. He's pretty funny.

Doorbell rings: "Wilderness gurls."

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

I was watching the video and the lead designer said the Juggernaut was the best armor

Anyone know how many different endings this game has?

In a way I see that, I put it on my main tank.. looks good on him, and the elemental defense..

What pisses me off it doesn't give you the numbers for the bonus for equipping the entire set bonus... I mean all we get is a description of the positive not the actual values..

Originally Posted by Terjyn

Juggernaut armor is nice, but the best?

I don't have Warden's keep...from what I've seen so far I'd call the Dragonbone plate Dragon armor is the best, because of the stamina/magic/fatigure bonuses. Heavy armor with only 23% fatigue and a bonus to stamina/mana? Yes please.

I think that with the entire set your looking at 30% resistance to all elements + any other bonus's you get with set bonus which turns out kinda nice.

Originally Posted by twinkie

well, the Juggernaut armor is the best if you want to build a tank. defensively, nothing beats it. as for the Dragon armor, it's best suit for a character who'll do the most DPS

I made my dragon armor medium and threw it on my rouge.

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

ah..that makes sense since he was going over the tank build...

didn't know Tim Curry was one of the voice actors in this game. He's pretty funny.

Have to say the spell weaver is sexy..

Im going to post a few more screenshots in a bit I think yall might likey.

[jsteinhauer]

I've got all of the DLC and installed it, but I have not accessed it yet. Am I advised to do that now, rather than play the game through first? Like discussed, DLC is usually not a release day product and is not intended to be part of the release game but a bonus to improve replayability. But if this is supposed to be there from the outset, and if I am hindering my characters, I will go ahead.

[Beefbowl]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

I've got all of the DLC and installed it, but I have not accessed it yet. Am I advised to do that now, rather than play the game through first? Like discussed, DLC is usually not a release day product and is not intended to be part of the release game but a bonus to improve replayability. But if this is supposed to be there from the outset, and if I am hindering my characters, I will go ahead.

I'm tempted to do the shades one as I would be interested in having a golem as my tank.

[dk3dknight]

The effects of picking up the last tier of arcane warrior, that I spoke of earlier your character sits between the fade and the real world.. kind of cool, this is the effect of the last enhancement to combat magic..

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by TheSoviet

I agree with the "release date DLC" being extremely lame. I read they had planned that about a month ago. I was like "if you haven't started producing discs yet why not just add it in???'

Normally I wouldn't care, but RPG's should ALWAYS have somewhere to store loot you aren't using. This is what bothered me about Borderlands.

Still haven't even put this in since I got it from Amazon for 29.99.

There is another place to store loot in the game without DLC.. Main City upper / right corner of map.. in the Pub back room, after an event you there you get a 2nd chest or if you dont have the DLC, your first chest.. to store stuff..

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by dk3dknight

I admit I horde things I have no intentions of using.. btw do not sell empty vials those things are hard to come by. They are like epic rare at least so far in my playthough no shop sells them and they are neccesary to make potions.

Stores do sell them.. you can buy tons.. I bought about 100 during first few hours of playing.