Nate (post: 1466001) wrote:Now here's the question, because I keep hearing different reasons why people hate it.
Do you hate it because of the combat changes? Or do you hate it because of the storyline and characters?
WHOOO ITS RANTIN TIME
The combat's hunky dory. I mean, I'm not IN LOVE with the button mashing aspect, but it's fun enough. I'm really not sweet at all on the enemies popping out of nowhere, though. That's really annoying.
My problem really lies with the boring, shrill, stereotypical characters and complete and total lack of any plot whatsoever. I'm not gonna say Origins' plot was genius or anything, but at least you felt like you were DOING something when you ran around on pointless errands and side quests ("YAY, URN. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS DOES BUT I FEEL IMPORTANT.") There is very, very little context for what you're doing half the time in this game, and when there is, it is boring.
The characters are all cut from this weird, out of place, cookie cutter sitcom format. Isabela = skank. Merrill = mousey. Aveline = tough chick. Anders = Alistair, but with the charm of a wet sponge and dialogue ripped from the Twilight series. I'd go on, but I honestly can't remember who the other characters were. Except Varric, who is all right, I guess.
The dialogue is terrriiiible. I don't mean to say everything should be all "HAIL TO THEE SER AND WELL MET" but the word "Buttcheeks" does not belong in any high-fantasy story. Ever. Speaking of, the game's attempts at humor are sad, predictable and Fable-y. Which is not good.
This especially hurts the game since it's supposed to be so much more "personal" than Origins, which is fine. There's a lot to work with in a story about a hero trying to keep their homeland safe. Problem is, when you're meant to spend a lot of time with your friends and family, and your friends and family are totally uninteresting, the game stops being escapism and starts being my homelife but with chainmail bikinis. The other big plot motivator is keeping Kirkwall safe and making a name and home for yourself there.
Kirkwall SUCKS. The people are awful, the city is ugly and samey, and overall there is not one redeeming quality about it. There is no reason to care what happens to this horrible place. Your family SUCKS, [SPOILER]Your brother/sister dies within ten minutes of the game, your mom does absolutely NOTHING except whine until being inevitably killed off near the middle of the game, your OTHER brother/sister is a whiny tool, and your uncle is a whiner who predictably steals from you.[/SPOILER] STOP WHINING, FREELOADERS.
There are a few minor complaints aside. The narrative style of the game bugs me, what with Varric relaying it, and the only reason it's set up that way is to plug DA3 and shoehorn in a pointless cameo. Game's as buggy as all get out. Companions will sometimes just stand around while you do all the fighting. Female Hawke sounds like an uppity princess all the time.
I hated this game.
OH. But for what it's worth, the kiss scenes in this game are HILARIOUS and AWESOME.