***NOMINATE HERE*** TPWW Video Game of the Year in our Lord 2014 in the Gregorian Calendar

[drave]

Originally Posted by RoXer I'm not knocking on Smeat btw, I hope he knows that. I just... want a little more effort. Maybe a tag team betwixt the two of us can make this fun. Actually, a little more effort from all of us couldn't hurt really. More discussion, debate, etc. It doesn't have to be Kalyx levels of intensity but feel free to share you're views on why your nominating something instead of just copy/pasting a game title and boxart picture.

Dragon Age - The Reasons

Music/Sound - The music isn't IN YOUR FACE but comes along at the right times, and helps add more depth to the current environment/situation. I won't go into spoilers as far as the music goes, but there are some really cool storyline moments where music shines. Also, stop and listen to the bards in taverns, they sound AMAZING. Found myself stopping to listen nearly every time without even realizing it. I play with Turtle Beach headphones because I really enjoy sound. Combat sounds are also very satisfying and differentiate among skills. Melee can get repetitive at times, but that is to be expected in any game.Tavern song collection in tags below. They may not be the "best" but are pretty amazing for ambiance.

SPOILER: show

Visuals - I play on Xbox One. I am not a graphics whore who will whine that there arent 100 more pixels on my screen, so I couldn't care less about 1080/60. The environments are both huge as well as beautifully created. The transition from The Hinterlands (starting area) to the swamps or even a desert. Each new environment brings new details and environmental effects that are unseen and (not often) repeated in each zone. Two of the hardest textures to master (fire and water). Lighting, fog, snow, rain and especially lightning strikes are all very pleasing. Lightning struck a tree I was near and the tree glowed orange like the end of a cigarette (cuz lightining and science!). Small things too, like characters keeping equipment on during cut scenes just gives it a little extra (Charlotte) flair.

Gameplay - I'll get the negative out of the way first. Character creation is lacking. I understand the amount of content placed into the game, but I felt there were a lack of options for creation such as hair (facial too), face types, tattoos than previous games. Also, the camera can be frustrating during certain battles. I find it to be subjective however, and worst when playing a dual wielding rogue that moves around often. When "teleporting" behind enemies, the camera tends to float below or above my character, making it difficult to see the action.

Now, the rest is wonderful. My main character is a dagger wielding rogue, but I have spent time with other classes via the party. Every class is incredibly easy to play and the combat, outside of boss fights, isn't terribly difficult if you pay attention to the situation (fist pumpin like a champ) and adjust as needed. Threat models are in this game, so the typical tank/dps/healer (sorta) setup is standard. Though there isn't a true healer until a specialization is unlocked, there are other methods of mitigation such as guard (warrior) and barriers (mage). So far I have only encountered one boss fight and it felt like a very tactical, drawn out fight that wasn't just "tank n spank" as it is called. Mages pew pew like there is no tomorrow, whether it is the auto attack or actual spells. There are few things as satisfying as setting an enemy on fire and attacking it while panicked. The combat can range from very simple to very tactical (dragons, looking at you damnit!). The need to learn the patterns/attacks of enemies is necessary if you don't want to end up dead (which I have many times now).

The story is great too, especially if you take your time to become immersed. Read the codex entries, talk to NPC's and get a feel for the world. It will be much more fulfilling if you do.

This faux review may not read well, started it before 6AM, slept for 4 hours and haven't had coffee yet.