Cypra Krum
"No Power without Pain"
So yeah finally finished the ENTIRE game. Felt like forever because I'm something of a completion-nut and tried to get everything done before the big final act. Just thought like giving this little review because I'm still so hyped up about it. And, fyi, mine's only PS3 so idk how much it differs from the other systems aside from graphics. Feel free to tell me whatever else is different if I miss anything. And this is only my first play-through so, again, no idea how it might differ from others.
So the game-play is pretty solid and fluent. I really like that instead of button mashing like moving a chess piece in the first game or button mashing in the second this combat system felt a lot more grounded and easier to use. I'll admit I did sort of like DA2's way of making it feel like every hit I actually made as fast as possible but here it's still interactive enough. And the interface with the other characters works pretty well too, it just helps to know what each of their moves are before you use them.
The areas to explore are just plain amazing. Everything feels like a mini-Skyrim map which can be fun but sometimes it was a little annoying to know I still had a ways to go before reaching the other end of the map and finding every possible area. Still it's great that we finally have mounts as well because they're a huge help and their fun to ride, both for getting around as well as stampeding into enemies. But the details and the different ruins and iconic areas you see are astounding. You real do feel like the place you're in has a history and it's just a random spot on the map.
The overall addition of a base and the use of the War Table fit perfectly with Inquisition's upgrade over the previous games. It was nice to have one big place that you could customize, at least after you're out of Haven and in Skyhold, and it's convenient for finding where you're companions are to talk with them. More like a redone version of the camp from DA:O but more interactive and pretty to look at. And the war table is so much fun to use for finding new missions and gathering resources and influence for the inquisition. It really did feel like I was mapping out a campaign though I do wish there was a little more to see from it, like one of the smaller missions you do actually effects how certain people will think of you.
Then come the companions themselves and I have to say I had the same feeling for them as I did for the previous ones, some I like some I don't but overall unique and enjoyable. Varric is great to have back, same for Cassandra even if she wasn't technically a companion in DA2. Blackwall was okay, if a bit boring in how he talked and easy to appeal to if you played nice all the time. At first I didn't like Vivienne but as the game progressed I started to like her more. I loved, and romanced, Sera especially because she reminded me of a friend of mine from high school. Cole tended to get on my nerves because I didn't know what he approved and what he disapproved of half the time. Iron Bull was like a best friend or big brother I would want around all the time given how fun he is. Solas was hard to read at first but, after what happens in the story, I realized why and sort of hated him for it. Finally there was Dorian was pretty pampas, and I don't like those kind of people irl, but given his back-story I was a little more sympathetic.
The adviser characters I liked a little more. Cullen I always thought was a little paranoid in previous games but here he's loosened up a little and that's cool. Leliana I wish could've come on more missions, and that I could've romanced her all over again. Finally Josephine is great too, and given what I've heard you go through to romance her I might try it on my next play through.
Finally I thought the story was pretty great too. Some stuff I called at the beginning while other things did surprise me; the thing with Solas did remind me a little of Anders. It was great to see characters from before come back, especially Hawke and Morrigan were my favorites to see return. I wish the Warden actually came back, because he lived in my DA:O, but maybe because of how I played the other games he didn't come back. Not sure if anyone else saw their wardens return. And when Flemeth returned I actually had to clap because she's a mysterious beast of a woman who I love no matter if she's evil or not. I really liked the way they did the endings, a neat re-tread on how DA:O was done which I liked. It does leave for a possible sequel but at least it wasn't sequel baiting like DA:2.
So that's my review of the game overall. What did the rest of you think?
So the game-play is pretty solid and fluent. I really like that instead of button mashing like moving a chess piece in the first game or button mashing in the second this combat system felt a lot more grounded and easier to use. I'll admit I did sort of like DA2's way of making it feel like every hit I actually made as fast as possible but here it's still interactive enough. And the interface with the other characters works pretty well too, it just helps to know what each of their moves are before you use them.
The areas to explore are just plain amazing. Everything feels like a mini-Skyrim map which can be fun but sometimes it was a little annoying to know I still had a ways to go before reaching the other end of the map and finding every possible area. Still it's great that we finally have mounts as well because they're a huge help and their fun to ride, both for getting around as well as stampeding into enemies. But the details and the different ruins and iconic areas you see are astounding. You real do feel like the place you're in has a history and it's just a random spot on the map.
The overall addition of a base and the use of the War Table fit perfectly with Inquisition's upgrade over the previous games. It was nice to have one big place that you could customize, at least after you're out of Haven and in Skyhold, and it's convenient for finding where you're companions are to talk with them. More like a redone version of the camp from DA:O but more interactive and pretty to look at. And the war table is so much fun to use for finding new missions and gathering resources and influence for the inquisition. It really did feel like I was mapping out a campaign though I do wish there was a little more to see from it, like one of the smaller missions you do actually effects how certain people will think of you.
Then come the companions themselves and I have to say I had the same feeling for them as I did for the previous ones, some I like some I don't but overall unique and enjoyable. Varric is great to have back, same for Cassandra even if she wasn't technically a companion in DA2. Blackwall was okay, if a bit boring in how he talked and easy to appeal to if you played nice all the time. At first I didn't like Vivienne but as the game progressed I started to like her more. I loved, and romanced, Sera especially because she reminded me of a friend of mine from high school. Cole tended to get on my nerves because I didn't know what he approved and what he disapproved of half the time. Iron Bull was like a best friend or big brother I would want around all the time given how fun he is. Solas was hard to read at first but, after what happens in the story, I realized why and sort of hated him for it. Finally there was Dorian was pretty pampas, and I don't like those kind of people irl, but given his back-story I was a little more sympathetic.
The adviser characters I liked a little more. Cullen I always thought was a little paranoid in previous games but here he's loosened up a little and that's cool. Leliana I wish could've come on more missions, and that I could've romanced her all over again. Finally Josephine is great too, and given what I've heard you go through to romance her I might try it on my next play through.
Finally I thought the story was pretty great too. Some stuff I called at the beginning while other things did surprise me; the thing with Solas did remind me a little of Anders. It was great to see characters from before come back, especially Hawke and Morrigan were my favorites to see return. I wish the Warden actually came back, because he lived in my DA:O, but maybe because of how I played the other games he didn't come back. Not sure if anyone else saw their wardens return. And when Flemeth returned I actually had to clap because she's a mysterious beast of a woman who I love no matter if she's evil or not. I really liked the way they did the endings, a neat re-tread on how DA:O was done which I liked. It does leave for a possible sequel but at least it wasn't sequel baiting like DA:2.
So that's my review of the game overall. What did the rest of you think?
