Dragon Age: Inquisition

Hi again Sheila

Its such a pity the crashing is happening and its probably a wise move to sell the game if it keeps doing this. There are still plenty of other great PS3 games around - I've heard that Dragon Age 2 is a very good game. Also The Last of Us and the Tomb Raider from a few years back are very good. Tomb Raider has plenty of great climbing, action and crafting in it (good if you're a AC fan!) and Lara Croft kicks ass once she gets over her initial trauma.

 

I find it to be the weakest of the three but I still like it. I still haven't gone back and done the Tresspasser DLC.

 

How can Inquisition possibly be the weakest of the three when Dragon Age 2 exists? I mean, I enjoyed it, but it's earned its reputation as the low point of the series. The characters are vivid, but they can get really annoying really quickly. Specifically Anders with his justified but insufferable whining about how oppressed mages are, Fenris with his equally insufferable opposite viewpoint and hatred of magic, and Crazy Meridith the Templar Nazi who thinks that the solution to any problem involving magic is fascism. The story is on a smaller scale in Dragon Age 2 and that's fine, but you don't have nearly as much impact on the narrative as you do in Origins and Inquisition and it never feels very significant. DA2 feels very much like an interlude, a setup for the events of Inquisition. But the game's most blatant failure is all of the copy-pasted locations for side quests. I swear it's like whenever you have to venture outside Kirkwall to do anything you end up in the exact same cave every time. Personally I think Inquisition is the best of the three and has only gotten better with DLC. It takes the best elements of the previous games and improves on them. I can't wait to see what they do in the next one.

 

I finally made it to Redcliffe! Milestone achieved! I also met Dorian, who I have to admit is a very dashing and sexy gentleman mage indeed.

I decided not to romance any of the characters for my main Inquisitor, Ithelrel. I'm ace, so I think it would just feel...awkward. Instead I'm focusing on building friendships with the other members of my party--especially with Varric. He is the most like me personality-wise and I felt an immediate connection with his character, so I'd like my avatar to be good friends with him.

 

If you want to stay good friends with Varric, then whatever you do, DON'T KILL HAWKE. (You'll recognize the decision when it comes.) Varric gets really broken up if that happens.

 

I noticed he seems pretty attached to Hawke...

I kind of live for the little icon that says "Varric approves". It's usually accompanied by a "Cassandra disapproves", which concerns me a little. I would like to be friends with both her and Varric, but it seems I can't make a decision that appeals to both of them.

 

He is VERY attached to Hawke. They are about as close as it's possible for two platonic male friends to be. Hawke was the player character in DA2 and Varric was one of the best companions in that game, so unless you deliberately messed with their friendship in that game by using the Keep (and maybe even if you did, I'm not sure), they're the bestest of friends.

It is possible to have high approval from both Cassandra and Varric. Heck, Cassandra was my romance choice (she's a closet romantic and the most adorable paladin in gaming ever) and I was still on great terms with Varric. In fact, playing the romance angle with Cassandra actually gains you points with both her and Varric and gets them to be a bit more friendly to each other. But if you don't want to do that, the best course of action is to interact with them a lot individually and say lots of friendly, affirming things. Just remember they have different friendship styles. Cassandra is a bit more formal at first, holds the Chantry and its teachings in high regard, and has no patience for BS. If your character is the pious sort, or generally kind, just, and honest, you'll likely win her over. Just don't reject her advice too often. As for Varric, he's practically the opposite. He swears like a sailor and drinks like two of them. You're most likely to win him over by having good humor and not taking yourself too seriously. Also, avoid taking them on adventures at the same time. That way if you make a decision that Varric approves of, Cassandra won't disapprove. Because she won't be there to see it. Unless it's such a big decision that she can't help but hear about it, like a judgment.

 

I haven't gotten around to playing DA II yet, but I've heard about Hawke and Varric's friendship from a few friends who've played it.

Thanks for the advice! I'll keep that in mind. I've made my Inquisitor an aromantic asexual, so I won't be taking the romance angle, but I do think I have a shot at becoming good friends with both Cassandra and Varric. I play as something of an "honorable rogue" archetype--honest and kind, but also irreverent, reckless, and strong-minded. I've run into some bad feelings with Cassandra mostly because I tend to disagree with her plans.

 

DA:I Deluxe Edition for PS4 is currently on sale through the U.S. Playstation Store for $14 to Plus members, until the 19th I think. Bought my copy last night, still waiting for it to finish downloading. I've been waiting, so this is cool.

 

I just finished this game two days ago, late to the game, I know. But DA:I was my favorite out of the series. I enjoyed the main storyline, especially the whole Solas plot. Looking forward to the next one. I do have to agree with some of you who are saying the companion stories were somewhat lacking, not all, but quite a few. For example, Vivienne, she came somewhat late in the game for me, and I never really cared much for her because I felt like I really didn't know her like some of the others. I did, however, like how Hawke came back and would have liked to see much more of him. So, hopefully, in the next game the Inquisitor will be around to join up with the next main character.