Recent reviews by Capostrophy

Not since The Wolf Among Us have I played a narrative choice game that I really enjoyed from start to finish. Unlike some of the "choose your own adventure" games were it gives the illusion of choice, this one does feel like each decision should be weighed carefully. I personally enjoy the humor, but I think there are people that might find it to be overdone and campy, like the Marvel movies in some regards (I haven't seen one since Deadpool 2, so I may not be the best judge on this). Some of the rousing speeches feel cringe, and I'm honestly surprised there wasn't more open hostility towards Robert by the team throughout the game. It was a good time and I plan on doing another play through really soon to get a different ending.

I went into this game after seeing all the glowing reviews as well as the criticisms for months leading up to its release. I debated if I even wanted to pay to play this game, but ultimately I decided to throw down the money and live with the consequences. I have played this game to completion after taking my time with each side mission. I completed the game first with the secret ending and then loaded the decision save to see the "good" ending, so I feel like there is little reason to go through the game again to try and get the bad ending. Below are what I found throughout the experience:

*First, I have a computer setup that should have run all this with little problem, but it kept crashing with all the hair strand and flashy effects, so I had to turn it down. Honestly, if you dumb it down on the hair strand effect it looks less out-of-place on the characters and it fits their design a little better. Also it helps to widen the shoulders and squeeze the head in on your character to keep them from looking like a gremlin with the large heads, they look more proportionate. Bioware needs to fix that, it's so jarring. Doesn't help the NPCs, but the CC just looks like a bunch or gremlins with fat heads unless you actively work against the design aesthetic.

*Characters are poorly written and bland. I hated going through their missions, especially Taash's. I saved hers for last since it was so cringe and just plain stupid. The immersion is broken immediately when she starts talking I really wished I could go through the game without her. Mostly the LGBT stuff centers around her with the one Grey Warden NPC spouting "non-binary" junk. (You'll know him when you speak to him.) Other and that, if you skip though all dialogue with Taash it's bearable, but there are a lot of gay romances happening all around. You start to wonder how the world of Thedas maintains their population if everyone is gay? Needless to say the characters were so unappealing that I didn't bother with any of the romances.

*Belara and the Veil Jumpers are probably the most Marvel feeling inserts to the entire game series. It doesn't feel like it belongs in Thedas at all. I had waited so long to go to Arlathan, but as I started going through the map I just hated everything I was seeing. It's so high fantasy that it just feels like I'm playing something else, but certainly not Dragon age. Also, it just feels like Belara as a character was written too forcefully to try and make her into being eccentric, when in reality she is barely interesting at all.

*Not enough interaction with Solas. It would have been more fun if Solas was like an intrusive thought or returned to advise you in the lighthouse in Act 2 or 3, but those are my opinions. He should have had a much bigger role than just talking with him toward the end of each Act, but I can see why they couldn't call this game Dreadwolf anymore; it would almost be false advertisement.

*Combat was different and the Dragon's are like the ones in Inquisition, but on crack. Everything moves so rapidly and I managed to get through the game without doing that primer/detonator stuff, so it is possible, but it does feel like a hack and slash.

*The writing is poor and sometimes I wouldn't understand some of the responses or quips because it seems so out of place, like this is not how a normal conversation happens. Would be nice to have a script to look back in game for dialogue because I would like to try and piece together how it makes sense.

I did have some fun being back in Thedas after 10 years of waiting, but it was a slog to try and get through it and after a while I was just determined to get to the final Act and blast through all the filler and personal missions. Overall if you want to complete your Dragon Age collection, you aren't missing anything by not having it, but I would buy it if it was maybe $15 on sale, but $60 is asking too much.

Secret word: Potential

This had more difficult questions to answer compared to its previous game, but it was more enjoyable to take a moment to ponder these questions in honesty.

Secret word: Angel

Very interesting, but also very short and I'm not sure about any sort of replay value once you go through it honestly once. Some questions I had to sit and think about, but ultimately not a bad experience for a little more than a dollar on sale.

My results actually gave me a little smile, which is weird considering the overall theme of the game.

Honestly, I didn't think I'd like it as much as I actually do.

I don't play very many MMO games since I like to play by myself, but ESO doesn't force you to be in a group in order to progress. Also, this game has some of the most friendly players I've ever played with; most just carry on playing their own world and don't bother each other.

The one thing I have a problem with is it doesn't really feel like an elder scrolls game to me. Colorfully strange mounts and armors break the immersion, but you'd be hard pressed to find an MMO these days that manages to keep their aesthetics in check. Ultimately not a deal breaker, just a personal preference.

But if you get past all that then this is a pretty decent MMORPG.

The ending was predictable within the first few minutes and the dialogue/writing felt too pretentious. To me, it was like trying to listen to someone attempting to prove to you that they are smart or "deep", and the only reaction you'll want to give is to roll your eyes and move on.

I was hoping to be thrown for a loop towards the end so I finished the game. Unfortunately, it played exactly as I thought it would and left me disappointed.

However, the graphics are very beautiful and some of the most unique I've ever scene in a game. I also enjoyed the brief prison scene since it gave me a very slight Silent Hill vibe. I just wish they would have nixed the flowery language and instead have a more developed plot that was as unique as its scenery.

I can easily forgive the voice acting, but in my opinion there is hardly a story here worth delving into.

I have been looking for days, wasting my weekends, trying to find a survival game that did not include zombies, post-war apocalyptic nonsense, or cartoon characters. I wanted something more realistic which allowed me to hunt for my food or grow my own. Keeping me exposed to the elements while I tried to tame the land and simply survive on my own merits.

I was impaled by a moose I had been hunting for over 15 minutes. My dumb ass went after it with nothing but a 9mm pistol, 15 extra bullets, and a pack full of goods. I was curious if it was actually going to attack me like a real moose would since it just kept running away. At first.

Not only did it wreck my ♥♥♥♥, but it gained a level afterwards.

Then to add insult to injury, I return to my dead spot and there was a bear guarding my stuff!

10/10 - I'm either going to kill Bullwinkle in revenge or make him the strongest moose in existence.