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Originally Posted by dabebop Pic needs more Lady Hawk to it :p

I can't argue with that (she is as attractive as the devs claimed) but man is that shield ing sexy.

I'm wondering what fem Hawke's voice will sound like. I have to say, the male voice is not what I imagined based on Hawke's character design. He sounds more like the 'sarcastic sidekick' than the 'rugged alpha badass'.

I agree male Hawke's VA doesn't seem to suit the character at all. I know Meer took a lot of flak for his tone in ME (especially in comparison to Jennifer Hale) but having such a strong racially neutral voice honestly is quite the talent. I'm more eager to hear Merrill's personally. In Origins she never struck me as DA's version of Tali but in the dev's defense we barely spoke more than a few words to her in the Dalish Origin so anything is possible. Right now I'm imagining someone quite cringe worthy/slightly annoying.

I hope if Anders makes a return his VA hasn't changed. He was my favorite out of the entire Awakenings cast. Great humor, great personality, great quotables. I love that guy.

On the gender/voice acting tip, here is an interesting tidbit:

http://borderhouseblog.com/?p=3920

I don't really understand the whole rant about evil BioWare (it seems only sensible to me that the marketing would focus on one version of the character), but it's intriguing to see female Shepard described as the "fan favorite" by Jesse Houston.

Originally Posted by Ryuukishi On the gender/voice acting tip, here is an interesting tidbit: http://borderhouseblog.com/?p=3920 I don't really understand the whole rant about evil BioWare (it seems only sensible to me that the marketing would focus on one version of the character), but it's intriguing to see female Shepard described as the "fan favorite" by Jesse Houston.

Going through ME2 semi-recently as a male Shepard and currently in a 2nd playthrough as a female Shepard, and I'd have to say I prefer the female voice acting to the male voice acting. I wouldn't say that I'm rabidly against the male voice acting, though after 20+ hours into it, I'd say that the delivery is better.

Is DA1 using the same voice actors as ME1 and ME2, or are there different ones, and are the same ones used on DA1 also used on DA2?

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Uh yeah... I immediately stopped reading right then and there. Make no mistake Jennifer is the general fan favorite but Meer wasn't the catastrophe nearly everyone pegged him to be in both games.

A few exceptions aside the Origins and ME cast were for the most part completely different. I think those that were brought on voiced quest related NPCs on both.

Meer is great, I really think he does good work as Shepard. The fact that Hale is even better (IMO) does not automatically make Meer terrible. But there's the internet for you.

Originally Posted by Ryuukishi Meer is great, I really think he does good work as Shepard. The fact that Hale is even better (IMO) does not automatically make Meer terrible. But there's the internet for you.

I'd agree with that statement. I don't think Meer is bad, by any stretch of the imagination. He does good work, yes. Though, I think Hale as female Shepard does a better job in general. As that's the only comparison I have between them, that's the only item I'll be comparing at this time.

I am now playing a male Shepard in ME 1 so I can import him the way I want into ME 2 and get the relationship achievement in 2 (Kelly and Liara don't count for it.) His VA isn't bad, but it's like watching 90% of MLB pitchers go up against someone like Roy Halladay or Adam Wainwright, no contest as to who's better.

In regards to DA 2, here's an Austrailan IGN article that has some details and screenshots, all using Marian Hawke.

http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/114/1143660p1.html

Well to say something totally against the feminine view point.(A friend just told me this and I'm posting it word for word to see other responses)

What is giving Hawke a sister who is rather well "developed" and doesn't know how to button up the top of her shirt? No one wants to see that in a game since there character can't appreciate it without being odd. (well maybe somebody from the mountain in West Virginia would but the rest don't)

Originally Posted by Ryuukishi On the gender/voice acting tip, here is an interesting tidbit: http://borderhouseblog.com/?p=3920 I don't really understand the whole rant about evil BioWare (it seems only sensible to me that the marketing would focus on one version of the character), but it's intriguing to see female Shepard described as the "fan favorite" by Jesse Houston.

Man o' man would they hate my guts on that site

Not to start some huge rant (especially about Mass Effect or anti-feminists):
Though I tend to enjoy Hale's performances (Bastila4life <3), I can't get behind her VA as femShep in either game - much less behind the very idea of femShep. I've made two different profiles on both games, and in almost every cutscene I lose just a little bit more interest with how dull/uninterested she sounds. It almost sounds like she's forcing the character too much, and I don't think her voice translates into a Lieutenant Commander for the military very well. It's the little things in Meer's VA that makes him perfect for what I imagine Shepard sounding like. The emotions that he shows are very subtle, and I'm very pleased with how they resonate throughout both games. I don't need Shepard to sound like Duke Nukem or James Bond (like a lot of people seem to want), because it just wouldn't fit with the rest of the game. I'd go as far as to say that I think a big portion of Hale's "popularity" amongst ME fans stems solely from the fact that it's her doing the voice - if it was Mrs. No-Name doing the VA (and it sounded the exact same), I think there'd be a lot less femShep fanatics around. /bold statement

I'm fairly certain that the only serious female lead character that I've ever chosen to make (when given the option between male and female) in an RPG would be for Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, and that's only because they had "Female/Light Side" written as canon. I can't take a cutscene showing femShep headbutting a Krogan or giving miss al-Jilani the ol' Shepard haymaker seriously, and I almost cried when I watched how ridiculous the Lair of the Shadow Broker boss fight starring femShep looked. I could go on and on, but this isn't a Mass Effect thread and I think I've made my point.

That being said, I am actually interested in using a femHawke for DAII. I really like the look of the default female that they've showcased, and I'm interested to see if the VA matches the tone I'd want my character to have.

Originally Posted by Hell Monkey Well to say something totally against the feminine view point.(A friend just told me this and I'm posting it word for word to see other responses)

Yeah I have to agree that seems a little odd, to create this very attractive, sexed-up character design for a companion, in a game where you are encouraged to view your companions as potential romantic partners... except that this one is the protagonist's sister.

Then again, I have a theory that the cleavage-tastic, sexed-up Bethany will only appear in the exaggeration, and is meant to represent Varric's view of her and maybe his attraction to her, and in the scenes that are more from Hawke's perspective, she will seem more "sisterly," if that makes sense.

Originally Posted by Tha Xecutioner It almost sounds like she's forcing the character too much, and I don't think her voice translates into a Lieutenant Commander for the military very well. It's the little things in Meer's VA that makes him perfect for what I imagine Shepard sounding like. The emotions that he shows are very subtle, and I'm very pleased with how they resonate throughout both games. I don't need Shepard to sound like Duke Nukem or James Bond (like a lot of people seem to want), because it just wouldn't fit with the rest of the game.

No question that the Meer Shepard and the Hale Shepard are different characterizations. Meer's Shepard comes off as laconic, even-keeled, maybe even a little nerdy underneath the military exterior. Hale is much more of the in-your-face, hardass action hero. I think that both really work though, as separate but valid takes on the character.

Originally Posted by Ryuukishi No question that the Meer Shepard and the Hale Shepard are different characterizations. Meer's Shepard comes off as laconic, even-keeled, maybe even a little nerdy underneath the military exterior. Hale is much more of the in-your-face, hardass action hero. I think that both really work though, as separate but valid takes on the character.

I can admit that Hale does have a bit of a cold, uncaring side to her VA but, for the most part, I think she just comes across as being bored (for lack of a better word). Then you put her next to characters like Garrus and Tali, and her character gets forgotten quick.

IMO, her performance in ME1-2 are nowhere near the level of some of her other roles.

i dont like the design of the character pictures/health on the bottom left

Originally Posted by glemtvapen enchantment?

enchantment!

Definitely getting pumped for this game. I threw down a preorder for both 360 and PC signature versions and I am having a hard time deciding which to keep. My DA:O playthroughs are all on the 360, so theres the import data, but I am going to be building a new gaming computer next month and I wouldnt mind being able to tinker with mods and such down the road. Decisions, decisions. Going to be the same story when ME3 hits... Though I have picked up ME1 & ME2 on PC to play through from the steam sales for $15 total.

Definitely going to be playing Lady Hawke. And regarding the ME voice actor comments, I just realized that even with my 100% completion, 4+ playthroughs of ME1, and 2 full playthroughs of ME2, I have no clue what the male Shepard even sounds like.

Originally Posted by gnargnargnar Definitely getting pumped for this game. I threw down a preorder for both 360 and PC signature versions and I am having a hard time deciding which to keep. My DA:O playthroughs are all on the 360, so theres the import data, but I am going to be building a new gaming computer next month and I wouldnt mind being able to tinker with mods and such down the road. Decisions, decisions. Going to be the same story when ME3 hits... Though I have picked up ME1 & ME2 on PC to play through from the steam sales for $15 total. Definitely going to be playing Lady Hawke. And regarding the ME voice actor comments, I just realized that even with my 100% completion, 4+ playthroughs of ME1, and 2 full playthroughs of ME2, I have no clue what the male Shepard even sounds like.

Go for the 360 version now, and wait for a sale on Steam down the road for the PC one.

Originally Posted by JasonTerminator Go for the 360 version now, and wait for a sale on Steam down the road for the PC one.

Sounds like a good plan. Still kinda kicking myself for not jumping on DA Ultimate for $25 during the holiday sales.

I must say, between this, The Witcher 2, ESV: Skyrim, Hunted: TDF, and potentially ME3, there is a lot that I am looking forward to this year.

It seems a new review from a foreign magazine has brought some spoilerific information to light (you were warned): http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/to.../index/5739457

Due to the latest news Merrill will undoubtedly be a welcomed staple in my party. However for now I'd like to take a moment of silence for the apparent absence of Arcane Warrior. Force Mage had better be worth it. ;'(

Meh @ news of a Grey Warden related quest as well because if it doesn't involve or shed light upon the whereabouts of my imported warden then I honestly couldn't care less. The Blight is old news and he never wanted to become one in the first place. Duncan was simply his get the out of Azkaban and run free card. Unfortunately everything didn't work out as initially planned.