So I'm roughly 12 hours into Dragon Age right now, and I think it's a fantastic game. I'm probably going to run through it several more times, and it'll probably take me all summer. Though I have this gripe with it and I wanted to know if anyone else felt like it was fair criticism.
Bioware has always been believed that an RPG should be about you, the player taking a real role as a character both in the story and gameplay, and shaping events, relationships, and the world around you. Several of the developers have even claimed that RPGs who do not offer these aspects shouldn't even be called RPGs.
Fair enough, after all -- the conversational game play, moral dilemmas, and consequences in Dragon Age are a large part in why it's so enjoyable. But has anyone else noticed how forced this philosophy is in Dragon Age and previous Bioware games? I'll explain.
Early on in Dragon Age, regardless of your character's origin, you are largely the one that needs to prove himself in the beginning. After doing so, you meet the Grey Wardens and its more experienced members who guide you into becoming one of them. However, when the main quest truly begins, your veteran companion, Alistar, admits that he isn't comfortable being in a leadership position and would be more comfortable following your orders. This is a pretty powerful decision, but it's an obvious tool that Bioware used to get you to be the center of attention for a game that requires it.
And that's fine. Although that sounds forced, it's not an issue as they made it somewhat believable with their often excellent writing. The problem is what comes as a result.
You are traveling with a party of companions. These party members were not willing to join your adventure until you both accepted each others personalities, goals, and values. It's a very well done element and creates a real sense of the role playing immersion that Bioware so often talks about. However, after they are in your party, they take a significantly downward dip into becoming nothing but talking statues.
For example, an early party member I recruited was a girl named Leliana. She joined my party because she noticed the compassion and mercy I displayed, and also because her religion guided her to help me take on the evil of the land. She was strong willed, compassionate, and I looked forward to uncovering what she'd bring to my party. I enjoyed these types of situations in the game a great deal. Now, as I'd come across more moral dilemmas during quests and interactions with other NPCs, the rest of my party would often chime in their own advice, opinion, or reaction to my choices -- as real characters should. Awesome.
But has anyone noticed that the characters actually don't do anything? If I do something god awful or despicably evil, sure enough a character like Leliana is going to be highly offended and tell me she disapproves. And of course I'll gain or lose points of favor afterward. But never has a character within my party raised a finger against me. And who am I? According to my story I was just some commoner Dwarf rogue who's a fairly green member of the Grey Wardens and still uncertain of the cultures around him. Hell, I wouldn't even accomplish anything by myself in combat. And yet when I decide to kill a child in cold blood, my most pious and good willing party member who Bioware dedicated a great back story to, can only say, "I can't believe you did such a thing!"
Talk about a huge break of immersion.
Why am I some all powerful god of decision making? It's been a decade of these games where you're just this untouchable force. How am I supposed to believe I'm with other characters when all they can do is give me approval/disapproval. Does anyone else realize how much more amazing these situations could be if after making a decision, Leliana goes through a powerful dialogue and points her bow at my face, leaves my party, and gets me banned from local chantries?
How about a hug or something after doing something great? My god, any sort of animation would be reassuring that I'm an actual being in this amazing, well thought up world.
Like I said, it's still a fantastic game, and I personally love it. But does anyone else think it's about time we get an update on this tried and true dialogue system? It's been far too long.