Dragon Age and reading

[lexin]

I've been playing Dragon Age 2 pretty much over the last few days, and even got poor clare_nce to play when she came over on Tuesday. I was wondering what she'd do, but as I told her, her character made more or less the same decisions as mine did: choose the polite and sympathetic option where possible. Maybe it's to do with being women, I don't know.

I've reached the stage where my character male!Hawke is involved in a sexual relationship with Anders, a mage. As he's my character's partner, I usually have him in the party, but I'm puzzling over why the mage has theoretically masses of mana (magic) but can't access it.

I'm expecting him to keel over any day now and die:* there has to be some plot related reason for this lack of access given that he's possessed by the spirit of Justice. Or is it Vengeance? One or the other. Anyway, possession's got to have some sort of effect on you. On the other hand, I could have failed to spot something I'm supposed to have clicked or chosen. Or he could have too many permanent options turned on.

Other than that, we just seem to be pootling around doing this and that and it not adding up to much. It's quite fun in a 'collect the plot coupons' kind of way, but if it's heading into a direction, I'm not seeing what direction it's heading in.

At the same time, I'm also trying to read Sherlock stories, but I'm being quite picky. 'Not Brit picked, not beta'd' doesn't cut it, I'm afraid, unless heavily recommended by trustworthy parties.

ETA: * I've found out why this is.

Comments

[darkrose]

As he's my character's partner, I usually have him in the party, but I'm puzzling over why the mage has theoretically masses of mana (magic) but can't access it.

Now see, you're trying to apply Earth Logic, when the answer is always "Because the devs said so".

I've been trying to explain why my mage!Hawke can wander around town in full robes, carrying a big honking staff, and cast spells in public in broad daylight...or why he can talk to people about magic and they'll say things like, "Mages aren't people like you and me." Funny, I think mages are *exactly* like me.

I'm about halfway through now, and I'm...disappointed. I expect Bioware to do better. DA2 was rushed out the door, and it shows.

I do, however, think Draco Sephiroth Fenris is hot.

[lexin]

Oh, Fenris is hot! I wanted my character to cop off with him, but I must have chosen the wrong options.

I agree, the game isn't as good as DA1 - it's just a bit tacky, as if they hadn't quite had time to finish it properly. For example, I don't think the skill progression thingy is as clear as DA1's was, and I don't think they've thought out the plot properly. But I haven't finished yet, and I could be being premature.

I don't think it helps, either, that I miss Alistair. DA2 simply isn't as witty or as clever without a character like him. Not as much time has gone into scripting it.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

I have been reading Sherlock non-stop. It's scary how I CAN'T STOP....

(Would WELCOME your recs!)

[lexin.livejournal.com]

If I read anything I really rate, for whatever reason, I'll mention it.

[darkthirty.livejournal.com]

I always play the good side. I don't want to spoil anything, but Anders is pretty much my least favourite character this time around.

[lexin.livejournal.com]

I've played to the end and yes, Anders is out of order in what he does. No argument from me there.