There were the times where it would stick somewhere in a conversation and I'd swivel the stick and press on any imaginary dialogue line hoping that 1. the game would continue and 2. I didn't tell a potentially powerful ally to stick something particularly painful up his arse.
Or the time where I went through all the pain and effort of having my character try and woo someone just to have that person turn around and tell me "Sorry, you're not my type." Didn't help that I didn't think any other character was really worth woo-ing and that, by that time, no one wanted my poor, lonely Inquisitor.
There was also the tedious waiting times, including the real-time periods before missions you sent other people on got completed.
With that being said, I'm definitely going to replay the game.
For those who have followed the Dragon Age thread at least casually, there are many delightful twists. I was quite pleased to see some threads of Origins weave itself in even though I was playing in the default world. I think for those who can create different worlds (which is something one can do here apparently), the game's replayability value shoots up exponentially. From what I've seen on youtube, a number of characters can make a comeback in one way or another. It was especially interesting to see how things with Morrigan changes. Youtube ftw.
But even if you can't change things beyond your default start off, there are still many possibilities and many different options in terms of the story line that may make you curious enough to play again if only to see how things change.
So wait, am I now for or against the game? In my recent post on the game, I wasn't altogether positive about it. Looking at the game now... I'd give it a 7.5/10, maybe even an 8. Pretty high, right?
I think they sort of got more of the ingredients working towards the end. I dare say I felt some of the Bioware magic begin to flow into the narrative. I again loved the interaction between the companions.
There was a bit more going on and I found myself intrigued if not altogether ready to gush. Is that because of my bias? I dunno. There were still things that frustrated me. Things where I felt that it was more a slog than anything else, but I also recognize that it is a really good game. It's better than DA2 and I'll love Origins more, but it is definitely a very strong improvement on so many levels.
And Fantasy Commander Shepard definitely is in there. I remember playing a particular part, looking at the scenery and thinking "This feels familiar. All I need is a gun in my hand and I'm back to fighting the Reapers." I can't fault them for that, but there's no doubt that that particular element is there.
So what will I do in the next play through? Well, I'll send my minions off to do something and just leave my game running more while I do things like cook, clean and administer some hygiene. It'll do wonders for my patience and I'm sure I'll get a bigger reward for it. I'll also make a lot of different choices in terms of the game. It has a big sense of consequence in it - much like Mass Effect 2 had. I wondered at one point whether your level of approval in the eyes of your fellow companions would change something radically, but I haven't seen anything of the kind. At least there are some major choices that do.
And then naturally play a different character. I don't know what yet. I'm not terribly fond of rogues - though these guys have certainly buffed up the close combat even if the archery is still bleh. I might end up playing a dude. Hm... human? Elf? Ve shall zee.
