inherit
Glorious Star Lord
822
0
Jan 24, 2024 17:47:40 GMT
16,819
KaiserShep
Party like it's 2023!
9,233
August 2016
kaisershep
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by KaiserShep on Nov 27, 2016 20:07:14 GMT
In general, I'm fine with the new protagonist every game, and in some cases prefer it, like between DAO and DA2, I was glad to go beyond the Grey Warden. I don't think that this should be a hard rule for the franchise though. The only reason the Inquisitor may not work is because of the physical change forced on the character, otherwise I would push to have this character return as the PC. Time will tell how well or how poorly the story carries on with a fresh PC.
|
|
Prince
N3
Posts: 275 Likes: 309
inherit
1424
0
309
Prince
275
September 2016
principe
|
Post by Prince on Nov 27, 2016 21:35:38 GMT
I think they're being inconsistent and it bugg's the hell out me. They say 'Different game, different story, Thedas story' yet they rehash the same old damn characters who 'have' to make an appearance every game? No. Just no. Either give me a true fresh start or continue someone else's story if that's what makes sense because these cameos make me feel like they're not ready to move on. Either that or fan service sucks 😂😂 Yes! I hate, all the excessive cameos and returning characters in Dragon Age. In the Mass Effect series, returning characters made sense because you had the same protagonist so obviously the characters were connected. In DA each game is set in a different country with a different circumstance and a different hero so why the heck are old characters and companions being shoved in everywhere? It makes the world seem tiny and it takes away space for new and interesting characters to be created rather than sticking in a bunch of fan favorites for fanservice. Ugh
|
|
inherit
Wanted Apostate
127
0
Apr 25, 2024 15:45:03 GMT
18,242
Catilina
11,030
August 2016
catilina
Top
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Catilina on Nov 28, 2016 19:34:09 GMT
Well, in the cut dialogue, Hawke acknowledges that his friends had differing views on blood magic. But after what happened to Leandra and watching either Orsino go Harvester or the mages tear Kirkwall apart, Hawke decided blood magic was too dangerous. "Any mage who justifies its use eventually goes too far." This is a possible explanation. Logical. As a woodcutter who never use his axe anymore, because he met with an axe murderer.
|
|
inherit
813
0
Jun 26, 2019 23:40:38 GMT
5,054
thats1evildude
2,478
August 2016
thats1evildude
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition
|
Post by thats1evildude on Nov 28, 2016 19:55:24 GMT
Well, in the cut dialogue, Hawke acknowledges that his friends had differing views on blood magic. But after what happened to Leandra and watching either Orsino go Harvester or the mages tear Kirkwall apart, Hawke decided blood magic was too dangerous. "Any mage who justifies its use eventually goes too far." This is a possible explanation. Logical. As a woodcutter who never use his axe anymore, because he met with an axe murderer. An axe doesn't HAVE to be used for murder, but with blood magic, harming yourself or others is a necessity. Hawke realized that even if the reason for using blood magic is good, it inevitably ends up going bad.
|
|
inherit
Wanted Apostate
127
0
Apr 25, 2024 15:45:03 GMT
18,242
Catilina
11,030
August 2016
catilina
Top
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Catilina on Nov 28, 2016 20:29:51 GMT
This is a possible explanation. Logical. As a woodcutter who never use his axe anymore, because he met with an axe murderer. An axe doesn't have to be used for murder, but with blood magic, it's a necessity. Hawke realized that even if the reason for using blood magic is good, it inevitably ends up going bad. It is not inevitable. The temptation is always there, just must be able to resist. Human sacrifices never necessary, only amplifies the effect. A murderer always will find a tool for help to enjoy his hobby, and you can't blame the tool. Anyway: as I wrote, this is a possible explanation, but too special. It was quite funny/disappointing to see that from my Hawke(s). If this is the price to they bring someone back in the next part, then thanks, I don't need.
|
|
Iakus
N7
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 20,879 Likes: 49,335
inherit
402
0
Dec 21, 2018 17:35:11 GMT
49,335
Iakus
20,879
August 2016
iakus
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Iakus on Nov 29, 2016 16:25:42 GMT
Let me get this out of the way: This is not a thread requesting the return of any previous PC. The Warden's story is done for the player. Hawke is now currently helping Varric. The IQ is now like Rick Allen from Def Leppard. So please don't take this thread in that direction. This isn't about that. I know that the point of the Dragon Age games are more about the overarching story than about one hero. I'm finding that it feels like it's getting old. Plus, they love to put them on a bus: Warden if living: MIA somewhere in Ferelden. Hawke: MIA until s/he shows up at Skyhold. Inquisition: Well, at least s/he didn't just up and vanish. Also has a damned good reason to retire from adventuring. Again, I know that DA is more about the world than the PC. That being said, I'd love to get attached to a DA player character for more than one game. What do you guys think? New hero every story. As demonstrated by Shepard and Mass Effect, eventually, a character brings too much baggage. Heck I'd prefer no returning companions as well, for the same reason.
|
|
inherit
2106
0
Mar 22, 2017 11:04:48 GMT
962
javeart
621
Nov 16, 2016 10:21:58 GMT
November 2016
javeart
|
Post by javeart on Nov 29, 2016 21:41:03 GMT
I agree with almost every reason given in favour of a new protagonist for each game. I would only held against this point of view that the need for continuity that we have as players/audience sometimes makes the changes a little jarring for me. Even if it worked out well, I too feel like Hawke should have been the Inquisitor and if in DA4 and we're still after Solas, surely I'd feel the same way. That said, I'd rather have the same protagonist every time, I'm more attached to Shepard than I could never be to any of the DA PCs and for me that's a point in favour of ME. When I think about DA I rarely think of my characters primarily. In fact, last time I played DAI I actually felt a little jelaous of characters like Morrigan and Solas, because I thought that their stories were so much cooler than the ones our PC got, a little even like they're the real protagonists and we are only their temporary companions. I don't really see DA story simply being Thedas story (or not entirely like that), there are characters that seem to be central to it, just not our PCs. I'm not saying that's bad of course, it's always good to be reminded that the world doesn't revolve around you , but the truth is I enjoy more ME's approach, meaning that ME's story was Shepard's story, my character story. It makes me more invested in it all.
|
|
oyabun
N3
Posts: 374 Likes: 214
inherit
1613
0
Aug 15, 2018 12:36:15 GMT
214
oyabun
374
Sept 17, 2016 22:36:29 GMT
September 2016
oyabun
|
Post by oyabun on Nov 29, 2016 22:53:19 GMT
The protagonists being irrelevant (beside being amazing at killing) is the essence of the western RPG,especailly Bioware.
|
|
Ponendus
N2
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
Origin: Ponendus
Posts: 104 Likes: 223
inherit
719
0
223
Ponendus
104
August 2016
ponendus
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
Ponendus
|
Post by Ponendus on Dec 4, 2016 4:10:15 GMT
I really believe they should indeed change the character each time, and keep it as glorious and customisable as it was in DAO and DAI. In other words, a new character, but MY character.
A new game means a new story to me, a new opportunity to decide on a character that will fit that game, that story, that world. Bringing the same one along for different rides doesn't make sense to me. However, Mass Effect's Shepherd made a little more sense to do that because the game was spread across a three-game story arc. The only 'arc' in Dragon Age so far is that it takes place in the same world, and in the span of 100 years (the Dragon Age). While there are elements that tie each of the installments together, part of the fun for me is departing the past, and starting afresh with a new personality and with new motivations and goals in this new paradigm.
Having said that, player-characters having cameos in future games are pretty fun, so definitely keep that up!
|
|
inherit
2220
0
Dec 17, 2022 14:24:44 GMT
413
ellehaym
244
Nov 30, 2016 22:25:30 GMT
November 2016
ellehaym
|
Post by ellehaym on Dec 4, 2016 4:24:09 GMT
I just hope that the Inq will play a bigger/ better role than how Hawke was handled in DAI.
I'd be perfectly happy with Inq being an advisor-like role rather than a throwaway temp npc like Hawke was
|
|
inherit
Wanted Apostate
127
0
Apr 25, 2024 15:45:03 GMT
18,242
Catilina
11,030
August 2016
catilina
Top
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Catilina on Dec 4, 2016 4:36:31 GMT
I just hope that the Inq will play a bigger/ better role than how Hawke was handled in DAI. I'd be perfectly happy with Inq being an advisor-like role rather than a throwaway temp npc like Hawke was If they bring the Inquisitor back, it would be nice if we could save when we created, and would be repairable, at least for the new game... It's sucks always to re-made Hawke all the feckin new game! (And the Hawke creator is shit – or I'm maximalist.)
|
|
Squish
N2
Playing Dragon Age: Inquisition
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect Andromeda
Origin: CountMeAway
Posts: 119 Likes: 227
inherit
849
0
227
Squish
Playing Dragon Age: Inquisition
119
August 2016
squish
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect Andromeda
CountMeAway
|
Post by Squish on Dec 4, 2016 18:47:24 GMT
Yes, I am in favor of that.
Maybe it will happen someday... It could even happen in the next game!
|
|
Croatsky
N4
Amateur Reporter
Old BSN veteran, I guess.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Origin: CroGamer002
Posts: 1,987 Likes: 4,357
inherit
Amateur Reporter
2287
0
Apr 23, 2024 13:00:16 GMT
4,357
Croatsky
Old BSN veteran, I guess.
1,987
December 2016
croatsky
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
CroGamer002
|
Post by Croatsky on Dec 4, 2016 22:14:15 GMT
I actually like this idea of different protagonist each new game. I just wish previous game protagonist get's to do things as an NPC in the next game.
DAI made a good step with Hawke and there's a big set up in Tresspasser that Inquisitor will have major role as an NPC in next game. But, a big but, Hero of Ferelden has yet to get his/hers appearance. I do hope we get to see him/her in next DA game and we get an option to create him/her, just like with Hawke.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Deleted
inherit
guest@proboards.com
197
0
Deleted
0
January 1970
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2016 3:58:26 GMT
I personally like new progies each game...
|
|
inherit
1877
0
Oct 21, 2020 17:38:03 GMT
52
jadedragon
41
October 2016
jadedragon
|
Post by jadedragon on Dec 12, 2016 16:18:05 GMT
I think they should and the fact they can get us hooked on each new hero to the point we want to continue there story means what there doing is working. By getting us connected to each character and companion we are in a sense connecting to Thedas during the Dragon Age. I think its very unique to the series and sure games like Elder Scrolls has a hero change every game and so do alot of other Adventure games. But the way we flesh out our character here and make decisions ourselves for the most part we are shaping our own Dragon Age. While some decisions are not in our control the small ones still make a difference maybe not huge but it still separates a Dragon Age were Hawke stayed in the fade from another to were he is with Varric in Kirkwall.
New hero means new companions outside of the one returning companion who connects us to the previous game, new romances which would be difficult with a returning companion especially if a change of setting were to occur. And most importantly to me a new chance to roleplay a different way, My Warden, Hawke, and Inquisitor all of different personalities and character traits that make each there own. A aspect I enjoy going into a new dragon age game how can I make my new hero different from the others what would my previous heroes do that my new one would or would not do.
If we truly are going to Tevinter it would be a shame to have to replay as any of the 3 former heroes and not a native of Tevinter or even Orlais if a certain theme continues. But I think RP as a Northerner will be enjoyable and different itll be a good way to set the tone for the North setting by mirroring the 1st game of the Southern Trilogy and allowing us to play as a Native with different origins per Race and Class to get introduce to the setting how Origins did which gave a taste of each experience in Thedas. Maybe this can be a new trilogy were we play as one hero but overall I prefer the consistent change and I look forward to interacting with Solas as a new hero because it gives me a chance to play a blank relationship with someone new and challenge myself to not let his relationship with the Inquisitor control my emotions towards him rather just let his current actions effect my new hero.
|
|
inherit
1587
0
1,671
Walter Black
1,253
Sept 15, 2016 15:02:16 GMT
September 2016
walterblack
|
Post by Walter Black on Dec 12, 2016 23:08:10 GMT
How exactly is this any different from the myriad other games that do not have sequels, or franchises whose characters have fixed paths? Are you really saying you cannot connect with stories with a complete beginning, middle, and end? Or do you simply not like change in general? Cannot disagree more. Imagine if Marvel only published Spider-Man books with the occasional X-Men or Fantastic Four guest appearances. I say, "Those other guys look cool, can we get a book or two with them?" but you respond with "No, since they would detract from Spider-Man". Even though the Marvel universe is clearly big enough for all of them. Plus, it isn't really fair to use Mass Effect as an example since Shepard is always human, and Dragon Age usually has multiple race selection. If DA had stuck with a single protagonist, players who loved their Orlesian Wardens, Hawkes, Inquisitors, Surface Dwarves and especially Qunari would have been out of luck. Another thing you seem to forget is not everyone starts with the first game; every game is someone's first. Is it really fair to deprive new players from forming their own initial game experience, just so you won't have to sit through an exposition dump that you would otherwise skip anyway? Except we've already done that. Barring a major character change in the player and/or returning companion, what would you do besides rehash old ground? And it's not as if the writers couldn't come with compelling reasons for the DA4 PC to have their own personal story with Solas. Maybe they could even disagree with the Inquisitor if the Dread Wolf should die or be redeemed... Oh and Hanako, if Dragon Age had truly stuck to developing only the relationships you were already familiar with (i.e., Origins), you would never have met Josephine
|
|
inherit
Scribbles
185
0
Apr 23, 2024 17:30:54 GMT
30,246
Hanako Ikezawa
22,353
August 2016
hanakoikezawa
|
Post by Hanako Ikezawa on Dec 13, 2016 0:12:56 GMT
Oh and Hanako, if Dragon Age had truly stuck to developing only the relationships you were already familiar with (i.e., Origins), you would never have met Josephine Why the personal call out? I don't see how this responds to anything I said in this thread.
|
|
inherit
Resident Diplomat
526
0
8,896
Natashina
In lurking mode, playing the ME games.
2,340
August 2016
natashina
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights
16,553
19,139
|
Post by Natashina on Dec 13, 2016 4:24:06 GMT
Oh and Hanako, if Dragon Age had truly stuck to developing only the relationships you were already familiar with (i.e., Origins), you would never have met Josephine Why the personal call out? I don't see how this responds to anything I said in this thread. Yeah, I'm with Hana here. Unless I'm mistaken, she was in the "it depends" category. Which is where I'm currently standing as well. She wasn't saying that she preferred the same protagonist every time. In fact, her post was a shorter version of most of the same things I was saying about the topic.
|
|
PCthug
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 251 Likes: 846
inherit
200
0
Apr 24, 2024 14:49:13 GMT
846
PCthug
251
August 2016
pcthug
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by PCthug on Dec 13, 2016 5:52:08 GMT
I prefer a different hero each game. It keeps things interesting to me. I did like Shepard's story and how relationships with other characters were able to develop over multiple games. However, by ME3 it seemed like the developers were struggling to manage these same relationships and the multiple outcomes. For example, getting rid of the Jacob romance in a rather hostile fashion and claiming they almost forgot about Thane's romance entirely. I imagine it would be more difficult with a series like DA that is *knock on wood* going on to its 4th game.
On a different note, I actually love returning non PC's. Leliana and Cullen's stories, in particular, stand out as being particularly satisfying across multiple games and I liked interacting with them from different perspectives. But I could do without cameos à la Zevran in DA2.
|
|
inherit
1587
0
1,671
Walter Black
1,253
Sept 15, 2016 15:02:16 GMT
September 2016
walterblack
|
Post by Walter Black on Dec 13, 2016 15:03:16 GMT
Why the personal call out? I don't see how this responds to anything I said in this thread. Yeah, I'm with Hana here. Unless I'm mistaken, she was in the "it depends" category. Which is where I'm currently standing as well. She wasn't saying that she preferred the same protagonist every time. In fact, her post was a shorter version of most of the same things I was saying about the topic. Hunh?
No, Hanako hasn't said as much in this particular thread, but has expressed an established a clear preference for any games' original protagonists, companions, and settings over new ones in the past. Yet one of Hana's favorite characters, Josephine, could not have had such prominent interaction or romance with the player if the franchise stuck with a static cast. I just thought that was a funny irony to point out. Admittedly, the only reason I picked this specific discrepancy was that it was the only one that came to mind.
Again, my comment wasn't any kind of attack or "personal call out", just a funny observation.
|
|
inherit
285
0
1,950
Zemgus
1,251
August 2016
zemgus
|
Post by Zemgus on Dec 13, 2016 15:50:09 GMT
It depends. It shouldn't be some kind of set in stone rule that every game HAS to have a new protagonist. Like if the next game dealt with Grey Wardens and the Weisshaupt, then I would rather play my Warden than some random unrelated stranger. Or if the next game was all about stopping Solas then I would rather play as the Inquisitor, etc. That's what Marvel does. They don't just send their heroes away after one movie, never to be seen again.
|
|
Sanunes
N6
Just a flip of the coin.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Prime Posts: 4392
Prime Likes: 882
Posts: 5,899 Likes: 8,927
inherit
1561
0
Apr 25, 2024 13:24:36 GMT
8,927
Sanunes
Just a flip of the coin.
5,899
Sept 13, 2016 11:51:12 GMT
September 2016
sanunes
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
4392
882
|
Post by Sanunes on Dec 13, 2016 16:05:18 GMT
The problem I have with returning characters including Shepard is the story gets stale and that is what BioWare focuses the most on. To me the only reason why Mass Effect 2 was as good as it was is due to a near complete break from the first game. Aside from Garrus and Tali joining your crew there is very little long term connection to the first game, the rest of the connections could even be considered cameos.
Jumping to Mass Effect 3 a lot of the problems I had with the game were due to BioWare trying to include things from the prior games into it, the biggest being the former squad members for so much of that content had to be written twice due to the possibility those characters could have died and then made Liara into an the only character we go to for an exposition dump for then they only had to record it once.
The benefit I saw in Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition was it allowed the story to be told from a different point of view and they could pick and choose what elements they wanted to carry forward into each game for they didn't have to worry about navigating the minefield of previous player choices and running the risk of a vocal backlash similar to what happened with Anders.
In the end these games are BioWare's creation and I will go along with what they pick, but I think there always needs to be an end point for any protagonist for Mass Effect and Shepard have proven a reset is always needed. Otherwise the greater chance the story becomes a mess when they try to incorporate too much into the games from prior games and I think it would be different if the story was more bare bones.
|
|
LadyCass
N2
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights
Prime Posts: 94
Prime Likes: 25
Posts: 51 Likes: 97
inherit
1333
0
97
LadyCass
51
August 2016
ladyfalcia
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights
94
25
|
Post by LadyCass on Dec 14, 2016 8:51:51 GMT
In general, I'm fine with the new protagonist every game, and in some cases prefer it, like between DAO and DA2, I was glad to go beyond the Grey Warden. I don't think that this should be a hard rule for the franchise though. The only reason the Inquisitor may not work is because of the physical change forced on the character, otherwise I would push to have this character return as the PC. Time will tell how well or how poorly the story carries on with a fresh PC. While I was reading this post, and remembering what someone said about using a coma to "de-power" a hero so that they can start at a low level again, I suddenly wondered if this is what they intended. If you gain a prosthetic as the Inquisitor, you'll have to relearn your skills, meaning you can start at the beginning again, and also incorporating some powerful storylines about overcoming adversity and people presumably telling the IQ that they should let the "whole people" take over. Combined with the massive investment in the story at this point, I think it would be a brilliant idea to go in this direction. Imagine a teaser trailer with the Inquisitor buckling on a prosthetic arm and then dramatically saying, "This isn't over, I'm not done." If they do just give up on the character and say that everyone else should too because they lost an arm, then the message that sends isn't one I really associate with Bioware. Okay, perhaps prosthetics aren't quite as advanced as in, say, Mass Effect, but I'm pretty sure they can cobble something really interesting together. Plus, it can hook into some fun mechanics, depending on what kind of prosthetic it is. Perhaps you can choose between a mechanical one made by the same guys who did Bianca, enchanted stone arm by Dagna based on golems, or a new spell if you're a mage that leaves you with a glowing blue translucent arm.
|
|
Gileadan
N5
Agent 46
Clearance Level Ultra
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Origin: ALoneGretchin
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 6,651
inherit
Agent 46
177
0
Apr 25, 2024 20:36:42 GMT
6,651
Gileadan
Clearance Level Ultra
2,671
August 2016
gileadan
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
ALoneGretchin
|
Post by Gileadan on Dec 14, 2016 10:55:23 GMT
I'm actually fine with either variant, because both have something going for them, both have aspects that I really like.
If we get a new protagonist for each game, then that game can (and should) tell that character's complete story. When the game and any associated DLC is over, the story should have arrived at a hopefully satisfying conclusion and the character's fate should no longer be meddled with, if they still live. Follow-up games should take care to not invalidate the epilogue you got in any way. Let your hero live the rest of their life in strife or peace as the end of their story dictated, and leave them to it.
That said, I also wouldn't mind a "twenty years later" DLC story, where your beloved protagonist has their first wrinkles and gray hair, but needs to pick up the sword or staff or Astartes Godwyn-pattern bolter once more to set a few things right... and they will probably conclude at the end that they're too old for this shit now.
However, playing a protagonist over multiple games also has its perks. You can take it slow with getting to know your companions, portraying relationships that grow and evolve in greater detail, and make the player look forward to coming back to a group of characters they enjoy. For example, I really liked that in the ME trilogy, Tali was only romanceable from the second game onwards, which was a nice change to the usual speed that BioWare romances happen with. It felt more organic to me.
Also, you could slowly raise the stakes from game to game this way. The first game does not need to confront the protagonist with a potentially world or even galaxy shattering threat right away. Make them start out green and get involved into a series of interesting conflicts that don't have world wide consequences yet. In the second game, they will start with quite a bit of combat experience and a reputation to match and can fight something greater - or maybe find out that the antagonists from the first game were just the tip of the iceberg. And finally they can start the last game of their trilogy as a tough as nails veteran, someone people would realistically turn to if a world wide threat were to emerge.
Of course, this requires game mechanics and a leveling system that allow the character to grow over several games without needing a forced reset like Shepard experienced at the beginning of ME2. Baldur's Gate 2 had no such problem because the D20 system allowed a character to progress further from Baldur's Gate 1 without the need to take them down a few notches first. That is something to be taken into account when designing the leveling system of the first game - but it can be very, very satisfying when it's done right.
|
|
inherit
Scribbles
185
0
Apr 23, 2024 17:30:54 GMT
30,246
Hanako Ikezawa
22,353
August 2016
hanakoikezawa
|
Post by Hanako Ikezawa on Dec 14, 2016 23:14:16 GMT
Yeah, I'm with Hana here. Unless I'm mistaken, she was in the "it depends" category. Which is where I'm currently standing as well. She wasn't saying that she preferred the same protagonist every time. In fact, her post was a shorter version of most of the same things I was saying about the topic. Hunh?
No, Hanako hasn't said as much in this particular thread, but has expressed an established a clear preference for any games' original protagonists, companions, and settings over new ones in the past. Yet one of Hana's favorite characters, Josephine, could not have had such prominent interaction or romance with the player if the franchise stuck with a static cast. I just thought that was a funny irony to point out. Admittedly, the only reason I picked this specific discrepancy was that it was the only one that came to mind.
Again, my comment wasn't any kind of attack or "personal call out", just a funny observation.
I have? Where? I genuinely can't recall expressing that preference. Not for protagonists such as the Warden, Hawke, or Shepard anyway since their stories were done. I have argued for the Inquisitor to return, but that's mostly to do with their story being unfinished especially with Trespasser. If the vanilla game ending was the actual ending I wouldn't mind them being retired either.
|
|