Going back and replaying older BioWare games.

That is how I would describe open world games like Kingdoms of Amular: The Reckoning and Horizon Zero Dawn the main quest in both games are interesting enough to keep me engaged to the end, but their worlds, lore, NPCs/support characters, and everything else don't hold my interest all that much.

it's not that it's shepard's job per se, but it is one of the appeals of a game series that's set in space. that's one of the reasons i find ME2 and 3 slightly disappointing: everything became so doom and gloom that there was no time to stop and just explore the galaxy.

why do you think so many people are hankering to go back to the milky way? so much of it is still unexplored even after 3 games, and people want to see more of it

I'm going to finally make a confession: I own all of the Dragon Age games. I have not played more than 20 minutes of a Dragon Age game. when you all start talking about Dragon Age I just kinda sit here and nod and pretend like I understand your comparisons, when in reality all I really know is FPJ is a qunari, and Alistair is a bitch.
But between now and whenever I finally get around to playing the DA games (soon^TM) could someone please provide me with some kind of explanation for these comparisons? Pwetty pwease?

I never got all the Fade hate from DA:O. I haven't played the game in ages, but I did finish it twice and don't remember ever taking issue with the Fade. Actually, I remember enjoying it. The Deep Roads on the other hand can fuck right off. I agree with the comparison to bland, open world-style design. A whole lot of walking for a whole lot of nothing. Thoughts of going through the Deep Roads again were almost single-handedly responsible for ending my several aborted attempts at a third playthrough over the years. That and age has made me too impatient to play combat that slow and clunky anymore.

I have kind of a love hate relationship with the Circle quest. There are bits that I like, but all the backtracking is super tedious. Almost makes me want to annul that place, but I can never really bring myself to do it on a proper playthrough. The thing that always consumes me is that stupid summoning circle puzzle quest. Like goddamn, why you gotta play me like this, magic books??

I never played Baldur's Gate

I never played Jade Empire.

I still play Mass Effect from time to time. I don't do completion play throughs. When I say that. I mean doing all collecting all the writings, and stuff like that, nor do I explore all the little planets. I stick to some side missions, and role play as much as possible. I think the game has aged well...being that it was never a top tier third person shooter to begin with. It was shitty then, and it's shitty now. Still best story in the triology though...and arguably best music.

Dragon Age Origins is a bit of a hard sell. Occasionally I get pangs. I want to play it, then I might start a new game. I think it has to do with the level of RP offered. Some where around exploring Ostagar I get fatigued and want to quit. It really depends on my mood. Unlike Mass Effect, I was never IN LOVE with the characters, setting or story. And the tactics gameplay is a bit hit or miss. I don't spending time building tactics, I hear this aspect of the gameplay is a lot like some MMOs, and since I never played an MMO (NEVER), maybe that's why it's a hard for me to get into it. I only played Awakening twice. Never want to touch it again.

Mass Effect 2. I only play it after completing a play through of the first. Fun pew-pew gameplay. I didn't miss the Mako or little worlds. And I like the corridor shooting more than the open rooms in ME1 (and MEA). I like 2 a lot more than 1, but for some reason the thought of completing on the loyalty missions, and talking to all the companions bores me. Maybe it's because I played it too much? Ugh...and mineral scanning.

DA2. I've played it twice. It's more palatable than the O, but the characters are borrrrring. I like that it doesn't rely to heavily on tactics.

ME3. Gameplay is a lot snappier than 2. Story is fun. I didn't mind the ending. Graphics and animations seem on the down run though. Makes me kind of disappointed Mass Effect didn't get the graphics it deserved for being the finale of such an epic story (IT IS TO ME!!!) And all the DLC is top notch.

Dragon Age Inquisition: It's my favorite Dragon Age. I'm not sure why. I the main story with Corpheshit is forgettable. Sometimes i forget what he was even trying to accomplish. I like the companions, I like the Solas stuff. I like the art style. I like the character creator, and the armor, and the customization. Gameplay is alright. It kind of sits between not being engaging, but being engaging just enough. I kind of wanted some tactics back, but I also wanted more control of the characters. Enemies who are actual puzzles to solve instead of sponges. I'm not asking for Bloodborne level of control...actually maybe I am. I also didn't really mind the maps. I thought they were fun to explore, and there was plenty to see. I don't see why everyone calls it open world. It's not. It's like...really big houses to explore. Does that make sense? Open worlds, you get to do like whatever you want, you can't do that in DAI. I don't really want to get too much into that. The mission structure was a bit fetch-quest like, but I didn't find it too bad. More engaging quests would be neat. I also just started modding DAI, so it's even funner now. I do wish mounts worked better. They're like giant gliding bricks. Not fun to ride around at all.

MEA. Not in the mood to talk about another play through.

Add the NPC Project and some side quest mods, and it's an awesome game to this day.

I just do the summoning circle thing because of a quest compulsion. I know I do this to myself so I never really complain about it. 

Yeah, companion quests do require lots of footwork, but it's odd how the Fade somehow feels worse. I think it's really the maze part. It's not so bad anymore since I've memorized it, but my first go I found it a bit aggravating. It doesn't help that the fade in DAO is kind of obnoxious to look at with all that hazy dreamy thing going on.

to me, yes. otherwise what's the point of setting a game in space? just set it on earth instead if all i get to do is wave at beautiful alien planets from within the confines of a tight corridor

Unless you played the game on console like I did and do.