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Post by Chiantirose on Oct 23, 2016 3:28:09 GMT
Also I'm just really worried for anyone who gets excited about the Well of Sorrows having a major impact on DA4  Don't keep your hopes up for stuff like that... try to stay open-minded and keep a smile on your face; tell yourself you'll be happy with whatever the game has in store for us. Take it from someone who was seriously burned because their hopes were far, far too high lol I don't want others to go through that!!! Oh yeah. My mind just has gone in overtime lately with headcanons and speculations. I wish I could write half as good as some of you guys, than I could at least put it in fiction, but alas ... I suck donkey balls. I got burned a bit with Cullen. I was hoping for a bit more DA2 Cullen to remain, but he really didn't. A bit disappointed in that, but at least I got the romance. My headcanon Cullen is quite bit different than the in-game Cullen I'm not really expecting to be in the game, I'm just saying they could do great stuff with it. |
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Post by Chiantirose on Oct 23, 2016 3:47:31 GMT
I know! They could do so much stuff with it. I really hope they do. They did take a step in the right direction with Iron Bull in Trespasser, imo. In terms of choices matter. That's a huge debate in the Iron Bull thread; some think it was well-handled, others don't... Personally, I do think it is a reasonable and shocking result of the decision you made regarding the Chargers. But I think it added salt to the wound of Bullmancers. Other characters get to get married; when we bring it up with Bull it's a big fucking joke (like half the romantic content tends to be, and find me a Bullmancer who actually enjoyed the fact that their romance is kind of a huge joke. Keep in mind a lot of people ended up with Bull because they didn't like Dorian or Blackwall, so it's not like they had much of a choice.). Even in Trespasser, the romances aren't equally handled, and that's freaking frustrating. Nothing can REALLY compare to the showdown that takes place between Solas and an inquisitor who romanced him (which is why I think he should have been available to everyone or no one), but follow that up with a MARRIAGE SCENE for Sera and Cullen, and everything else pales in comparison. Good god, Dorian and the inquisitor aren't even living together anymore. I know they love to smirk and say "these are our characters, not yours," but it's like, why make us love these romances so much then treat us so badly with them? It's frustrating. I can see that being frustrating. There should have been a nice romantic scene for everyone, not necessarily marriage (not everyone likes that) Blackwall Trespasser scene is kinda meh too, I just played it through a couple weeks ago. I mean he is the one talking about white picket fence and settling down, so his scene is kinda of a let down, imo. I'm okay with Solas being gated to Elfs (Elves? I don't know) but he should have been available to both genders. |
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Post by Artemis on Oct 23, 2016 4:06:38 GMT
Also I'm just really worried for anyone who gets excited about the Well of Sorrows having a major impact on DA4 Don't keep your hopes up for stuff like that... try to stay open-minded and keep a smile on your face; tell yourself you'll be happy with whatever the game has in store for us. Take it from someone who was seriously burned because their hopes were far, far too high lol I don't want others to go through that!!! Oh yeah. My mind just has gone in overtime lately with headcanons and speculations. I wish I could write half as good as some of you guys, than I could at least put it in fiction, but alas ... I suck donkey balls. I got burned a bit with Cullen. I was hoping for a bit more DA2 Cullen to remain, but he really didn't. A bit disappointed in that, but at least I got the romance. My headcanon Cullen is quite bit different than the in-game Cullen I'm not really expecting to be in the game, I'm just saying they could do great stuff with it. Aww, okay, yeah, headcanons are fun, but again, a person can get way, way too carried away with them; you only have to look as far as the Cullen x m!Lavellan fanfics I wrote before the game came out; I was all like "I will be totally cool if he's straight haha it is not a big deal!" meanwhile I'm obsessively writing these romantic Cullen x m!Lavellan fics LOL Liar.... Agree about DAI v. DA2 Cullen; where was the man we all fell in love with, the guy with conflicted interests, a good man at heart, but someone with a very troubled past who wrestles with notions of morality and duty... sigh. That's a huge debate in the Iron Bull thread; some think it was well-handled, others don't... Personally, I do think it is a reasonable and shocking result of the decision you made regarding the Chargers. But I think it added salt to the wound of Bullmancers. Other characters get to get married; when we bring it up with Bull it's a big fucking joke (like half the romantic content tends to be, and find me a Bullmancer who actually enjoyed the fact that their romance is kind of a huge joke. Keep in mind a lot of people ended up with Bull because they didn't like Dorian or Blackwall, so it's not like they had much of a choice.). Even in Trespasser, the romances aren't equally handled, and that's freaking frustrating. Nothing can REALLY compare to the showdown that takes place between Solas and an inquisitor who romanced him (which is why I think he should have been available to everyone or no one), but follow that up with a MARRIAGE SCENE for Sera and Cullen, and everything else pales in comparison. Good god, Dorian and the inquisitor aren't even living together anymore. I know they love to smirk and say "these are our characters, not yours," but it's like, why make us love these romances so much then treat us so badly with them? It's frustrating. I can see that being frustrating. There should have been a nice romantic scene for everyone, not necessarily marriage (not everyone likes that) Blackwall Trespasser scene is kinda meh too, I just played it through a couple weeks ago. I mean he is the one talking about white picket fence and settling down, so his scene is kinda of a let down, imo. I'm okay with Solas being gated to Elfs (Elves? I don't know) but he should have been available to both genders. I want to agree since this would suit me just fine LOL!  But I know many who wanted to romance him with a qunari or dwarf... imagine Solas trying to explain to his dwarf love what the fade means to him... it could be so sweet and endearing in a way. Solas is a pretentious asshole who sees ALL modern people as mortal trash LOL he fell in love with Lavellan because, well, he fell in love with them. not because they were in elf, DESPITE them being a (mortal) elf. So, he could've fallen for another race, too. (imo) Not shocked to hear Blackwall's content was lukewarm at best; for one of the original romances he feels so half-heartedly written  Such a tragedy for such a sexy, sexy man lol |
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Chiantirose
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Post by Chiantirose on Oct 23, 2016 4:18:25 GMT
Oh yeah. My mind just has gone in overtime lately with headcanons and speculations. I wish I could write half as good as some of you guys, than I could at least put it in fiction, but alas ... I suck donkey balls. I got burned a bit with Cullen. I was hoping for a bit more DA2 Cullen to remain, but he really didn't. A bit disappointed in that, but at least I got the romance. My headcanon Cullen is quite bit different than the in-game Cullen I'm not really expecting to be in the game, I'm just saying they could do great stuff with it. Aww, okay, yeah, headcanons are fun, but again, a person can get way, way too carried away with them; you only have to look as far as the Cullen x m!Lavellan fanfics I wrote before the game came out; I was all like "I will be totally cool if he's straight haha it is not a big deal!" meanwhile I'm obsessively writing these romantic Cullen x m!Lavellan fics LOL Liar.... Agree about DAI v. DA2 Cullen; where was the man we all fell in love with, the guy with conflicted interests, a good man at heart, but someone with a very troubled past who wrestles with notions of morality and duty... sigh. I can see that being frustrating. There should have been a nice romantic scene for everyone, not necessarily marriage (not everyone likes that) Blackwall Trespasser scene is kinda meh too, I just played it through a couple weeks ago. I mean he is the one talking about white picket fence and settling down, so his scene is kinda of a let down, imo. I'm okay with Solas being gated to Elfs (Elves? I don't know) but he should have been available to both genders. I want to agree since this would suit me just fine LOL! But I know many who wanted to romance him with a qunari or dwarf... imagine Solas trying to explain to his dwarf love what the fade means to him... it could be so sweet and endearing in a way. Solas is a pretentious asshole who sees ALL modern people as mortal trash LOL he fell in love with Lavellan because, well, he fell in love with them. not because they were in elf, DESPITE them being a (mortal) elf. So, he could've fallen for another race, too. (imo) Not shocked to hear Blackwall's content was lukewarm at best; for one of the original romances he feels so half-heartedly written Such a tragedy for such a sexy, sexy man lol You know I really think this is absolutely sweet and endearing, but the first image that popped in my mind was Solas' head shopped onto Giorgio Tsoukalos' meme saying "Fade" I'm sorry, I had too much to drink and I'm cracking up thinking about it. I googled it. How is this not a thing? I don't l know, I'm still cracking up about it. |
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Post by Chiantirose on Oct 23, 2016 4:19:37 GMT
I also remember your fictions, you and R2's are just amazing. Love them.
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Post by R2s Muse on Oct 23, 2016 12:34:20 GMT
Yeah, the balance between the companions and their romances was really uneven. Which is par for the course for the whole game, really. I just got out of Haven with my dwarf IQ and I'm preparing for the lack of attention the post-Haven part of the game received before shipping. They could have shaved off a few deserts and even a companion or two and the remaining content would have significantly benefitted.
Of course, I say this as someone whose fave romances were the two late-added ones, but again, the uneven level of attention is baffling. Cullen gets turned into a Ken-doll dreamboat of extensive romance and no problematic opinions, whereas the dwarf IQ doesn't get to see half of her romances apparently for lack of animation customization and others don't get a proper ending at all.
Makes me wonder what the game would have looked like before they got their one year extension.
So given all that... I honestly don't know what to think about DA4. Before Trespasser, I would have fervently believed that Bioware's stated commitment to stomping all over your character's story loose ends would mean a cleaner break than usual between DA3 and DA4, with fewer carryover stories. But then what do they do? They practically set your Inquisitor up with a "To Be Continued" in the pursuit of Solas.
It's also the first game they'll create in full knowledge of the what the Keep can and cannot do, so maybe that's all going to change?
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Post by R2s Muse on Oct 23, 2016 12:36:13 GMT
I also remember your fictions, you and R2's are just amazing. Love them.  |
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Post by Artemis on Oct 23, 2016 19:52:23 GMT
I also remember your fictions, you and R2's are just amazing. Love them. Noooo I don't believe you, surely not?! (Thank you  ) Makes me wonder what the game would have looked like before they got their one year extension. A complete and utter disaster?! I also think the game would have been ten times less popular -- at least among female players, Cullen and Solas were the most popular romances, and I think those fans having such satisfying stories for their characters (not necessarily happy) really fueled the popularity on places like Tumblr and Twitter. Without those two, they would've had some really disgruntled fans... Bull and Blackwall have their fans, but they clearly aren't for everyone. With no desirable romance to cushion the reality of what a long drawn out slog the game tends to be, fans would've possibly been more critical. I just think they need to get their shit together for DA4 in terms of story and pacing. DA2 (which I LOVE) and DAI were both a mess (with DAI perhaps overcompensating for DA2's erratic narrative and tiny map). For the love of god, take your time! (I know developers don't always have that choice.) I think a really great DA game should take around five years, minimum. NOT 2-3 years. |
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Post by The Elder King on Oct 24, 2016 0:50:07 GMT
They're not going to get 5 years, sadly.
Though if they'll get the same aumont of time as before they might have more time compared to DAI, considering the time they spent on the Frostbite and the time/limitations of old gen.
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Post by R2s Muse on Oct 24, 2016 1:18:48 GMT
I also remember your fictions, you and R2's are just amazing. Love them. Noooo I don't believe you, surely not?! (Thank you ) Makes me wonder what the game would have looked like before they got their one year extension. A complete and utter disaster?! I also think the game would have been ten times less popular -- at least among female players, Cullen and Solas were the most popular romances, and I think those fans having such satisfying stories for their characters (not necessarily happy) really fueled the popularity on places like Tumblr and Twitter. Without those two, they would've had some really disgruntled fans... Bull and Blackwall have their fans, but they clearly aren't for everyone. With no desirable romance to cushion the reality of what a long drawn out slog the game tends to be, fans would've possibly been more critical. I just think they need to get their shit together for DA4 in terms of story and pacing. DA2 (which I LOVE) and DAI were both a mess (with DAI perhaps overcompensating for DA2's erratic narrative and tiny map). For the love of god, take your time! (I know developers don't always have that choice.) I think a really great DA game should take around five years, minimum. NOT 2-3 years. I gotta wonder how much the female, romance-loving fandom really contributes to their bottom line, tho. The devs certainly enjoying disdaining that part of the fandom. While at the same time willfully misunderstanding it. It's the part of the fandom in which I live, so admittedly, my perceptions are skewed. But indeed, I remain hopeful that Mike Laidlaw's stated 'lessons learned' with respect to pacing and storytelling will translate into the next game. With no need to build the engine and then flex their muscles with it... maybe we'll get a more focused game. |
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Post by R2s Muse on Oct 24, 2016 1:19:50 GMT
They're not going to get 5 years, sadly. Though if they'll get the same aumont of time as before they might have more time compared to DAI, considering the time they spent on the Frostbite and the time/limitations of old gen. Man, I forgot about all the time they must've spent on old gen, too. They certainly set some high expectations for DA:I! :snort: |
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Post by Artemis on Oct 24, 2016 3:58:16 GMT
They're not going to get 5 years, sadly. Though if they'll get the same aumont of time as before they might have more time compared to DAI, considering the time they spent on the Frostbite and the time/limitations of old gen. Man, I forgot about all the time they must've spent on old gen, too. They certainly set some high expectations for DA:I! :snort: Yeah good point about the time spent learning how to work with the new engine. Yes I love how they worked so meticulously to create such beautiful, vibrant maps full of nothing. Yet we still get stuck with total shit for hair |
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Post by Cantina on Oct 24, 2016 22:58:27 GMT
One of my biggest gripe (and still is) with Cullen's romance was after The Abyss.
First time I played the game and after this event, I ran around talking with everyone. And like always saved Cullen for last. So I go into his office to discuss the matter and all of sudden it was about Cullen's issue. Um. Your lover practically went to hell and back and instead comforting her, The Inquisitor has to deal with his problem.
The developers could have added in a discussion about the events that took place. Then once you leave Skyhold or the conversation and return then Cullen's side-quest starts.
Given Cullen's history and his feelings towards your character you think such discussion would be there. Oh yes, Cullen states at the Winter Palace, "I know its foolish but I was worried for you tonight" after dealing with some assassins. But showing such after falling into hell? Nope.
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Post by lilyenachaos on Oct 24, 2016 23:30:19 GMT
I also remember your fictions, you and R2's are just amazing. Love them. Noooo I don't believe you, surely not?! (Thank you ) Makes me wonder what the game would have looked like before they got their one year extension. A complete and utter disaster?! I also think the game would have been ten times less popular -- at least among female players, Cullen and Solas were the most popular romances, and I think those fans having such satisfying stories for their characters (not necessarily happy) really fueled the popularity on places like Tumblr and Twitter. Without those two, they would've had some really disgruntled fans... Bull and Blackwall have their fans, but they clearly aren't for everyone. With no desirable romance to cushion the reality of what a long drawn out slog the game tends to be, fans would've possibly been more critical. I just think they need to get their shit together for DA4 in terms of story and pacing. DA2 (which I LOVE) and DAI were both a mess (with DAI perhaps overcompensating for DA2's erratic narrative and tiny map). For the love of god, take your time! (I know developers don't always have that choice.) I think a really great DA game should take around five years, minimum. NOT 2-3 years. I loved the Bull romance, but it's definitely not for everyone. So I try to picture the game with only he and Blackwall as the romance options for straight females and...yikes. NO. So very glad they added Cullen and Solas in. I know it's not a popular opinion, but I liked that in DA2 you could romance whoever you wanted. Hopefully with DA4 they had most of the story done ahead of time. And now that they know the new engine better it shouldn't be as difficult to get the animations and such done. I think. I hope?  |
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Post by R2s Muse on Oct 25, 2016 0:51:41 GMT
One of my biggest gripe (and still is) with Cullen's romance was after The Abyss.
First time I played the game and after this event, I ran around talking with everyone. And like always saved Cullen for last. So I go into his office to discuss the matter and all of sudden it was about Cullen's issue. Um. Your lover practically went to hell and back and instead comforting her, The Inquisitor has to deal with his problem.
The developers could have added in a discussion about the events that took place. Then once you leave Skyhold or the conversation and return then Cullen's side-quest starts.
Given Cullen's history and his feelings towards your character you think such discussion would be there. Oh yes, Cullen states at the Winter Palace, "I know its foolish but I was worried for you tonight" after dealing with some assassins. But showing such after falling into hell? Nope.
Ironically, I can't really disentangle what really happened in game from what I've written in fanfic about that anymore. LOL So I guess I'll just keep my fingers in my ears that he was really upset.  |
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Post by R2s Muse on Oct 25, 2016 0:58:14 GMT
Noooo I don't believe you, surely not?! (Thank you ) A complete and utter disaster?! I also think the game would have been ten times less popular -- at least among female players, Cullen and Solas were the most popular romances, and I think those fans having such satisfying stories for their characters (not necessarily happy) really fueled the popularity on places like Tumblr and Twitter. Without those two, they would've had some really disgruntled fans... Bull and Blackwall have their fans, but they clearly aren't for everyone. With no desirable romance to cushion the reality of what a long drawn out slog the game tends to be, fans would've possibly been more critical. I just think they need to get their shit together for DA4 in terms of story and pacing. DA2 (which I LOVE) and DAI were both a mess (with DAI perhaps overcompensating for DA2's erratic narrative and tiny map). For the love of god, take your time! (I know developers don't always have that choice.) I think a really great DA game should take around five years, minimum. NOT 2-3 years. I loved the Bull romance, but it's definitely not for everyone. So I try to picture the game with only he and Blackwall as the romance options for straight females and...yikes. NO. So very glad they added Cullen and Solas in. I know it's not a popular opinion, but I liked that in DA2 you could romance whoever you wanted. Hopefully with DA4 they had most of the story done ahead of time. And now that they know the new engine better it shouldn't be as difficult to get the animations and such done. I think. I hope? Heh, ironically, I hadn't done the math before. Those *would* have been the only two options for a straight female IQ. I guess I'm so into my dwarf's pseudo Varric romance right now, that it's hard to keep it straight. LOL What doesn't make sense to me, still, is why Cullen would be the late added romance. We had once upon a time figured it was because he wasn't a companion and in the olden days, Gaider used to say they wouldn't do a non-companion romance. But Josephine's romance wasn't mentioned as a late addition. Makes me wonder if Cullen's wasn't going to get finished in time or something before the year extension, given how robust it ended up. Solas's, on the other hand, does feel half-baked and late added. |
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Post by Cantina on Oct 25, 2016 1:00:12 GMT
One of my biggest gripe (and still is) with Cullen's romance was after The Abyss.
First time I played the game and after this event, I ran around talking with everyone. And like always saved Cullen for last. So I go into his office to discuss the matter and all of sudden it was about Cullen's issue. Um. Your lover practically went to hell and back and instead comforting her, The Inquisitor has to deal with his problem.
The developers could have added in a discussion about the events that took place. Then once you leave Skyhold or the conversation and return then Cullen's side-quest starts.
Given Cullen's history and his feelings towards your character you think such discussion would be there. Oh yes, Cullen states at the Winter Palace, "I know its foolish but I was worried for you tonight" after dealing with some assassins. But showing such after falling into hell? Nope.
Ironically, I can't really disentangle what really happened in game from what I've written in fanfic about that anymore. LOL So I guess I'll just keep my fingers in my ears that he was really upset.
Got so upset about it he had a lyrium - er panic attack.  |
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Post by lilyenachaos on Oct 25, 2016 1:33:20 GMT
I loved the Bull romance, but it's definitely not for everyone. So I try to picture the game with only he and Blackwall as the romance options for straight females and...yikes. NO. So very glad they added Cullen and Solas in. I know it's not a popular opinion, but I liked that in DA2 you could romance whoever you wanted. Hopefully with DA4 they had most of the story done ahead of time. And now that they know the new engine better it shouldn't be as difficult to get the animations and such done. I think. I hope? Heh, ironically, I hadn't done the math before. Those *would* have been the only two options for a straight female IQ. I guess I'm so into my dwarf's pseudo Varric romance right now, that it's hard to keep it straight. LOL What doesn't make sense to me, still, is why Cullen would be the late added romance. We had once upon a time figured it was because he wasn't a companion and in the olden days, Gaider used to say they wouldn't do a non-companion romance. But Josephine's romance wasn't mentioned as a late addition. Makes me wonder if Cullen's wasn't going to get finished in time or something before the year extension, given how robust it ended up. Solas's, on the other hand, does feel half-baked and late added. Cullen's certainly felt finished (to me), but you're right that Solas' was lacking romance content. Makes me wonder if for Cullen by 'last minute addition' they actually meant: 'we ran out of time and axed him being romance-able by everyone but female elves and humans'. |
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Post by Artemis on Oct 25, 2016 1:38:15 GMT
I loved the Bull romance, but it's definitely not for everyone. So I try to picture the game with only he and Blackwall as the romance options for straight females and...yikes. NO. I think I would've been very, very content with Blackwall as a m/m option and I'll happily keep Bull, just please remove the BDSM (personal preference) lol But yep, they are so not your "generic please the ladies" choices. Ironically, I can't really disentangle what really happened in game from what I've written in fanfic about that anymore. LOL LOL That's hilarious. And awesome! You know that Skyrim fic I'm writing? I was thinking about the new re-release of the game coming out soon, and I was wondering how much hotter Brynjolf would look and thinking, oh man can't wait to romance him... only to remember duh he's not romanceable in the base game, you have to use mods Dur. Heh, ironically, I hadn't done the math before. Those *would* have been the only two options for a straight female IQ. I guess I'm so into my dwarf's pseudo Varric romance right now, that it's hard to keep it straight. LOL What doesn't make sense to me, still, is why Cullen would be the late added romance. We had once upon a time figured it was because he wasn't a companion and in the olden days, Gaider used to say they wouldn't do a non-companion romance. But Josephine's romance wasn't mentioned as a late addition. Makes me wonder if Cullen's wasn't going to get finished in time or something before the year extension, given how robust it ended up. Solas's, on the other hand, does feel half-baked and late added. Cullen seems like SUCH an obvious romance choice. Here's how I think they choose who becomes a romance though: Gaider: Okay, you'll be writing this character. Writer: Great! Writer: Oh I think I have a great idea for a romance for this character! Gaider: Let's hear it. Apparently they assign the characters, then flesh out the characters stories. Then romance comes last. If someone has an idea for a romance, the others listen and decide if it will work. Seems weird to me, again, considering how popular the romances are. They almost seem to pay them (romances) so little intention out of sheer spite. But after listening to Gaider's "Sex in Videogames" speech (veeeeery interesting talk by the way, gives much insight into their thinking then and now - personally, I think very little has changed) I think this can't be true. They do seem to at least care about their female fans and maybe gay male fans. (I think they are burned by the criticism from straight male fans lol obviously not all straight males, but you know the type "CASSANDRA LOOKS LIKE A HORSE FUCK YOU BIOWARE" etc. etc.) I disagree on Solas though. It never felt like an afterthought. It works perfectly with the Fade scene (just add flirting and kiss); the balcony scene is... um, great, and the tell-all-break-up scene? Shit. Maybe the most emotional scene ever written in a DA game (imo). It was short but meaningful. If the game had been a reasonable length it would've been perfect. My only other complete experience is Bull; flirting with him takes FOREVER (I think he wants to make sure you're really sure; I headcanon that he has a big ole crushy-crush on you and is afraid to catch feelings haha) but once you sleep together it's like BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM! Scene after scene. Pacing just feels awful! Like we're in love before we even blink. Solas is a much more relatable, realistic pace. |
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Post by Artemis on Oct 25, 2016 1:40:55 GMT
Cullen's certainly felt finished (to me), but you're right that Solas' was lacking romance content. Makes me wonder if for Cullen by 'last minute addition' they actually meant: 'we ran out of time and axed him being romance-able by everyone but female elves and humans'. I don't think it was a time issue for either of them because they had record male inquisitor voices for both romances. Allegedly they nixed the Solas m/m romance for... not sure how to put this, but they thought it would be offensive (don't get me fucking started lol) not b/c of lack of time. Didn't an ex-dev make some tweet about why m/m Cullen romance was cut? Was it time? but then how reliable is such a source. As for cut scenes, don't think it would've been a big deal since Blackwall, also a human, can romance both the talls and the smalls lol So the hard work was already done in that respect. |
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Post by lilyenachaos on Oct 25, 2016 2:28:46 GMT
I loved the Bull romance, but it's definitely not for everyone. So I try to picture the game with only he and Blackwall as the romance options for straight females and...yikes. NO. I think I would've been very, very content with Blackwall as a m/m option and I'll happily keep Bull, just please remove the BDSM (personal preference) lol But yep, they are so not your "generic please the ladies" choices. Ironically, I can't really disentangle what really happened in game from what I've written in fanfic about that anymore. LOL LOL That's hilarious. And awesome! You know that Skyrim fic I'm writing? I was thinking about the new re-release of the game coming out soon, and I was wondering how much hotter Brynjolf would look and thinking, oh man can't wait to romance him... only to remember duh he's not romanceable in the base game, you have to use mods Dur. Heh, ironically, I hadn't done the math before. Those *would* have been the only two options for a straight female IQ. I guess I'm so into my dwarf's pseudo Varric romance right now, that it's hard to keep it straight. LOL What doesn't make sense to me, still, is why Cullen would be the late added romance. We had once upon a time figured it was because he wasn't a companion and in the olden days, Gaider used to say they wouldn't do a non-companion romance. But Josephine's romance wasn't mentioned as a late addition. Makes me wonder if Cullen's wasn't going to get finished in time or something before the year extension, given how robust it ended up. Solas's, on the other hand, does feel half-baked and late added. Cullen seems like SUCH an obvious romance choice. Here's how I think they choose who becomes a romance though: Gaider: Okay, you'll be writing this character. Writer: Great! Writer: Oh I think I have a great idea for a romance for this character! Gaider: Let's hear it. Apparently they assign the characters, then flesh out the characters stories. Then romance comes last. If someone has an idea for a romance, the others listen and decide if it will work. Seems weird to me, again, considering how popular the romances are. They almost seem to pay them (romances) so little intention out of sheer spite. But after listening to Gaider's "Sex in Videogames" speech (veeeeery interesting talk by the way, gives much insight into their thinking then and now - personally, I think very little has changed) I think this can't be true. They do seem to at least care about their female fans and maybe gay male fans. (I think they are burned by the criticism from straight male fans lol obviously not all straight males, but you know the type "CASSANDRA LOOKS LIKE A HORSE FUCK YOU BIOWARE" etc. etc.) I disagree on Solas though. It never felt like an afterthought. It works perfectly with the Fade scene (just add flirting and kiss); the balcony scene is... um, great, and the tell-all-break-up scene? Shit. Maybe the most emotional scene ever written in a DA game (imo). It was short but meaningful. If the game had been a reasonable length it would've been perfect. My only other complete experience is Bull; flirting with him takes FOREVER (I think he wants to make sure you're really sure; I headcanon that he has a big ole crushy-crush on you and is afraid to catch feelings haha) but once you sleep together it's like BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM! Scene after scene. Pacing just feels awful! Like we're in love before we even blink. Solas is a much more relatable, realistic pace. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Solas romance. It more than makes up for in quality what it lacks in quantity. My point was just that the romance was (except for Crestwood) rolled into scenes that were already there. You are right though, that it did seem more seamless. That might be why. Also...Solas has moves.  Cullen certainly seemed like a more obvious choice than Blackwall, thats for sure. Especially since Blackwall's personal story goes where it goes. |
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Vive la révolution mages!
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Post by Cantina on Oct 25, 2016 2:48:05 GMT
Heh, ironically, I hadn't done the math before. Those *would* have been the only two options for a straight female IQ. I guess I'm so into my dwarf's pseudo Varric romance right now, that it's hard to keep it straight. LOL What doesn't make sense to me, still, is why Cullen would be the late added romance. We had once upon a time figured it was because he wasn't a companion and in the olden days, Gaider used to say they wouldn't do a non-companion romance. But Josephine's romance wasn't mentioned as a late addition. Makes me wonder if Cullen's wasn't going to get finished in time or something before the year extension, given how robust it ended up. Solas's, on the other hand, does feel half-baked and late added.
Bri has said in several interviews about this and I even spoke to her on Twitter.
She clearly states: Cullen was meant to be bisexual at first, but they axed it. Just wasn't the time issue; Bri said it would have been axed even if they did have more time because it did not feel right for the character.
And yes I agree Cullen's did feel unfinished. I got the MOD that includes extra dialogue for Cullen's Hawke comment and a romance option that looks as though it would have been something similar to Sera's friendly roof time.
As for Solas I just don't get his romance. Yes, it feels lacking in content but beyond that its just a total snooze'fest. Then there is Bull, good friend, good off tank (if you build him correctly) but as in romance? No thanks. Would feel like I'm doing a skinned stuffed animal.
Blackwall's romance just freaking creeps me out. I watched it once on YouTube and had nightmares for days afterwards. 
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Post by Artemis on Oct 25, 2016 2:50:04 GMT
If that is true about Cullen as a bi option then I've lost all respect for the writing team. It's very bizarre though so I'm hoping it's not correct. I'd rather live in my fantasy land where writing a bisexual character doesn't require that the character be a certain "type" |
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Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by Chiantirose on Oct 25, 2016 3:07:42 GMT
One of my biggest gripe (and still is) with Cullen's romance was after The Abyss.
First time I played the game and after this event, I ran around talking with everyone. And like always saved Cullen for last. So I go into his office to discuss the matter and all of sudden it was about Cullen's issue. Um. Your lover practically went to hell and back and instead comforting her, The Inquisitor has to deal with his problem.
The developers could have added in a discussion about the events that took place. Then once you leave Skyhold or the conversation and return then Cullen's side-quest starts.
Given Cullen's history and his feelings towards your character you think such discussion would be there. Oh yes, Cullen states at the Winter Palace, "I know its foolish but I was worried for you tonight" after dealing with some assassins. But showing such after falling into hell? Nope.
It never bothered me personally, i figured that going through the stuff that he had gone through (if you side with Templars he lost friends there, Haven, leading battle against Grey Wardens and then being told the Inquisitor is somewhere in the fade) might have been too much. He did quit cold turkey and that's pretty rough and I'm just talking about me and quitting smoking, it's still not easy on some days and it's been 12 years. It does remind me of ME3 and Kaidan romance, after you come back from Thessia and Shepard just got this huge slap in the face. Shepard goes and takes care of Liara and comforts her and then she/he goes looking for Kaidan to find a shoulder to lean on, but .... Mr. Alenko is in the Engine room chatting with Adams about kicking asses and no word of comfort is muttered. At least Cullen had a good excuse for not being able to be supportive. It's another thing DA2 did right, even if it was just a couple second visit from your LI/best buddy after your mother died, it was a nice touch. |
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R2s Muse
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Post by R2s Muse on Oct 25, 2016 10:58:00 GMT
I disagree on Solas though. It never felt like an afterthought. It works perfectly with the Fade scene (just add flirting and kiss); the balcony scene is... um, great, and the tell-all-break-up scene? Shit. Maybe the most emotional scene ever written in a DA game (imo). It was short but meaningful. If the game had been a reasonable length it would've been perfect. My only other complete experience is Bull; flirting with him takes FOREVER (I think he wants to make sure you're really sure; I headcanon that he has a big ole crushy-crush on you and is afraid to catch feelings haha) but once you sleep together it's like BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM! Scene after scene. Pacing just feels awful! Like we're in love before we even blink. Solas is a much more relatable, realistic pace. On Solas, tho, like was mentioned, you can see the coding short cuts around the edges. His romance flags don't pop properly. His scenes are added into those already created. There are no woo breaks. There are fewer scenes overall. The romance storyline is lovely, but the coding in the game is choppy and slim in comparison. |
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Don't keep your hopes up for stuff like that... try to stay open-minded and keep a smile on your face; tell yourself you'll be happy with whatever the game has in store for us. Take it from someone who was seriously burned because their hopes were far, far too high lol I don't want others to go through that!!!
But I know many who wanted to romance him with a qunari or dwarf... imagine Solas trying to explain to his dwarf love what the fade means to him... it could be so sweet and endearing in a way. Solas is a pretentious asshole who sees ALL modern people as mortal trash LOL he fell in love with Lavellan because, well, he fell in love with them. not because they were in elf, DESPITE them being a (mortal) elf. So, he could've fallen for another race, too. (imo)
Such a tragedy for such a sexy, sexy man lol
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