Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
I finally finished Rogue yesterday. Only thing I didn't do was to finish the Naval Campaign, whoever designed that stupid stupid mini game should probably get out of game design. This is even worse than the fleet in Black flag. 33 real timed missions, that I just need to click on and have no other connection with whatsoever. And they are gated by the main story progression so that the last 5 (each of which apparently takes 2-3 hours to count down) only unlock after you already finished the game? WTF?
Anyway, so no admiral's outfit for me, who cares.
Started Unity and having a blast so far (not that far in yet). The graphical leap from Black Flag/Rogue to unity is pretty amazing (I think it was the leap from PS3 to 4, right? All the cloth and velvet was amazing detail and just looks very very real. The lighting and particle effects and the crowds in Paris also look amazing. If I have one complaint about the visuals, it's that some animations look weird, one of which is unfortunately Arno's running animation, which you see all the time. He looks great when is' climbing and vaulting but when he's simply running, he throws his arms out in a very weird way. Also, when you walk through dense crowds of people, their animations are lackluster as well, it almost looks like they are just glitching to the side when you come close. Oh yea, and Arno's standard assassin's cloak is by far the blandest one ever in an AC (especially viewed from the back, which is what you see most of the time during gameplay). Ah well, I hope (and I think from looking through the menus) some upgrades will take care of that over time though. But those issues aside, it's a stunning game visually.
I had started Unity a few years ago and never got very far but I haven't reached the point yet, where I'd see something new really. So far, I do like Arno as a character though, he certainly has more charm than Connor, Edward or Sahy and he has a bit of a sarcastic streak to him, which is nice. I'm curious how his story will unfold. I am a bit disappointed, that they make a rather sudden time jump from 1789 right on to 1791 though. Lot's of interesting stuff happened in that time, I'd have like to see the fishwives and other rioters storm Versailles and force the king and queen to move to Paris (while parading the heads of their palace guards in front of their carriage on spikes no less). Also, some characters are pretty poorly introduced. For example, I know already had a few dealing with the comte de Mirabeau but he didn't really get much of an introduction and doesn't even have a Database entry (yet?). He was a fairly central figure in the Revolution and also seems to be very central to the game but if I didn't already know a lot about the French Revolution from history classes/books, I'd have no idea who this guy is supposed to be or what his significance is. There is already a few characters that share this problem. But still, I'm very curious how this will go one as I am still very early in the game.
One thing I absolutely hate about Unity though is all the coop and social stuff they crammed in there, from those club challenges, to the coop missions. It feels like I'll only see 3/4 of the game without doing all that shit (and I really don't want to do it).
Anyway, having fun so far. Onward!
Wow am surprised you think Arno has more personality than Edward (says the Edward fan ) I thought Arno was the worst of the protagonists TBH. The clothing does get better and the weapon variety in particular is one of the highlights of the game I think. I agree re Arno's running style, had forgotten about that.
I studied the French Revolution and school and it was one of the periods of history I actually enjoyed enough to go out of my way to read more on and I agree the important NPC's are a bit shallow in terms of their backgrounds and presence.
Re the Co-op stuff, I only remember there being one mission that I absolutely had to do Co-OP as I couldn't beat it by myself as it was on a timer and I just didn't bother with the club challenges and I don't remember them having any impact on the game other than maybe unlocking some extra gear.
Is there a level cap in Origins based on how far along you are in the story?
Before I called it a day, I finished a side quest which would've leveled me from 17 to 18, but the bar just filled up without me getting the level. If this is not a bug, does anyone know whether or not any XP gained right now is "wasted"? Or does the game keep track of all of the XP I'm getting and granting it retroactively all at once whenever the level cap gets raised (presumably by advancing the main quest)?
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Is there a level cap in Origins based on how far along you are in the story?
Before I called it a day, I finished a side quest which would've leveled me from 17 to 18, but the bar just filled up without me getting the level. If this is not a bug, does anyone know whether or not any XP gained right now is "wasted"? Or does the game keep track of all of the XP I'm getting and granting it retroactively all at once whenever the level cap gets raised (presumably by advancing the main quest)?
I think the cap for the main game is L40 so you shouldn't have hit the cap yet and I am not aware of any weird process of it holding XP unless you advance the main story. I deliberately held back early in lower regions harvesting resources and levelling to at least L20 be fore advancing the main story very much as all. I'd guess you got enough XP t just hit the threshold and the next XP you get will tip you over to 18.
Wow am surprised you think Arno has more personality than Edward (says the Edward fan ) I thought Arno was the worst of the protagonists TBH. The clothing does get better and the weapon variety in particular is one of the highlights of the game I think. I agree re Arno's running style, had forgotten about that.
I studied the French Revolution and school and it was one of the periods of history I actually enjoyed enough to go out of my way to read more on and I agree the important NPC's are a bit shallow in terms of their backgrounds and presence.
Re the Co-op stuff, I only remember there being one mission that I absolutely had to do Co-OP as I couldn't beat it by myself as it was on a timer and I just didn't bother with the club challenges and I don't remember them having any impact on the game other than maybe unlocking some extra gear.
"Onward" didn't you mean En avant?
Well, Edward certainly had a personality, I just didn't like him that much, so fair enough.
Arno, I like so far. His misadventures with the blacksmith boys in Versailles are a bit reminiscent of Ezio at the beginning of AC2 (I would think this is very much on purpose). And I like his sarcasm towards pretty much everyone. And his strained relationship to Elise seems intersting enough so far. But then, I am way too early in the game to really judge him as a character throughout, so let's see.
The co-op stuff? Are you saying I can do those coop missions on my own as well? Cause from the description and the tutorials, it sounded that as soon as I take one, I'll just be matched up with some PUG. Ok, if I can do these on my own, that would be ok then I guess.
En avant? No, I meant to say: Pour liberté, égalité, fraternité!
EDIT: Oh, one thing I forgot to mention: I am impressed how many buildings now have interiors. This is great and makes the city feel very real. Only trouble is that I now I have to search through 3-4 floors to find a stupid chest (and it's always in the last one I check of course ).
Last Edit: Jul 2, 2019 19:28:57 GMT by AnDromedary
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Wow am surprised you think Arno has more personality than Edward (says the Edward fan ) I thought Arno was the worst of the protagonists TBH. The clothing does get better and the weapon variety in particular is one of the highlights of the game I think. I agree re Arno's running style, had forgotten about that.
I studied the French Revolution and school and it was one of the periods of history I actually enjoyed enough to go out of my way to read more on and I agree the important NPC's are a bit shallow in terms of their backgrounds and presence.
Re the Co-op stuff, I only remember there being one mission that I absolutely had to do Co-OP as I couldn't beat it by myself as it was on a timer and I just didn't bother with the club challenges and I don't remember them having any impact on the game other than maybe unlocking some extra gear.
"Onward" didn't you mean En avant?
Well, Edward certainly had a personality, I just didn't like him that much, so fair enough.
Arno, I like so far. His misadventures with the blacksmith boys in Versailles are a bit reminiscent of Ezio at the beginning of AC2 (I would think this is very much on purpose). And I like his sarcasm towards pretty much everyone. And his strained relationship to Elise seems intersting enough so far. But then, I am way too early in the game to really judge him as a character throughout, so let's see.
The co-op stuff? Are you saying I can do those coop missions on my own as well? Cause from the description and the tutorials, it sounded that as soon as I take one, I'll just be matched up with some PUG. Ok, if I can do these on my own, that would be ok then I guess.
En avant? No, I meant to say: Pour liberté, égalité, fraternité!
EDIT: Oh, one thing I forgot to mention: I am impressed how many buildings now have interiors. This is great and makes the city feel very real. Only trouble is that I now I have to search through 3-4 floors to find a stupid chest (and it's always in the last one I check of course ).
I liked the by-play and tension between Arno and Elise.
It's a beautiful game as well, was looking through screenshots the other day, no spoilers but spoilered anyway:
I haven't played for years but I do remember completing the whole game and only ever having to do one Co-Op mission with other people because I just couldn't complete it by myself. So unless I "HAD" to specifically complete that mission for some reason (and just didn't do the others which I don't remember being the case), then all the others I completed solo.
Element Zero do you remember if the co-op missions can be completed solo or whether you had to match-make for them?
The only problem I had with the buildings with interiors (which I agree were nice) was some of the missions had stay undetected goals and for some reason sometimes guards in other buildings would see you through walls or windows even though they were a fair distance away and didn't have phones to alert anyone!!!!!!!! I actually gave up on stealth in parts of Unity.
Assassin's Creed @assassinscreed We're excited to reveal that the final DLC episode, Judgment of Atlantis, will be available on July 16! Get a first glimpse of Poseidon's realm with this exclusive screenshot! 🔱 #AssassinsCreedOdyssey
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition Posts: 7,280 Likes: 17,050
Member is Online
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
dazk, you can complete the CoOp Missions and Heists solo. You can select them from the menu or by talking to the ghostly assassins. The menu is quick, so I usually just pick the one I want from there.
There are skill points attainable in those missions, anywhere from 1 to 4, IIRC. (It might be 2 to 5.) If you're trying to fully develop Arno's skills, you have to get those skill points, as the game contains precisely the amount needed to learn every skill.
I usually complete a couple of solo CoOps as early as possible in order to get a jump on leveling skills. Some skills are story-gated, but it's still helpful. I also used to do a few of the 75K livre heists in order to buy Legendary gear super early. My Club dominated community events, though, so I now start each game with a bunch of legendary stuff in my inventory.
Last Edit: Jul 4, 2019 2:38:28 GMT by Element Zero
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
dazk , you can complete the CoOp Missions and Heists solo. You can select them from the menu or by talking to the ghostly assassins. The menu is quick, so I usually just pick the one I want from there.
There are skill points attainable in those missions, anywhere from 1 to 4, IIRC. (It might be 2 to 5.) If you're trying to fully develop Arno's skills, you have to get those skill points, as the game contains precisely the amount needed to learn every skill.
I usually complete a couple of solo CoOps as early as possible in order to get a jump on leveling skills. Some skills are story-gated, but it's still helpful. I also used to do a few of the 75K livre heists in order to buy Legendary gear super early. My Club dominated community events, though, so I now start each game with a bunch of legendary stuff in my inventory.
Assassin's Creed @assassinscreed We're excited to reveal that the final DLC episode, Judgment of Atlantis, will be available on July 16! Get a first glimpse of Poseidon's realm with this exclusive screenshot! 🔱 #AssassinsCreedOdyssey
finally!
Patreon (for my writing, posting chapters of my novel)
He said that fans of the modern day story will be pushed in a way that players would never expect and promised anyone who is a fan of the modern day will be left with their mouths open. You better be right, mister.
I like Aya (and I'm terrified because I fully expect her to get killed off at some point).
What I like significantly less is how many side quests do that "the princess is in another castle" thing over and over again to the point that it's just incredibly irritating. For example in Giza there are the scavengers who send you after a ring. If I was reviewing the game I'd give a negative just because I couldn't kill them at the end. There's another quest in Giza involving a Greek cartographer that does the same thing. I swear Bayek has the patience of a saint.
I don't remember it from the earlier games: have they ever elaborated on what is happening when you kill a target and you have this fairly long discussion with them although they're already dead? Earlier games just transported you into that blank white Animus space while Bayek now has these full on acid trips. Is it supposed to be a feature of the Animus and kinda video-gamey in lore, something only the person in the animus actually sees, or is it something the historical people experienced for real and you're reliving their memories normally at that point as well? Like did the real Bayek always have some out-of-body experience when he killed a target where he saw himself standing on water in an endless void, arguing with the person he just killed?
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
I like Aya (and I'm terrified because I fully expect her to get killed off at some point).
What I like significantly less is how many side quests do that "the princess is in another castle" thing over and over again to the point that it's just incredibly irritating. For example in Giza there are the scavengers who send you after a ring. If I was reviewing the game I'd give a negative just because I couldn't kill them at the end. There's another quest in Giza involving a Greek cartographer that does the same thing. I swear Bayek has the patience of a saint.
I don't remember it from the earlier games: have they ever elaborated on what is happening when you kill a target and you have this fairly long discussion with them although they're already dead? Earlier games just transported you into that blank white Animus space while Bayek now has these full on acid trips. Is it supposed to be a feature of the Animus and kinda video-gamey in lore, something only the person in the animus actually sees, or is it something the historical people experienced for real and you're reliving their memories normally at that point as well? Like did the real Bayek always have some out-of-body experience when he killed a target where he saw himself standing on water in an endless void, arguing with the person he just killed?
Yeah that quest mechanic of chaining places to go to is a serious pain in the butt, its minimised in Odyssey but there are still instances of it. The whole repetitiveness of quest in general was an issue for me for the whole game, it wore me down by the end and I was glad to finish. Odyssey is a bigger game but I haven't gotten that feeling even having played it twice but that could also be because the first time I cleared everything, second time I have been more selective.
Re the death speeches, I think in the earlier games they used the animus as a supposedly realistic way to have a chat with someone who was dying but in Origins (and I am guessing here), I think you are supposed to be doing that conversation in the animus but they have tried to incorporate a more realistic environment based on the history of the period and to give it a better aesthetic. That is its just a setting for the animus based on the Egyptian after-world if that makes any sense!!!!
He said that fans of the modern day story will be pushed in a way that players would never expect and promised anyone who is a fan of the modern day will be left with their mouths open. You better be right, mister.
It's hard to care about the present day when there was so little content to begin with. I felt nothing for the Doctor's death.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition Posts: 7,280 Likes: 17,050
Member is Online
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
The post-death conversations have nothing to do with the animus. It’s an advanvenced form of the eagle vision.
Yep. This.
Different protagonists have had different versions and expressions of these abilities, essentially evolving with the devs' vision. Knowing what we know now about the relationship between Isu and time, those extended conversations within an instant of time seem even less strange.
I rather liked Arno Dorian's flashback scenes. His quick glimpse into his target's past somehow seemed more believable and logical to me. It was also an excellent way to unfold a mystery. The one "prolonged instant" happened at a key moment with a confluence of Isu DNA, so it seemed fully appropriate to the moment.
I also feel that Unity had by far the best "Eagle Sense" mechanic in terms of gameplay. They really threw out all the babies with the bathwater in abandoning Unity's innovations. It should've been the first step toward a much better experience.
Last Edit: Jul 8, 2019 5:22:34 GMT by Element Zero
While this is probably my favorite game in the series thus far, the ending felt a bit flat. And by ending I mean most of the things after you kill the second set of targets. There's no real culmination, no big climactic endgame. I really wish AC was better at making memorable villains. Yeah, you're chasing the man ultimately responsible for your son's death from the beginning, but he doesn't get revealed until like 40 hours into the game as someone you've briefly seen once or twice in the background of a cutscene, and has barely any characterization or dialogue until you kill him. Not nearly as satisfying as it should have been, considering the circumstances.
Adding that whole "oh yeah btw Caesar is the head of the Templars Order of Ancients now lol I guess we should kill him" bit at the very end of the game felt insanely rushed and unnecessary.
Loved Bayek and Aya though, probably my favorite AC protagonists.
Them separating was incredibly abrupt though, even if there is some logic in them wanting to dedicate themselves fully to their new mission in life, and a relationship would just be a hindrance in that.
I feel it needed more build up and some more initial reluctance to give up what they had, from both of them since they were 110% in love.
Happy they didn't kill Aya though, unlike what I predicted. (inb4 she dies horribly in one of the DLC's)
Assassin's Creed @assassinscreed Become a shining beacon of hope for those lost in darkness. 😇 The Helios Character pack is available now and contains a gear set, a mount, and a bow! #AssassinsCreedOdyssey
- While I'm not really a fan of the vampire complexion, I want that shiny hat...
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Assassin's Creed @assassinscreed Become a shining beacon of hope for those lost in darkness. 😇 The Helios Character pack is available now and contains a gear set, a mount, and a bow! #AssassinsCreedOdyssey
- While I'm not really a fan of the vampire complexion, I want that shiny hat...
Ooooohhhh SHINY, must have, damn will need to have to pay real money and buy Helix credits, too impatient. Oh but wait, just finishing game...… Oh well WTF its only money right!!!!!
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Assassin's Creed @assassinscreed Become a shining beacon of hope for those lost in darkness. 😇 The Helios Character pack is available now and contains a gear set, a mount, and a bow! #AssassinsCreedOdyssey
- While I'm not really a fan of the vampire complexion, I want that shiny hat...
Ooooohhhh SHINY, must have, damn will need to have to pay real money and buy Helix credits, too impatient. Oh but wait, just finishing game...… Oh well WTF its only money right!!!!!
ubisoft thanks you for your contribution.
Patreon (for my writing, posting chapters of my novel)
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Ooooohhhh SHINY, must have, damn will need to have to pay real money and buy Helix credits, too impatient. Oh but wait, just finishing game...… Oh well WTF its only money right!!!!!
ubisoft thanks you for your contribution.
Sad to admit but I have paid at least half again for the game in buying optional stuff.
Uh...so now I'm passing through portals to the afterlife where I emerge into some sort of pocket dimension filled with scorpions that are larger than cows, triremes effortlessly gliding across open fields, birds with unsettling human faces and dog warriors who have black & gold skin. And not for one second does Bayek go "WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?", but rather just "Oh, I'm here."
Is this ever explained? Did the Animus fry Layla's brain resulting in these kinds of "memories"? Is it just something that's in the AC setting now? A literal afterlife (with side quests from the dead people there!)? In terms of fantastical/sci-fi elements, this is waaaaay beyond what the games have had thus far (i.e. precursor race was insanely advanced before dying off a gazillion years prior, left behind pieces of technology that have incredible power that a lot of people would perceive as something godlike)
Playing Curse of the Pharaohs now, if it wasn't obvious. The Hidden Ones was nice enough, super short though. (Aya )
Babar Guy : Yea, I had the exact same reaction when I played CotP. The DLC is really nice IMO and the Duat location look super cool IMO but yes, I also thought it was way too much fantasy and didn't really fit all that well into the AC setting.
dazk : Well, you seem to spend a lot of time with Odyssey, so I'd say for you it's worth it to spend a little extra money on in-game stuff if you like it. IMO, that's where Microtransaction are ok, it's geared towards the longer term players and you know what you are getting for your money.
I really like the look of the Helios armors as well. Not enough to buy it with real money but I'll keep an eye out for them at the store when I go back for the DLCs (I think I have some orichalcum saved up). Gotta go through Unity and Syndicate first though.
BTW, nice new avatar. One of my favorite scenes from Andromeda, visually.
Last Edit: Jul 10, 2019 14:25:29 GMT by AnDromedary