Off Topic Discussion Megathread

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Originally Posted by Kolsykol

This reminds me that I bought it on Steam but never played it lol.

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WAIT, IT'S ON STEAM!? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

EDIT: For under $4 on Steam...IT IS MINE AGAIN.

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

WAIT, IT'S ON STEAM!? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

EDIT: For under $4 on Steam...IT IS MINE AGAIN.

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I'm still trying to figure out what I want to buy on sale from Steam. Probably the Skyrim upgrade, and something else. I kind of wanted to get an outfit off the mogstation this month (even though I am barely playing FFXIV), but I don't really know what I want.

I went for Dragon Age: Origin and Dragon Age 2. I have Inquisition on PS4 but have held off on it, so this is a good excuse to actually go through the trilogy. Hopefully it doesn't leave a sour taste in my mouth by the end like a certain OTHER Bioware trilogy. <_<

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

I went for Dragon Age: Origin and Dragon Age 2. I have Inquisition on PS4 but have held off on it, so this is a good excuse to actually go through the trilogy. Hopefully it doesn't leave a sour taste in my mouth by the end like a certain OTHER Bioware trilogy. <_<

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I have several hundred hours in Origins. Great RPG, worth the cost most likely. DA2 is definitely not on par, but worth going through it for full context in Inquisition. Inquisition is a bit lengthy - and not in a good way. Inquisition is a decent game, though. The DLC is decent, and story leads directly to what the new Dragon Age will be. Set aside quite a bit of time to play through all of them, that's for sure.

Origins = 2 >>>>>> Inquisition for me. I liked 2 because of Fenris, Aveline and my jokey Hawke. Inquisition's companions are 99% a travesty. One dimensional characters. Sera ate my head off. Vivienne was at full odds with me. It nagged me that I couldn't do the content of a few people just because I didn't please them enough. Catherine, for example. I loved the rivalry system in 2; my Hawke was in an angsty relationship with Fenris, because she wanted to support the mages in their cause - well, not as far as a certain mage went towards the end... - and Fenris didn't like that one bit.

New Coheed and Cambria songs :D My life brightens as a second sun sends me unto heat stroke in the middle of the night.

RIP my SSD thanks to Steam summer sale u_u

I have stayed up till 0700 listening to new Coheed album. Phew. Soooo good! I kind of like the previous one a little better, but this one still instantly hooked me and has a few bangers. *chef's kiss*

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Originally Posted by RobynDaBank

Origins = 2 >>>>>> Inquisition for me. I liked 2 because of Fenris, Aveline and my jokey Hawke. Inquisition's companions are 99% a travesty. One dimensional characters. Sera ate my head off. Vivienne was at full odds with me. It nagged me that I couldn't do the content of a few people just because I didn't please them enough. Catherine, for example. I loved the rivalry system in 2; my Hawke was in an angsty relationship with Fenris, because she wanted to support the mages in their cause - well, not as far as a certain mage went towards the end... - and Fenris didn't like that one bit.

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Honestly I never even finished Inquisition, I think I only rly played the first third maybe less then got bored and just forgot about the game ( I got to the castle and that was it basically ).
Origins tho is among my fave, 2 was a huge let-down but at least I finished it ( part of that was probably hype ).
It was clearly rushed tho the pacing was very bizarre and dungeons were copy-paste.

The companions were way better than what little I saw in Inquisition at least.
I actually kinda liked them in DA2, you had a pretty wide variety of different personalities.
In Inquisition even tho they were different I just remember them being very flat.

I really couldn't stand Anders tho, I dunno if this is when gay characters started to become something talked about I can't remember.
But I remember being really annoyed because of how obnoxiously it was written, even tho I kept rejecting him he kept wanting to get into my male Hawke's pants.
Basically you had to pick every bad dialogue option with him or the game would basically treat it like you're trying to romance him.

The tone really shifted pretty hard in DA2 I felt and it seems to have continued shifting.
DA:Origins was more gritty and a bit more down to earth, DA2 turned it more into a comicbook, it feels more like a Marvel movie.
I mean normally I'd be more open to a fantasy game like that but it wasn't what DA was from the beginning, it really felt like totally different people with a totally different vision took over completely after Origins.

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Originally Posted by RobynDaBank

It nagged me that I couldn't do the content of a few people just because I didn't please them enough.

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Me too. I always disliked how you need to have dissociative identity disorder in order to get all companion quests (except in origins where you can just give them gifts, which made the entire system arbitrary), which also means there's no conflict since everyone's your best buddy. Also, some of those dislike reactions (especially in origins. I still remember when you promise to save that old blacksmiths daughter in Redcliffe and Sten just starts spouting nonsense) seem to be there just for someone to disagree with you. There should have been some secondary respect system that doesn't require everyone being your friend to get the quests.

Dragon Age Discussion? :o

For me, my favourite is Dragon Age 2, followed by Origins. Yes, it had shamelessly reused maps, generic designs and was very linear, but it had the cast that I liked the most. The chemistry and banter between the party was really good.

A Snarky Hawke is a happy Hawke

Purple Hawke best Hawke.

I enjoyed the first two Dragon Age games. The third had some redeeming qualities to me in the form of Orlais though I wish it'd been given more focus overall...

Saw some hype about the recent The Boys episode, so I went and watched the latest season (what's out so far at least). I always love going over to YouTube comment section for stuff like this, and seeing these grown adults talking about the power levels and everything else of the characters. Who would beat who, and over analyzing the fights. I mean, it's not like we don't do stuff like that here, but it's always funny to see how passionate people get in the comment sections. Reminds me of conversations kids would have in school.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

Saw some hype about the recent The Boys episode, so I went and watched the latest season (what's out so far at least). I always love going over to YouTube comment section for stuff like this, and seeing these grown adults talking about the power levels and everything else of the characters. Who would beat who, and over analyzing the fights. I mean, it's not like we don't do stuff like that here, but it's always funny to see how passionate people get in the comment sections. Reminds me of conversations kids would have in school.

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I liked the first two seasons but haven't started the new one.
I do feel like it's a bit over-relient on the gore tho.

It does feel a tad hypocritical when they criticize corporate pandering and commercialization of everything so much, when the gore in the show is very much commercialized and exaggerated for entertainment value.
I am not really offended or bothered by it but some of the stuff I've heard about in the new season makes me think that I am not too excited about seeing that.

The dude who plays Homelander tho is awesome, apparently he's a real asshole irl too I guess that helps with his acting lol.
He's like adult Joffrey from GoT.

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Originally Posted by Theodric

I enjoyed the first two Dragon Age games. The third had some redeeming qualities to me in the form of Orlais though I wish it'd been given more focus overall...

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i would have liked an extra storyline or two involving orlais
for me the warboard kept me mostly satisfied in that regards
but overall i think they kept the focus small in order to keep orlais as it was - somewhere we ultimately do not belong
high society does not involve itself in war on the frontlines
to input too much orlais might have shifted the game from war on the frontlines to too much politicking

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Originally Posted by Kolsykol

I liked the first two seasons but haven't started the new one.
I do feel like it's a bit over-relient on the gore tho.

It does feel a tad hypocritical when they criticize corporate pandering and commercialization of everything so much, when the gore in the show is very much commercialized and exaggerated for entertainment value.
I am not really offended or bothered by it but some of the stuff I've heard about in the new season makes me think that I am not too excited about seeing that.

The dude who plays Homelander tho is awesome, apparently he's a real asshole irl too I guess that helps with his acting lol.
He's like adult Joffrey from GoT.

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There's a lot of gore in the show, for sure. It is meant to be dark, gritty and at times downright disturbing by default though (Seth Rogan is responsible for some of that). By that logic though I guess it might not be for everyone, and that's okay too. It is a satire of our modern world, with superheroes as corrupt celebrities. It is slightly hypocritical coming from Amazon though, but eh. lol But yeah, Antony Starr is truly on another level. He steals every scene he is in. He makes Homelander the character you hate to love but love to hate. His acting is absolutely incredible. The entire cast is very solid, but he stands tall above the rest.

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Originally Posted by Vahlnir

There's a lot of gore in the show, for sure. It is meant to be dark, gritty and at times downright disturbing by default though (Seth Rogan is responsible for some of that). By that logic though I guess it might not be for everyone, and that's okay too. It is a satire of our modern world, with superheroes as corrupt celebrities. It is slightly hypocritical coming from Amazon though, but eh. lol But yeah, Antony Starr is truly on another level. He steals every scene he is in. He makes Homelander the character you hate to love but love to hate. His acting is absolutely incredible. The entire cast is very solid, but he stands tall above the rest.

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Yeah, what I mean was just that it's a commercialized form of grit.
Real life gore doesn't look like that, and I often see people justify it by saying that it's '' just being realistic ''.
I don't think it's a huge deal it's just something that kinda occured to me, they criticize a lot of stuff but then engage in it themselves in the show not just that either.
There's one scene from the new season of episode 1 in particular that comes to mind that I did watch just now since I thought if I was going to talk about it I should at least have watched it.

And yeah.
It's a bit rich to moralize about and criticize others for commercialization of everything but then engage in and pander to people with commercialized gross-out gore, I don't think it's any different really.
But yeah like you said it's hypocritical to begin with coming from Amazon.

Edit: The '' girls get it done '' stuff was hilarious tho, at the same time they've engaged in some of that themselves too.
But it's definitely a funny show for sure.
The Deep's storyline is funny too.

Trying to nap.

https://i.imgur.com/U2Wnbte.gif

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Originally Posted by Theodric

I enjoyed the first two Dragon Age games. The third had some redeeming qualities to me in the form of Orlais though I wish it'd been given more focus overall...

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I enjoyed both DA 1 and 2. DA:I I could never get into no matter how many times I try. The first one you start in humble ( Or maybe no so humble but ends tragic ) beginnings and work your way up to being important. The 2nd one you also start with nothing but work your way up to being important. The 3rd one is just "Oh you're a terrorist...wait...you fixed the issue we blamed you for? Well hello there King/Queen!"

It was just a huge disconnect for me.

On the topic of FFXIV I guess, but tomorrow Mikepreachwow and his FC will have their PvP tournament which will be pretty interesting.
I think on paper at least FFXIV PvP could be pretty fun to watch.
They're gonna expand it later but the first tournament is more of a test and for his FC only.

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Originally Posted by Renalt

I enjoyed both DA 1 and 2. DA:I I could never get into no matter how many times I try. The first one you start in humble ( Or maybe no so humble but ends tragic ) beginnings and work your way up to being important. The 2nd one you also start with nothing but work your way up to being important. The 3rd one is just "Oh you're a terrorist...wait...you fixed the issue we blamed you for? Well hello there King/Queen!"

It was just a huge disconnect for me.

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I just dunno wtf Bioware is even doing today lol.
I keep forgetting that Andromeda even exists, it seems terrible.

It's the same with Blizzard tho, I think it's worth remembering that the actual people who were the reason their games were good are all gone.
Diablo 1 and 2 for example was made by a different wing of Blizzard that all left almost 20 years ago and went on to make PoE.
The studio that went on to become Blizzard was the other part.
Sure they were responsible for Warcraft and WoW, but most of those people are also gone.

It's just people who had nothing to do with what made Blizzard so great that work there now.
It's only their IP's in name but in practice it's not really the same games anymore, it's basically other people playing around with IP's they had no hand in creating.
I think it's much the same with Bioware too.

Obviously that's also true to a large degree with FF and FFXIV, but I also think it's worth remembering and why people shouldn't have this inherent sense of loyalty towards IP's or studios.
It's the people who make things great not the studios name or IP.

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Originally Posted by Kolsykol

I just dunno wtf Bioware is even doing today lol.
I keep forgetting that Andromeda even exists, it seems terrible.

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It has the best combat in the ME series, tbh. But then again it was made by the team that did the ME3 multiplayer, so that's to be expected. Story is so-so, characters are varying in likeability, but the premise isn't too bad. It wasn't bad for that team's first attempt at making a fully fledged game, and they fixed a number of bugs and other things. The game as it is now is a lot better than at launch. It's just a shame they were forced to pack it up and made to work on Anthem...especially since nothing could save Anthem. If DA4 sucks, then that's it for Bioware tbh, it's going to be shuttered (and if inner management still works the way they did for Inquisition on, then they deserve to be).

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Originally Posted by Kolsykol

..

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The latest season opener was pretty gross actually. Not talking about blood either. I think I was actually sick to my stomach. Sometimes the shock comedy is a bit too much.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

The latest season opener was pretty gross actually. Not talking about blood either. I think I was actually sick to my stomach. Sometimes the shock comedy is a bit too much.

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Yeah...I was watching that with someone. We were both sitting there like

https://media.giphy.com/media/cPKWZB2aaB3rO/giphy.gif

After that it was fine. Even this latest episode has nothing on...that. But I'll definitely never forget what I saw, much to my own dismay. There are some things that can't be unseen.

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Originally Posted by Vahlnir

Yeah...I was watching that with someone. We were both sitting there like

https://media.giphy.com/media/cPKWZB2aaB3rO/giphy.gif

After that it was fine. Even this latest episode has nothing on...that. But I'll definitely never forget what I saw, much to my own dismay. There are some things that can't be unseen.

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Yeah, that's pretty much what I was like too. It was on screen for so long too. Like... (why is there no sick face emoji?).

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Originally Posted by Renalt

I enjoyed both DA 1 and 2. DA:I I could never get into no matter how many times I try. The first one you start in humble ( Or maybe no so humble but ends tragic ) beginnings and work your way up to being important. The 2nd one you also start with nothing but work your way up to being important. The 3rd one is just "Oh you're a terrorist...wait...you fixed the issue we blamed you for? Well hello there King/Queen!"

It was just a huge disconnect for me.

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ya the plotline in the first 1/3 of the game moves so fast it makes ew look amazing

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Originally Posted by VirusOnline

ya the plotline in the first 1/3 of the game moves so fast it makes ew look amazing

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Not necessarily. You don't actually 'lead' the Inquisition for a good portion of the early game. Also, keep in mind the 'Inquisition' is a religious organization, with devout followers. Seeing the main character as a religious symbol.

You aren't made 'inquisitor' until after heroically sacrificing themself to cover everyone's escape, and stand up to Corypheus. Surviving this encounter to then shepherd the survivors to Skyhold. Not to mention everything done prior to doing that, but those actions cemented the player character's rise to becoming the 'Inquisitor'. I do believe the inquisitor, more or less, earns the title.

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

It has the best combat in the ME series, tbh. But then again it was made by the team that did the ME3 multiplayer, so that's to be expected. Story is so-so, characters are varying in likeability, but the premise isn't too bad. It wasn't bad for that team's first attempt at making a fully fledged game, and they fixed a number of bugs and other things. The game as it is now is a lot better than at launch.

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The combat is great, sure, but the story is even worse than the usual cookie cutter chosen one stories, since Ryder is just a vehicle for the actual chosen one who will solve everyone problems single-handedly with hyper intelligence and a heaping helping of asspulls.

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Originally Posted by Misplaced_Marbles

The combat is great, sure, but the story is even worse than the usual cookie cutter chosen one stories, since Ryder is just a vehicle for the actual chosen one who will solve everyone problems single-handedly with hyper intelligence and a heaping helping of asspulls.

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So Commander Shepherd.

My allergies this summer have been outright horrifying. I don't think I have had it this bad for awhile. I'll not describe in detail just how bad, but suffice it to say, really bad. On top of these bumbleebees somehow getting in my house - which I am also allergic to. At least I kind of got an understanding with a wasp when they get in the house, but a bee, I had one land on my face the other day. A bumblebee just acts like they own the whole area and all it's airspace! :mad:

I've had pretty gnarly allergies this summer, too. Lots of sneezing and itchy itchy itchy Eustachian tubes.

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Originally Posted by Vyrerus

I've had pretty gnarly allergies this summer, too. Lots of sneezing and itchy itchy itchy Eustachian tubes.

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Oh yeah, and I think we are in the same state too. What is going on? lol

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Originally Posted by RyuDragnier

So Commander Shepherd.

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Not really, since Shepard doesn't have a voice in their head that tells them how to act, what to do and where to go, while also solving every problem for them (out of pity, SAM leaves little picture "puzzles" so Ryder the toddler can get a little brain exercise. what a nice AI master), that also empowers them to do the fighting, since without experience and skill, Ryder is just a chump (and is now entirely reliant on SAM, since didn't have a chance to get any) who was lucky enough to have a sentimental dad who left an unshackled AI in the hands of a greenhorn. Good thing SAM is more than capable enough to pick up all the slack for a bumbling buffoon.

(Sure, the originals had their questionable bullcrap, but it's nothing on this level. This single thing made sure it was crap from the beginning to the end for me. There's more, of course, but eh...)

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Originally Posted by Misplaced_Marbles

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Andromeda is good enough for a lighthearted playthrough, Ryder the character is nothing compared to Shepard, for sure. Funnily enough, most of the time I put into Andromeda was the multiplayer mode. I kind of wish they had supported it longer. They also just cut the quarian dlc, and had it made into a book or whatever.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

My allergies this summer have been outright horrifying.

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Yeah, it's that time of the year.

Flowers: randy
My nose: suffering

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Originally Posted by Misplaced_Marbles

Not really, since Shepard doesn't have a voice in their head that tells them how to act, what to do and where to go, while also solving every problem for them (out of pity, SAM leaves little picture "puzzles" so Ryder the toddler can get a little brain exercise. what a nice AI master), that also empowers them to do the fighting, since without experience and skill, Ryder is just a chump (and is now entirely reliant on SAM, since didn't have a chance to get any) who was lucky enough to have a sentimental dad who left an unshackled AI in the hands of a greenhorn. Good thing SAM is more than capable enough to pick up all the slack for a bumbling buffoon.

(Sure, the originals had their questionable bullcrap, but it's nothing on this level. This single thing made sure it was crap from the beginning to the end for me. There's more, of course, but eh...)

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I feel like they were setting this up to where the AI would be KO'd or unavailable for most of the 2nd game so Ryder would basically be having to stand on their own feet. Or at least, that's what I'd do. First game is Ryder learning the ropes with the help of the AI, second game being the AI taken away and Ryder forced to do things themself.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

Andromeda is good enough for a lighthearted playthrough, Ryder the character is nothing compared to Shepard, for sure. Funnily enough, most of the time I put into Andromeda was the multiplayer mode. I kind of wish they had supported it longer. They also just cut the quarian dlc, and had it made into a book or whatever.

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I'm still angry about that. The Quarian DLC was needed, and they could have polished up more of the game with it.

On a separate note, for some reason I'm getting 245 ping in FFXIV, and only in FFXIV. Not getting ping issues in GW2, with any websites, or anything else, it's just FFXIV.

One of these days I should go back and finish Andromeda. I think I got up to recruiting Jaal and just never went back to it. Aside from Drack, none of the characters really engaged me, and even he might be mostly because I love the krogan. (Urdnot Wrex is my spirit animal.)

Holy hell, the production value of Preach's PvP tournament is way higher than I expected xD.

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Originally Posted by TheMightyMollusk

One of these days I should go back and finish Andromeda. I think I got up to recruiting Jaal and just never went back to it. Aside from Drack, none of the characters really engaged me, and even he might be mostly because I love the krogan. (Urdnot Wrex is my spirit animal.)

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Jaal is also a really good character. Him, Drack, and Vetra carry the cast, IMO. I'd say Reyes as well due to being a smooth operator, but he's sadly only on one planet (but man is he suave <3).