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On my second go through (NG+) I got Madeline (even though I barely spoke to her at all) and I also did the Selena quests - so ended up with both of them living in my house! Girl party!
I agree with you that the beginning and ending story elements were very good, but that there was virtually nothing in the middle to move the story along. That was ok... but hopefully they do a better job in the next game because unlike many WRPG's, the story was actually pretty interesting in this one!
On the sense of progression, yeah, I'd like to see more of what they did with the quarry. After you cleared out the critters, a store moved in, some guards and a guy standing looking at the walls - it would have been nice to see a bit more progression aside from just people - better lighting, a more defined path, some nicer walls, etc. As you note, this could extend to bridges and other paths too.
The enemy locations thing I would actually class as more major than minor. It's nice that you know where a dragon is to get stuff dragon forged... but coming across him the first time was an "oh shit!!" moment and they need to keep more of these in the game (though do note that one you hit the everfall... the enemies and their locations do change a tiny bit, but they change back again for NewGame+... but even during the actual game there would be more tension if the enemies changed)
Clothing... yeah, there can NEVER be enough clothing options. I loved the clothing in this game... though I think that male mages got shafted a bit - they had far fewer options than female mages.
I too loved the character models in the game... really they were some of the best I've ever seen - though I think they did a pretty good job of letting us view them and they also allowed for easy screenshots - another feature I really liked!
If you've just hit the Everfall you have lots of game left. Don't hand in the 20 stones until you're ready to leave the Everfall though. Once you do, you get another ending to the game (the real ending I guess) and then start New Game Plus where you can play through again and do any quests you might have missed (I initially missed all the Witchwood/Selene quests because I was in a hurry to get to the big city!).
Yeah, awesome game. I'm pretty much done now, got my platinum, played through it twice and nothing much left to do but play Everfall or hit the online ur-Dragon over and over again for cheap thrills. It's still fun though and I can't wait for the sequel!!
I agree with you that the beginning and ending story elements were very good, but that there was virtually nothing in the middle to move the story along. That was ok... but hopefully they do a better job in the next game because unlike many WRPG's, the story was actually pretty interesting in this one!
On the sense of progression, yeah, I'd like to see more of what they did with the quarry. After you cleared out the critters, a store moved in, some guards and a guy standing looking at the walls - it would have been nice to see a bit more progression aside from just people - better lighting, a more defined path, some nicer walls, etc. As you note, this could extend to bridges and other paths too.
The enemy locations thing I would actually class as more major than minor. It's nice that you know where a dragon is to get stuff dragon forged... but coming across him the first time was an "oh shit!!" moment and they need to keep more of these in the game (though do note that one you hit the everfall... the enemies and their locations do change a tiny bit, but they change back again for NewGame+... but even during the actual game there would be more tension if the enemies changed)
Clothing... yeah, there can NEVER be enough clothing options. I loved the clothing in this game... though I think that male mages got shafted a bit - they had far fewer options than female mages.
I too loved the character models in the game... really they were some of the best I've ever seen - though I think they did a pretty good job of letting us view them and they also allowed for easy screenshots - another feature I really liked!
If you've just hit the Everfall you have lots of game left. Don't hand in the 20 stones until you're ready to leave the Everfall though. Once you do, you get another ending to the game (the real ending I guess) and then start New Game Plus where you can play through again and do any quests you might have missed (I initially missed all the Witchwood/Selene quests because I was in a hurry to get to the big city!).
Yeah, awesome game. I'm pretty much done now, got my platinum, played through it twice and nothing much left to do but play Everfall or hit the online ur-Dragon over and over again for cheap thrills. It's still fun though and I can't wait for the sequel!!
I absolutely loved Dragon's Dogma and I'm working on my 3rd playthrough right now. Like Elsa said, if you just hit the Everfall (that giant hole), enjoy it. This is the best spot to grind out levels and farm the best gear outside of the Ur-Dragon's online kill loot.
All towns will have new quests as well, so if you're a completionist, make sure to check all those quest boards back in Cassardis & the Encampment.
I don't want to spoil anything at all, but just a heads up that there are 3 possible endings for the very final encounter - one if you walk away, one if you die and one if you win. The endings where you die and where you win are both pretty fantastic and explain a lot of the story, so I'd recommend seeing both. If you don't care, at least Youtube it when you're done lol.
All towns will have new quests as well, so if you're a completionist, make sure to check all those quest boards back in Cassardis & the Encampment.
I don't want to spoil anything at all, but just a heads up that there are 3 possible endings for the very final encounter - one if you walk away, one if you die and one if you win. The endings where you die and where you win are both pretty fantastic and explain a lot of the story, so I'd recommend seeing both. If you don't care, at least Youtube it when you're done lol.
Hmmm, just before the dragon I was in the Everfall poking around. However, those tube-maw monsters I saw from my first trip down were not down there, but I did haul out some decent equipment/treasure. Therefore, the end game has more Everfall...interesting. I should have figured if they wanted me to go back to the city there were loose ends to tie up. It makes sense that the Everfall needs to be explained more because that was freaky.
It was crazy at the end to see my woman Arisen falling into the arms of Selena. (That was the outcome I was shooting for late in the game, but it was somewhat funny how it just all happens at once.) A women's basketball player sized warrior and petite 'Goth girl' seemed like an unlikely couple. I do wish they had more dialogue for the relationships, and some sort of "courting process" as they have in Mass Effect could have been useful. I like to see and hear the relationship played out more in how they talk to each other. Even if in the next game if they limited the relationship options to six people instead of just anyone with a name I would be happy.
I have said it countless other places in other blogs. In RPGs, I would rather have more dialogue then missions. I do not need the game to last for 100 hrs, I would rather have 50 hours filled with story, dialogue options, and connections that are more realistic form character to character. I do not need many side missions or lost of main missions. I like novelty, so I want sign of growth, changes in what is said t whom based on what was said before and what other character do or say.
It was crazy at the end to see my woman Arisen falling into the arms of Selena. (That was the outcome I was shooting for late in the game, but it was somewhat funny how it just all happens at once.) A women's basketball player sized warrior and petite 'Goth girl' seemed like an unlikely couple. I do wish they had more dialogue for the relationships, and some sort of "courting process" as they have in Mass Effect could have been useful. I like to see and hear the relationship played out more in how they talk to each other. Even if in the next game if they limited the relationship options to six people instead of just anyone with a name I would be happy.
I have said it countless other places in other blogs. In RPGs, I would rather have more dialogue then missions. I do not need the game to last for 100 hrs, I would rather have 50 hours filled with story, dialogue options, and connections that are more realistic form character to character. I do not need many side missions or lost of main missions. I like novelty, so I want sign of growth, changes in what is said t whom based on what was said before and what other character do or say.
I was despairing of never leaving the Everfall at the start, but Capcom did make that quest fairly easy. If you really search each area thoroughly, a player can manage to get the Wakestones very quickly to proceed.
I did take you advice CheapBoss and traveled to some other areas. Fought a few drakes with my 'heavy crew'. (I didn't mention this before but I screwed up my armor in the late game wearing a set of armor that was rather weak and thus "dragon forging" a useless "outfit" of armor. I have since changed my armor around and manged to get some of it "dragon forged".) This 'late game' seasoning is very helpful, I wish the game had hinted that pushing forward without much grinding before the dragon was a better plan. The 'post battle' world allows for more efficient level grinding. I took the time to outfit my Pawn more suitably in the late game. He now looks "more interesting" and is somewhat better protected in the bargain.
I have to add to my MAJOR improvements a system to the player to judge which armor or clothing is better protection and weight.
I did take you advice CheapBoss and traveled to some other areas. Fought a few drakes with my 'heavy crew'. (I didn't mention this before but I screwed up my armor in the late game wearing a set of armor that was rather weak and thus "dragon forging" a useless "outfit" of armor. I have since changed my armor around and manged to get some of it "dragon forged".) This 'late game' seasoning is very helpful, I wish the game had hinted that pushing forward without much grinding before the dragon was a better plan. The 'post battle' world allows for more efficient level grinding. I took the time to outfit my Pawn more suitably in the late game. He now looks "more interesting" and is somewhat better protected in the bargain.
I have to add to my MAJOR improvements a system to the player to judge which armor or clothing is better protection and weight.
