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Going to get this game

Discussion in 'Dragon Age: Origins' started by dmc, Jun 13, 2011.

  1. dmc

    dmc Speak softly and carry a big briefcase Staff Member Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    Remove all ads!
    As I mentioned elsewhere, I have not yet played this (or the Witcher for that matter). What are the recommendations as far as what I should by and/or download for the first playthrough?

    Any mods or expansions worth getting from the beginning?

    Also, I still only have a laptop. Now, I'm sure it will run this, because it's a reasonably strong machine, but am I going to get frustrated by the keyboard and/or smaller screen?

    I want my initial playthrough to be chock-full-of-goodness.
     
    dmc, Jun 13, 2011
    #1
  2. Death Rabbit

    Death Rabbit Straight, no chaser Adored Veteran Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    My recs: go ahead and get the Ultimate Edition, as it includes all official content packs.

    The best DLC's (imo) are Stone Prisoner, Warden's Keep and Return to Ostegar. They all add nice in-game content and flow nicely into the main storyline. So if you buy content packs separately, definitely get those three. It also includes Awakening, which I recommend. I haven't played the other main content packs (Leliana's Song, Darkspawn Chronicles, Witch Hunt or Golems of Angmarrok) as they all occur outside the main storyline, and the main game (plus the 3 DLCs I mentioned) make the game long enough as it is.

    Normally I would recommend the high-res texture (etc.) mods, but they aren't necessary, especially for your first play-through. In fact, I wouldn't recommend any other mods/tweaks on your first go. It really is great out of the box.
     
    Death Rabbit, Jun 13, 2011
    #2
  3. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I didn't buy any extra DLC for Origins or Awakenings (I got The Stone Prisoner for free with purchase), and I enjoyed them both.

    The one thing to remember in this system is that a high dexterity to improve defense is better than strong armor. In my first playthrough Alistair routinely got his ass kicked because I thought strength was more important for him to wear heavier armor and do more melee damage. It turns out armor is nearly inconsequential; you really need to avoid being hit rather than absorbing damage because the enemies just get higher and higher armor penetration as you get stronger and stronger.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Jun 13, 2011
    #3
  4. Death Rabbit

    Death Rabbit Straight, no chaser Adored Veteran Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Yeah, that.

    Also - the only possible mod I would recommend is the Character Respecialization Mod.

    Because...and the 'because' is minorly spoilerific...
    ...some of the characters you meet - when you meet them - may not have their stats and/or specialty where you'd like them, and therefore you might like a chance to reshape them as you see fit. Also - this mod allows you to unlock most (though not all) of the 4 unlockable specializations for each class, and certain specializations cannot be unlocked until much later in the game. This is helpful only because you'll reach level 7 (the first level where you can choose specializations) far sooner than you'd think. In my case, my first playthrough I didn't pick a specialization until I was level 13.

    This mod merely allows you the OPPORTUNITY to do either, but leaves both completely optional.
     
    Death Rabbit, Jun 13, 2011
    #4
  5. Chandos the Red

    Chandos the Red This Wheel's on Fire

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    After all that, you never purchased that desktop? :) DAO, is an OK game; you should like it. But let us know what you think of it, DMC.
     
    Chandos the Red, Jun 13, 2011
    #5
  6. dmc

    dmc Speak softly and carry a big briefcase Staff Member Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    Yeah, I know. I wound up getting my son one and never bothered getting one for me.

    I'll get the ultimate edition and see how it goes.

    Any issues with installing it or is it idiot-proof?
     
    dmc, Jun 14, 2011
    #6
  7. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I don't recall any installation issues; I never had any.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Jun 14, 2011
    #7

  8. pplr Gems: 18/31
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    I have DA:O and like it.

    Have the usuals that came with the extra package game-like Stone Prisoner and Warden's Keep (well worth it to me-a bit of a packrat).

    Don't be too afraid to express your opinions to NPCs-at first I was more worried about loosing favorability than I needed to be (there are gifts you can use to smooth over some-not all but some-disagreements).
     
    pplr, Jun 14, 2011
    #8
  9. Chandos the Red

    Chandos the Red This Wheel's on Fire

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    Chandos the Red, Jun 14, 2011
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  10. Munchkin Blender Gems: 22/31
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    Get the ultimate as it contains all of the DLCs. Once you download get all the DLCs, you will have to patch the game since the last patch was released after DAO Ultimate was shipped.
     
    Munchkin Blender, Jun 15, 2011
    #10
  11. Barmy Army

    Barmy Army Simple mind, simple pleasures... Adored Veteran

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    I love DA:O. It really is Baldurs Gates spiritual successor. Very re-playable as well.
     
    Barmy Army, Jun 15, 2011
    #11
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