Alright, I've finished the prologue and here are my impressions thus far:
Graphics:
The game is beautiful, textures are above average in resolution but don't reach the hights of say Crysis 3 or Metro Last Light but tfor the most part they are crisp and detailed.
When it gets dark in this game, it's REALLY dark, like pitch black dark, which is really refreshing.
Great lighting effects that give areas (especially indoors) a lot of atmosphere
Character models are above average but not the best thing ever, facial animations are OK.
The feel is thoroughly BioWare, it feels a lot like DA:O so far.
Trees are not bad but not good either. If you look at them from a short distance, they look like they are made out of cardboard. It's not distracting though.
Gameplay:
I played on Hard and for a tutorial this is suprisingly good and varied. I went on a bridge, through snow, climbing ladders to a cave that leads to a temple
For a short ,linear tutorial there was quite a lot to explore. I went to a house which I promptly looted, then I went to a burning house, then I went to an additional path where I found an amulet that breaks on death and heals the wearer (useful for the boss).
At Haven I read some interesting codex entries, explored the dungeon, all this before speaking with Cassandra.
EDIT: Oh the Tactical Camera is TERRIBLE, especially indoors because it doesn't zoom far enough. It doesn't zoom far enough anyway and you can't scroll the map with your mouse...WHAT THE FUCK?! This needs to be modded. Fast.
Story and Characters.
The introduction is a bit abrupt and the way people regard you as a savior so early is a bit early, however you are allowed to challenge the notion that you are a saviour.
Most dialogues have 3 options but there are more than enough that have more options.
Voice acting and music are superb. The music is very BG and very high quality. Voice acting very good too, especially on Cassandra's part.
Speaking of Cassandra, she's my favorite so far but the others are not lagging behind. I really liked the part at the bridge where she confronts you for havng a weapon. She agrees but turns her back to you (almost as if she's expecting you to attack her) and then looks at you and says something like "very well you are in enough danger anyway" but with a hint of threat, as if the demons are not the only things you should be careful of. If Roche ever met her, I think they'd get along.
I really like how she put that cleric in his place at Haven. You don't mess with Cassandra!
Technical Issues:
The cutscenes have screen tearing and 30 FPS....I used the 60 fps fix which alleviated some of the issues. The drop from 60 to 30 in cutscenes in noticeable though. Will report more behaviour later.
The game crashed once.
All in all this is a solid introduction. Not as good as TW2 but far better than either DA.
You are being chosen to lead large army against the rifts ordering way more experienced soldiers to do the political/agent mission even tho no one knows you nor they fully trust you.. but what the hell.. make him head of the army and give him a title.. but what you do as a leader and only hope? you run around collecting plants, rocks, escort cows and deliver letters to total strangers in the middle of nowhere. Dialog options in that game.. aren't improved at all. by highlighting which answer is correct, game is choosing for you. What is the point.
Maybe one day DA will take itself seriously.
It's a solid grind game skyrim fans will enjoy. but why they scored the game s high!
You can turn the highlights off.
---------- Updated at 08:38 AM ----------
One thing that could have improved the story was to make Cassandra the leader until you get your fortress. In the beginning of the game you may have closed the breach but Cassandra saves your ass, defies the Chantry and takes care of the Inquisition. That makes her more of a leader than you, at least in the beginning.
---------- Updated at 09:09 AM ----------
I am now in the Hinterlands...I've died 3 times already.
