RtO items WILL transfer over though and Cailan's armor is pretty nice. When you get them, they're Red Steel, but you can use the sell/box trick to level them up to Dragonbone. Same with Cailan's Sword/Shield and Duncan's weapons.
Goodness. What is the sell/box trick?
You could sell the items to a vendor, zone and come back and they'll be leveled up to your char's current tier. The box trick didn't work on the PC at least but it worked on the console the same way, drop the items in your storage bin, zone around, come back and it will auto level.
So I throw it in my storage chest, leave the area, come back, and bam, magic levels?
The items will level up to the equipment tier that's appropriate for your character. So you won't gain any magic levels if you try this at level 10, but if you've got Red Steel tier gear at level 20 and want to make it into Dragonbone, then yes, that's exactly how it works.
Although I haven't gotten Awakening yet so it might have been fixed in the expansion, and this trick only works for the console versions. For the PC version, you have to sell the item to a vendor, zone out, come back and buy the item back.
Of course, this only works for equipment that is set to scale to the party's level: Duncan's Gear, Cailan's Gear, the Warden Commander armor, the Chevalier armor, etc.
Enjoying Awakening so far. One complaint about Grey Warden recruitment.
The Joining bit kinda annoyed me. Ritual secrecy was such a big deal in Origins, but in Awakening Ms. Redshirt, the seneschal, and everyone else seemed to know about it at the beginning. I guess the writers wanted you to have more Wardens as soon as possible, but they could have accomplished that without retconning that part of the lore.
that surprised me too. In Origins you and the recruits are like "Drink it? you're fucking crazy" And Duncan says "Yeah that's why we don't tell anyone"
I wouldn't say that.
I mean the seneschal knew, but did redshirt? I get the feeling you could have told her she had to kill a baby by strangling it with a kitten and she'd still have been all 'Grey Wardens WOO-HOOOO!' Anders, well he didn't look happy about it, but it was either that or the Tower, so he didn't complain. And Oghren... well.. he'll drink anything. There was really no indication that they knew beforehand. And talking to Nate after he becomes a warden, he even mentions that now that he knows what the Joining is, he has an idea why his grand dad who left to become a warden never came back.
Decomposey on
Before following any advice, opinions, or thoughts I may have expressed in the above post, be warned: I found Keven Costners "Waterworld" to be a very entertaining film.
RtO items WILL transfer over though and Cailan's armor is pretty nice. When you get them, they're Red Steel, but you can use the sell/box trick to level them up to Dragonbone. Same with Cailan's Sword/Shield and Duncan's weapons.
Goodness. What is the sell/box trick?
You could sell the items to a vendor, zone and come back and they'll be leveled up to your char's current tier. The box trick didn't work on the PC at least but it worked on the console the same way, drop the items in your storage bin, zone around, come back and it will auto level.
So I throw it in my storage chest, leave the area, come back, and bam, magic levels?
The items will level up to the equipment tier that's appropriate for your character. So you won't gain any magic levels if you try this at level 10, but if you've got Red Steel tier gear at level 20 and want to make it into Dragonbone, then yes, that's exactly how it works.
Although I haven't gotten Awakening yet so it might have been fixed in the expansion, and this trick only works for the console versions. For the PC version, you have to sell the item to a vendor, zone out, come back and buy the item back.
Of course, this only works for equipment that is set to scale to the party's level: Duncan's Gear, Cailan's Gear, the Warden Commander armor, the Chevalier armor, etc.
It's also worth pointing out that the item doesn't technically level up.
What happens is that its rerolled as if you just found it in a chest. I've actually had items drop in level after leaving in the chest. Worst case you'll have to leave and come back a few times to get them right.
gjaustin on
0
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
edited March 2010
I've decided I am starting a new character before getting Awakening. Despite his immense power, I was so bored of my Mage by the end of DA:O, that I want to do something different.
What are some fun options? I was thinking of being some kind of DPS fighter...should I go dual-wield or two-handed?
I've decided I am starting a new character before getting Awakening. Despite his immense power, I was so bored of my Mage by the end of DA:O, that I want to do something different.
What are some fun options? I was thinking of being some kind of DPS fighter...should I go dual-wield or two-handed?
Based on the abilities I've seen from Awakening, a Willpower based Templar/Spirit Warrior build could be a blast.
There's also a Sword/Shield ability called Juggernaut that basically let you push enemies over by walking through them. I think that's the direction I'm going take with my Warrior (since I assume Justice will be a tank, and I definitely want to use him).
I've decided I am starting a new character before getting Awakening. Despite his immense power, I was so bored of my Mage by the end of DA:O, that I want to do something different.
What are some fun options? I was thinking of being some kind of DPS fighter...should I go dual-wield or two-handed?
If you want interactivity, go Dual Wield Rogue. If you like Combat Support role, go Sword & Board or Archer. For pure non-mage-like melting faces, Two-handed or Dual Wield Warrior.
nessin on
0
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
edited March 2010
I'm actually going to start completely over DA:O, and import the new character. So I'll have Allistair as my tank at least until I get to the Awakening.
I've decided I am starting a new character before getting Awakening. Despite his immense power, I was so bored of my Mage by the end of DA:O, that I want to do something different.
What are some fun options? I was thinking of being some kind of DPS fighter...should I go dual-wield or two-handed?
I'm kindof doing the same thing, but in the opposite direction... making an uber-mage that I do want to bring on into Awakenings. Decided to play him on hard (PC version) and see how much destruction can be wrought. (hint: So much destruction).
I really should play through as a rogue, but I always get bored of them. Mages feel far more interactive because in order to get anything done, you have to use your abilities, rather than maintains + auto-attack which seems to be the case for rogues. Even on hard, I haven't really encountered very stern resistance yet, but I do feel like I have to be awake, at least, to see the larger battles through. This is especially true since I'm operating with out a healer (my mage knows no healing spells and haven't recruited Wynne), so control of the battlefield is of the utmost importance.
I think that, despite hating the price point of this expansion, I'm not going to be able to hold out. Taking a long weekend starting tomorrow, and I'd really like to see the new content and have more Dragon Age.
about items carrying over in Awakenings. do all the item in your backpack carry over. specifically unique weapons that aren't equipped like Topsiders Honor and Keening Blade etc?
I've decided I am starting a new character before getting Awakening. Despite his immense power, I was so bored of my Mage by the end of DA:O, that I want to do something different.
What are some fun options? I was thinking of being some kind of DPS fighter...should I go dual-wield or two-handed?
If you want interactivity, go Dual Wield Rogue. If you like Combat Support role, go Sword & Board or Archer. For pure non-mage-like melting faces, Two-handed or Dual Wield Warrior.
I thought I read that dual wield rogue does slightly more damage than 2H warrior. And again, I've heard the specializations and stuff that class gets in Awakening are pretty powerful, but at the same time you need a little less stealthing around and pre-planning every encounter with traps and poisons and stuff. Not that I used any of that in the original, but you might be able to play it as more of a DPS fighter if that's the case. Still flanking around and micromanaging, of course.
Tim James on
0
GnomeTankWhat the what?Portland, OregonRegistered Userregular
I've decided I am starting a new character before getting Awakening. Despite his immense power, I was so bored of my Mage by the end of DA:O, that I want to do something different.
What are some fun options? I was thinking of being some kind of DPS fighter...should I go dual-wield or two-handed?
I'm kindof doing the same thing, but in the opposite direction... making an uber-mage that I do want to bring on into Awakenings. Decided to play him on hard (PC version) and see how much destruction can be wrought. (hint: So much destruction).
I really should play through as a rogue, but I always get bored of them. Mages feel far more interactive because in order to get anything done, you have to use your abilities, rather than maintains + auto-attack which seems to be the case for rogues. Even on hard, I haven't really encountered very stern resistance yet, but I do feel like I have to be awake, at least, to see the larger battles through. This is especially true since I'm operating with out a healer (my mage knows no healing spells and haven't recruited Wynne), so control of the battlefield is of the utmost importance.
I think that, despite hating the price point of this expansion, I'm not going to be able to hold out. Taking a long weekend starting tomorrow, and I'd really like to see the new content and have more Dragon Age.
I think the reason I got bored with mage is that my mage was my party's healer, so I was Spirit Healer specced...and it just got really boring by the end. I started controlling my DPS mage more than my primary character and letting my AI script handle the healing.
about items carrying over in Awakenings. do all the item in your backpack carry over. specifically unique weapons that aren't equipped like Topsiders Honor and Keening Blade etc?
Everything except any gear that came from the Collector's Edition, pre-order bonus DLC, Warden's Keep or Shale. Topsiders Honor, Keening Blade, Felon's Coat, the various custom armors from Wade, Juggernaut, Legion, etc all transfer and of course the gear from Return to Ostagar.
Without spoiling anything, is there any point to gems in Awakening? Like crafting or whatnot? Or can I just throw them in the EXP pile before I start it up?
Cherrn on
All creature will die and all the things will be broken. That's the law of samurai.
Make sure to hold on to one diamond, you'll need it for crafting a sword.
......
Crap, who did I sell that diamond to...
Decomposey on
Before following any advice, opinions, or thoughts I may have expressed in the above post, be warned: I found Keven Costners "Waterworld" to be a very entertaining film.
Make sure to hold on to one diamond, you'll need it for crafting a sword.
......
Crap, who did I sell that diamond to...
You'll find several diamonds on your adventures.
Neva on
SC2 Beta: Neva.ling
"Everyone who is capable of logical thought should be able to see why you shouldn't sell lifetime subscriptions to an MMO. Cell phone companies and drug dealers don't offer lifetime subscriptions either, guess why?" - Mugaaz
I think the reason I got bored with mage is that my mage was my party's healer, so I was Spirit Healer specced...and it just got really boring by the end. I started controlling my DPS mage more than my primary character and letting my AI script handle the healing.
That sounds about right... healing is better left for scripting to take care of for the most part, as it does more than an acceptable job with a bit of tweaking. Manually controlling that just seems redundant.
Controlling an offense mage, on the other hand, is pretty much my favorite part of this game. There's just so much stuff to do, both keeping enemies in check and blasting them into tender little bits, it's all amazing.
I will say that I also particularly enjoyed my sword-and-board warrior, who served as tank in his team (which meant Alistair pretty much sat out the entire game once i could replace him). There's just something about being an invincible wall in the middle of a sea of enemies. Champion/Templar was a particularly satisfying in that role.
I still do have my warrior ready to go for Awakenings as well... I'm a little torn on if I'd want to take him through first or get my mage through Origins and play him. Decisions, decisions.
I've decided I am starting a new character before getting Awakening. Despite his immense power, I was so bored of my Mage by the end of DA:O, that I want to do something different.
What are some fun options? I was thinking of being some kind of DPS fighter...should I go dual-wield or two-handed?
I imported a Dual Wield Warrior first, wicked powerfull in the expansion. I had to crank up the difficulty from normal. I was just destroying mobs. The new Warrior ability Catch Breath is just ridiculous with all of the great dual wield powers, along with the new Stamina Draughts, not that you'll even need them. Pretty much a whirling cyclone of death.
about items carrying over in Awakenings. do all the item in your backpack carry over. specifically unique weapons that aren't equipped like Topsiders Honor and Keening Blade etc?
Everything except any gear that came from the Collector's Edition, pre-order bonus DLC, Warden's Keep or Shale. Topsiders Honor, Keening Blade, Felon's Coat, the various custom armors from Wade, Juggernaut, Legion, etc all transfer and of course the gear from Return to Ostagar.
Actually all of my Shale DLC itmes imported. My little harvest festival ring and helm of Honnleath did at least.
I think the reason I got bored with mage is that my mage was my party's healer, so I was Spirit Healer specced...and it just got really boring by the end. I started controlling my DPS mage more than my primary character and letting my AI script handle the healing.
That sounds about right... healing is better left for scripting to take care of for the most part, as it does more than an acceptable job with a bit of tweaking. Manually controlling that just seems redundant.
Controlling an offense mage, on the other hand, is pretty much my favorite part of this game. There's just so much stuff to do, both keeping enemies in check and blasting them into tender little bits, it's all amazing.
I will say that I also particularly enjoyed my sword-and-board warrior, who served as tank in his team (which meant Alistair pretty much sat out the entire game once i could replace him). There's just something about being an invincible wall in the middle of a sea of enemies. Champion/Templar was a particularly satisfying in that role.
I still do have my warrior ready to go for Awakenings as well... I'm a little torn on if I'd want to take him through first or get my mage through Origins and play him. Decisions, decisions.
My two playthroughs were as a tank and a DPS mage and I loved them both.
I'm seriously considering trying to go Sword/Board DPS though. The DPS probably won't be that great, but I'll be too busy pushing people around with Juggernaut to care.
So I haven't been following any info at all on Awakening, due to the fact that I haven't finished the original game (Mass Effect 2 created a healthy distraction). As far as the 360 go, is this basically a standalone "sequel" that lets you import your character and decisions, ala ME2? Is it good so far?
I'm also interested in the Return to Ostragar DLC. How does the DLC work? Is it an extra quest that's on the main map, or is it something you load up by itself? Is it worth the points?
So I haven't been following any info at all on Awakening, due to the fact that I haven't finished the original game (Mass Effect 2 created a healthy distraction). As far as the 360 go, is this basically a standalone "sequel" that lets you import your character and decisions, ala ME2? Is it good so far?
I'm also interested in the Return to Ostragar DLC. How does the DLC work? Is it an extra quest that's on the main map, or is it something you load up by itself? Is it worth the points?
Haven't played it yet, but ME2 seems to be a fairly decent comparison. It's not quite as involved as ME2, but at least some of your decisions carry over. There is one big one that doesn't though.
The DLC will be an extra quest on the main map. As for the value, if it's anything like Warden's Keep it'll be an amusing diversion, but from my perspective you're mostly just paying for equipment.
Don't kid yourself too much on the omg my decisions are so important thing. This is more of an old school expansion, the decisions so far have mattered a little but not that much. You might get an extra line or instead of blank being the king at the very beginnings it's blank instead. It's very stand alone, you can even make a new character for it, no import really needed. And yes it is very fun so far If you liked Dragon Age you'll find something to like here, if you thought Dragon Age was meh, or didn't get into it as much as so many of us did.. you might wanna pass.
I'm finding the expansion pretty fun so far, and it has surprised me here and there.
Companion spoilers:
Mhairi dieing really took me by surprise. In Origins, when a companion was meant to be temporary, they wouldn't have an approval meter. Mhairi does, and in fact you have several opportunities to raise or lower it in the opening scene alone. And then she dies during the Joining, and there's seemingly nothing you can do about it. Not that it's tearing me up inside or anything, it's just very surprising.
Also it seems like the game will allow you to run through solo. So far I've had the option to refuse every companion when the option comes to take them in. A solo run might be an interesting thing to try sometime.
The game also seems to have removed the option to just strike up a conversation with your companions anywhere you want to. Instead, you'll come across random things in the field you can select, and it will trigger a coversation with a companion if it is relavent to their interests. So far this has resulted in less conversations, but the ones you have seem more involved.
The noble ceremony:
Talk about pressure! Where to send the troops? Trade routes? Farmland? The City? All of them seemed important. In the end, I chose the trade routes. I guess there's no real "wrong" answer, but it seems that the game is really stressing the potential consequences of your actions and not giving you the "make everyone happy" option like Origins did. This is rough, but kinda neat and more realistic.
Seems worth it to me. There is cretainly reply value to it, and there's a lot to do right out fo the gate. So far I haven't been disappointed. I'm actually looking forward to my second, or even third playthrough. I want to bring my human noble male in and my mage for sure - I can't wait to try a Arcane Warrior / Battlemage / Bloodmage tri-spec. Might as well dismiss all my companions for that run.
Slipheed: The weapon and base-class talents all received new trees. However the specializations remain unchanged. It seems all specs, even the new ones, will only ever have 4 talents.
Don't spoil me, but if anyone wants to casually mention some of the epic tactical battles they've had against boss monsters, let me know. A little bird already told me they are back from the original, but it's nice to hear about them while super saver shipping gets here.
Definitely seems worth it so far to me. The new specs are definitely something, though I've only really played with the warrior ones all too much. As was said earlier, dual weapon warriors are total powerhouses. Not all just AOE stuff either.
I will have to say that at first it seemed like some of the voice acting and other aspects were a bit thrown together, but after playing a bit more, I think I've changed my mind a bit, still good production value.
Some things that bothered me for the initial sequences were
when the Seneschal leads the Joining for the new recruits. I understand, all the other Wardens are dead and they don't have a voice actor for The Warden, but still, I personally would have preferred the the SECRET ritual maybe just be text by me or maybe just implied? Also, Oghren burping? I know it's "in character," but not exactly classy for the devs.
Also, again with Oghren, with the retarded wave while fighting darkspawn. It seemed forced, whereas the mage burning the crap out of the darkspawn and then coming around with the childlike "I didn't do it," had me laughing my ass off.
Definitely seems worth it so far to me. The new specs are definitely something, though I've only really played with the warrior ones all too much. As was said earlier, dual weapon warriors are total powerhouses. Not all just AOE stuff either.
I will have to say that at first it seemed like some of the voice acting and other aspects were a bit thrown together, but after playing a bit more, I think I've changed my mind a bit, still good production value.
Some things that bothered me for the initial sequences were
when the Seneschal leads the Joining for the new recruits. I understand, all the other Wardens are dead and they don't have a voice actor for The Warden, but still, I personally would have preferred the the SECRET ritual maybe just be text by me or maybe just implied? Also, Oghren burping? I know it's "in character," but not exactly classy for the devs.
Also, again with Oghren, with the retarded wave while fighting darkspawn. It seemed forced, whereas the mage burning the crap out of the darkspawn and then coming around with the childlike "I didn't do it," had me laughing my ass off.
Regarding your spoilers Imkish:
The Joining is only secret to people outside of the Grey Wardens. The Seneschal is a Warden and has probably lead a bunch of Joinings, where as far as we know the Warden has never done one. Deferring to someone more experienced in the ritual isn't too unbelievable. I do like how you're actually able to Conscript a couple companions this time around however.
Oghren's wave did seem a bit silly, so did the look on his face, but that's Oghren for you. And the burp was spot on - Oghren isn't a classy character! ;p
Funny thing about Anders' introduction scene is that he doesn't even know the spell he's using against the darkspawn.
You just knew Mihari was gonna bite it. I was lookin around thinkin man there is a lot of warriors in this game.. oh yea the joining and she is wearing red tinted armor.. not a good combination. She even had an intro video
You just knew Mihari was gonna bite it. I was lookin around thinkin man there is a lot of warriors in this game.. oh yea the joining and she is wearing red tinted armor.. not a good combination. She even had an intro video
More on that:
They had me completely fooled. The fact that she had an intro video and a favor meter threw me off, plus you can raise favor with her during the opening scene. They even had her set up on the Dragon Age wikia, and everything seemed legit. It was only after she keeled over I began to put things together - that she was doomed to die right from the start.
Definitely seems worth it so far to me. The new specs are definitely something, though I've only really played with the warrior ones all too much. As was said earlier, dual weapon warriors are total powerhouses. Not all just AOE stuff either.
I will have to say that at first it seemed like some of the voice acting and other aspects were a bit thrown together, but after playing a bit more, I think I've changed my mind a bit, still good production value.
Some things that bothered me for the initial sequences were
when the Seneschal leads the Joining for the new recruits. I understand, all the other Wardens are dead and they don't have a voice actor for The Warden, but still, I personally would have preferred the the SECRET ritual maybe just be text by me or maybe just implied? Also, Oghren burping? I know it's "in character," but not exactly classy for the devs.
Also, again with Oghren, with the retarded wave while fighting darkspawn. It seemed forced, whereas the mage burning the crap out of the darkspawn and then coming around with the childlike "I didn't do it," had me laughing my ass off.
Regarding your spoilers Imkish:
The Joining is only secret to people outside of the Grey Wardens. The Seneschal is a Warden and has probably lead a bunch of Joinings, where as far as we know the Warden has never done one. Deferring to someone more experienced in the ritual isn't too unbelievable. I do like how you're actually able to Conscript a couple companions this time around however.
Except that is wrong. Read the Codex.
The seneschal is not a Grey Warden. He's a local that the Orlesian Wardens put in charge of the keep when it was given to the Wardens. The Codex says they trusted him enough to let him in on the secret of the Joining.
Argh, can someone help me in Anamathistine(sp). I helped the smugglers accidentally, helped the guard, killed the smugglers but the guard still wont talk to me. Will I ever get him to because my earliest save ebfore hand was at vigil keep.
Posts
Of course, this only works for equipment that is set to scale to the party's level: Duncan's Gear, Cailan's Gear, the Warden Commander armor, the Chevalier armor, etc.
I wouldn't say that.
It's also worth pointing out that the item doesn't technically level up.
What happens is that its rerolled as if you just found it in a chest. I've actually had items drop in level after leaving in the chest. Worst case you'll have to leave and come back a few times to get them right.
What are some fun options? I was thinking of being some kind of DPS fighter...should I go dual-wield or two-handed?
Based on the abilities I've seen from Awakening, a Willpower based Templar/Spirit Warrior build could be a blast.
There's also a Sword/Shield ability called Juggernaut that basically let you push enemies over by walking through them. I think that's the direction I'm going take with my Warrior (since I assume Justice will be a tank, and I definitely want to use him).
If you want interactivity, go Dual Wield Rogue. If you like Combat Support role, go Sword & Board or Archer. For pure non-mage-like melting faces, Two-handed or Dual Wield Warrior.
I really hope there's more than one of
I'm kindof doing the same thing, but in the opposite direction... making an uber-mage that I do want to bring on into Awakenings. Decided to play him on hard (PC version) and see how much destruction can be wrought. (hint: So much destruction).
I really should play through as a rogue, but I always get bored of them. Mages feel far more interactive because in order to get anything done, you have to use your abilities, rather than maintains + auto-attack which seems to be the case for rogues. Even on hard, I haven't really encountered very stern resistance yet, but I do feel like I have to be awake, at least, to see the larger battles through. This is especially true since I'm operating with out a healer (my mage knows no healing spells and haven't recruited Wynne), so control of the battlefield is of the utmost importance.
I think that, despite hating the price point of this expansion, I'm not going to be able to hold out. Taking a long weekend starting tomorrow, and I'd really like to see the new content and have more Dragon Age.
I think the reason I got bored with mage is that my mage was my party's healer, so I was Spirit Healer specced...and it just got really boring by the end. I started controlling my DPS mage more than my primary character and letting my AI script handle the healing.
Everything except any gear that came from the Collector's Edition, pre-order bonus DLC, Warden's Keep or Shale. Topsiders Honor, Keening Blade, Felon's Coat, the various custom armors from Wade, Juggernaut, Legion, etc all transfer and of course the gear from Return to Ostagar.
......
Crap, who did I sell that diamond to...
You'll find several diamonds on your adventures.
"Everyone who is capable of logical thought should be able to see why you shouldn't sell lifetime subscriptions to an MMO. Cell phone companies and drug dealers don't offer lifetime subscriptions either, guess why?" - Mugaaz
That sounds about right... healing is better left for scripting to take care of for the most part, as it does more than an acceptable job with a bit of tweaking. Manually controlling that just seems redundant.
Controlling an offense mage, on the other hand, is pretty much my favorite part of this game. There's just so much stuff to do, both keeping enemies in check and blasting them into tender little bits, it's all amazing.
I will say that I also particularly enjoyed my sword-and-board warrior, who served as tank in his team (which meant Alistair pretty much sat out the entire game once i could replace him). There's just something about being an invincible wall in the middle of a sea of enemies. Champion/Templar was a particularly satisfying in that role.
I still do have my warrior ready to go for Awakenings as well... I'm a little torn on if I'd want to take him through first or get my mage through Origins and play him. Decisions, decisions.
I imported a Dual Wield Warrior first, wicked powerfull in the expansion. I had to crank up the difficulty from normal. I was just destroying mobs. The new Warrior ability Catch Breath is just ridiculous with all of the great dual wield powers, along with the new Stamina Draughts, not that you'll even need them. Pretty much a whirling cyclone of death.
Actually all of my Shale DLC itmes imported. My little harvest festival ring and helm of Honnleath did at least.
My two playthroughs were as a tank and a DPS mage and I loved them both.
I'm seriously considering trying to go Sword/Board DPS though. The DPS probably won't be that great, but I'll be too busy pushing people around with Juggernaut to care.
I'm also interested in the Return to Ostragar DLC. How does the DLC work? Is it an extra quest that's on the main map, or is it something you load up by itself? Is it worth the points?
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Haven't played it yet, but ME2 seems to be a fairly decent comparison. It's not quite as involved as ME2, but at least some of your decisions carry over. There is one big one that doesn't though.
The DLC will be an extra quest on the main map. As for the value, if it's anything like Warden's Keep it'll be an amusing diversion, but from my perspective you're mostly just paying for equipment.
Companion spoilers:
Also it seems like the game will allow you to run through solo. So far I've had the option to refuse every companion when the option comes to take them in. A solo run might be an interesting thing to try sometime.
The game also seems to have removed the option to just strike up a conversation with your companions anywhere you want to. Instead, you'll come across random things in the field you can select, and it will trigger a coversation with a companion if it is relavent to their interests. So far this has resulted in less conversations, but the ones you have seem more involved.
The noble ceremony:
PS2
FF X replay
PS3
God of War 1&2 HD
Rachet and Clank Future
MGS 4
Prince of Persia
360
Bayonetta
Fable 3
DS
FF: 4 heroes of light
Slipheed: The weapon and base-class talents all received new trees. However the specializations remain unchanged. It seems all specs, even the new ones, will only ever have 4 talents.
I will have to say that at first it seemed like some of the voice acting and other aspects were a bit thrown together, but after playing a bit more, I think I've changed my mind a bit, still good production value.
Some things that bothered me for the initial sequences were
Also, again with Oghren, with the retarded wave while fighting darkspawn. It seemed forced, whereas the mage burning the crap out of the darkspawn and then coming around with the childlike "I didn't do it," had me laughing my ass off.
friday is the release day.
Regarding your spoilers Imkish:
Oghren's wave did seem a bit silly, so did the look on his face, but that's Oghren for you. And the burp was spot on - Oghren isn't a classy character! ;p
Funny thing about Anders' introduction scene is that he doesn't even know the spell he's using against the darkspawn.
More on that:
Except that is wrong. Read the Codex.