You make some good points. Stronger AI, or at least an option for it, would have made the game greater. But I'm also wondering if it's just the game itself. I had lots of fun initially, but then got bogged down in Orgizzimar or whatever it's called. I don't feel that strong urge to explore that I felt with Pool of Radiance and Baldur's Gate 2. I think one reason that parties worked there was that the individual tactics weren't so complex. You didn't have so many choices, and could distribute responsibilities pretty evenly (and obviously). DA:O is pretty daunting with all of those trees. I like choices, but again when you're hit with so many, they ought to matter less.
Still, I think you could have all of these faults and still have a great game. There's just something missing that I can't quite put my finger on.
You make some good points. Stronger AI, or at least an option for it, would have made the game greater. But I'm also wondering if it's just the game itself. I had lots of fun initially, but then got bogged down in Orgizzimar or whatever it's called. I don't feel that strong urge to explore that I felt with Pool of Radiance and Baldur's Gate 2. I think one reason that parties worked there was that the individual tactics weren't so complex. You didn't have so many choices, and could distribute responsibilities pretty evenly (and obviously). DA:O is pretty daunting with all of those trees. I like choices, but again when you're hit with so many, they ought to matter less.
Still, I think you could have all of these faults and still have a great game. There's just something missing that I can't quite put my finger on.
Matt Barton, Managing Editor
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
Email: matt@armchairarcade.com