"I always cry at endings."

[o_deanna]

Well I finished Dragon Age: Origins last night. It wasn't quite the chocolate boxes and roses ending I'd hoped for (there are twelve different endings) and some decisions I had to make near the end actually made me feel sick. There were sleepless nights, people, and EMOTIONS!

Anyway, for the four people on my flist playing DA:O, here is my ending

Comments

[beyondfake_0]

I loved this game, I seriously loved it. It's the feeling that Bioware really cared about their female audience and actually wrote characters for them.

You can say that again. Or I can just hit ctrl+v. ;) But YES YES YES. THIS. You nailed it on the head. I liked KOTOR, but there were still some glitchy parts where they'd say "he" instead of "she". Funny how those three letter pronouns make a huge difference with the way one feels. Also, I didn't get into it too much, because I wasn't interested in the characters that you could romance. But yeah! I already went on how happy I was with how Bioware made me feel like they care about the girls, who like girls demographic.

The sad thing is, it's such a tiny little thing in the spectrum of things. Okay, maybe not so tiny, it probably is a lot of work, but it is worth it to make the lesser, less marketed too demographics feel like this. PLUS they're not alienating the major video game playing demographics to add this extra stuff in. Which I think is a big fear companies have. Which is stupid, and I am constantly asking why don't other companies realize it?

For example: I like Halo, but ODST make me sick to my stomach with its blatant sexism. Was I hoping for too much that Bungie would put in a female character that wasn't a typical "I'm only here to be the main character's love intrest"? Seriously, I was hoping there'd be a female ODST member that was part of the squad, but nope. Instead we get another horrible view of what a video game company thinks the military is like and it blows any stereo-type all the old war movies made out of the water.

[o_deanna]

I did have some glitches in the Alienage towards the end, I kept on being called 'sir,' but it didn't bother me too much on the whole. I only felt a little bit put out...seeing as the rest of the game was so well done for the ladies!

I had that problem with Mass Effect, I just wasn't into Kaiden really...he was a bit blank. But Alistair was clearly written with girls in mind. I'm so incredibly pleased that you felt this game catered for you too and that Leliana was what you wanted in a character. Speaking as a girl who likes boys and, to a lesser extent, girls, I would've gone for Morrigan out of the two (if she was a romance option!) I guess I just like the snark! I would've still ended up with a broken heart during the ritual. I'm cursed! Come on Zev, run away with me to Antiva and take me away from all this misery! XD

You are so right, I was talking with my friends about the same thing...and in fact we were even wondering why romance hardly gets included in games at all - they're ok with violence but the merest hint of a sex scene and everyone is in uproar XD. I read so much wank about Zevran being included in the game *sigh.* Yet romance is such a major part of life and games always feel a little empty without it...I don't know.

Yeah, I hear you about ODST. I've been playing Borderlands and that's ridiculously sexist. Argh! I can't imagine how annoying it must be for you, having been in the military too.

I have high hopes for Mass Effect 2, on the back if Dragon Age...I hope they aren't dashed!

[beyondfake_0]

I'm playing through Mass Effect now, and Kaiden reminds me way too much of Carth. They both really were blank. I romanced Carth, then went evil at the very end and make him run off swearing that he'd be back try to bring me back to the light side because I hated him so much. I would have rather have been able to romance Bastila, not only was she the most developed character (and has a sexy British accent) but you know the drama that happens with her later on in the game when she gets kidnapped would have made the game a lot more enjoyable to me if I was emotionally invested in her.

Also, Mass Effect - it is surprising me how easy it is to romance the characters. It seems all you have to do is be nice to them, and they're like ready to jump your bones. Though the blue chick is pretty cool so far. I like their race as a whole, and she was kinda being creepy looking shit up on me behind my back. I didn't let her get off the hook either just 'cause I am wondering wtf it is going to be like sexing her.

Haha, in Dragon Age at first I was like WHY CAN'T I ROMANCE THE GOTH CHICK? I DON'T WANT TO DATE SOME CREEPY GIRL OUT OF A NUNARY But then after learning what her personality was like Leliana really grew on me. I usually play a good character in fantasy RPGs, and I have a hard time saying no to people when they ask for help. So when Morrigan kept snarking me I wanted to slap her in the face, and Leliana was over there checking me out all HAAAY GURL like so things fell in place naturally. Haha it's funny when I bought the game I went in with a bad attitude, like, okay let's see the bullshit Bioware set me up with this time. But Bioware was like NO. The bitch smacked me in the face.

Haha I like Zev, he's so flirtatious. I romanced him a bit, just 'cause it's so cute when he says "Okay, but I get to stare at you luridly while you do so."

Oh god, I can deal with the stereotypes of the military: "MARINES DON'T SLEEP HURAAAAAAGH", Anna and I actually lol quite a bit at them. But the fact that they blatantly objectified the one female character in ODST in the opening cut scene really turned me off from Bungie. I was happy that her design wasn't horrendous, but it seems that since they couldn't show her giant boobs and ass off in combat armor they had to make up for it second hand through comments the other characters were saying. Then the whole game turns into SAVE THE GIRL. Honestly, if I ever get into writing for video games, I'd like to throw one out there where the plot turns into SAVE THE BOY.

I really really like Ashley Williams in Mass Effect. She is a very strong female character, and I think she totally would have fit in if Bungie created a Spartan similar to her.

I want to play Boarderlands. XD And yes. :X I have really high hopes for Mass Effect 2 now. I was reading some where that Bioware was pretty much testing the waters with Dragon Age before they released Mass Effect 2 - or some thing. It could have been rubbish though, since I read it on gamefaqs. Haha.

P.S. I am so glad you're on my flist. XD Now I don't feel so guilty fangirling or ranting about video games in my journal - because I know I have one person who is on the same wave length as I. Some times I wonder if I alienate my male gamer friends when I talk about what it's like being a female gamer (and when I was active in PMS clan I did so a LOT - actually you probably remember that). I mean, I got Anna, but we talk and joke about this stuff irl a lot.

[o_deanna]

Yes, my friend MarcusJordan said exactly the same thing about Carth and Kaiden. I never played KotOR...but Christ, Kaiden is dull, so if he's anything as bad as him...:/. Fandom still seems to love Carth though, as I've been delving through Bioware fanart and stuff. Whyyyy? Hooray for sexy British accents though. I must do a voice post! :D

I really need to play through Mass Effect again before the sequel appears. I only got about halfway through it first time. I accidentally had sex with the blue chick, I didn't even know what was happening. I don't know what I did!

Yeah, I usually play a good character, I help everyone and do every menial task I can find. Morrigan disapproved of everything I did XD, but winning her over in the end was amazing...even if she did screw me over :(. Hahaha, this Morrigan art made me laugh. It's appropriate I promise.

Oooh, Ashley did not get the seal of approval amongst my friends! I shall have to replay and make up my mind ;)

Honestly, this comment totally made my morning, I'm so glad you're on my flist too! I know exactly what you mean, I have about three other gamers on my flist, the others are mainly Nintendo fans, which is cool...but I don't play much Nintendo :(. It really is difficult being a female gamer, I'm really lucky that my closest friends accept that I love games and treat me as an equal...but in the big bad world of Xbox Live, not so much! So yes, thanks so much for being my gaming buddy, it means the world, I'm so glad we met ♥ ♥ ♥

[beyondfake_0]

Oh god that comic strip pretty much sums it up. XD And poor Alistair. XD

I really liked KoTOR despite not really liking any of the characters. The huge plot twist in it really won the game over for me/and I the whole video game community. :D I was just WOW didn't see that coming, and Bioware really pulled it off smoothly.

Whaat really Ashley didn't? Haha, that's funny. I just love how she doesn't hesitate to pull out a gun when things get hairy. Though, okay, I do admit when you actually talk to her on the ship, I don't really care about what she is saying. That and she questions me a lot. "I hope you know what you're doing commander." If I said THAT to my commander I'd get an letter of reprimand. Haha.

In Mass Effect I am finding that I am playing more of a rebel than I am a Pargon. I guess I am more caotic than I am lawful and it is really showing in this game. I wanted to hang up on the council when they give me debriefings because that one guy is an ass to me.

Aha, I wish you were around when I was obsessing about Morrowind and then Oblivion haha. XD

[o_deanna]

Yeah, it was the fact that she kept on questioning me that was the killer. Plus she seemed kinda racist. I dunno. I need a replay! As soon as I finish this round of DA:O I'll start on Mass Effect and hopefully be finished in time for ME2.

Yeah, I think I was more rebellious too. My tragic past had given me a chip on my shoulder XD. I don't think I was playing as me, so maybe that's why I gave up halfway through...although in reality I think I bought Oblivion and that was the end of all other games.

Oh man, I can still fangirl Oblivion...I still haven't finished it completely, I can't bare to! I still have lots of the Dark Brotherhood missions to do, because I was waiting to get the Grey Cowl of Nocturne before I did bad stuff XD. I have the hugest crush on one of the Blackhorse Courier guys. He's a Khajiit. YOU CAN'T EVEN SPEAK TO HIM! Mind you, I'm exactly the same with a Mercenary NPC from Fallout 3. *sigh*

[beyondfake_0]

What background did you play in Mass Effect? Mine actually is easy to play - the survivor - because I've been through shit that has been pretty rough. I'm having a lot of fun but I get the feeling I am close to the game's climax.

XD Oh god, I thought I was the only one who'd develope crushes on NPCs in Oblivion - get them maxed out on them liking you, and make sure to visit them every time I'm in town. XD I think that's the only thing I don't like about Elder Scrolls, there's no romancing!

I haven't actually beat it either. XD I've got two missions left, and I won't do it. I should do Shivering Isles though. Maybe after Mass Effect. I'm proud that I completed all the other storylines though. I think Oblivion is the only game I really maxed out Achievements on. On Fallout I had the hugest crush on the child hood BF. I liked showing up in the power armor to save the day and talk her dad out of being crazy, and I was so hurt when she asked me to leave. :( :( She didn't even kiss me as thanks for helping her out so much.

Last night I had the weirdest dream. Oh man, okay. I know I have been playing too many video games when I dream of this shit. I dreamed that in DA:O my character and Leliana chose to stay in the castle, but like some political shit happened and whoever was king/queen (I think it was Anora) basically gave the Dalish land, but no rights, and the situation for the city elves didn't change. My character got pissed, and Leliana was trying to talk her down out of some thing, but she was trying to be political about it - which came off as her taking their side, so my character left. :( She stopped by the alienage and gave the one girl elf in the city tons of money, then she rejoined the Dalish to help them rebuild, and she basically became really jaded against humans. Most of it was 'cause of a broken heart. Then Leliana shows up all pissed, she was trying to find my character. Basically "So this is what you've been up too!?" And they fight, and eventually work out their problems and make up. It was interesting. Haha.

[o_deanna]

I can't remember...! I really must restart, I might leave DA:O for a while, I'm playing exactly the same game over again, but as an elf - all the same decisions. I just can't NOT romance Alistair, he's already asking Leliana for advice about telling me how much he likes me XD. ARGH! I'M MEANT TO BE SAVING MYSELF FOR ZEV, ALISTAIR, STOP BEING ALL BLUSHING AND CUTE!

OMG, no way?! Hahahaha, I'm so glad you do the same thing in Oblivion. Seriously, that Black Horse Courier guy is just....guh! Hahahaha. Yeah, if there was a romance option I would die.

Oooh! You liked Amata? :D Yes, she was just crying out for a romance option really. I kinda romanced Mr. Burke, I was so gutted when he dumped me. I hate that bitch at the Craterside Supply, she's totally banging my mercenary :(

Hahah! Oh, I love that you had a DA:O dream. You're the best. I'm glad that you worked out your differences in the end!

[o_deanna]

PS. OMG, I was just looking for a picture of Amata and ended up seeing some really hardcore Amata/Butch porn. Too many (actual) Tunnel Snakes were contained in that picture. Holy shit, that really burned my eyes.

D:

[o_deanna]

Spamspamspam.

PS. Let me know if you get Borderlands, we can play co-op! :D