Veterans and newcomers alike -- wacha think??

OK so, I'm one of the few on here who has played a lot of OG-DD in my time, and after putting in about an additional 2 hours--importing my original character of course--the first thing that's instantly noticeable are the animations. They're undoubtedly sped up and I think even the running speed has been given a slight boost. One of my favourite new improvements is the dodge roll for the ranged classes. It's now been evolved into a much more effective maneuver and is both quicker and can cover a lot more ground now too, so good on them for that. The texture pack, while not exactly that striking of a facelift, is still improvement enough that I could actually tell that something looked different, especially during the cutscenes. Haven't tried the Japanese voice-over option yet, but I'm sure that'll be good for a laugh. Then again going by the quality of the English voice acting, the Japanese could turn out to be the most aggravating, ear-bleeding nonsense imaginable.

Faster menu navigation is a nice touch as well, and while I've not really had that much use for it, an eternal ferrystone is a godsend! Also, while I'll only rarely roll in them, the Gransy armour pack made up of different character outfits is at least a little wacky. Getting to dress up as a nun is... well, there aren't many games that spring to mind where you can climb atop an ogre as a lady of the cloth.

One thing that does suck, though, is that all of the DLC items they've packed in have simply been rolled into the black cat merchant. I would have liked if they were just strewn about in the world like all of the others. Plus judging by the stats, a large majority of 'em aren't even all that good. Which is a shame because some look really badass, like the saurian daggers and the hydra longbow in particular. Much less Pawn chatter and not to mention dialogue overlap as well, which is a significant improvement far as I'm concerned. Haven't headed into the new area yet, but it looks like I'll be heading in there a lot sooner than I anticipated since even at only level 55, playing it on Hard mode is currently a one-sided slaughter.

Overall, a lot of the minor improvements I've noticed this far are plenty welcome and they're already a rather persuasive excuse for me to plug so many more hours into this thing.

People who have only gotten into the game with Dark Arisen should thank their stars for such patience, as this is definitely much closer to what Dragon's Dogma should have been from the very beginning. Still no Chimera mounts, though, so we haven't quite reached that mark just yet :P Maybe in the sequel...

It's a toss up for me. On one hand Dragon Age Origins is on sale for $10 with all the DLC on Steam. On the other Dark Arisen is out and I never played the original game so this is a great deal for me.

I'm leaning towards getting Dark Arisen probably because the pawn system and active combat are drawing me in... but I dunno.. I heard Origins is pretty cool too. Hell I guess I'll just get both.

As a newcomer I have a question: if I want to play a mage-type character and have a purely offensive melee pawn, can they actually handle themselves or will I have to switch to a sword and finish off most creatures?

@humanity: I haven't ever played as a Mage character before, but I can at least tell you that you have to carry a lot of the weight for your party. The game's pretty difficult during the early goings on as well, so you're maybe best sticking as a Fighter or Strider until you reach Gran Soren. Then once you're able to start speccing your character & pawn more specifically with better gear/upgrades/skills ect, I would wager then it'll be safer to play as a Mage.

Also, as I'm sure you're aware anyway, but I want to reiterate the consensous anyway: Dragon Age: Origins is faaaaan-tastic.

I've only just picked up Dark Arisen.

In OG DD I got to Gran Soren, did a few quests and then just gave up. How far into the game was I?

I have 13 hours on the new file I started. 12 of that was yesterday....so you be the judge. This is my 4th time through the game proper and I still really enjoy the whole thing. One of the best RPG's of this generation.

First impressions. I met a big spikey ogre, he got caught in a doorway and was unable to attack me. I mashed the shit out of my attack buttons and I got over a 100,000 Xp for free.

Also, they might have stopped the pawns from talking over each other, but they still chatter constantly about the dumbest of things.

Dark Arisen looks like it could be really cool but I feel like I would be missing out without the Eternal Ferrystone, are there easy ways (like a vendor) to get normal ferrystones or is it a really big thing?

@Pazy They reduced the price of them to 2000 I think which is extremely cheap considering later armor costs upwards of 300-400k once the money starts flowing it won't be a issue to have 2-3 on you at any given time. The more important thing is they added a port crystal to the starting town which is huge because portcrystals are rare and is what you place as the points that you teleport to.

I'm only an hour into the main game. Just killed the troll/cyclops thing. The combat seems alright, though the pawn item/gear management seems involved.

@pazy:It is no big deal. Eventually you get to buy ferrystones, it isn't even that far into the game and honestly at end game once you know what you are doing grinding money is... trivial. So by end game you can buy them like it is going out of style. I had like 30-40 of them banked prior to Dark Arisen releasing. They also drop pretty regularly in the last original game dungeon.

@fourwude: You were a hot minute in and probably missed like 5 quests that you can now never do because you pushed the story too far too fast. This game is tricky, you can't advance the story fast or you will miss things. Also some quests if missed prevent future quests from happening. Some are small things like "Escort the Jobber from Cassardis to a grave for a picnic" others are more like "Go lead a one man war on the witchwood in a bid to save a damsel in distress from her own stupidity and spawn 5 other quests later in the game for your efforts." They get pretty funny later on too. Such as the "Escort Reynard to the Great Wall but we forget to tell you like 3 griffons will ambush you and try to eat Reynard and or carry him off and drop him from a mile in the air." While you fail the quest if it happens watching him drop from so far up he is just a dot then land on a mountain and roll into a river is hilarious.

In other news Dark Arisen is like Yummy said. The superior version of the game. If you like Action RPG's and haven't played Dogma yet it really is a must buy. Hell if you liked Dragon's Dogma it is still a must buy as far as I care.

Newcomer here, I was getting my ass kicked in by a bunch of bandit type dudes on a side quest in the early main game. Haven't gone back to it yet, but this game has certainly got my attention with how difficult it seems on the surface (though I imagine my deaths may be down to equipment and level weaknesses). One thing I can say is the character creator is really in-depth, even for an action-RPG style game.

I own the main game, never finished it. So is this one worth it despite owning the original? That's kinda the question I have.

@karkarov: I actually did all the quests in the Cassardis area before moving to Gran Soren. I think there may be one left, which I can still do.

I got to Gran Soren, did a quest or two in that area and just found myself repeatedly dying. So I gave up.

Hopefully I can continue my questing and enjoy it more this time around.

I'm new. I like it, kind of a lot, but it's a bit confusing.

There are two quests I've picked up that seem well outside my skill set -- both dungeon-y, one in a well, one in a place called the Everfall. I tried out both and got my shit handed to me. I don't know if I'm just bad/need better pawns, or if I'm genuinely too low for those quests, but in each there are enemies that decimate me in a few hits, and they seem to ignore all my pawns can come straight for me.

It feels directionless, but not in that organic free-form way that something like Dark Souls is. I like the sense of discovery, but I don't like the sense that I'm messing up without being told why -- the balance of information and consequence feels off.

There was a follow quest that I failed because I guess I turned a corner too fast? although there was no indication of NPC awareness and my pawns were gabbing at me telling me not to lose sight of the quarry. I had to wait until nightfall to do the quest, and upon failing... it was just failed, I guess. I don't know if it was failed forever, if I would have another chance the next night. I ended up jumping off a roof and getting reset back to before I failed the quest, thankfully, but that's some kind of bullshit otherwise.
But I think the combat is fun and I do like the world and beasts so far. Pawns are cool. I hope I click into its particular rhythms soon.

How does the save import work?

@bocam: You put in the disc and it says "Hey, you have a Dragon's Dogma save" and then transfers it to the new game.

@gunstarred: Do you get to keep your progress or do you have start over?

@bocam: It started me at the exact same point I had last played it (two days ago) with all my gear and quest progress intact.

Is it those bandits that roll the boulder at you? The fighter with them wiped out my party three times before I decided to change things up. Bought better gear, enchanced said gear, lure all the other bandits into the valley the boulder rolled down and fought the shield guy 4v1. After 3 minutes of dodging and reviving and pelting him with fire arrows we finally got him and even though the loot sucked it was still pretty satisfying.

Definitely opened my eyes to what this game was dealin. It's also better that it was a "something's not right with my team" thing instead of a "oh I obviously need to grind to kill this guy", which would've instantly put me off on the game. I don't mind a little grinding here and there, but at the very beginning? Fuck that.

@theht: Yes, it was those bandits. Care to share information on how to get better gear and enchant it. My character is a Fighter, my personal Pawn is a Strider and that Rook fellow is a Mage. I visited a store in the hometown and ditched my rusted sword and shield for an iron sword and rounded shield, but even that proved fruitless. I should note that I have not gone on with the main quest past the part where you are meant to depart with that Mercedes lady to see some duke.

@jclane: The dude you save on the way to the emcampment, Reynald or whatever, you can talk to him there in the encampment and he can sell you better gear and enhance them (if you've got the gold and items for it).

You might want to get another pawn to join you as well. I was exactly at that point too, didn't do the main quest just went straight to help Quina. Had another mage pawn tag along to help with the healing. Just use that rift stone to enter the pawn selection area.

@theht: Oh, didn't realize you could have a party of 4. Critical research failure on my part, I guess. Thanks for the help, duder.

I'm thinking that I spent 90 hours playing Dragon's Dogma, which was about 30 hours longer than I should have, so there is no way I'm getting this game again.

...Unless they made a PC version.

i'm just wondering if there is enough new content that warrants the full price... otherwise I'd just stick with my vanilla copy of dragon's dogma for now.

I accepted an escort quest not realizing that it started right when I accepted it. Then, while running around doing other stuff, I got an escort quest failed message. Am I screwed? Should I start over? I think it was Reynard.

@starvinggamer: NPC's respawn in 7 game days with few exceptions. so don't worry if you fail a escort or end up killing a merchant

Furthermore you can cancel escort quests and the quest SHOULD reappear back on the bulletin board.

I read in a review that Dark Arisen has Mimics.

Fuck my life.

@questionable: Thanks

@demoskinos: Yeah, I cancelled the one for Selene but when I failed the Reynard one it stripped it out of my log. The quest text said something about "You have one chance" so I thought it was all over once I failed it.

Yeah, there's a Dark Arisen Now Playing with Kevin van Ord where he opened a chest and some giant snake thing popped out.

I wouldn't worry about it anyways. The escort quests are almost never worth doing. There are a few that have decent rewards but most of them aren't worth the time it takes to baby sit the NPC all the way to the destination. I will give this tip though. If this is your first time playing keep rechecking all notice boards There;s one in the starting city, four in Gran Soren and one in the encampment. Ever so often a stray "Kill x Creature quest will appear on them as you progress through main missions. I usually just load up these quests and then let them complete over the course of natural play. And some of them are actually worth doing. Most of them either give a fair amount of gold or sometimes a decent item.

So as a newcomer I just started playing. Went down a well and killed some lizardman.

Question though: those black bars on the bottom and top of the screen are supposed to be there right?

@yummylee: Are they still masterworks all?

@humanity: Yep, bothered me at first but I think you get use to it.

not very. 2/7 th maybe?

Looking forward to pick this come payday. Gotta scratch that MH itch.

I bought it and am considering starting over, as my NG+ file is early enough along that I'd want to play the game again at a proper pace instead of steamrolling through everything like I would if I went back to that file. On the other hand, I could get that achievement for beating it on NG+...

Ok guess I ask in here.

It is my first time playing this game and since there is a option to start on hard right at the beginning would it be wise to do so? I kind of fear that normal will become way to easy in the further game. Note I got to Dark souls with no real problems but I do not know how the combat feels in this game compared to dark souls.

So should I start on normal or hard?

@darji: I'm on my second playthrough and I'm playing on normal and not finding it to be difficult at all so you may want to start on hard if you're looking for challenge. That said, there are portions of the endgame which are pretty tough and apparently some of the new content is hard too so expect difficulty spikes, I guess.

Pretty much this. Although also note early game even on normal can be rough going. Bandits early on will slaughter your party pretty quickly. Especially the Sword & Shield wielding kind.

Ah ok thanks.

The problem I experience right now is that I tried it on hard twice but died in the tutorial while I somehow feel that on normal it is just a real joke. So I started like 2 hours on normal but I have the feeling that it will be way to easy and since I do not normally play games twice I just want to get the most of it. But guess I should rather play on normal.

How are the achievments handled? is it a true re release where achiements are kept? also it looks like they added a icon that shows when you need to leave an area to head toward a quest. or at least they made it more pronounced. Anyone else notice menu/map changes?

If you are having trouble early buy better gear and upgrade it, play conservative, and listen to the advice you got in the "training". Nine times out of ten you just need better gear or you are bringing low level/poorly made pawns, or pawns that are just no good for what you are doing. Going into a undead cave, dont bring a pawn whose only weapon buff is dark element and has grapnel slotted ;p.

I got my copy today, installed it and then thought if I'm going to play through such a long game I need to ask some questions first. I'm unsure on a few things so if anyone can set me straight I'd appreciate it.

1. If I play 200 levels of one class the only major thing I'm gong to miss is augments, right? I played five hours of the base game before and really the only class I enjoyed was the Strider. If the only difference is the stat gains each level (they all balance out anyway) and augments then I'd rather play a class that I enjoy playing, but I don't know if I'm missing something else.

2. I heard they added some kind of fast travel, but something about needing a save from the base game? (I sold it months ago so if that's true I'm going to cry)

3. Is there a way to edit a characters appearance should I get half way through the game and fancy a change? (Vanity will be the death of me I swear ...)

4. Any suggestions for what class to make my pawn be if I'm going to use the Strider class?

@vanek:

1. Yes, but each class has some pretty damn useful augments. Like the Warrior has one that greatly decreases how much physical damage you can take, which is always handy to have for any class. It's a pretty early one too so it may be worth switching just for a short while to get it. Plus, while I'm of course speaking for myself here, but playing through as purely one class can get a little boring, so I liked to mix it up after so long. You're probably going to want to eventually switch to a Ranger as well, since it's very similar to a Strider, just better in pretty much every way I'd say.

2. There is fast travel, but unfortunately you required a save from the original DD to unlock the eternal ferrystone. Going in fresh means you're going to have buy ferrystones yourself, but they've also been made to be significantly more affordable this time around. Also, you will only be able to fast-travel to Gran Soren and Cassardis by default (it was originally only Gran Soren at that).

Though during the quest where you fight the giant Griffin in the tower, you'll then be given a port crystal that you can place (and pick up again) wherever you want as an additional fast travel point. The quest itself isn't that far in either; one of the quests you're first given after meeting the Duke. I think that's the only one you can find, but once you've completed the game and head back in, the black cat merchant will be able to sell you as many more port crystals as you want.

3.There's a hairstylist in Gran Soren you can see to edit your hairstyle, facial hair, hair/skin/eye colour and voice, but--if it's the same as it was in the original least--the only way you can edit your character again completely is after you've beaten the dragon. From there you can buy an item with your rift coins from the old guy next to the riftstone, back in that small fort where you fought the hydra.

4. Up to you really. Like my main character, I would often mix my Pawn's class up, but I always found a Warrior to be reliable enough.

@yummylee:

I think what I'll do is play the Strider for a good amount of levels and then change eventually to Fighter and get some of the Augments you mentioned. I remember trying the Ranger briefly and not liking how it played for some reason. There was something about the bow and difference in speed I just didn't like. The ferrystone thing is still kind of a bummer even if they have adjusted it. I can deal with only being able to re-customize certain parts of my character and I'll probably just go with a Fighter for my pawn.

Thanks for all the help! =D

Does Dark Arsion still have the Jrock title music?

@vanek: Oh yeah, you can't move as fast when aiming your longbow as when you're using shortbows, but they make up for it in power and accuracy. There's a skill that basically turns your bow into a sniper at that, giving you a temporary zoom to to aim with -- though it uses up a fair bit of stamina. Plus there's an augment you can learn as a Ranger that makes your weight status go down one. So when you're in the ''Average'' state, you'll still be able to run and move like you were ''Light''.

Though in the early goings I can see why you'd want to stick as a Strider, as that was initially my favourite class as well. But as the game goes on I thought that shortbows felt a little weak and Striders were primarily meant to make use of their daggers. Whereas Rangers have a high chance to knock over if not at least stagger an enemy with every shot, while still keeping a lot of the Strider's dagger abilities.

Actually the first quest I got after reaching Gran Soren was to go down a huge chamber beneath the city where I fought a Troll? or something huge anyway. Not a cyclops. At the bottom was a portcrystal. Also the Black Cat merchant was immediately willing to make a forgery of it for 300k gold I think. I'm assuming the forgery would work just as good if I actually had the money.

@starvinggamer: Wait, you mean when you first enter the Everfall and gotta run away from the tentacles at the end?

Also, I completely about the forgery system. Truth be told I've never bothered with it, even though I understand it's pretty vital if you want to get the highest enhancements for your gear.

@yummylee: Yeah, the tentacle place. Right at the bottom in the center of the huge circle thingy in the ground was a portcrystal.