ea – Whole Heartily

Mass Effect: Andromeda Microreview

Mass Effect: Andromeda Microreview – 18/20!

Mass Effect: Andromeda is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts.

The player assumes the role of a male or female Ryder twin, a relatively inexperienced military recruit who joins the Andromeda Initiative and wakes up in the Andromeda universe after a 600-year journey. Shortly after waking, Ryder is thrust into the role of humanity’s Pathfinder, whose job is to find a suitable living environment, but also finds himself or herself dealing with an antagonistic alien race called the Kett.

If they wanted separation from the original series, they achieved it. This game has the general feel of a Mass Effect game, but with a greater focus on exploration and discovery. Overall I enjoyed this game, but I was disappointed in the lack of closure in several plot points and how unpolished the game was upon release. I’m excited to see what the future of this series holds and hope that they really focus on ironing out the technical details before delivering.

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Dragon Age: Inquisition Dragons

In Dragon Age: Inquisition there are 10 different dragons roaming the continent of Thedas that will require careful planning, proper gear and companions to defeat.

I thought it best to keep this simple. I’ve created the chart above for a quick guide to the name, level, area found, strengths and weaknesses of each Dragon breed.

Gear up with items that resist each dragon’s strength.
Bring potions that resist each dragon’s strength.
Bring weapons and companions that attack with each dragon’s weakness.
Keep warriors at the front of the dragon to take the brunt of all the attacks.
Melee rogues need to flank the dragon, far enough forward to avoid tail swipes and far enough backward to avoid breath and claw attacks.
Ranged classes need to be to the side, far enough away to avoid physical attacks, but close enough not to trigger the Vortex ability that sucks all long range characters in and does massive damage.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

Dragon Age: Inquisition Microreview

Dragon Age: Inquisition Microreview – 20/20!

Dragon Age: Inquisition is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts.

The player guides their character, the Inquisitor, through closing a tear in the sky called the “Breach”, which is unleashing dangerous demons into the world. The Inquisitor recruits many allies from different races and backgrounds to help him/her seal the Breach and settle the civil unrest or war throughout the continent of Thedas. Together they can defeat enemies with swords and magic, complete side quests, interact with non-playable characters, and progress through the main story.

This game is so beautiful and enjoyable to play! I am always a sucker for dragons and here there be dragons aplenty! While you need to reach an acceptable level to challenge each different breed of dragon, it’s definitely worth it once you see them in action! The way they sound and move is the epitome of how I believe a wild dragon would act in most imaginations. Beyond the dragons, I appreciate how Bioware is always working to improve the ability for players to customize their experience while still telling a great story and many side stories, I couldn’t have asked for a better chapter in the Dragon Age universe.

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Dragon Age II Microreview

Dragon Age II Microreview – 17/20!

Dragon Age II is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts.

The player assumes the role of Hawke, a male or female human mage, warrior, or rogue who is driven from his or her homeland of Ferelden by the blight the Hero of Ferelden battles in Dragon Age: Origins. Hawke arrives in the city of Kirkwall as a refugee of no status, survives and flourishes into a legendary champion over a decade of personal and political conflict.

Of the Dragon Age trilogy, I played this one last and I lost interest halfway through for about a month or more before returning to complete it. The main plot is engaging, the combat flows well and the graphics are aesthetically pleasing. What began to frustrate me is the constant recycling of the same settings throughout the game; the same areas were used over and over again as the years progressed, although with no physical changes. That being said, I am extremely pleased with how well the end of Dragon Age II leads into Dragon Age: Inquisition. If you have the time and the patience, it’s worth playing in chronological order.

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Dragon Age: Origins Microreview

Dragon Age: Origins Microreview – 20/20!

I cannot believe I allowed myself to overlook Dragon Age: Origins for so long! I love a game that places a lot of the power in the player’s hands. From creating a character that looks the way you want, to dialogue and action choices that shape the way the world in the game perceives you and evolves; the choices are yours. This makes the game a lot more engaging and the characters more intimate. Though it can sometimes be a chore to play a dated game for the sake of playing a series from start to finish, I enjoyed every minute of Dragon Age: Origins.

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