Plenty of things I don't like in DOA that's for sure
:
1. Oversimplified inventory system. I like to manage inventories, I really do. Contrary to what many people prefer I consider the inventory an important part of an RPG. I don't like the fact that all the party's resources are thrown in one big "pool". Also I don't like the fact I can haul 70 full plate mails at level 1, it's lame and badly designed. The devs took user friendliness to a negative extreme here for me.
2. Parties of 4. Stop those parties of 4 already! God! Every damn game limits your party to 4. Back in 1988 even parties consisted of 6. Instead of a leap forwards since then we've actually stumbled backwards. This means less interaction, running back to the camp to change party members, which is a (intentional?) time sink.
3. The magic system. I like playing mages, but this system is a joke. There's something to be said for being able to freeze the whole world at level 5, but it gets old quickly. Yes, you're effective early in the game, but personally I believe in growing as a character. If I can cast wishes at level 5, why would I want to go on and reach level 10? Also it renders the whole level system moot, because you don't grow more powerful as the game progresses, you already have that "be all end all" spell, in DOA leveling in magic just means more of the same. As a mage I like an arsenal of spells and I don't like to be forced to choose what spell I pick next. I suppose Bioware went for the sorceror approach, which I never liked anyway.
4. The skill system. Not really a system to begin with... It seems added as an aftertought.
5. The DLC's. I suppose DLC is here to stay, but after being in DLC HELL for the past 2 days after formatting my system and reinstalling (DLC not appearing, save games where my DLC's were mysteriously unauthorized though I was logged in, bought DLC disappearing to be bought again with points, etc...) I hate the whole DLC system even more vehemently and I'm a staunch defender of EQUAL content for all. Unless it's an expansion, the customer shouldn't be forced to pay for minimal extra content. And if the system to acquire that content is bugridden and flawed, the press and gamesites have to make sure the customer knows that instead of giving a score of 90/100 or A+ 3 days before a game hits the shelves, because the developer and the publisher will obviously not. I do not blame this on EA, because Bioware has does this thing in the past with NWN (Kingmaker modules etc...). It saddens me to see that Bioware, a company I respected once, is choosing to milk the cashcow (read customer) too.
6. A set world to explore. I generally prefer BG1 over BG2 and here's why: in BG1 there were lots of area's to explore and there was something resembling exploration. Do you remember slaughtering the Xvart village or the area with the sirens, the golem caves and the Ulcaster school? In BG2 this was cut and every area in Amn was filled with plot advancers or quest NPC's. Same here. Outside of what the devs want to show you it seems there's nothing in Ferelden to see or explore. I hate to be taken by the hand and led around.
7. Quest givers and NPC's are a waste of time. Let's replace them all with boards and panels and place 50 lame sidequests on them. That's just laziness.
I don't know about you guys but that was a huge letdown for me. More sidequests? Let's add a Blackstones Irregulars board to Redcliffe. Not enough? Let's add a Mage board and Chantry board too. Come on... And to add insult to injury, the few quests NPC's out there get a huge exclamation mark pasted over their heads.
8. A very dead world. During the perpetual daylight, unless nightfall is scripted for an event, I can't remember ever seeing it rain or seeing the seasons change (or maybe once, I can't remember), etc... Stuff like that adds to immersion and can make a good game great.
That all being vented, there are also positive things I can say about DOA, but since this thread is all about disappointments I'll refrain from pointing them out
