queenofhyperfixations

[queenofhyperfixations]

*reappears suddenly* here's some fluffy varric x hawke stuff *disappears again*

[queenofhyperfixations]

I think it's absolutely wild how DATV and DA2 are complete opposites of each other almost down to the letter. I find this super interesting because both were 'rushed' (DAtV as it stands today only had a few years in development, even though there was a ten year gap because they kept scrapping things) and yet the developers chose to focus on completely different things when they knew they wouldn't have as much time as they'd like.

Like.

DAtV is an absolutely beautiful game in terms of graphics. Stunningly so. Even for the time it came out, DA2 had bad graphics.

DAtV has multiple interesting maps; even those without a lot of content are still varied and again, quite beautiful. DA2 reuses all it's dungeon maps without shame.

DAtV allows you to create a Rook with a unique backstory, race and appearance. DA2 you have to be human and you'll always have the same backstory.

HOWEVER DAtV doesn't give Rook a lot of real choices or personality options. Rook acts the same basically no matter how you play them. Hawke has three main personalities and when the game doesn't let you pick dialogue it will make Hawke speak in whatever of these three you most commonly pick.

DA2 is a game about systematic injustices, power and how you deal with both. DAtV scrubbed all systematic injustices from Thedas and made all that stuff background at best, completely ignored and forgotten at worst.

DA2 is full of companions who can be genuinely antagonistic with the player; they even have a rivalry system to account for the fact. A lot of cut scenes can end with you shouting or being mean to each other. DAtV everyone is nice and speaks in therapy speak. There's no real way to lose approval or to get mad at your companions.

DA2 has companions who hate one another; they're antagonistic if you bring them out and they are just mean a lot of the time. The closest DATV gets to this is Taash and Emmrich and rook 'solves' their fight super easily and then they get along great. Also, the reason they're arguing is just Taash finds Emmrich creepy not you know. A big political difference in opinion.

DA2 gives Hawke the chance to pick 'evil' options. You, personally, can kill your companions and you can also just be a dick. DAtV forces you to play as a hero all the way down to the heroic pre-written backstory.

There's I'm sure more contrasts. But I think what it comes down to is that DAtV prioritised being a 'good' game in terms of things like graphics, maps and had a more sanitised version of Thedas so 'everyone' could enjoy it. Whereas DA2 dropped the graphics and maps almost completely so it could focus on conflict, politics and interpersonal relationships.

And I think this kinda mirrors a LOT of modern gaming compared to games made 10 - 20 years ago. But it's even more starkly obvious because of the fact that they were both rushed so it's very clear what prioritises they picked.

[queenofhyperfixations]

Wait

Does Lancelot exist in the Dragon Age Universe? Because if not, Ser Pounce-A-Lot isn’t a pun name to Anders.

He just looked at that cat and thought

“Man he sure do pounce a lot”

And decided not only was that a sensible cat name, but that cat is clearly a Sir.

[queenofhyperfixations]

✵ Did you tell them? About us? ✵

✵ Of course not. ✵

[queenofhyperfixations]

some Duncans as I try to figure out his face again

[queenofhyperfixations]

everyone's favorite rivaini

[queenofhyperfixations]

dragon age has the most interesting lore about orzammar dwarves and then the story treat surfacers like they are basically humans and they dont go deep in what it means to them at all.

There are surface dwarves who still believe in the caste system and this is only on a codex entry and we dont really see it. We had the little story of varric and bianca not being able to be together for surface dwarven politics but lets not look into it much in the story, is not important. Is not like it's about a character that is in 3 games out of 4.

Most of the surface dwarves are either merchants or carta criminals, you dont see any fancy dwarf in any noble party (unless you bring varric there). You dont see any dwarf being a templar, or a city guard, or a chantry sister, but its all cool they are basically like normal humans there. The chantry would rather lobotomize their own kind to get enchantments by the tranquil mages than hire a dwarf to do the job. Andrastianism apparently doesnt think dwarves are created by the maker and in this heavyly religious society surely this doesnt affect the surfacer dwarves at all. Varric and Harding are andrastian and you cant even ask them about what they think about believing a god that didnt create them. The human religion says that some human mages tried to go to some human god's house and that's why the deep roads where only dwarven lives are filled with darkspawn. but you know surface dwarves are basically humans story wise

[queenofhyperfixations]

VARRIC YOU ARE TELLING ON YOURSELF SO FUCKING BAD

[queenofhyperfixations]

interview with the vampire (2022–) + iolanta (1892)

[queenofhyperfixations]

john silver. character of all time if you think about it

[queenofhyperfixations]

THE NEWSREADER (2021-2025) + season 1 trivia [more]

via Stop Everything!, Off The Record: The Newsreader Fan Podcast, ABC iView, Emsolation, @/MrMichaelLucas, & S3 Premiere Q&A

[queenofhyperfixations]

HELEN NORVILLE + text posts & reactions [more]

[queenofhyperfixations]

DALE JENNINGS + text posts & reactions [more]

[queenofhyperfixations]

HELEN NORVILLE and DALE JENNINGS — THE NEWSREADER (2021-2025)

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babygirl

[queenofhyperfixations]

I will not write DAO fanfiction. I will not write DAO fanfiction. I will not write DAO fanfiction. I will not write DAO fanfiction.

Behold Daddy Duncan and his brat Alistair.

[queenofhyperfixations]

Part two for the character line up.~ I had to dress up Duncan at some point of course. 🥰 Commander of the Grey - I wanted to give him something lighter as he is a rogue. So its a long tabard over padded armor jacket with some elements from his original armour. :3 His casual look is what I imagine he would wear under the armour, just your typical puffy shirt with long boots since I feel like it would be very orlesian. And also because its a perfect outfit everyone deserves to wear, lol.

And then an expensive jacket with black boots and gloves(he is a goth in my heart) for some formal outing.