Dragon Age Inquisition vs. Elder Scroll V: Skyrim

[XtremelyBaneful]

So, I know this is not a completely fair poll since skyrim is a last gen title and da3 is a new gen title, but I still think the 2 games are very comparable.

So for those of you who love the 2 or one of the 2, which in your opinion is the better game? The better experience, the open world, medieval setting, dragons, gameplay, characters, etc.

The overall better game. Curious to see how this will turn out.

 

[Soapy]

Skyrim.

I'll fully admit that I didn't play a ton of Inquisition, but what I did play I kind of hated. That says a lot considering I was pretty excited to play it and wanted to like it.

Mass Effect 4 better be ****ing spectacular, because I'm at the end of my rope with Bioware. If it winds up being yet another disappointment, I'm done with them for the foreseeable future.

 

[Quasimod0]

Skyrim for sure. I'm really enjoying Inquisition so far. But it isn't nearly as immersive as Skyrim. The first person perspective did a whole lot for that game. The Skyrim combat felt like it had more weight as well.
Inquisition is a really fun rpg though. I'm not even halfway through and I really like it.

 

[Drz]

Skyrim is the better game, but Inquisition has the best companions on the Dragon Age franchise imho. Only thing lacking from Inquisition is extensive amount of Dwarf lore.

 

[Quasimod0]

Inquisition has better characters for sure.

 

[Victarion]

Skyrim has the better open world. Inquisition has the better story. So I go with Inquisition.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

X, i wanna hear your opinion

 

[Poetic Chaos]

Really enjoyed Inquisition but love Skyrim. It's the extra content that seals it for me. Inquisition has a lot of side quests, but no real side storylines. Playing through the questlines for the different guilds in Skyrim actually adds to the overall lore; it's not just something to do.

 

[X Knight]

X, i wanna hear your opinion

who me??

at this point, I'd have to go with Skyrim. if nothing else for the greater deal of freedom in how you can build your character and the overall greater sense of immersion in the world. In Skyrim, I actually felt I was walking through the streets of a town or exploring a dungeon.

My excitement for DAI has dropped considerably over the last few weeks. The story and characters really haven't grabbed me, certainly not on the same level that DAO did.

plus, with each subsequent DA game, it feels the classes and skills are becoming more and more restrictive - and I'm not a fan of that direction.

in Skyrim, there are no class restrictions and you are free to build your character how you want to.

If I want to build a sword and shield paladin or holy, magic knight character who's proficient with sword and shield warrior skills in addition to healing/buff magic as well as some offensive fire magic, I could build that in Skyrim. If I want to switch between sword and shield and archery, I can do that. If I want to create a mage-rogue hybrid, I can do that. If I want a dual wielding warrior, I can do that in Skyrim.

can't do any of that in the DA games, especially in DA2 and DAI. In DAO, you at least had less class-weapon restrictions. Warriors in DAO could learn archery or dual wield. Mages could become Arcane Warriors and equip any weapon and armor, even if they lacked the actual weapon skills.

After DAO, I had hoped they would give us more freedom in how we can build our characters. but they've been going in the opposite direction with the subsequent games ( they totally gutted healing spells in DAI, for instance ). and if that's the direction they're continuing to go in, then I can't say I'm looking forward to DA 4 or whatever it will be called.

In fact, I'm actually looking more forward to the next ME game than I am to the next DA game. and that's saying something cuz I usually prefer the sword and sorcery stuff vs sci fi space stuff.

indeed, one regret I do have in selling both my 360 and PS3 is that I can't go back and play Skyrim again.

so, hopefully, they release a remaster Skyrim for the PS4 and X1 to tide us over until we get ES VI.

 

[Benstamania]

Skyrim.. DAI was boring. After playing a good 30 hours of that game I'm absolutely done with that franchise.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

skyrim was an all time favorite among many.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

who me??

at this point, I'd have to go with Skyrim. if nothing else for the greater deal of freedom in how you can build your character and the overall greater sense of immersion in the world. In Skyrim, I actually felt I was walking through the streets of a town or exploring a dungeon.

My excitement for DAI has dropped considerably over the last few weeks. The story and characters really haven't grabbed me, certainly not on the same level that DAO did.

plus, with each subsequent DA game, it feels the classes and skills are becoming more and more restrictive - and I'm not a fan of that direction.

in Skyrim, there are no class restrictions and you are free to build your character how you want to.

If I want to build a sword and shield paladin or holy, magic knight character who's proficient with sword and shield warrior skills in addition to healing/buff magic as well as some offensive fire magic, I could build that in Skyrim. If I want to switch between sword and shield and archery, I can do that. If I want to create a mage-rogue hybrid, I can do that. If I want a dual wielding warrior, I can do that in Skyrim.

can't do any of that in the DA games, especially in DA2 and DAI. In DAO, you at least had less class-weapon restrictions. Warriors in DAO could learn archery or dual wield. Mages could become Arcane Warriors and equip any weapon and armor, even if they lacked the actual weapon skills.

After DAO, I had hoped they would give us more freedom in how we can build our characters. but they've been going in the opposite direction with the subsequent games ( they totally gutted healing spells in DAI, for instance ). and if that's the direction they're continuing to go in, then I can't say I'm looking forward to DA 4 or whatever it will be called.

In fact, I'm actually looking more forward to the next ME game than I am to the next DA game. and that's saying something cuz I usually prefer the sword and sorcery stuff vs sci fi space stuff.

indeed, one regret I do have in selling both my 360 and PS3 is that I can't go back and play Skyrim again.

so, hopefully, they release a remaster Skyrim for the PS4 and X1 to tide us over until we get ES VI.

yes X, you.

wow. You were pretty much the only person I knew who was actively playing that game. That must mean that skyrim was not only a better game but just one the best games. The poll's pretty onesided.

 

[X Knight]

yes X, you.

wow. You were pretty much the only person I knew who was actively playing that game. That must mean that skyrim was not only a better game but just one the best games. The poll's pretty onesided.

well, there's only 13 votes in the poll.......lol.

but yeah......I've just been letdown by the DA games since DAO.

not saying Skyrim was perfect by any means, and I certainly had issues with that as well. but now, when I think back and compare the experiences I've had playing the 2 games, I'd have to say I had more fun playing Skyrim.

I still remembered when I first played it and how it felt like I was immersed in the world.

DAI might have a more robust story and companions, but so far, neither have really hooked me.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

well, there's only 13 votes in the poll.......lol.

but yeah......I've just been letdown by the DA games since DAO.

not saying Skyrim was perfect by any means, and I certainly had issues with that as well. but now, when I think back and compare the experiences I've had playing the 2 games, I'd have to say I had more fun playing Skyrim.

I still remembered when I first played it and how it felt like I was immersed in the world.

yeahh but there's nothing else I can do to get more people to vote. Just have to settle with what I got. quite the unlucky number tho

looking back, Skyrim will probably go down as one of the greatest games of all time. dai while no slouch, is just another... good game I guess.

 

[Brother Jack]

They are pretty different animals despite both being big medieval fantasy RPG's. Inquisition is obviously much more character and story focused while Skyrim is more about world exploration. Going through the former right now and I'm really into the character interaction and the narrative is pretty interesting. The gameplay is robust as well which I would rate above Skyrim, but nothing can touch the sense of place that Bethesda can offer. Skyrim is one of the greatest examples of world building in history. The pull of a great sense of immersion can overcome many flaws and while Skyrim is certainly not without faults but it exemplifies one of the best and most unique aspects of games a medium.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

I really liked Inquisition but I'm still going to say Skyrim.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

well, I guess we have our answer.

 

[Andrew Lucas]

Story, Characters and Combat = Inquisition.

World = Skyrim.

So for me, DAI, the writing is much better than Skyrim while the opponent has the more "alive" world.

I prefer the Dragon Age franchise more than The Elders Scrolls, much more engaging and immersive. The roleplay factor is also a big deal for me.

 

[bored]

I prefer story over open world. Granted I LIKE big, open, immersive worlds, but story still matters more to me. The "Dragon Age" series gives you a big, immersive world, but the driving narrative in each game is still strong. "Inquisition" is definitely bigger and more meandering in many places than the previous games, but manages to hold a fantastic storyline, and with a large, diverse, and interesting support cast. Seriously, I think "Dragon Age 2" had the best characters overall, but "Inquisition" came close in terms of quality, and blew both it and "Origins" out of the water in terms of quantity.

 

[Andrew Lucas]

I prefer story over open world. Granted I LIKE big, open, immersive worlds, but story still matters more to me. The "Dragon Age" series gives you a big, immersive world, but the driving narrative in each game is still strong. "Inquisition" is definitely bigger and more meandering in many places than the previous games, but manages to hold a fantastic storyline, and with a large, diverse, and interesting support cast. Seriously, I think "Dragon Age 2" had the best characters overall, but "Inquisition" came close in terms of quality, and blew both it and "Origins" out of the water in terms of quantity.

If you don't mind me asking? Why do you think that DA2 characters are the best ones? While they interesting at some extent, they are like a downgrade of DAO crew, I couldn't engage with anyone besides Varric and Bethany IMO.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I prefer story over open world. Granted I LIKE big, open, immersive worlds, but story still matters more to me. The "Dragon Age" series gives you a big, immersive world, but the driving narrative in each game is still strong. "Inquisition" is definitely bigger and more meandering in many places than the previous games, but manages to hold a fantastic storyline, and with a large, diverse, and interesting support cast. Seriously, I think "Dragon Age 2" had the best characters overall, but "Inquisition" came close in terms of quality, and blew both it and "Origins" out of the water in terms of quantity.

See I agree about story and characters. The thing is while they do make interesting and often fun characters, their stories are derivative and not all that well structured.

 

[Andrew Lucas]

If there is one thing that Bioware knows how to craft, is a good story with most of the time, well written characters, that's something that have been happening for years now, even if DA2 was a major letdown in comparison with DAO.

And comparing their storytelling way with Skyrim's one, they have the advantage by a long shot.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

If there is one thing that Bioware knows how to craft, is a good story with most of the time, well written characters, that's something that have been happening for years now, even if DA2 was a major letdown in comparison with DAO.

And comparing their storytelling way with Skyrim's one, they have the advantage by a long shot.

What is good about Bioware's stories? Is this an age thing? Because I am not old, not even 30 yet. But I have spent a lot of my life reading books and watching a lot of films. I like Bioware games, they make fun characters. But good stories? They are derivative, scatter shot and melodramatic.

We aren't talking Value or BioShock Infinite here.

 

[Andrew Lucas]

What is good about Bioware's stories? Is this an age thing? Because I am not old, not even 30 yet. But I have spent a lot of my life reading books and watching a lot of films. I like Bioware games, they make fun characters. But good stories? They are derivative, scatter shot and melodramatic.

We aren't talking Value or BioShock Infinite here.

Yup, good stories.


The power in these games is how they open the plot up to the player and then immediately close off the path when the choice is made. It allows players to engage with a story they think they have a handle on and then take over when the stakes get higher. And the formula makes for extraordinary games. You get invested with the world that Bioware gives you, you can roleplay in such tale where everything is at stake, Thedas or the whole galaxy. You get emotionally invested, you care for the characters, you need to go against impossible odds while being careful to not destroy a whole race or location. It's your choice. And everything manages to fits it's porpuse.

They make good games. They've created a unique form of storytelling that is both linear and based on player choice; they tell a story and leave plenty of blanks for the player to fill. It won't last forever, but while the getting is good they're responsible for some of the best stories a person can engage with a controller in their hands. That's why they have been called "Masters of Storytelling" for years now. Since Neverwinter and Kotor.

I played Infinite, and I enjoyed pretty much about that game, but I never got engaged with the story and characters in the same way that I did with Mass Effect and Dragon Age. But that's me. It's not about age, I don't know why you brought that up, but it's your opinion, I won't try to convert you LOL.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yup, good stories.


The power in these games is how they open the plot up to the player and then immediately close off the path when the choice is made. It allows players to engage with a story they think they have a handle on and then take over when the stakes get higher. And the formula makes for extraordinary games. You get invested with the world that Bioware gives you, you can roleplay in such tale where everything is at stake, Thedas or the whole galaxy. You get emotionally invested, you care for the characters, you need to go against impossible odds while being careful to not destroy a whole race or location. It's your choice. And everything manages to fits it's porpuse.

They make good games. They've created a unique form of storytelling that is both linear and based on player choice; they tell a story and leave plenty of blanks for the player to fill. It won't last forever, but while the getting is good they're responsible for some of the best stories a person can engage with a controller in their hands. That's why they have been called "Masters of Storytelling" for years now. Since Neverwinter and Kotor.

They did not create this. It has been around since Dungeon and Dragons and choice your own adventure.

Bioware's biggest gift is their ability to write charming, fun characters. They aren't putting together Goodfellas here. Their storytelling is lax, and reeks of pouching.

And I also find the general way Bioware delivers the story to be harmful. I sit about fast forwarding through mountains of conversations to make sure I don't miss anything and this causes someone to drop dead. Not because they have extremely engaging storytelling.

They also proved with Mass Effect that decisions don't really matter. It all comes down to three prearranged color coded responses. If a character died, they simply replace them.

I played Infinite, and I enjoyed pretty much about that game, but I never got engaged with the story and characters in the same way that I did with Mass Effect and Dragon Age. But that's me. It's not about age, I don't know why you brought that up, but it's your opinion, I won't try to convert you LOL.

I bring up age as I see a lot of kids who grew up with videogames, like I did, seem to have been raised on that style of storytelling, and haven't exactly done a lot of exploring outside of the medium. I remember when Final Fantasy VII was the pinnacle of storytelling in my eyes as well. Then I got really into film and non-fantasy books. Kind of like how if you ran into a young girl or boy who grew up only knowing Twilight and they tell you how it is a masterpiece of storytelling. It is their opinion, but I'd doubt their scope.

Levine's Infinite is one of the few examples I have encountered in video games where there was legitimate story of honest complexity, mood and challenge. He did this without missing the game part. Portal is also a fantastic example of this.

Videogames are basically were television was 20 years ago. Before the Sopranos, The Wire, Mad Men, etc. Before the shift into more mature storytelling.