E3 - BioWare Shows Off Dragon Age Details

Thanks to GameSpy for the brief details and screenshots on BioWare's new RPG, Dragon Age, noting of the 2005-due PC title: "What makes the combat system unique is that the game can be played in the over-the-shoulder mode of Knights of the Old Republic or in the tactical overhead mode of Baldur's Gate... The game also utilizes the 'combat pause,' which allows players to plan strategy while the action is frozen." BioWare's Greg Zeschuk is quoted as suggesting the game "melds the fun of party interaction from Baldur's Gate, the community and multiplayer aspect of Neverwinter Nights and the tactical combat of Knights of the Old Republic." Elsewhere, there are new screenshots of Jade Empire, BioWare's Microsoft-published Xbox RPG, and IGN Xbox's preview of Star Wars: KOTOR 2, Obsidian-developed but BioWare engine-using.

Comments

Indeed, I was wondering too.

[Anonymous Coward]

When I just read this I was wondering, too.

Additionally, the over the shoulder view isn't all too great for a rpg where you control more than one character.

If the controls are at least ok a good story is worth FAR more than those 'unique' things. Oh, and full multiplayer, please :).

Re:Neverwinter Nights already does this:

[Anonymous Coward]

You've got to remember this is E3; a convention where a game company will try and pass off a bowl of chilli fries as innovation.

A true sequel to Baldur's Gate?

[arhar]

I'm one of the few people that didn't like the hack-n-slash gameplay of Neverwinter Nights and felt that it was a dissapointment after the brilliance of Baldur's Gate I and II.

Maybe I'm having my expectations too high, but I am absolutely psyched about this game. Please, Bioware, not too much fighting, more memorable characters (I think Minsc (+ Boo) was a greatest character in history of games), and more great storyline twists!

Pause n Play Combat Design is not a fluffy comment

[rtrifts]

The point was not that adding pause was something special or new. NWN had a pause feature - just like BG - you hit the space bar. We all know this.

The point is that NWN was not *designed* as a pause n play game as BG/BGII and KotoR were.

With the reintroduction of a party and a campaign that focusses on the Single Player experience in Dragon Age to permit parties and more cinematics in game. Above all, it will feature a move back to pause n play tactics during combat.

The fact there is a pause button is drwan to your attention as it is to be an integral part of the game - something you use during combat often -not when you want to refill the coffee mug.

This was not a silly "tech feature" comment - it was an important comment on the expected style of gameplay. Less Diablo - more BGII.