Forum:DA3 Romance

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Romance is one of the areas which I feel Dragon Age (and Mass Effect) come off most strongly really, but there are some things which could be added/changed to make it all better.

Returning to the fixed sexuality in Origins is the first, the DA2 system just didnt work really, most of the characters just didnt feel right

More complex romences, perhaps you'll be romancing someone who then takes an interest in another companion? Or someone takes an interest in you while their married or something like that.

What do you guys want to see romance wise in DA3? Shawtre (talk) 14:40, January 14, 2013 (UTC)

Truth be told I always thought the payoff should be more, shall we say, erotic? I am not saying it should be over the top, just a few steps down from Witcher 2 territory.

After all, Dragon Age freely shows violence and death, why for the most part has not a similar approach been made in reguards to sex? especially in story-drivern games where complex character development takes away the impression that sex is being shown for the sake of sex. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.24.139.105 (talk) 15:12, 14 January 2013‎

Because in the US, if the Mass Effect controversy is any indication, chopping a man's head off is perfectly okay, but side-boob? OUTRAGE! MORAL FAILINGS! SECULAR HEATHENS!!! *foams at mouth RShepard227 (talk) 20:43, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

You're over simplifying. It wasn't the US, it was Fox News. And even most of the panelists who were on tv to condemn it later on admitted that they hadn't seen it beforehand and recanted their statements.--Liam Sionnach (talk) 22:21, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

True, I was trying to forget that part. But it still speaks to a very stick-up-the-ass, anti-sex mentality and double-standard that runs rampant here in the US. RShepard227 (talk) 00:17, January 21, 2013 (UTC)

okay, let's take three "steps down" from the W2AoK approach: cover the naughty bits with underwear, cut the audio of gasps/grunts/moans/etc, and don't depict energetic motions (at least not at 'full speed'). what we are essentially left with are Origins-style sex scenes. better than DA2's or SWtOR's, but even so, this would only 'get my vote' if timely release of code allows for the same sorts of mods as were made for Origins (nudity, cutscene creation/extension, customized bodies). personally, some of us enjoy audio treats (hearing Vesna Hood from outside the Old Mill in the first Witcher game) as much as if not moreso than the eye-candy (Morrigan slithering to bed for the Dark Ritual, W2's Triss sorcery-ing off her clothes and diving, W1's vaguely dubious "card collection"). side note: some of us are also still unimpressed with the facial expressions (yes, even if we're clamoring for 'moar T&A!' that doesn't let designers off the hook - amusing though it might be to interpret the utterly gormless look up at whomever is straddling The Warden as 'orgasm-face'). Yeti magi (talk) 20:45, February 9, 2013 (UTC)

Interesting topic. I don't want all options bisexual like in DA2, Fenris and Merrill didn't seem to be affected by same gender. I want all romances true and full, all unlocking Paramour achievement, Sebastian didn't unlock this just like in ME2 Kelly and in ME3 Diana, those mentioned ME allowed to romance someone else, that's strange.

I also want LI options to be not so biased like in DA2, only Isabela was purely neutral and Sebastian didn't care much about side, he just wanted one person dead to stay in company. Fenris and Anders were extremists, especially the letter, Merrill was more neutral, but she like Fenris needed to be persuaded to stay, if I choose side they wouldn't choose. I dislike extremists.

I want LI options to be liked for their personalities, not just appearances. My sister complained Alistair is a childish prince and Zevran a libidous murderer, 2 exteremes. I liked Leliana because she was nice, not just cute, when Morrigan was a hot woman with cold personality on the beginning.

Marriage is too far for me, but I'd appreciate romantic scenes like dates and romance only quests. I prefer gift system from DAO with specific gift opening a cutscene like giving a cute nug to Leliana. I'm not erotomaniac, but "hot" scenes would be welcome in DA3 like in ME1 and Witcher2. 78.8.1.113 (talk) 15:29, January 14, 2013 (UTC)Just call me Dlaish fan.

I personally disliked DA2 for having all romance options bisexual. It would make more sense if some were heterosexual and some were not, as in Origins. I also think that there should be more than just 4 romance options all together, as you arn't given much variety (like if the male choices suck compared to some of the female options, if you do not wish to choose that gender). Furthermore, though I wouldn't likely bother, I think there should be a romance option that is strictly homosexual. It's not far to those who with a homosexual relationship that all of their options are bisexual or heterosexual. --R0B45 (talk) 08:36, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

Also I'd like to add, romance options that are racist (i.e. an elf that will not romance humans), those that will end romance because of your choices, and for other party members to initiate romances with each other. This is done in DA2 with Fenris and Isabella, as well as Aveline and Donnic, but it would also make sense if Alistair would have romanced Leliana, as they do in Darkspawn Chronicles.--R0B45 (talk) 08:40, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

Agreed. And to add, I'd like to see one homophobic companion; just for the shear pleasure of making him/her uncomfortable as I make out in public in front of them. Or maybe come across some gay bashers just for the thrill of slaughtering them.

And can we get a BDSM cutscene???Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 10:28, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

BDSM cutscene? Like people who wanted to romance their siblings in DA2 weren't enough... Maybe we should add some bestiality too, with mabari and all? -Algol- (talk) 13:09, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

You don't know what BDSM is do you. As for the sibling thing, I'll have to investigate that. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 20:44, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

I know what BDSM is. Do you? -Algol- (talk) 23:35, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

It doesn't need to be too extreme. A few leather suits with appropriately placed slits would already go a long way, and might actually be enough.TheodoricEichen (talk) 23:56, January 30, 2013 (UTC)

Oh look, I didn't know Zevran got wracked [1]. Well, now they have a president to build off of. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 03:48, February 2, 2013 (UTC)

I'd like a middle ground lady that's between the evil-atheist-witch and the bible-thumping-cloistersister-who-has-a-lisp.. and maybe one between the pirate slut and the 9 yr old boy with pointy ears Danthehumanmage (talk) 16:16, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

So as a gay player, I think I agree with most people that it would make more sense to have a gay character as a romance option, and not just all characters be bisexual. That being said, I don't think we deserve sluts like Isabela or Zevran as our options. We deserve truetrue gay representations, that would not be romanceable as a straight character.

I also agree with one of the posters above that is might be nice to have a homophobic companion. someone who would argue with you for being who you are. but that would be a fary down wish, since I still want someone to recognize me as a blood mage, but that's yet to happen.

I would like 6 romance option instead of 4. We generally have 10 companions and so 6 of them should be love interests and of these 6 (3 male & 3 female) 2 (1 male & 1 female) should be straight, 2 (1 male & 1 female) should be bisexual, and 2 (1 male & 1 female) should be gay/lesbian. This way regardless of the hero's sexual orientation they have 4 options. When I say romance option, I mean real companions with deep character and no extremists like Fenris and Anders or no child like Merrill. Also, I want romance options, actually every companion, to do something for my character. For instance, companion quests you do all the work for the companion and you get approval but none of them actually does anything for The Warden or Hawke. Romance in DA2 was worse they show time passes between acts but nothing happens with your LI. ~ King Warden

Fully agree. I'd also like to see more romantic involvement; I mean, after the romance was completed, that was it, aside from the break-up. It doesn't even have to be part of the main content; creating a DLC would be good enough for those of us who are interested in extra drama. Imagine, you main squeeze out of the blue wants you to release their main rival, "but baby, that's our healer..." Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 20:48, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

your calculation is incorrect - only 'the bi' would have 4 options under that setup; hetero- and homo- might each be hit on by 4 LIs, but only 2 would fit her/his orientation. (i.e. morrigan wants 'a man' but a gay man doesn't want morrigan) but i appreciate the attempt; we should always push for more options as far as i'm concerned and your suggestion is superior to DA2's sloppy "it's all good as long as there is little-to-no variation in voice-acting" approach. then again, the main character does always have the choice of discovering that her/his sexuality is more 'fluid' than previously supposed... this is of course all given the reasonable assumption that actually locking in Orientation does not become part of character creation! Yeti magi (talk) 21:16, February 9, 2013 (UTC)

More than just Companions should be romanceable just for extra measure and to provide the variety so many people are looking for, sort of like in ME3. For example, in DA2 you have the opportunity to Free an Elven Slave, take her in as a servant, or make her your own Slave. Perhaps a character similar to this, who has no combat experience could be chosen for a romance anyway because she's in a fixed location?

As for the Bisexual Romances, I agree that they seemed extremely unrealistic in all but Isabela's case. Not to sound homophobic, but when I played a male character it was odd to have Anders constantly make comments in a not so subtle way (even though I was clearly Anti-Mage with every character... and I was with Merrill) and then when I play a female have virtually the same comments (then again I just hated Anders from DA: A). For whatever reason, I'd like Bethany to be a romanceable option for male characters provided she survived DA: 2 (as well as her or Carver as the option to be a Companion since I iliked both characters a lot).--50.15.82.214 (talk) 22:56, January 20, 2013 (UTC)

There was a castle in concept art, maybe we could get a servant in their who would be Gay, Like Cortez and Traynor in ME3. Maybe have a steamy relationship with the cook or be doing the butler in the closet. Also I can't agree more with the above post about having 6 romance options. I want more than two guys and two girls, after multiple play throughs they get boring. Furthermore I want more races to romance. Merrill is currently the only female elven romance in the dragon age franchise, this should be rectified. I want a male dwarf with buckets of chest hair for our female demographic and a red haired elf as a romance option. Is that so wrong? B.S.S.T. (talk)

I would find it interesting if they made a couple of severely hedonistic characters not just characters that sleep with anything that moves because they were forced into marriage/ lost the only person they loved like Isabella and Zevron. It would be different if instead of an actual romance you can just create a pseudo harem of people who love to party and sleep around including companions and random people you meet.--24.243.3.38 (talk) 02:52, January 21, 2013 (UTC)

No doubt. I mean, in DAO, Wynne had quite a few dirty quips for Alistair; including during the DLC Return to Ostagar, "it wouldn't be the first time I woke up next to a younger man." Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 03:34, January 21, 2013 (UTC)

I also want development of romance in DA series. Sex is not everything, sympathy is adorable and things like rival romances are very interesting. Still I don't wish complex romances like in Japanese date games. Erotic cutscenes will make players to pay attention. Sex and violance always attract viewers.78.8.103.92 (talk) 19:21, January 28, 2013 (UTC)

If III turns into a Japanese dating sim, than we got bigger problems than the game. In that event, this is how we'll know there's going to be a Japanese invasion of Canada.--Lurooke Surana (talk) 02:40, January 29, 2013 (UTC)

Being capitulated by Japan? Thats not too bad, I could live with that.--R0B45 (talk) 17:22, January 29, 2013 (UTC)

Did I say problem? I meant event.--Lurooke Surana (talk) 18:32, January 29, 2013 (UTC)

I would actually think it pretty cool if you could marry your LI. I thought it was lame how I couldn't, I mean we did everything except actually tie the knot. It was cool that you could marry Sebastian as a female and Anora in DAO as a male. To bad they never actually showed the wedding though. Maybe they could have it be an option or have it come up in conversation without it actually being absolutely necessary for the romance. Bioware has had some convincing romances in that past, I bet they could pull it off. Frostico (talk) 21:42, January 29, 2013 (UTC)Frostico

I would like to have the option available, but not be essential to the romance subplot.--Lurooke Surana (talk) 22:22, January 29, 2013 (UTC)

Blasted pc mods; they have stuff that just pisses me off. Here's a Dalish wedding [2] on youtube. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 07:57, January 30, 2013 (UTC)

Shame some mods like this aren't canon.

In SWTOR were marriage options, so DA3 has possibility of developing this as well, both games made by same company.78.8.137.22 (talk) 22:12, January 29, 2013 (UTC) Just call me Dalish fan.

I think a lot of people hit on some good points. I'd love to see marriage as a possibility, and side quests that are specific to romance. I'd also like to see characters cheat on you as has been mentioned, and others who just aren't interested in you. I romanced Fenris and Anders in the game, but it would have been much more believable if Fenris had turned me down since I was a mage who was very pro-mage. I can't imagine if it were real that Fenris would have been able to look past this. Same goes for Anders if I was a pro-templar champion. Throw in that Anders love with Karl made it pretty obvious he was gay, or at least leaned gay, so I think any female champion would have had a hard time turning him. Plus, as a gay player, I love that Fenris was an option, but I don't think he would have actually hit for both teams. So if they could make the romances more believable, optional side quests for them.

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notme^^^---

My characters would probably kill romance options that cheated on them, *cackle*, and Anders only mentions Karl as his 'first' if you're a male hawke. If female hawke he implies they were just friends. And I think if Fenris had to pick a "team", he'd be homosexual. His relationship with Danarius was "intimate". Danarius obviously sexually abused him. Even though he's angry and hates everything about Danarius, I really get the submissive vibe from him. Personally I think Anders is just a very very feminine straight guy, since he hit on my female warden like crazy. P.S. I'd like to see a blonde romance option (female), since we've never had one before. Danthehumanmage (talk) 00:55, February 7, 2013 (UTC)

I stand corrected, never played through as a female so I didn't know Anders mentioned Karl as a friend. I don't get the gay vibe from fenris, but I do get the I was abused vibe from him, which is differnet.

I get the vibe from Anders to be entirely submissive, but from Fenris it's more of a dominant thing, especially witha mage, since he's so angry about his past experience with a mage.

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I'm a hopeless romantic type, so I want in DA3 warm romantic scenes, not just hot scenes. I know love without sex is wrong, but only sex looks so empty for me. My character will search for a sympathy, not a whore.78.8.141.42 (talk) 13:43, February 9, 2013 (UTC)

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I'd be very entertained if Bioware considered an experiment for DA3: no romances. At all. Seriously, who said videogames even need romances? Though this would actually show how many people are into DA (or ME) solely because of romances. Like it's a dating sim or something. -Algol- (talk) 14:32, February 9, 2013 (UTC)

Dude, you ever noticed how many -- and how many pages containing -- romance devoted threads there are on Bioware Antisocial Network? If they ever canned romancey stuff, it wouldn't just cause a shitstorm, it'd be a shitquake with a consequent shitsunami.
Also Anders is totally gay. He hits on dude Hawke first and a dudette Hawke has to press on him something bad and he valiantly keeps resisting, and he spouts faaaaar less cringeworthy Twilight shit when done with dude. Dorquemada (talk) 17:11, February 9, 2013 (UTC)

About Anders: Well he was written by Jennifer Hepler, after all :)

"If they ever canned romancey stuff, it wouldn't just cause a shitstorm, it'd be a shitquake with a consequent shitsunami" - But that's great! :D Seriously though, I would simply like to see how many people are into the game because of diddling their pixelated LI and not caring about anything else, that constitutes the game itself. Imho, romances should be the icing on the cake, but not the cake itself, like in recent Bioware games. -Algol- (talk) 23:21, February 9, 2013 (UTC)

Why romances were added to the games? And why stories were added to games? Answer is simple, to make games more interesting. And if you don't like romances, then simply don't do it.199.27.76.22 (talk) 23:26, February 10, 2013 (UTC)

You ever played on PS3? People want the so-coalled platinum trophies for several reasons, but the only way to get them is getting all other trophies, including romance ones. Doesn't really tie with "don't do them". Anyway, it's not about liking them or not, it's about a possible interesting experiment: what would people do if DA3 didn't have romances all of a sudden? Would they play the game regardless? Or simply wouldn't buy it? I'm curious. -Algol- (talk) 23:49, February 10, 2013 (UTC)

If the story in DA3 is good, I'm willing to forgive the no romance.--KCMueller (talk) 02:08, February 15, 2013 (UTC)

And if it's not? -Algol- (talk) 06:40, February 15, 2013 (UTC)

Then it could potentially be the first game I trade in after the first playthrough.--KCMueller (talk) 16:10, February 15, 2013 (UTC)

I don't know Al. A lot of games have LI's, but getting to chose a love interest really adds to the RPG experience. I agree with Dorquemada that taking the romance out of a Bioware game would probably cause a disaster within Bioware and considering how thin of ice they're on with the fans right now it might just kill Dragon Age. But this is only my opinion. B.S.S.T. (talk) 00:06, February 11, 2013 (UTC)

"taking the romance out of a Bioware game would probably cause a disaster within Bioware and considering how thin of ice they're on with the fans right now it might just kill Dragon Age"

Exactly! That's what bothers me the most in recent Bioware games. Take out a single optional feature and the whole franchise is doomed. Is it really the way it should be? I understand that removing romances from a dating sim will surely kill it, but there is more to RPGs. Apparently, not to recent Bioware RPGs. -Algol- (talk) 11:23, February 11, 2013 (UTC)

I don't believe it won't effect it. How many people paired their F!Mage Wardens with Cullen, or any other PC with an NPC that you can't romance? In the Bioware stance. I mean it's pretty much has to down imagination really. --Xxellenmaysongxx (talk) 17:35, February 14, 2013 (UTC)

Cullen? Yuck. Not that many, I hope. Also, I take it as a good sign that not too many people wanted to romance their sibling in DA2. In any case, given the example of Isabela less and less things are left to imagination. -Algol- (talk) 06:40, February 15, 2013 (UTC)

I think the best thing for bioware to do is to make the love scenes more mature. I mean, it's 18+ right? Why can't we be sensible adults about this. DAO and DA2 dropped the ball on these scenes, for different reasons. Anyway, I think BioWare should pay more attention to story, characters gameplay and graphics, in that order. A good romance sub plot won't save DA3 from being a horrible game, but a good story will make other more faulty aspects more forgivable.--Agent047 (talk) 15:09, February 12, 2013 (UTC)

I don't want 2 straight romances and 2 bisexual characters like Origins, I believe either they are all Bi or there are some who are straight, gay and bisexual. I don't care if the sex scenes are more erotic, I thought 2 did them better, no they weren't almost naked. But at least the animations didn't look horribly stiff (GEDDIT?!) And not really passionate. All I want is for the romances to have good endings this time. --TheRageMage (talk) 01:09, February 13, 2013 (UTC)TheRageMage

Contradictions aside; I agree, that the fornication in DA2 was better, having different styles and different music, rather than all romantic. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 03:12, February 13, 2013 (UTC)

- chuckles - Was just thinking about the relationships, and the dialogue options you get, sometimes they leave much to be desired. When talking to Wynne and she brings up your relationship, you can ask "you know about us?" Which seems oblivious to the fact that you've been fucking beside the campfire for all to see.

Having purposely held a relationship with Leliana now, I'm rather disappointed that she doesn't have an out-of-camp intimacy scene like Alistair and Morrigan. I haven't tried Zevran yet, I have issues with people trying to kill me; so I don't know if he has a public display of affection either. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 19:33, February 13, 2013 (UTC)

Here, try this: http://dragonage.nexusmods.com/mods/336 You can not only ask her for a kiss any time and anywhere, you can also ask her to sing the Dalish song again while you are in camp. The.Huntress (talk) 16:53, February 15, 2013 (UTC)

Unfortunately, Shadizar666 is a console gamer with his big fifty inch wide flat screen and stereo rumbles. So, no mods. 112.205.26.45 (talk) 04:56, February 18, 2013 (UTC)

Life without love is so empty, I know what I say, trust me.78.8.135.82 (talk) 18:36, February 16, 2013 (UTC)

To those saying no romances, then simply playthough and turn everybody down, you don't have to romance anyone if you don't want to! Simple as that, I managed to do that in ME1 and ME2. Phoenix96 (talk) 09:30, February 18, 2013 (UTC)

Tell it to people who want a platinum trophy on PS3. Also, it's not really about completely eradicating romances, it's about focusing on core aspects of the game, so it doesn't look like a dating sim. -Algol- (talk) 00:53, February 19, 2013 (UTC)

The romances do sometimes pose a problem to the decision making, you end up making choices with the mindset "what will get the romance option to like me" as opposed to "what would I do".--R0B45 (talk) 14:27, February 19, 2013 (UTC)

Or what would the character do??? While I like the different methods that are shown in DA2; I much prefer the different success settings used in DAO, Morrigan and Zevran being easier than Leliana and Alistair, Zevran just being a slut, while Alistair is a blushing virgin; and only while hardened, is the threesome option available with Isabela. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 21:03, February 19, 2013 (UTC)

And you want threesomes with everyone? Maybe you should just play games of a certain different genre? -Algol- (talk) 22:35, February 19, 2013 (UTC)

Perhaps one day you will quip something that is actually relevant to what I actually say. Until then, your responses will continue to be viewed as breadhead memes. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 22:52, February 19, 2013 (UTC)

I respond to your statements in the general tone of these statements. Breadhead memes, you say? -Algol- (talk) 22:59, February 19, 2013 (UTC)

Perhaps if you read what I actually said, you quips wouldn't come off so retarded. I have hope for you, you just continue to disappoint. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 23:03, February 19, 2013 (UTC)

@Shadizar666 Leliana being harder than Morrigan and Zevran? She like initiates a romance with my characters without me even suggesting a flirt, and gets heart-broken when I turn her down.--R0B45 (talk) 00:41, February 20, 2013 (UTC)

The kiss is relatively easy, yes; but as for consummating the relationship, I haven't done it until her quest is complete, no matter how hard I try. Alistair is easier in this sense, I don't have to kill anyone, be attacked by anyone, or even meet his cunt of a sister yet, I just have to get him to 90% and then tell him to follow my lead. Zevran will tumble at a whim; and Morrigan just needs 75%. Leliana IS, the toughest to bed, especially if you feel the need to kill Marjolaine; it's a hell of a fight at a moderate level, you're practically taking on the High Dragon for this woman. THEN... upon completion, she'll finally get neked and do the slippery. Is it worth it? Well, if you're male and courting Morrigan, the jealousy banters can be amusing; and Wynne seems to regard Leliana as some fragile china doll. Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 04:55, February 20, 2013 (UTC)

Ah, but aren't the hardest fruits to pick the ripest? B.S.S.T. (talk) 05:35, February 20, 2013 (UTC)

I hesitate to ask where you learned your metaphorical lingo. The ripest fruit, fall off the tree. You could make a case for crab and lobster... Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 05:42, February 20, 2013 (UTC)

I'd say crab metaphors go better with easiest fruits. Dorquemada (talk) 18:34, February 20, 2013 (UTC)

Algol, I don't get the beef you seem to have with the romances. Something about wanting to know if the games are good without them? Do you think that DA2's flaws are a result of focusing more on the romance subplots than the rest of the game? Because otherwise being against the romance options seems kind of arbitrary. And to my knowledge Bioware has always had romances, they're kind of known for it now.--Liam Sionnach (talk) 19:11, February 20, 2013 (UTC)

I have difficulty thinking the romances caused any of the flaws, because the romances weren't all that great; almost like they were put together as an afterthought, "oh yeah, we're bioware, we need romances in here, ummm..." Shadizar666 (Ruck Rules) 19:22, February 20, 2013 (UTC)