Mirage

As someone said above, another Vampire the Masquerade game, if done in roughly the same vein, would be incredible. Understandably, a "Bloodlines II" would be off the table (unless Obsidian bought the rights), but I'd be quite content with a story-driven RPG set in the World of Darkness.

I get the overall point of what MCA said, but have Obsidian stated whether or not they are still considering a smaller-scale downloadable sequel to AP?

I'd agree with this, although I'm aware others might not share this opinion. It was a combination of things really, the animation, the VA, the writing. Of course, the character facial animations now seem somewhat archaic but are ironically still better than in other current games. I don't know, Bloodlines just had this vibrancy and creative energy that I don't think has been replicated in any other game. I also loved the modern theme blended with the RPG formula.

Perhaps it's telling that the only game I have all 50 achievements for is AP (just got the last one). I did have my gripes with the game, but that is what sequels are for. You could tell though that quite a bit of effort was put into specific parts of the game, the writing, the music, most of the VA was excellent, especially characters like Leland. The little effects were what impressed me the most. Like the dramatic "fading to white" screen at the end of an interrogation scene with Thorton (or before one), and the accompanying music. There were points when it actually felt like a movie. Who owns the IP? Sega? While I expect a sequel to do better if marketing or certain parts of the gameplay were "improved" I simply know that the RPGs that I like to play the most (think Bloodlines) rarely sell spectacularly. Who knows, maybe Obsidian could pull it off. You know, the thing with AP was, there were parts that were downright amazing, then there were areas that could've used a change befor release. I'll always believe that AP had a hidden brillance, mainly in concept, but some parts of the game were executed refreshingly. It's a shame we most likely won't see a sequel. I'm hoping I'm dead wrong on that.

Yeah, and I'm sure the voice acting took up a large portion of the budget in question. I'm not sure if we'll ever see a project like that again. Mitsoda (who is now working on Dead State) said he did think about working on a project like Bloodlines but that the AoD tech would have to mature to the point that it wouldn't cost a million dollars to make, or whatever. As a frame of reference the VA in Bloodlines costed more than their entire Dead State seems to be.

AP had a complex story, but it lacked much-needed color in its characters, its strength was the vast possibilities in which the characters would respond to you. DS3, I'm hoping is a satisfying romp through a decently told story. Honestly, I thought Jade Empire was a well told story (I know this is Bioware, but still), yet I know not everyone appreciated it. So this is true that there is an element of subjectivity at play here. But, if DS3 has a mildly engaging plot, with characters that possess some depth, I'll be sated. Really, the personalities of characters can over-ride flaws in the general story.

Oh, yes, I agree there is plenty of subjectivity in my previous question. I suppose I wasn't expecting anything spectacular from an ARPG in the story department, just hopeful. Can I at least have lesiurely conversations with my companion? I just want an RPG with a story I can sink my teeth into a little bit, I know even the devs stated it won't have as many lines of dialog as say New Vegas, or AP, but in terms of sheer dialog length is it on par with KOTOR II? I probably sound like a big story nerd, this is a secret obsession of mine I only let out on internet forums.

So not the best story Obsidian's done? (or even close, I take it). So, just so I have an idea, what game would be most comparable to DS3 story-wise, as far as quality goes? I suppose I expected more considering the mastermind behind MOTB was at the helm. But back on topic, nearly 20hrs isn't bad. AP took me less.

Well, I just ordered my copy online. Length doesn't bother me, as long as replayability is high. So, for those that have beaten the game: how's the story/characters? Are they up to Obsidian's standards? I've asked this question on another thread but I lost track of it! (srry for the repetition). Honestly, they are the only reasons I buy Obsidian games, well that and C&C, but that is heavily related to the story IMO.

So, I know this will seem like a weird question concerning an Action RPG, but since this is an Obsidian game I believe it is justified. How is the story/characters? Are they both well-written? How are these aspects compared to say Fallout New Vegas? Okay that was more than one question, but any impressions would be most welcome.

Eh. Overall, I've been unimpressed with the VO and dialogue writing, but I wouldn't say it's bad. It's really really hard to have a dialogue not sound stilted when one character is voiced and the PC isn't, and when the conversation always cycles back to "so, what else do you want to talk about." Some of it is worse than others, though. I just had my first long chat with Veronica (I had somehow missed her the first time I passed through the location where she hangs out), and I couldn't wait to kick her out and go get Boone again. Although that just may be my general dislike of her particular nerd-culture character archetype (i.e., the aggressively peppy sarcastic chick). Well, the PC wasn't voiced in Bloodlines and many people that have played it consider the VA to be top-notch. But you have a point on the cycling thing. I think part of it is getting the right person for the role. I mean, yeah, NV is better than F3 in the story/VA department but that isn't saying much.

Hmm, has it been established whether or not Obsidian are doing the DLCs?

I agree with you. I was also referring to their Black Isle days. Also, while almost every reelease they've had is leaps and bounds above the industry in a few key areas, I know most of them pale in comparison to what they are capable of. It's a compliment, in a twisted way.

Fallout always was kind of "Wild West" (Sci-Fi Western). If at all, then Fallout 3 broke with it. Sure, I guess. However that doesn't stop me from disliking that type of atmosphere, also that type of music. Still like the game, though.

Seeing a shadow of its former glory would be nice.