LH - We've all had some sort of upsetting experience in our lives, whether it be a movie, game, book, family matter, or political issue. Sometimes we get exactly what we hope for, and all ends up being well in the world. And sometimes we're introduced to a situation that looks surefire, and as we approach it, we are dropped off through a trap door into disappointment. Well this blog is about the disappointments that Jolt and I have endured as far as the gaming industry goes. Feel free to mourn with us, as we break down this list of misused potential. 

I think Jolt has a little something to complain about for starters actually...

Dragon Age 2

Jolt - I sure as heck do. I have a pretty big bone to pick with Bioware. 

Dragon Age: Origins was a masterpiece. Doubt that statement? In 2009, it won over 50 awards. It won 30 Game of the Year awards. The VGA's awarded it the RPG of the Year. It seemed obvious that Bioware had struck gold, with the expansive world of Thedas with its comic outlets and expanded DLC content. I wasn't a fan of Mass Effect then, but comments were made that the developers had another ME on their hands. Looking back now, Dragon Age certainly had that potential. 

Keyword there is "had", which is past tense. 

Sooner rather than later, Dragon Age 2 was released. It didn't take a genius to know that Bioware had ruined a franchise. How?

Some said that the battle system of DA:O was slow and unworthy of a modern RPG. I disagree, but Bioware remedied that in DA2, making every press of the button an attack. It was fast-paced, just as fans wanted. Everything else fell flat on its face.

Darkspawn. The staple of the Dragon Age: Origins games were gruesome to say the least. The first time I saw them during the cut-scenes at Ostagar, I remember saying 'What the f*** is that thing?!' Jump to DA2, and the darkspawn look, to me, like they haven't been rendered completely. Trapezoids and triangles make up the spawn, as if the development team fell aslepp mid-job. Disappointing. 

The characters are my next gripe. Anders first made his appearance in Awakening, an expansion of Origins. He was witty, comical, and just plain funny. He made me laugh several times. In DA2, he was turned into an emo shell of his former self. I get the whole Justice thing, but seriously... it was a major downgrade in my mind.

Merril, the elf, appeared briefly in Origins in the Dalish story. She was in line to be Keeper, leader of the clan. She was smart, brave, and resourceful. Bioware did a complete 180 with her in DA2. She turned into a timid, frightened little girl. It's not the same character, and to insinuate such is a load of rubbish. The only worthwhile characters are Varric and Isabella. That's not an opinion, either. 

Probably my biggest gripe is the repitition. Dragon Age sends you into caves and dungeons, as many RPGs have a tendency to do. Bioware seemed to be low on the brainpower, however, because I could swear that I saw the same dungeon layout about six or seven times. I was visiting different places, but the surroundings were identical to past areas. It felt like they stopped trying, and didn't think we'd notice. 

Dragon Age Origins story is a compelling one. There's a sense of unity, urgency, and the will to overcome any obstacle in your way to save Ferelden. Dragon Age 2 takes a different approach. You are stationary in Kirkwall and trying to build up your family's reputation. 

I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty lame next to preventing The Blight from engulfing all of Thedas. Sequels are supposed to build on the previous game's plot, not take away from it. 

I purchased Dragon Age 2 on launch day expecting to be taken on a journey. Instead, I received a rushed and unfinished game. Bioware was in such a hurry to cash in on the popularity of Origins, that the sequel suffered tremendously. I will not purchase Dragon Age 3 at launch. Burn me once, shame on you... burn me twice, shame on me.

This is an incredibly wasted opportunity on Bioware's part. Dragon Age could have been something huge in the video game world. Now, when it is mentioned in video game discussions, people laugh because the sequel was so horrendous, instead of praising what is an awesome series.

Well... what could have been an awesome series.

LH - Well, to be honest I started Dragon Age: Origins and loved it, but was REALLY put off by the combat system, which eventually lead to my inability to finish the game. I'm not the "press button, move into position, and wait for reaction" type. When I heard that the Dragon Age 2 combat system would be given an overhaul I immediately became excited.

Aside from the aforementioned combat, I loved everything about Origins. The Characters, open world, and story were all fantastic. I went into the sequel expecting these things and was floored by disappointment. I was in love with the comment, but it seemed that Bioware lost some inspiration on every other front. 

After a mere  hour or so into the game, I took it out of the hard drive, threw it into it's box, grabbed the guide I had bought with the game, and traded it in at GameStop. I wasn't a "disgruntled" customer or anything, but the game just really disappointed me and I felt my time would be better spent with another experience. I share Jolt's disdain for this complete turnaround within the series, and I hope that Bioware can turn it around once again, and put this failure behind them.

While the Dragon Age series saw some failure, it isn't the only medieval game series to leave fans with a horrible, taste of disappointment in their mouths.

The Lord of The Rings Video Game Series

LH - Here you have it. One of the most prestigious fantasy brands in all of entertainment. An expansive landscape, that varies with each realm, three dimensional characters, mind blowingly enormous battles, beautiful music, and a story that's as timeless as any other novel.

There are so many ways to approach a game set in the LOTR universe. So many stories to tell, before the time of the Ring, after it's destruction, and even during it's existence and the wars fought over it.

With all of these things factoring in together, we should have an entire line-up of fantastic titles. Each could easily be open world adventures from the point of view of new or preexisting characters. But guess what...I can't name ONE title that has fulfilled the series' potential.

I can't even begin to describe how much this depresses me. Lord of the Rings as a whole is my favorite movie of all time, and I would do horrible, disgusting things to see a game in the vein of Oblivion.

The games that were obvious movie adaptations were more than disappointing. They were overly linear and added nothing new to the experiences that we had in theater's and found some way to make a battle with a cave troll as enjoyable as a kidney stone (those things suck really bad just in case you haven't had to pass one).

You'd think that with all of the money that the movies made - and are still making - that they'd take a risk and have a major studio take a chance with the series. Hire some big names, and put them to work on a project that will make fans fawn, and convert non-believers.

One game that ALMOST had it was War In The North. Seriously, it was an open world, action adventure title, that told a different story than the one told in the books and movies, but still related to the war for the ring. But it failed, and once again I was left hungry for a worthy game.

Even though there have been valiant attempts at like War In The North, none of them have succeeded...but it can't be like this for much longer. After the release of the Hobbit this year, and it's second half next year, there will be nothing left for the Lord of the Rings, and Warner Bros. will be left with another franchise missing in action along with Harry Potter and Batman. It's only logical to expect some out of left field attempts at another LOTR game.

Here's to hoping. 

Jolt - I have never been a fan of LotR, but even I find it surprising that there's no worthy game out there. I recognize that the series has millions of fans, as with Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Star Trek (and any other Star I missed). One would thing a developer would take advantage of that... disappointing indeed. 

Electronic Entertainment Expo AKA E3

LH - Individual games aren't the only thing in the medium that haven't failed to disappoint. The big show itself, E3, has been a massive failure for as long as I can remember. for some reason the guys putting it together just can't hit their mark, and developers and publishers alike never fail to upset fans in some way.

Instances like the Jamie Kennedy incident, on stage dance parties that have nothing to do with games capabilities, and...Kinect have plagued the show for the last few years and things only seem to be getting worse.

This show is supposed to be a showcase of the biggest and the best upcoming tech and video games. We're supposed to be wowed for 3 days, not be pushed to the point of ripping our eyes and ears out. 

I look forward to this Expo every year, and I'm starting to seriously wonder why. It's become nothing but a gigantic missed opportunity. Your thought's Mr. Cynic?

Jolt - I am going to be nice, and say that not everything about E3 is awful. Sure, the Usher dance was horrendous. Yes, the Sony Wonderbook (or whatever it is called) portion of the show nearly put me to sleep. But there were good things this year.

Crysis 3 looks amazing. The Last of Us seems to be wonderful. Watchdogs is getting buzz. 

That's about it. Everything else was kinda... bleh. Like Hanna said, this is supposed to be the best of the industry showing off their most prized products that are coming in the next year. Sure, we get the occasional "awesome" feeling, but E3, in general, has been a disappointment in recent years.

I think this has alot to do with games leaking before their show date. Maybe The Big Three have lost touch with what gamers are excited for. Sure, casual gamers may enjoy dancing games, but those are the people that have no clue what E3 is. The people that watch E3 want things like Killzone 4 and GTA V and Heavy Rain 2 (a guy can wish, right?). 

Just once, I'd like E3 to do what it was meant to do; amaze me with everything that was presented.

Jolt - There are countless other missed opportunities and disappointments in the video game world. If Hanna and I discussed any more of them, I fear what he would become... Me. So, we will end it here while leaving you fuming mad about that one (or fourteen if you are like me) thing in your mind that was handled incorrectly or missed out on. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog where we will talk about how much Hanna loves Ryan Reynolds. Until then!