So I bit the bullet and just grabbed the goty edition of DAI with all the content.
A 1/2 hour in I was seriously regretting that decision. I didn't like not being able to assign attributes, no select all key, no key to take all loot ( why take out these conveniences), didn't like the new combat, no auto attack outside of tactical view, level requirements on weapons ( it sucks to get a great weapon only to realize you can't use it for another 3 levels and by then it's not all that cool anymore), poor balancing ( fights were never close I either breezed through it or my entire party was wiped in seconds, literally.) and I'm sure there's some niggles I'm forgetting. Needless to say I wasn't digging it. I figure I'd give it a little time and see what happened.
Fast forward 2 hours…..
I started getting used to the combat and most of the annoyances weren't really annoying me anymore. I found the setting to enable auto attack outside of tactical mode, I'd gotten used to using tactical mode to zoom all over the battlefield to get info on enemies and assign orders then seamlessly switch to OTS mode to get up close to the action. Hey, combat works and is actually quite fun. Companion were much better than in DA2 and the story was doing it for me. Maybe I could get through the game.
Fast forward 7 hours….
That's right 9 1/2 hours after starting my wife comes down to see if I'm going to take a break to eat. 9 1/2 hours, WTF. Now I don't think DAI is the best game ever. I'm not even sure it's a great game, if I were to make a checklist of what makes a great game it might not check a ton of boxes, but where the game absolutely excels imo, is in being addictive. There is always something to do. Between combat ( which I'm now enjoying), talking to companions, a crazy amount of quest, the constant war table quests, the notes you find, the mini game with the constellations, the endless number of collectibles and some other things I'm sure I'm forgetting in all this stuff. It doesn't end, always a reward to be had, 4-5 carrots being dangled in front of you at a time and it's really good at the " I'll do one more thing then quit, ok maybe 1 more thing and over and over.
I can't remember the last time I've gamed that long straight. It's been many many years. I don't know if it can keep it up or I'll end up getting bored but for right now I'm really enjoying it, a bit shock by my 180 degree attitude change and can't wait to get done with work tomorrow so I can get back at it.