Evacuate Haven - Quest changed? Or bugged?

Which platform are you on ?  I'm on PS4 (Disc), ver 1.02. 

If I recall, I wasn't able to open the blocked door or bash the crates out of the way to save the smith, so it seemed to me like a casualty you're forced to endure.  I was able to save everyone else on my first playthrough, but not the smith.

BTW, I've confirmed in my 2nd playthough (nightmare mode) that players can completely ignore saving any NPCs and just focus on fighting, and there seems to be no impact to your follower approvals, or the overall quest outcome.  Any service-related NPCs who die will be automatically replaced when you reach skyhold, and that includes the smith, apothecary, arcane researcher, requisitions, etc.  I suspect the only decision of consequence in the entire quest is whether or not you want cole as a follower, otherwise your sole responsibility is to survive to the final cutscene, and that's it.

BTW, if anyone wants some tips for the haven fight on nightmare mode as a mage, I posted some tips over here, starting at the 5th post.

I'm on PC.  I was able to destroy the crates by switching to Cassandra and just attacking until several of her blows landed and smashed the crates.  It was an annoying mechanic, but not unlike the random crates and vases scattered around in multiplayer.

Ahhh, that was my problem then ... on my platform, the game did not display the typical 'shield smash' icon indicating warrior-breakable-only (as per red lyrium nodes in the "seeing red" quest, and my character was is mage and thus couldnt break it.

I don't think it gets an action button thing you just need to have a warrior take a few swings with their sword and brake the creates. 

Yeah, I was able to break the boxes with Cass even without any icon appearing. Had her smack it with her sword a bit and the boxes quickly broke away. I don't know if there is supposed to be an icon showing, but it works anyway.

Did any of you experience any dialogue or interaction with Harritt during this quest?  Did you have the objective to "Save Harritt" on screen?  And what platform are you on?  I figured out how to break the boxes, but I still can't figure out whether my playthrough was bugged, as the evacuation quest doesn't even start for me until I'm locked inside the walls.

FYI - A mage can use Mind Blast to destroy crates lyrium nodes.

Ah, I didn't know that.  Good tip !