Review: Dragon Age Origins

Mark Paul McIntyre


I have played RPGs (Role Playing Games) in both table top and video form for years. When I heard that Bioware has gotten back into the medieval fantasy RPB business, I smiled with glee. When they announced a 360 version as well as a PS3 and computer version, I knew it would be a day one buy. I jetted back to the days of Buldur’s Gate and how much I thoroughly enjoyed the 500+ hours of overall game time I put into both 1 &2 in my lifetime.

Away from the stigma that the Dungeons and Dragons franchise brings to some consumers, the developer has the ability to do something that hasn’t been done properly in an RPG of its type, be realistic. Yes there is magic, elves, dwarves and dragons. But, it is all about dialog. This game earns its mature rating. No holding back in any way.

The combat is simple for beginners and offers an easy control system that becomes more challenging to use over time. Similar to that of the successful Mass Effect of late 2007, the games actions are on a wheel. The difference is that this effort is not a shooter, but more moved around strategy. The player is allowed to let the character do the swinging. This leaves you able to switch character without having to pay attention to your characters exact actions and even be the archer without staying as your main character.

The game itself takes place in a fantasy near that to Middle Earth. It is layered with depth and ultimately is what makes your eyes smile. The level of care taken in every step of the journey seems to be amazing. The enemies seem to have their own way of life.

But the heart of the game is the development is the games “choices” system. Every action seems to matter. You can be diplomatic, or even if you’d like be an utter jerk and as evil as you want. Some party members may like it when you attack someone just because it’s your job, but if some are around, it could cause dissention. This keeps you on your toes and even makes you wishing you had saved outside of the auto save at times.

Only downside is loading times. I have the game burnt onto my X-box. This allows me to have quicker load times. For the first hour I played, I forgot to do so, and it was long, PS2 long. But, it’s worth the wait.

I have played this game now for some 14 hours as of Friday afternoon, and don’t know if I’ll see my family this weekend. They may need to ship food as I go in for a long session tonight. In a year where it is easy to miss this title with the upcoming Assassins Creed 2, and just out Modern Warfare 2, amongst others, do not miss this title.