Edmonton based BioWare has become a household name for many gamers around the world. The Company has developed such hits as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect, and has a long history of producing exceptional titles with engrossing story lines. Now the company is hoping to add another title to that growing list. Dragon Age: Origins takes the company back to its medieval gaming roots. Can it possibly live up to the high expectations set out by gamers? It certainly does, but it’s by no means for everyone.
The Story
Many years ago an evil crept over the land. Some called it a blight. Dark beings known as Darkspawn covered the land, threatening to engulf it. Then along came a heroic breed of warriors who drove the Darkspawn back. They became known as the Grey Wardens. They spent their lives hunting down the dark beings, but over time, people began to forget about them. Their numbers began to dwindle, and the Darkspawn began to disappear. Until now. After years of silence, the DarkSpawn are back, threatening the world once again. But can the Grey Wardens defeat the blight in their weakened state? It’s up to you to decide.
It's you versus the Darkspawn!
You start out Dragon Age: Origins by choosing your main characters race (Human, Dwarve or Elf) and a class. This will open up one of 6 different Origins storylines. The game itself will take more than 60 hours to complete. Since each Origins storyline differs slightly, you can imagine the possibilities and endless stories to play through.
The GamePlay
Dragon Age: Origins is a fairly traditional role paying game. The story is epic in length. Your characters will change throughout the game and you will have to constantly work at building and improving your abilities by obtaining skill points and experience gained by defeating enemies.
There is a heavy level of customization in this game. As with all role playing games you can collect a massive amount of weapons, armor and items. You will also be able to cast spells or pull off special attacks while fighting. It’s up to you to choose which of these abilities you want to hone and build.
Bioware has become known for its heavy use of dialogue in games, and Dragon Age: Origins is no different. Through cinematic cut scenes you will be asked to respond to comments frequently made by other characters. Your responses show up on screen as a list. Once you choose your response the dialogue continues. Storylines, character responses and relationships can change depending on the lines of dialgue you choose. Think of it as a choose your own adventure style game. Some will love this style of gaming, others will hate it. If you like first person shooters, action titles and have an itchy trigger finger, you may not have the patience for Dragon Age’s story telling methods. Best to know that up front.
The Controls
Unlike Mass Effect, Dragon Age has a very different combat mechanism. Fighting is done in real time, but once you select which enemy you want to attack, the game takes over. You can simply sit back and watch you character hack and slash an enemy. Once that enemy is killed, you select the next enemy you want to kill and it goes on from there. The only exception is when you want to pull off a special attack. Special maneuvers such as a shield thrust or healing can be done by pressing pre-designated buttons on your controller. This can be done anytime in battle.
Once you select which enemy you would like to attack you can sit back and watch the action without even lifting a finger
The controls are quite different from Mass Effect where you fought in real time and had complete control of your character at all times. Here there is a lot of automation, and if you’re used to the fighting mechanics of Mass Effect it will take some getting used to this new style.
The Graphics
I must admit, I was not overly impressed with the look of Dragon Age: Origins. While the graphics were adequate, I was not blown away by them. It almost felt as though the game was an older title. I played the Playstation 3 version and noticed the frame rate to be a bit choppy at times and overall lack-lustre. That being said, once I got past the first ten hours or so I was able to look past this and become so immersed in the story that the mediocre graphics didn’t bother me anymore. I’ve heard the PC version is by far the best of the three in terms of graphics but I have not had the chance to play it yet.
The Downsides
It’s important to note Dragon Age: Origins plays a bit different than other BioWare titles such as Mass Effect. As previously mentioned, the combat system is very different and may not be what some are expecting. It has more of an automated feel. For some, it will be a bit if a let down. Unlike in Mass Effect where you constantly had to shoot enemies, this title has less button pushing and a more hands off feel.
Then there is the character customization. While this title has very deep character customization, it may be a bit too deep for newer players. Hardcore RPG fans will love all the upgrades and skill sets you can build for each of your characters, but since there is no built-in tutorial, newbies may feel overwhelmed. It’s not to say BioWare made a mistake by taking this route, it should just be pointed out that this game may overwhelm some gamers.
For some reason the main character has no voice
Finally, and probably my biggest complaint is the lack of a voice for the main character! I just don’t get this one! BioWare spent so much time recording lines for all the dialgue in this story, then didn’t bother to include voice acting for the main character. It’s just plain awkward for a main charcter not to have a voice when everyone else is speaking!
The Bottom Line
When you take a look at the game as a whole, Dragon Age: Origins truly shines. It’s a deep complex RPG that will give players dozens of hours of enjoyment. The replay value is high and the customization is deep. The story is epic and that in itself could very well make this title the best RPG of the year.
That being said, Dragon Age: Origins is not for everybody. Newer gamers may be overwhlemd by the heavy character customization, or even bored with the story delivery method where you must constantly choose your own lines of dialogue. The game can feel slow at times and for that reason some gamers probably won’t give the game the chance it deserves.
Those who stick through the first few hours will discover an amazing game that will entertain to the bitter end. BioWare has once again raised the bar for RPGs, giving the company yet another game to add to its growing list of smash hits.
The Good
Epic story
Heavy character customization
Strong soundtrack
60+ hours of gameplay
The Bad
Almost automated fighting system
Main character has no voice!
Choosing own lines of dialogue slows gameplay
Heavy character customization may overwhelm some gamers
8.5/10