From BioWare, the makers of Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Ancient Republic, and Baldur's Gate comes Dragon Age: Origins. An epic tale of violence, lust, and duplicity, Dragon Age: Origins is a single player role-before a live audience game (RPG) set in a fantasy game background, and featuring three playable reputation classes, reachable in the form of three races. In addition, the game features extreme reputation customization, a new game engine, party-based gameplay utilizing non-player characters and a built-in private history system for each hero reputation rooted in a variety of possible origin tales.  6 possible hero Origin Tales. View larger. |  3 classes and 3 races to play as. View larger. |  Stunning 3D environments. View larger. |  Spell combining abilities. View larger. | Tale In Dragon Age: Origins the survival of humanity rests in the hands of those chosen by fate. You are a Grey Warden, one of the last of an ancient order of guardians who have defended the lands on the continent of Thedas throughout the centuries. Betrayed by a trusted all-purpose in a vital battle, you must hunt down the traitor and bring him to Evenhandedness. As you fight your way towards the final confrontation with an evil nemesis, you will face monstrous foes and engage in epic quests to unite the unequal peoples of a world at war. A romance with a seductive shapeshifter may hold the key to victory, or she may be a treacherous diversion from the heart of your mission. To be a leader, you must make uncaring decisions and be keen to sacrifice your friends and loved ones for the greater excellent. Gameplay Dragon Age: Origins is a 3D oriented RPG based in a dark, heroic, fantasy realm where moral choices have a lasting impression on the people you meet, the members of your own party and the world around you. The inclusion of header "Origins" in the game's title refers to the six unique origin tales unfilled to new heroes as a new game starts. Each of these has an impact on the player's motivations and his or her experience, and renders a unique prelude, path, and possible ending(s) to the game. There are many different endings to the game based on the origin tale of the reputation and the choices you make as you play through the game. The game features three reputation classes--fighter, mage, and rogue--and three races of being--Human, Elf or Dwarf--that can assume these classes. Although most game elements, such as weapons, magic, etc., are unfilled to any reputation, each class and race has different strengths, abilities and affinities which lend themselves to better utilizing different elements. Dragon Age: Origins is a single player game based on party-based gameplay and combat where the player can join, power and quest with up to three non-player characters (NPCs). Players can also quest alone if they so choose, but with the chance of survival are slim. Convincing NPCs to join you, and treating them well may be de rigueur depending on the varying sentiments between the player and the NPC, or between the NPC's in the party based on the chosen history written into the origin tale accepted at the beginning of the game. This uncertainty allows for a variety of possible dynamics within the party ranging from open hostility, all the way to romance. The game progresses in real-time via a pause-and-play tactical combat system that allows the player to check supply levels, equip a reputation, etc. in a slight vacuum. Additional features found in the game include: a combination of a standard loot system and a currency system based on gold silver and copper; advanced reputation customization functionality; the use of poison, traps and herbalism; dual-wielding skills; and "spell combos," which allow players to chain together different spells to make a unique things. Key Game Features - BioWare’s deepest universe to date with over 80 hours of gameplay and more than double the size and scope of Mass Effect.
- Travel throughout dozens of environments and fully throw yourself into yourself in a shattered world that is on the brink of utter annihilation.
- An epic tale that is absolutely shaped and reactive to your play style.
- Complex moral dilemmas donation no simple choices.
- Tailor your Dragon Age: Origins experience from the very beginning by choose from six different origin tales.
- Choose how to handle complex issues like murder, genocide, duplicity, and the possession/sacrificing of family lacking the wellbeing of a excellent/terrible slider to tell you what to do.
- Full reputation customization allowing the player to sculpt a hero in your own image or fantasy.
- Elaborate reputation creator allows you to make your own hero unique from anyone else.
- Shape your reputation’s personality and morality based on the choices you make throughout the game.
- Engage in bone-crushing, visceral combat engaging in battle hostile to massive and terrifying creatures.
- Unleash legendary powers and choose from over 100 different magical spells and skills.
- Experience the adrenaline rush of brutal combat, beheading your foes or casting spells that make enemies explode from within.
|
|
PS3 vs XBOX 360 Review of Dragon Age (Bioware's KOTOR 2)
|
| Review Date: November 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Adventure Fan, |
The PS3 version is 17.3% better than the 360 version for 4.2 reasons.
The 360 version is 13.7% better than the PS3 version for 2.4 reasons.
Which version is better for you will be determined by your saving throw.
NO SPOILERS
I picked up both versions. I have two identical TVs, one bedroom, one den, both 50" 1080p Panasonic G10s. For this review I place them side by side in the den, PS3 hooked up to one, 360 to the other, and choose the same origin tale. I played the PS3, my wife played the 360, we both took the day off of work, a "Bioware Holiday."
BIOWARE
The Bioware RPG is one of my favorite video game genres. KOTOR 1 is still my favorite tale. I played through Mass Effect 7 times. If you like Bioware, you will like Dragon Age.
KOTOR 2 GRAPHICS
Bioware didn't make KOTOR 2. Until now. Dragon Age's graphics in all-purpose look like a last age group game, upconverted to HD. And why should they not? This game was 5 years in the making. Personally, if I could wave a magic wigglestick, I would magically wish the graphics into the year 2069, to play in my PS9 in my flying car. Sorry to say, I live in a condo that doesn't allow wigglesticking. So the choice is (A) Play the Bioware game. (B) Don't play the Bioware game. (C) Eat a cup cake. No one plays Bioware games for the graphics. You play for the CYOA storytelling.
6 COMPLETE CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE NOVELS
Dragon Age is 10 Novels long. With 6 unique hero journeys. That can be twisted excellent or naughty. Fighter. Magic. Thief. Hybrid-Hybrid. Bioware is the only developer on the planet that makes this kind of gorgeous uniqueness. This kind of awesomeness only comes around once every few years. Is this flavor of awesomeness perfect? No. Is amateur pornography perfect? No. Sometimes the pacing is off, or the dialogue excessive, but it gets the job done. The job is to experience a genuine human tale--even if you're a lesbian elf. Dragon Age is fantastic video game storytelling. And better written than most fantasy novels.
BLOOD SPLATTER OR POTPOURRI?
I'm going to give Bioware the financial support of the doubt and judge that after battles my characters are splattered with blood and not potpourri. It's hard to tell visually, but I don't reckon they would censor themselves because this game is, like, perfectly Mature.
GAY SEX - NO NUDITY
My wife likes lesbian threesomes. In books. In movies. In video games. In our kids' crayon drawings. She had never played a Bioware game before, but she likes role before a live audience, and I told her Dragon Age has lesbian threesomes. Now, like with most video games, the depiction of sex isn't much more refined visually than taking two barbie dolls and slapping them together. And there's no nudity. Because Bioware understands the genuine human condition--that people make the special like with their cloths on-- even if you're a bi-sexual dwarf. So if you like realisticly-sized breasts well-covered with beige felt bikinis, then you, my friend, are in for a PG-13 flavored treat.
CASUAL VS HARDCORE
My wife played on simple, I played on normal. If you're an uber-genius, like me, who enjoys micromanagement, obscure RPG tactics, and all-purpose strategery... Then arrange to spend a lot of time, with the game paused, in clunky boundary menus, because that's how real men play. That's how my grandpappy played his Bioware games, and his grandpappy before him, back when Bioware wasn't even Canadian, when they were still French, and the TVs had 11" screens and were powered by fire--usually dry hickory. So if you want that kind of authentic gaming experiece, you can have it. But if you just want to delight in the tale, crank that menu to simple, slump back in the couch, and unbuckle your pants for a excellent time.
PS3 VS 360
Like with all games, it's a choice between graphics vs framerate. The PS3 has slightly better textures, color saturation, contrast level, resolution. The 360 is less pretty but smoother. The PS3 is the supermodel with arthritis. The 360 is a Ukrainian gymnast. You get to choose who you want to take to bed. But since all you're going to do in bed is talk... It's not such a huge deal. Unless you place two 50" plasmas right next to each other, you're not going to see the difference. I'm going to keep the PS3 version (because I like the controller better) and give my 360 copy to my favorite charity FVGFBO that provides fantastic video games for blind orphans.
BUY IT, PLAY IT, Like IT
* UPDATE
I have played 115 hours, beaten the game twice, tried three of the six origin tales, watched every sex scene, won every topless hottie boss battle, and found "teh secret nipplz." Personally, I feel this is the best Bioware game to date, the best written video game of all time, and a genuine evolution of the Bioware formula. For those of you fleeing in terror from Adult Content, know that, like in real life, bi-sexual dwarf sex is hard to maneuver, discretionary, and over in less than a minute. You can get through the whole game lacking "going hairy." |
Ignore the naysayers, THIS is the RPG experience of a time
|
| Review Date: November 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Michael A. Weyer, |
I am astounded at the backlash hostile to the game, mostly due to the graphics. So it's not incredible meticulous and brilliant as people want, so what? KOTOR wasn't just so top-notch in graphics either but it didn't matter. It was the tale and gameplay that counted and that's the same here. From what I've seen, the PC version isn't massively different, a bit sharper but not by that much.
What counts is the tale and gameplay and man, BioWare have outdone themselves on this. The brilliance is how it overturns the classic cliches of fantasy adventures. Elves aren't superior beings but on terrible terms, the city elves second-class citizens in slums while wood elves are wild and considered myth. Dwarves aren't drinking comic relief but hold to thoughts of honor while in truth holding to an ultra-rigid class system that keeps the commoners down. And magic is considered a touch to be feared rather than used. Twists like that give the entire genere a nice kick.
As for complaints about how it starts slow, that's tradition for BioWare. Hell, it took KOTOR four or five hours on one planet before things got kicking and same with Jade Empire and Mass Effect. After you get through the origins and to the main tale, things take off huge and the game is incredible to play. Each origin is fantastic to see and leads to different experiences and the combat is excellent too. I admit the PC may have an edge with the birds-eye view thing but this is still a fantastic way to make it work.
So ignore those hung up too much on how it doesn't look utter perfection. If you want a game with PLENTY of replaybility, epic tale, fantastic characters, excellent combat and a valuable play experience, this is it. Bravo to all caught up making it, you've made a right classic. |
Evolution of RPG gaming and Morality
|
| Review Date: November 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: David A. Purcell, Tokyo, Japan |
I am giving this game 5 stars; incredible tale, engaging game play and tactics, fantastic voice acting,and characters you grow to care about not withstanding, what sets this game apart, what sets most Bioware games apart, most notably Mass Effect and now Dragon Age, is its approach to morality.
The difference between Dragon Age and other notable RPG's is subtle; I invite you to reckon back to before donation in this genre.
JRPG's such as Final Fantasy series, Tales of Vesperia or even the classic Chronotrigger lacked any real morality decisions, or "Role Before a live audience". The tale plays out for you, whether you want it to or not. Nearly like content in between cut-scenes. Moving from there, you have games with morality choices that are gaged on a meter with a clear line between excellent and terrible: Bioware's KOTOR is an brilliant example. But, with the coming of Mass Effect, and now Dragon Age, Role Before a live audience has evolved to a more natural level.
No longer forced to chose between excellent and evil, it has become possible with these games to in fact Role Play a complex reputation, and in no other game has this been more possible then in Dragon Age. The dialog choices are nearly dreadful. My reputation is anything but black and white. Decisions are not lacking consequences, whether it be the changing attitude of party members, or the uncovered quests, or even missed opportunities (for example, I killed some one who could have been a party member, I did not know it until I spoke to a friend who played the game another way) Often, the consequences can be brutal; knives in the back cold blooded brutal. This is a right Role Before a live audience Game, that starts to approach a level of engagement never seen before. When I make choices, I do not reckon,"is this a excellent, or terrible action". I reckon, "how would "I" handle tis situation?"
You are never forced down a path, or forced to join a faction. This game allows one to play in the truly grey area of human nature. For this reason, I give this it 5 stars. |
A Planetary RPG
|
| Review Date: November 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Potpie55, Everett, WA. 98204 |
Ok I would have given this a 4.5 out of 5, but Amazon does not allow 1/2 stars...Because it was Bioware I bumped them up a half star. Ok the down and dirty:
Graphics: 8/10
Game play: 10/10
Combat: 9/10
Tale: 10/10
Replay value: 10/10
Ok, I have to say that I am a huge Bioware fan and as soon as I saw a fantasy based RPG from them I had to buy it. I was going to play this over the Thanksgiving weekend, but opened it and started before a live audience this straight away. The game has a wide open world, but all the quests and missions keep the game very focused and keeps the game moving. But, if you desire you can wander the world and look around. There is a excellent weigh between tale and action that I really appreciate. The game play allows for you to customize your reputation and other party members to make a war party of your choosing. Characters ranging from mages to warriors, rouges, even a Templar. I have been before a live audience this for a week and have 35 hours into it and I am @ 60% complete. Caveat: I do read every thought and try to complete every map and quest. Overall a fantastic game
Recommendations:
*Use one reputation as a rouge/archer as you need someone to always open chests, checks traps and shoot the mages at a space.
* Buy the guide if you want to do all the side quests as some of them can get tough as they have to be done in the right order. You do not need the book for the main tale line quests.
Pros
*Excellent tale/dialogue
*Missions: keep you focused (or you can look around if you want º)
*High Replay value
* KOTR like combat system (which I like)
Cons
*Combat gets tough when in a crowd
*Excellent Graphics, not Fantastic
Update: I did recommend the guide to help with the side quests. The guide is middle-of-the-road, please read the review before buying... |
Plenty to Like... With Buckets o' Blood
|
| Review Date: November 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Brimstone Vomit, Adirondacks, NY |
Truly I had much to look forward to when news of a "Dark Fantasy Epic" under the wing of Bioware had graced my ears. 'Cause hell, who else gave me such convincing characters and dialogues to enrich such vast tales already? Knights of the Ancient Republic and Mass Effect were no small feets of establishment and voice acting, thus I would be occupied for long sessions, ones that I don't know weren't spaced apart by any 'healthful' standard.
Then I grasped this game before even the slightest price drop. And so today, having seen a $20 dive since my buy two weeks ago, do I feel cheated? Not one bit, I don't.
As many positive reviewers would dispel any having no effect libel based solely on visuals, I will too. Surely I feel tricked into thinking I'm before a live audience on a before age group console (I still own a PS2, after all), but if you were to tell me Bioware had intentionally taken a step back in graphical power, I'd likely judge it. Remembering nearly a decade ago as I played Dark Sun: Shattered Lands in a similar quest to unite a scattered land for war, before a live audience Dragon Age: Origins gave me a heaping dose of nostalgia through both plot and visuals. I'd nearly say this game makes me feel young again, but it'd be a sad edict coming from a 23-year-ancient. Point being, this game is still a beauty, and at least no detail in background and architecture was spared.
Still I had felt only slightly let down as I spent my first three or four hours in game. The pieces were scattered about, so much to collect and learn (and holy bejeepers, what a ton of lore it has!) that it felt overwhelming to a point of 'derisive' me. It wasn't until collecting my more stable party members and stepping into the shoes of a right "(Wo)Man on a Mission" that the utter lure wouldn't stay out of my dreams, much less allow me to retire by my usual bedtime.
Aside from your reputation's choice in private relations with collected party members, you have the joy of listening in on the lovely scuffles and sarcasms between the rest of them whilst exploring. Dialogue is very well-done and convincing, and I daresay it's fundamentally the plenty of humor and agreeable characters that keep me from considering this the "dark" fantasy Bioware would have me judge - besides some warm/hopeful music and lack of stable 'gloom, doom and despair' psychology. Sure, the tale isn't sunshine and rainbows, by any means, and the choices made within could surely dive the mood more. But in the long run you still have a cast of people ready and keen to laugh and like, coupled with the drive toward a triumphant victory at its end.
But don't count me as a Negative Nancy. Even with the obvious technological bunks I've found and some mishaps in presentation (as far as my last paragraph is worried), Dragon Age: Origins is a wonderful experience, one that rather often gave me a sense of achievement - and even pride! - with my skill to dramatically change elements in the plot. Oh, the 6 'Origin' tales won't even give you a minor foretaste of the whole expansive nature, trust me. And when it's all said and done, I picked up a new race, gender and Origin tale the very same night of my first completion. Eight cumulative hours later, the variations haven't left me bored yet.
Yes, this is a fantastic game, I don't know even 'Awe-inspiring' in its most literal sense (awe-inspiring), and I wouldn't dare take back the $20 price-cut if the Bioware senior directors themselves offered it to me.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a female dwarf ex-noble fighter to nurture... |
|