Dragon Age: Origins

BioWare returns with Dragon
Age: Origins. Arguably the
best game yet from this RPG
tycoon.

Synopsis:

     Dragon Age: Origins takes place in Ferelden, a mythical kingdom populated by three major races: the seedy Elves, reclusive Dwarves and arrogant Humans. Playing as the last of the Grey Wardens, protectors sworn to guard the land from the evil Darkspawn, players must rally together a rag-tag team of heroes to stop the progression of the ArchDemon amid a civil war.

     BioWare and EA Games team up to bring gamers what could easily become the new standard against which all RPG's will be judged. Featuring  engaging characters, an easy-to-learn combat system and oodles of downloadable content, DAO is nothing more than sheer gaming bliss.

Appearance:

When slashing and hacking just don't
cut it, players can try their luck with
a spell or ability.

     DAO boasts little if any CGI cinematics, but its regular in-game graphics and cut-scenes are more than enough to entice fans to keep playing. While traversing through ice capped mountains, characters' breath will show as they speak. While standing atop a breezy cliff, clothes ruffle in the wind -- small, hardly noticeable things that might seem normal to anyone unfamiliar with virtual worlds but are very much appreciated by those who understand just how much work goes into bringing effects like those to life.

     Starting with a character creator that rivals The Sims, players are able to choose every last detail for their hero, from eye and nose placement, to facial tattoo design. Top it all off with a vast array of armor as detailed as the next and it's easy to see why BioWare is the reigning champion of RPG construction. 

During one of the first battles, players
test their might against the strength
of an ogre.

Game Play:

     Players begin the game by choosing an origin story, essentially this acts as a background for each character as well as a prologue for events in the game. While playing through the origin story, characters, locations, and lore might be introduced that will somehow find their way into the latter portions of the game, effectively changing the experience for each player while keeping all other aspects of the game the same.

    DAO introduces a combat system as easy to understand as its dialog screen. While most attacks occur instantly, higher level spells that take some casting time will automatically pause the battle while players choose the prime location to unleash their mage's fury. After selecting the best spot, the battle resumes. While charging, any damage taken by the caster will interrupt the spell's casting meter, taking longer for the spell to be ready. Once the meter is full it's time to stand back and bring on the ooh's and ah's as a tornado of fire burns nearby enemies to ash.

     Being an RPG, characters will earn experience and level up, during which they will have the ability to learn new spells and talents. Some talents such as 'lock picking' or 'herbalism' are only available for use while exploring, while other talents such as 'smash' or 'aimed shot' will only be available during combat.

Players might find themselves focusing
more on the detailed background
than the battle at hand

     Possibly the most enthralling part of DAO is the characters that are introduced throughout the game. At times conversations with other characters in the game become so real, players might find themselves shocked to still be looking at the TV screen and not somehow sucked into the virtual world. Teammates following your hero will be influenced by his actions. Some of the more moral members of the party might cringe at the bullying of a street orphan, while the other, more darker members might encourage the player to go further with it. Each action will earn respect with your teammates or further their disgust for you. Certain teammates who adore you might even be coerced into showing just how far that adoration goes, culminating in some virtual hanky-panky. 

Don't change a thing: 

     BioWare's ingenious idea of releasing an expansive game with even more expansive downloadable content for sale is a win-win worth every penny and megabyte. New armor, quests and even a new party member are all available via X-box live or through purchasing the expansions online. This adds to an already humongous game and provides hours of extra gameplay.

Gamers control a horde of darkspawn
in the downloadable content
Darkspawn Chronicles

     Its always such a drag when games boast an intuitive dialog screen or endless possibilities and don't deliver. DAO delivers. Players who aren't careful and opt to kill everything in site might accidentally slay someone who later turns out to be the party healer, and wont feel the repercussions of their mistakes until farther down the road.

Should have Spent More Time on:

     The only thing BioWare should have spent more time on is giving us more loot, levels and side quests. While the armor, weapons, quests, and zones are as plentiful as they are amazing, they leave players starving for more. Those feeling the Origins hunger pains need not wait long. Between all the downloadable content, the expansion DAO Awakening already on the shelves and the sequel Dragon Age 2 set for release during the first half of next year, its obvious BioWare anticipated the mass success of the Dragon Age franchise and has responded accordingly.

Just how Homo:

No online membership required to
fully enjoy all DAO has to offer

     With the ability to create just about any character imaginable, players can duke it out with the forces of the ArchDemon as their ultimate incarnation of a sexy lead hero. Those who opt to make their character too hot might spend more time in the character viewing screen than in actual gameplay. 

     In addition, BioWare has chosen to add a savory Elf to the game who eventually joins the team. With his tan skin, blonde hair, and Antonio Banderas accent, Zevran quickly becomes a teammate gaymers want to get to know better. With enough influence and the right amount of moxie, players can steer the conversation in the right direction eventually convincing the swarthy Elf to a tussle in the sheets. While BioWare chose to show none of the "good stuff", the few images of the two male heroes mixed with the voiceover work is enough to make any gaymer want to shut the door and be alone for a little while.

Buy it or Rent it:
     Buy it. DAO is the kind of game that's never far from a player's console. After beating the game, which is quite a feat in itself, there's still massive amount of post-game downloadable content to work your way through. There might be times where gamers feel the need to take a break from the world of Ferelden but it wont be long before they're back in full swing, hacking at darkspawn and terrorizing (or saving) villagers. In short, buy this game. It may be the best purchase your nerdy little wallet ever makes.