32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
Dragon Age: Origins CE - First Imnpressions
I think most gamers are already aware of BioWare's pedigree, and they have stated that Dragon Age is the "spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate." Myself, the only thing I was worried about was EA's heavy hand in BW's back pocket, fortunately, this definitely does NOT seem to be the case.
Dragon Age: Origins is a very well thought out and then realized fantasy...
Not as great as it's being hyped...
I've completed this game and would like to point out a few things that others have not.
1. You cannot farm for equipment or xp because enemys do not respawn. After you complete a main quest area you often cannot return. If you don't do every little side quest you cannot max out your character which again does not give you the option of leveling by actually...
I think most gamers are already aware of BioWare's pedigree, and they have stated that Dragon Age is the "spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate." Myself, the only thing I was worried about was EA's heavy hand in BW's back pocket, fortunately, this definitely does NOT seem to be the case.
Dragon Age: Origins is a very well thought out and then realized fantasy world. You start by making a choice... male or female and then - one of five different races (there are actually only three races, but elves and dwarves come in two different varieties each), one of three different classes (warrior, mage, or rogue) that will eventually branch off into one of four different specialties. Each choice has it's "Origins" in the form of a specific story line unique to each race with each class, obviously, taking a different approach to that story. I first played the human noble origin, and am now on the elves, then I'll do the dwarves... I'll take the race that I like playing the best and that will be my main character. (Seeming as there's an achievement for each Origin, it's rewarding to take this approach as well).
The graphics are incredible and the sound is just as incredible, I'm not actually sure that there is a way to play this game and *not* get immersed, no - lost, in it. I also like the controller scheme, it proved to be very intuitive once I spent a few minutes with it. There's only one action button (A) the other three are skill or talent specific with (RT) acting as a shift so you can get 2 sets of three commands (all mapable on the fly). On the other side (LT) pulls up a radial menu that lets you access most of your different commands - similar to how Mass Effect used radial menu's but this one is staked, after you select from the main tree you get a second radial to pick your specific action, and just like ME the radial menu pauses the game. I will do a full review when I get done with my first playthrough.
What I wanted to comment specificaly on was the collector's edition. Is the CE worth the extra money? To me it absolutely was. It's all packaged really nice in a metal case with a map and an extra DVD with a lot of content. On the DVD besides the gratuitous "Making of..." videos, game art, and other comentaries there is also a video strategy guide --by the lead designer at BioWare-- and it's really informative. Besides giving some sage advise on different character builds and play styles he also drops some hints as to where to find some of the most powerful items in the game for each class. My favorite part of the Collector's Edition, however, is the extra in-game content. For opting with the CE you get 3 special items: a book, a staff, and a helmet (all heavily enchanted, of course), and you also get the 'Blood Dragon' armor that will also be useable in Mass Effect 2 (how cool is that?) and it tops off with the 'Stone Prisoner' quest - please note that this quest is available for purchase seperately as DLC on BioWare's server, but it's not cheap. All in all I am very happy with the CE and I would recommend it over the standard version any day.
**edit 11/15/2009**
I have finished every origin plot line and opted for a female human rogue for my first playthrough. I'm maybe 1/3 of the way through it, I don't have a lot of time to play right now and when I do play I'm trying to cover all ground possible before I move on. I don't want to get too specific in case of spoilers, but I will say the only thing that I can find to complain about so far is a slight lack of depth as far as tactics that are offered and too many talents available compared to how many points you get to spend on them. I will say that BioWare has a good amount of possible tactics to apply to whichever character, BUT in order to get enough slots to make it really worthwhile you have to spend your talent points on tactics.
Personally, I am currently of the mind that there are way too many skills and talents and not enough points available to even end up with 1/3 of them by the end of leveling (it appears there is a level 20 cap *3.15*>there is no cap, level 20 is considered the top tier entry level* but skills and talents could still use some an update). Then they make it not just individual talents to focus on, but in trees of four - this makes for some hard decisions when you level. This is a detraction for me because I'll end up micro-analyzing which skill/talent I should get instead of playing the game! Mages have it worst. They have a considerably larger spell tree than the warrior or rogue have for skill trees. Being that this is the only thing I have found thus far to have a serious gripe about I still contend that this is by far one of the better games to come along in a while.
**edited 03.15.10**
I have finished a thorough playthrough on the X360 and am about 1/3 through a PC playthrough. I maintain most of my original enthusiasm for this title. If I could revote I would make it a 4-star rating, but this is still a very solid addition to the rpg game realm. There is some definite shortcomings with the whole "tactics" style gameplay, which is almost surprising considering how much Bioware seems to have put into it - but its there. Mainly, as far as tactics go there's really only one option and that's have your warriors charge in and take'em downand leave spellcasters in the rear of the battlefield. You **as in the character you're controlling** can attempt to flank, but that's about it. Sadly there's no attempt at a stealthier style of gameplay and combat. Even so, battles can stil be enjoyable but it definitely leaves a hole in the combat system. My main complaint about DA:O is that **everything** is scripted, just try to surprise attack any enemy -- can-not be done. This is because combat is only initiated through the conversation options; unless its an attack on the map screen while traveling. You can't just attack somebody because you want to and this is almost unforgivable. Hopefully with the sequel to this they will change that. Currently I am waiting to play Awakenings and Return to Ostagar, I decided to wait to play RtO until Awakenings came out and I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I have enjoyed this title mostly, except for the combat hangups which I really hope they fix.
Bethesda's current stance is that they have become a publishing house and wont be making games anymore - Fallout's next game has gone to another designer (Obsidian, I think it was) and there is reportedly *not* going to be an Elder Scrolls 5 (I was completely floored by this). This is going to leave a huge gap in the fantasy rpg genre which Dragon Age could definitely make a grap for the gold at, but for me they really need to re-address their whole combat system to allow you to attack or not when you want to and have better control of your party and actually have some tactical obtions: flanking, 2nd wave, surprise attacks, etc. Without a new TES I will definitely be paying attention to what Bioware does with this title.
**edit 03.15.10** final review addendum
**edit 11.21.09** grammatical correction
Thanks for reading and game on....
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
If you don't want to read my retarded ode to Bioware, please skip ahead to where it says, "Actual Review!".
Ah, Bioware. You're like an old girlfriend. The one who defined love for me (1). Then you hurt me (2). I still loved you, but I didn't understand; why did you have to do that?
You went your way and I went mine. Eventually I learned to forget. I met new people; sometimes I'd fall in love, but it was never quite the same (3).
We'd see each other every couple years, and we'd have a lot of fun for a night or two (4). But other times I thought to myself, "What are you doing with your life? We could be happy together! Why are you doing this? (5). After these ultimately disappointing hookups I'd always dig up our old photos and go through them (6). I'm not ashamed to say I cried a little.
You always told me you were searching for something. Learning who you were, and how to be.
Then, one day in early November, you called me. You said, "I know now; I know who I am. I know where I belong: with you." And then you came back home to me.
Then it all became so clear; you HAD been learning. It was the old you, but a new version! Everything past was prologue to this; the version of you I always knew was there. I just needed to have faith, and you'd see it too, and we could get back what we had, what we'd always known was us.
I love you Bioware. I realize now I've always loved you. Thank you for being in my life.
Answer Key!
1. Baldur's Gate I and II, the infinity engine that led to Icewind Dale, Fallout, and Planescape
2. Neverwinter Nights
3. The Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights 2, FFX, FFXII
4. KOTOR, Mass Effect
5. Jade Empire, Sonic RPG
6. all those replays of BGII
ACTUAL REVIEW!
This is the best cRPG experience I've had in ten years. It becomes very clear within the first few minutes of your Origin story that you're experiencing gaming history. Not the revolutionary, innovative, awesome new mechanic kind of gaming history. This is analogous to a new album from your favorite artist that's been doing experimental side-projects for the last few years, and now comes out with a solid, deep, meaningful effort in a well-established form.
All the old ingredients are here: rich, meaningful character relationships; deep, tactically challenging combat; well written, thought-provoking dialogue trees. In short, everything you knew Bioware was capable of, but hasn't been fully present in any of their games since BGII.
Don't get me wrong; I've liked almost all of their games since then (Jade Empire and the Sonic RPG being the exceptions). It's just that none have fully satisfied me, or they've left me with the nagging feeling that something's just not quite right (re: KOTOR and Mass Effect feel slightly underdone).
This game is an instant classic, from a master of the genre. It's the kind of game that will be added to the roster of eminently replayable games (BGII, Fallout 1+2, Morrowind, Final Fantasy [pick your favorite], etc.). It's as good as or better than all of those.
Now, those of you that have NOT played Baldur's Gate, Fallout, Icewind Dale, NWN2, beware.
As evidenced by the very few negative reviews, the ad campaign for this game is not very representative of the content. This is a true western RPG, especially if you're getting it on the PC. Combat is challenging on every difficulty mode but easy.
IT IS BY NO MEANS a hack-and-slash or action RPG!!!
I still recommend it, but be prepared to open your mind to a new experience.
For those of you trying to decide on which version to get, here are some things:
If you played and loved Baldur's Gate, and got it because you bought into the "spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate" thing, get it for the PC, no question.
On the console, the camera is locked in behind the character in the style of Knights of the Old Republic or Mass Effect. This is fine for those who fell in love with Bioware since their console years began, but not if you want to play it for full tactical enjoyment.
Also, if you have a capable PC, the graphics are far superior to the consoles, which is often the case.
360 vs. PS3?
PS3 looks better, 360 moves smoother. 6 of 1.
Don't hesitate. Buy this game.
Learn it,
Live it,
Love it:
Bioware is Back.
P.S. For those of you getting the Deluxe Edition, the added content is completely worth it. You don't have to feel cheated; they did it right. Worth every last penny.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This is a fantastic game! One of EA and Biowares finest, a must have for any RPG fan.
The game has increadable dialog, a heart felt and intense story. A game with well over 70hrs worth of play.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
After reading reviews i purchased the collectors PC version. I beat the game once and went on to play other things. When I purchased my xbox and found that there weren't many RPGS out for it I picked up the collectors edition (if only for the cool case and bonus items) for XBOX 360. Boy was I surprised. All the reviews said how substandard the graphics were compared to the PC version. Yes, the textures are a bit better, and yes, if you have a great video card you can pump the resolution up. But where this game shines are the controls. I would get so tired sitting up at my PC clicking constantly. The Xbox controller lends itself extremely well to the game, and in many ways better. Considering this is a game I have already put 60+ hours in on my PC...it's so much better to kick back on my couch and play. I also think the controls are very well thought out. After getting used to them this game plays better with a controller...especially as a Melee class, since it feels more like an action/rpg hybrid, whereas the PC version is a lot more clicking and strategy, which really is not needed. A definite plus, and pick it up if u like RPGS!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This game is pure amazing. I have not played the download content yet because I am in Iraq and can't download it but even the normal game content is great. I can't wait to get the DL from Xbox Live and the expansion disk that is coming out soon. I expect great things from Bioware/EA in the future this and Mass Effect are great games. Hope Mass Effect 2 holds the standard.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
in the pantheon of bioware games, i rate this their second worst title, with jade empire being their worst (not remotely a bad game, but artistically and mythologically challenged in my opinion). that said, it still makes it better than 90% of RPGs out there and i'm still addicted.
(for reference, i consider baldur's gate II my favorite of their games, with mass effect and knights of the old republic being my favorite of their console titles)
those expecting the depth of baldur's gate I & II will be sorely disappointed. key differences:
- doesn't use the D&D license, meaning there is a custom rule set that is not transparent. while most won't notice, it makes it hard for hardcore gamers to understand the tradeoffs between different skills, weapons, armor.
- stale story/setting. everything smells of a lords of the ring ripoff story. some minor twists to the very stale triumvirate of dwarves, elves, men + evil races. yawn.
- stale art. everything smells of a lords of the ring ripoff. even the first city you see will echo the sets/designs from the LOTR movies.
- poor skill tree. i have never been so upset at leveling up - i am forced to take ridiculously useless skills in order to get 1 useful skill out of a branch of the tree. i'd say 70-80% of the tree is useless.
- no formations, iffy combat. it is not fun to turn off tactics and micromanage your team because you can't stop them from charging into the fray, or standing idly while you get torn to shreds. you cannot easily set up basic ranks to bottleneck melee fighters in a doorway with mages/archers in back. it tends to be about tanks and area-of-effect spells.
why i prefer mass effect/KOTOR:
- different setting, unique story lines. every story in dragon age has more or less been told.
- unique, coherent art design. dragon age is a mish mash of all the medieval fantasy you've seen. the fade (dreamworld of this game universe) is disappointingly unimaginative.
- romances that make a lick more sense. you can buy the affections of everyone quite easily. some characters show significant contradictions.
great differentiators for dragon age:
- voice acting. bioware is heads and shoulders above everyone else in this arena
- some great characters. although all your party members are prone to verbal diarrhea as usual, there is some of the best interactive banter i've ever seen in an RPG.
- some very very very ambiguous and big decisions. great shades of gray here.
in all, still a very entertaining game. i'm disappointed as i play, yet i'm totally hooked.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
I got the Collector's Edition, and I'm a little disappointed. I am halfway through the games main quest. Overall, the game is worthwhile playing, but there are a few issues. The graphics are fine, not as bad as others make out. There are some questionable design choices and minor glitches. The Collectors Edition has some nice extras except that they don't feel like extras. First off, they should have included the Warden's Keep add-on. This add-on is really great except that it is not part of the Collector's Edition! You pay extra for it. In Warden's Keep you will acquire a beautiful set of Warden Commander Armor, except that it is easily surpassed in power by other items such as the Blood Dragon Suit of Armor (included in the CE and useable in upcoming Mass Effect 2), which looks great except for the upper-arm design. The problem with the Blood Dragon Plate suit of armor is the helmet. It is not as powerful as the Bergen's Honor helmet (also included). The Bergen's Honor helmet is more powerful than the Blood Dragon Helm?! Also, Bergen's Honor looks really cool on the card but in the game it's the exact same design as the Templar helmet which is acquired earlier in game and not really anything special. Another questionable design choice is the Helm of Honleath, a powerful item acquired in the Stone Prisoner add-on (which is part of the CE). It is a clone of the Grey Warden helm but made of gray iron. The Grey Warden helmet looks much nicer in comparison, but is not as powerful, so you end up using an ugly design that better protects your character. This seems backwards to me. As far as gameplay is concerned there might be spoilers ahead. The Dwarves are too stubborn. They've locked me out of the Chamber assembly and thus out of the game! I can't proceed with the main quest until I gain their allegiance! Every time I approach they are locked away in debate! The Elves are rude and deceiving. I've had to kill not only WitherFang (their enemy) but their leader Zathrain, as well, just to gain their allegiance (perhaps that was a glitch in the game). Dragon Age Origins is kind of like a mix between Mass Effect and Oblivion. Definitely not as good as either of those games but still a great game. I should have bought the regular edition.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Once again, Bioware has created another wonderful game with a huge world to emerse yourself into. I do however agree with some of the negatives from previous reviews. However, I found a way to bypass 2 of the negatives; that being the lack of money and skill points, both of which can be solved by the same cheat. There is a glitch you can use at the market to multiply items that you have more than one of, and using that trick you can multiply tomes and money by an infinite amount, or at least to hearts desire. Anyway, I've truly enjoyed the game and am looking forward to the expansion coming out in March.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Bioware seems incapable of making a bad rpg. They have produced almost all my favorite rpgs and this one is no exception. This is very long game. My first playthrough went over 110 hours! Of course if you skip through allot of the dialogue and skip a number of side quests you can probably get the the game done in about half that time. Even at half the time it would still make it a long game. Bioware rpgs traditionally have top notch voice acting and this game is no exception. Some of the best and funniest parts of the game are talking to your party characters or npcs. The personalities are diverse and entertaining. The random banter between your party characters can be hilarious. If your party characters are talking, stop and let them finish, as their dialogues can be some of the funniest parts of the game.
A strong story driven game, is a another element Bioware games are known for, and this game delivers there as well. Dragon Age had allot of story lines, some that span the game and many more that are side quests. From a pure rpg standpoint, Dragon Age is the best game I've ever played. The number of choices and solutions to quests often goes beyond the standard good or bad choice. In fact sometimes there are 3, 4, or 5 different ways to handle something. and many times your choice opens up more choices. These aren't always standard black or white choices either. If you are wanting to play through as purely good or purely evil, it can pretty tough to do. As in real life many choices are clouded with moral shades of gray.
Dragon Age is easily a 5 star game, and a tremendously entertaining rpg. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the game is that it has 6 different origins stories. Thus, there are 6 completely different beginnings to the game, each that span 2 to 3 hours, a video game first.
Despite, all its strengths Dragon Age is not without its faults. Graphics are good, but actually seem a step below Bioware's Mass Effect, an rpg 2 years older. Mass Effect seemed to have better more realistic graphics and expecially better facial expressions. Also dragon age has a number of graphical glitches, some that make me think the game was rushed to get it out for Christmas rather then take the time to correct them. Most are minor, like fingers or even hands disappearing into forearms when somebody crosses their arms, or armor plates disappearing into each other, etc, but one of the worst was a half naked man floating above a bed while a half naked woman crawled through him to blow out a candle. And Maybe it was just me, but a number of the characters in the game seemed to have hands that were slightly too big for their bodies.
Music and sound effects were good, though the music, didn't quite seem as spot on for the game, as the music did for Mass Effect.
Likewise the stories overall were pretty good, but IMO they didn't feel as engaging as the stories in the original Knights of the old republic or Mass Effect.
Honestly the biggest let down for me, was that the game in a few ways felt like a step back from Mass Effect. The biggest was that your main character doesn't speak his/her dialogue. I really enjoyed this aspect in ME. Also in ME your main character, not only spoke, but never really said the exact dialogue on the screen, but something along the lines of it. That worked really well and allowed for some fun surprises.
The major step back, is that ME effect also successfully blended a first person shooter aspect into the game. You actually fought your battles, and that really drew you into the game and missions much more then the automatic fighting Dragon Returns too. Even Jade Empire, a Bioware rpg, from 5 or more years ago , allowed some button mashing type fighting that went beyond what Dragon Age allowed. Granted, you can pick skills to use during fights and direct your character or characters who to attack, and with what, etc. It does manage to keep you involved quite well, and using your skills, abilities, and spells, really does make a difference in battles. In fairness, DA couldn't have been a first person shooter since you are using mostly melee weapons, but I did miss that more direct involvement from the battles,
None of the short comings in this game are major, and its pluses, far out weigh any flaws. DA is a top notch rpg that will provide many hours of entertainment and its multitude of choices necessitates multiple play throughs to see everything.
The collectors edition is a bit of a dissapointment however. It comes in a tin case, with a cloth map, and supposedly some extra in game features. Would have been nice if they had actually included them on the disc, instead of giving you codes for free downloads from xbox 360 live. You have to pay for 360 live, which I don't have. Which means the extras aren't really free or included in the collectors edition. If you already have a xbox 360 live account, then great, get your free downloads. But if not, don't bother buying the collectors edition cause you aren't getting anything worth the extra 15 bucks. Also on top of that, there is some other downloadable game content, that you are not given codes for and is not free. All of this should have just been included on the collectors edition disk, or better yet on the regular edition disk.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
First of all, this is a great example of what the gaming world is missing. A throwback to the days of Baldur's Gate, only now it's all dark and grown up with sex, more violence, and blood...lots of blood. A lot of people complain about the graphics, but I hardly felt they detracted from the story, which is epic. The game took me a good 60 hours on first playthrough and I intend to give it another run. Also, there is already dlc out and more to come.
Now for the cons. The lip sync could have been better. Some of the cut scenes are prerendered and grainy for some reason. Why not just use the in game engine? It looks pretty rough some times, but still doesn't bring the game down that much. There are a few graphical glitches that pop up. Examples would be things popping in and out of frame, the screen being entirely black during a dialog scene because the camera is in the wrong place.
Overall, I'd recommend this game to anyone who likes fantasy games.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
