Dragon Age Origins

[Pure Mongrel]

Let me start by stating, for the most part I hate RPG games.

The thought of playing a Final Fantasy game (or any JRPG for that matter) sets me teeth on edge, makes my eyes roll back in their sockets and causes my brain to put on it's internal hold music.

In fact I get bored very quickly with western RPG's as well. Only a select few of these styles of games have ever held my interest for more than a few hours, and only a couple of titles have I stuck with to the final scene.

This opening is not an attempt to start a flame war with RPG fans, but I scribe the above to give you an idea of how much conviction I utter this bold statement;

Dragon Age Origins is one of the best games I have played this year!

So much so that it has kept me away from MW2, a game that I have be salivating to play ever since I heard those magical words ... "And the prestige edition comes with night vision goggles!"

Now admittedly my gaming time of late has been severely hampered by my need to look after a sick family member, but every spare moment I have been able to steal has been dedicated to this game.

The story is just brilliant so far (I am currently only about 20% through the game) and the interaction between the characters is outstanding.

The reason for why you are adventuring has me hooked completely and the "take" on magic in this world is refreshing.

The combat is intuitive enough with the make up of your party effecting strategy, plot device and reward.

For those of you who have played Mass effect, for the most part the combat system will seem familiar but expanded upon. For new comers, the learning curve of the game mechanics is not steep, but mastering the tactics and party make ups will be a rewarding challenge.

I am not going to give away any of the story as the discovery is a huge part of the appeal of the game, but be aware that you can play this game as a well meaning saint, or as a complete bastard! The choice is yours.
(I will how ever be looking forward to discussing tactics, drops and trade skills here )

At no stage has this game felt like a grind and I am always looking forward to returning to the game to see what more gaming goodness it will reward me with.

Well worth your dollars if you love a great story, don't mind the sight of blood, have always wanted to "get it on" with the hot mage, rogue or knight in the party and love finding Phat Loot!

In fact if TOG ever starts a "Must have game" list, this title will be high on it!

[Ancient_One]

Originally Posted by Pure Mongrel

This opening is not an attempt to start a flame war with RPG fans

Those would be waring words friend.........arm yourself

I'm a loaner by nature, I keep the best stuff for myself, I hate to share, I hate controlling other characters other then my own.

Probably due to being a ownly child. Not a lonely one.

What worries me with this game is having more then 1 character to control. Do they pretty much do their own thing.? Can you just be yourself and not have alternative lives, alter egos, split personalities. ie. have to play the other characters.

[Chief]

I got it for PC since there'll be a ton of mods, and the graphics are quite a bit better. Amazing game, put about 20 hours in so far and I'm not even half way through. I find it's one of those games that sucks up time though, started playing around 6 last night, next thing I knew it was 10:30

Originally Posted by Ancient_One

Can you just be yourself and not have alternative lives, alter egos, split personalities. ie. have to play the other characters.

All characters have what are called Tactics slots. They start with around 4 I think, but you can increase the number each character has by putting skill points into it. They let you assign actions based on certain criteria ie. If enemy has more that 90% health, use skill X, if ally X is being attacked then intercept. Works very well, and once you set them up the way you like you never have to touch that character again. They also have presets for things like attack, defence, support, healer, scrapper etc. if you don't want to set them up manually.

Controlling multiple characters is a cinch though due to the pause combat feature. I do switch to another occasionally to use a specific skill or some such, but for most battles I just let them do they're own thing.

[Ancient_One]

Well that a bit better then. Thanks.

Set and forget. That's my style.

[Pure Mongrel]

Originally Posted by Ancient_One

Those would be waring words friend.........arm yourself

With what? An over sized novelty sword with a pistol grip and a spiky hair do 5 times bigger than my head perhaps?

[Bawheidbob]

Yea it is a good game and what i have been playing at the moment during my limited gaming time....well that and Demon Souls

[Bawheidbob]

First Dragon Age: Origins expansion pack “Awakening” to be released in March | PS3 Attitude

More download content on its way

[Pure Mongrel]

The way I read it, you will need to buy it from a shop??

An entire new realm to explore!, YAY!, $40US price tag (and you have to own the original game) ... hmmm.

For that price I hope it is as long as the original game.

[Mysterio3]

this game is much better on pc than on console cuz of the way the fight/battles are done, having a keyboard makes life much easier than the limited buttons on a controller.

also its just a classic strategic rpg style game based on the way handheld rpgs have been done for ages (eg fire emblem, golden sun, etc). i guess people are finally getting over the high end graphics low quality gameplay types like all the new final fantasy games (cuz lets face it, ff10 was the last good one) star ocean hope (or whatever its name was)....

[Pure Mongrel]

I know there are mods and different views available on the PC version, but I can't fault the console version.

No game (apart from maybe mass effect) has held my attention so long. I am on my third play through and it's not for the achievements ... I just wan't to get the "whole" story.