User Reviews

1. Review Date: 2009-11-23

   Corrupted archive files on the CD that shipped, so game wouldn't install. Checking the web, this seems to be a common problem. Returning this game.
   
   User: Autodidact
   Rating:
   Summary: Corrupted files -- couldn't install
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

2. Review Date: 2009-11-23

   On the PC this game is a great meaty RPG that will fill your winter hours with tons of fun. The game play in combat is much like a turned based stratagy game. It remains challanging throughout the 50 to 70 hours of gameplay.
   
   One note, avoid the DLC that is offered as of 11/23/09 as they are currently not worth the money. (Too short) I also didn't like having NPCs in game for quests that I had not purcased yet. Basically an in game advertisement for their overpriced DLC.
   
   User: Collin Klopfenstein
   Rating:
   Summary: If you like RPG this is the one.
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

3. Review Date: 2009-11-23

   Hello everyone. This is for those of you Mac Bootcamp users who are wondering if this will run on a Mac. Well, I'll share my experience so far, in case anyone is on the fence about buying this:
   
   I've got a 2-year old iMac with a 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 2 GB of RAM, and I'm running Windows XP with SP3 on Bootcamp, and this game runs flawlessly. I've got it set to a high screen resolution, and "medium" detail for graphics, and it runs very nicely.
   
   In about 15-20 hours of playing, I've had one QTD error ("quit to desktop"), and that's it. I've seen none of the slow load times or any other glitches. The graphics are beautiful on my settings. Better than NWN2 on highest, and and as good as or better than The Witcher too (which was stunningly beautiful IMO).
   
   From a gameplay standpoint, there's plenty of reviews, but I think Dragon Age is great. I'm one of those that has done Baldur's Gate I & II many times, including their expansions, NWN 1 with all it's expansions, and NWN 2 (without expansions - I have the Mac versions, so the expansions aren't available).
   
   I'm not sure Dragon Age is the "spiritual successor" to Baldur's Gate, but I don't know that it needs to be. It's definitely at least as good or better than NWN I or II (in my limited play of Dragon Age so far). I also was skeptical it would top The Witcher , which I've recently played several times through, and which also runs flawlessly on my Mac Bootcamp setup as above. So far, I'm forced to admit Dragon Age at least equals, if not succeeds, my beloved "The Witcher".
   
   So for anybody with a fairly recent desktop iMac running bootcamp and Windows XP, feel comfortable giving this game a go!
   
   User: Desert Dweller
   Rating:
   Summary: For Mac Bootcamp users:
   Helpful Votes: 2
   Total Votes: 2
   

4. Review Date: 2009-11-22

   After playing The Witcher three time through, I was really looking forward to this game. I needed a good, long, challenging RPG to last me for some time (so I don't have to buy MW2).
   
   My expectations have been high and, well, I have to say, Dragon Age: Origins is better than almost every other CRPG out there, with maybe a select few exceptions (Oblivion jumps to mind).
   
   First, I want to get something out of the way, this game is certainly not for everyone, its only for a specific audience. If you have never played an RPG before, can't pay attention to an excellently written dialog for more than a few seconds, and can't go three minutes without shooting someone on your Xbox360 or PS3 or whatever you have...this game will bore you to death...trust me. Otherwise, GET THIS GAME!
   
   Personally, I find this game alot better than Neverwinter Nights, just because, the combat system is better. No more of that "Turn-based Realtime Tactical Combat," now its purely real-time, and of course, you can pause the game and issue comands whenever you feel like it. To be honest, though, in comparison to Neverwinter Nights, there were definately far fewer magical spells...that's not really saying much, though, because NWN had a mind-boggling amount of spells. In fact, at times, the combat may become a little WOW-style grinding, although this rarely happens.
   
   The reason why you'll keep on playing is not becuase of the combat, though, it is because of the excellent plot and characters! They are simply fantastic (especially Alistair). Never in a game will you find more beleveable and relatable characters...EVER, until Mass Effect 2...You can build up relations with characters that will change the way they react to you, and frankly, you'll find yourself talking to the characters voluntarily even if you didn't originially intend to...IT'S THAT GOOD! The most surprising thing about the story is how different each play through can be depending on the choices you make, including your Origin Story (look these up on google).
   
   Graphics, cool, ambient occusion...nice...not excellent, just good...the PC version is the best, but if you have no other option get the PS3 version over the Xbox360.
   
   The game is long...about 60 hours for a single no-thrills playthrough, if you ingnore all side-quests and don't build up any relations...don't have any sex...etc.
   
   All in all, Dragon Age is worth $40, in fact it could be worth $100 considering how much play time you can get out of it.
   
   Gameplay - 9 / 10
   Story - 10 / 10
   Graphics - 8 / 10
   Value - 10 / 10
   
   Overall - 9.5 / 10
   
   User: DarkGameReviewer
   Rating:
   Summary: Need a reason to lock yourself in your room for a few days...or weeks?
   Helpful Votes: 1
   Total Votes: 1
   

5. Review Date: 2009-11-22

   After many hours tring to make this game play I have come to belive Bioware has no quality control. I have updated video driver, direct x, sound card, and a couple of others, still game doesn't do anything other than crash. This is just to much trouble to play a game in my off time. Too bad I bought it online, other wise I take back to store.
   
   User: T. Evans
   Rating:
   Summary: Don't waste your money
   Helpful Votes: 1
   Total Votes: 9
   

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Editorial Reviews

From BioWare, the makers of Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Baldur's Gate comes Dragon Age: Origins. An epic tale of violence, lust, and betrayal, Dragon Age: Origins is a single player role-playing game (RPG) set in a fantasy game environment, and featuring three playable character classes, accessible in the form of three races. In addition, the game features extreme character customization, a new game engine, party-based gameplay utilizing non-player characters and a built-in personal history system for each hero character rooted in a variety of possible origin stories. 6 possible hero Origin Stories. View larger. 3 classes and 3 races to play as. View larger. Gritty, brutal action. View larger. Frightening enemies and bosses. View larger. Party-based combat using NPCs. View larger. Stunning 3D environments. View larger. Story 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 general in a critical battle, you must hunt down the traitor and bring him to justice. 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 disparate peoples of a world at war. A romance with a seductive shapeshifter may hold the key to victory, or she may be a dangerous diversion from the heart of your mission. To be a leader, you must make ruthless decisions and be willing to sacrifice your friends and loved ones for the greater good. 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 subtitle "Origins" in the game's title refers to the six unique origin stories available to new heroes as a new game begins. 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 story of the character and the choices you make as you play through the game. The game features three character classes--warrior, 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 available to any character, 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, control 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 necessary 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 story 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 inventory levels, equip a character, 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 character customization functionality; the use of poison, traps and herbalism; dual-wielding skills; and "spell combos," which allow players to chain together different spells to create a unique effects. 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 immerse yourself in a shattered world that is on the brink of utter annihilation. An epic story that is completely shaped and reactive to your play style. Complex moral dilemmas offering no easy choices. Tailor your Dragon Age: Origins experience from the very beginning by choose from six different origin stories. Decide how to handle complex issues like murder, genocide, betrayal, and the possession/sacrificing of children without the security of a good/bad slider to tell you what to do. Full character customization allowing the player to sculpt a hero in your own image or fantasy. Elaborate character creator allows you to create your own hero unique from anyone else. Shape your character’s personality and morality based on the choices you make throughout the game. Engage in bone-crushing, visceral combat engaging in battle against 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. System Requirements: Minimum Recommended OS: Windows XP with SP3 / Vista with SP1 CPU: XP: Intel Core 2(or equivalent) running at 1.4Ghz or greater AMD X2(or equivalent) running at 1.8Ghz or greater / Vista: Intel Core 2 (or equivalent) running at 1.6Ghz or greater Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz Processor or equivalent RAM: XP: 1GB or more / 1.5GB or more 2 GB (XP) / 4 GB (Vista) HDD: 20GB Video: XP: ATI Radeon X850 128MB or greater, NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB or greater / Vista: ATI Radeon X1550 256MB or greater, NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB or greater ATI 3850 512 MB or greater, NVIDIA 8800GTS 512 MB or greater, AMD Phenom II X3 Triple-Core 2.8 GHz or greater Other: DVD-ROM drive for physical disc play; Mouse/keyboard/gamepad for gameplay

Product Details

1. Scalable combat options that let you decide the level of control you have over your party, including NPCs. Issue orders, set your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge.
2. 6 possible playable preludes known as `Origin Stories¿ which along with your play, define how your hero character will see the world, how it sees you and sets the tone for the entire story.
3. Travel across the vast and varied lands of Ferelden; from the conspiratorial halls of the last great dwarven city, Orzammar, to the untamed snarls of the Korcari Wilds.
4. Dragon Age: Origins will give you deep character customization options including: class, race, appearance, abilities, and equipment.
5. At the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Decide the fate of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence.