Dragon Age - Origins - Review

Many of you might remember a totally awesome game series from 1998, called Baldurs Gate.
This is one of BioWares most succesful titels in my opinion. Baldurs Gate #1 was groundbreaking in it's genre, putting the D&D combat system to use in a masterful manner, and giving you way more freedom of choice than what we were used to. In Baldurs Gate 2 : Shadows of Amn, the game fulfills it's potential and it seemed as tho we were going to experience a new RPG-Golden Age.
It sort of came to a halt after that, in my opinion. They put the bar so high, that most other similar games didn't seem to be able to deliever.

You may argue that there has been several great rpg releases over the years since Baldurs gate.
This is partially true (in my opinion), we have diablo, elder scrolls : oblivion, neverwinter nights, but they didn't do for the genre what Baldurs Gate did for rpg.

However, after an undecided number of rat slashing, undead mashing and golem bashing rpg's, it seemed BioWare came to realize that the crowds weren't exactly pleased, something had to be done to rekindle the flame that was slowly burning away in the hearts of the genre's trusted gamers.

And from there, Dragon Age : Origins arose from the ashes of Baldurs Gate.

The game has many flaws, the storyline is quite the cliche, and it's no groundbreaking material.
But it's a turn in the right path for todays bleak selection of RPG's.
Dragon Age : Origins takes up the legacy of Baldurs Gate and brought fun and and enthusiasm back into the "long dead genre".

Graphics - The graphics are OK, like many other rpg's the graphics don't always match what driving simulators and FPS games can offer. But That's not really much of an issue here.

Game mechanics - The combat system is quite traditional turn based. It feels a bit slow and abilities/spell are often delayed, sometimes it can even feel like it's lagging. The game can't seem to decide if it's going be a fast paced, up and personal real-time type of game, or a strategic traditional rpg. The result is a combat system that's wanting. But there's room for improving, and as far as i've gathered, this is something BioWare is going to change in the upcoming Dragon Age 2.
The dialogue system was excellent, but now flawless. I found myself spending lots of time considering my choices when in a tricky situation, and the rewards for choosing "right" were always worth it.
The spell system is quite fun and offers variation. Blast your enemies with knockback spells, combine spell like "sleep" and "horror" and you are really getting the feel that what spells you cast really matters. The tactical aspect of combat change radically. The area of effect spells might be a little difficult to time properly if you're trying to avoid damaging your own group, but it's not really a MAJOR issue, if you play your cards right, or configure the game so that your AoE dont affect your allies.

The plot :
Every couple hundred years, a plague known as the Blight envelops the world in darkness.
The grey wardens, who are a group of elite warriors, mages, and rogues, are the only ones standing in the way of doom.
You get the picture, right? Great evil, a few elite <insert correct term> stand up against a great evil.
This isn't exactly new material, but still, there are so many twists and turns, so many choices to made, and so many ways to go, that the plot is empowered by all the possible outcomes.
The road to salvation may be paved in blood, or glory. Will you be the hero the realm of Ferelden needs? Or will you backstab, lie and manipulate your way to the top?
Either way, you're gonna have a great journey, from the darkest corners of Ferelden, to the Brightest moments in it's memory.

This is truly a great step in the right direction for the future RPG's, and other developers can absolutely learn a thing or two from BioWare.

All in all. 8.5/10.

I am aware that i do not really go in-depth with my reviews, and this simply because my goal is not to describe the entire game to you, it is because i want to bring forth YOUR point of view.
What did i leave out?
Why did i leave it out?
Can you tell me?
Send me your take on Dragon Age : Origins at undecidedrating@gmail.com and let your fellow gamers see what you think about the game.

Sincerely yours

Undecided