Game Review - Retrospective: Dragon Age Origins

 Review: Dragon Age Origins

About The Game

Dragon Age: Origins is a dark fantasy RPG featuring real-time strategic combat, a cast of fascinating characters, an apocalyptic event and a unique opening. Set in Ferelden, a Blight has begun in the south and new Grey Wardens are needed to fight it. That's where you come in. 

Origins was developed by Bioware, also known for Mass Effect, and it was published by Electronic Arts. It came out in 2009 for the PC, the Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360. 

One of the unique features is the Origins part. Based on your choice of race, gender and class (Warrior, Rogue or Mage) you had 6 possible origin stories to play through. This formed a prologue to the story, but gave you the opportunity to learn about the world in relation to your character. Your origin would also have effects on certain encounters later in the game as well. 

The Good

• The origins - I loved this and how it was implemented. Not only does it give you replay value, it really does affect how your character interacts with the world and how you're treated by other NPCs
• The characters - literally every NPC that plays any kind of part in the story is well developed, interesting and layered. Even some of the characters that have one scene, like the Templar Carroll who mans the boat over to the Circle Tower. 
• The companions are brilliant. All of them. They're all unique, and the banter between them is hilarious. I had so many laugh out loud moments on my first playthrough, and still do even fifteen years later. 
• The choices are often morally grey. There's not always a perfect solution to every problem, there is an optimal one for each of the main sections but even so, someone still loses out. 
• You can be good or evil, you have that freedom to choose but your companions will have opinions on your choices and you can risk them leaving, betraying you or attacking you and forcing you to kill them. 
• Romances are awesome. This was the first time I'd ever played a game where you could enter a romance with a character, and I loved exploring them and getting to know the characters in that way. Especially my boy Zevran. Having two bisexual options is great for representation, especially at that time.
• The main story is really interesting, and it really sets up the world for the future games that would follow. The ending was satisfying, and I loved seeing the different outcomes, depending on your decisions so you get an idea of the impact you have had on this world.
• The side quests offer a ton of variety, and some are quite well hidden unless you go looking for them. 
• It doesn't shy away, being a 'dark fantasy' it really lives up to this. Some of the events are horrific and uncomfortable, but it makes the story more compelling for me.
• Rich world-building and lore. I love learning more about it and I'm a massive world-building nerd so finding and reading codex entries holds a lot of value for me and it's clear a lot of love and work has gone into the lore of Dragon Age. 

The Not So Good

• A couple of sections would get quite tedious to get through, especially on subsequent playthroughs. The Fade and the Deep Roads especially. 
• The combat has quite a steep learning curve, especially on the PC version. It's great once you understand it, but for newcomers to the genre, it can be tough. I was a newcomer to this kind of RPG when I first played Origins. 
• Performance on the console versions wasn't always great - at least on the PS3. 

My Thoughts

Well, you can guess by now that I absolutely adored this game. It was my first experience of a Western style RPG. I had only really played Pokemon, Phantasy Star (yes, I'm that old!) and some Final Fantasy games before this one. But Dragon Age Origins will always hold a special place in my heart. I had such a great time on my first playthrough, laughing so much my mother was worried if I was okay! It really helped me a lot through a tough spot. 

I first got my PS3 on my birthday in December 2009 and bought this game because it looked interesting. At the time, I was struggling with finding my first job as a vet after graduation and got quite depressed. This game really helped me cope and I can lose myself for hours in Thedas. I love this world, and I've read all the novels and graphic novels too! 

The setting is brilliant, and the world building is top-notch. So well developed and rich in lore. The characters are amazing and even the antagonists are the kind you love to hate. Although Tim Curry always does a good villain, his attitude and tone as Arl Rendon Howe makes you want to hate the man. Alistair is a massive cinnamon roll and I love him. Zevran is my favourite romance and my canon romance with my human noble Warden Aedan Cousland. 

Even in retrospect, as I am close to finishing Veilguard and knowing the truth behind a lot of the lore now, it's clear that there has always been a good long-term plan for the storyline. I'm here for it, even now I know what the future holds. 

The graphics may be quite dated now, but I still think Origins is worth a playthrough, even if you're coming into the series after Inquisition or Veilguard. You will have a good time, I promise you that. Enjoy the unspeakable horrors of the Deep Roads and the 'dueling' lessons from Isabela. I'll write separate reviews for the DLCs, but they are also worth checking out. 

Dragon Age Origins is available on Steam and on EA.com