Dragon Age: Origins Review
When BioWare proclaimed that Dragon Age: Origins would be the spiritual successor of its classic 3rd person RPG, Baldur's Gate, the bar was instantly set high. Those unfamiliar with the 1998 title may not understand the weight behind that proclamation, but it meant that Dragon Age have to be a massively immersive. Things have moved along a lot since Baldur's Gate arrived, and Dragon Age is set to contain BioWare's signature morality system as well as a world that constantly changes, developing with the growth of the player. Does it raise the bar even higher?
Players taken control of a Grey Warden initiate who a single member of a group dedicated to eradicating a plague known as the Blight. Originating four hundred years ago, the Blight consists of the twisted forms of men and demons, warped by their own greed and bent upon ravaging the earth of all life. Through tragedy and circumstance players will eventually find themselves pitted against this vast force, with only a handful of allies ready to stand against it. To save the world against the Blight, players must then raise an army across Ferelden. No easy task considering the the land is torn apart through civil war and darker creatures are taking advantage of the chaos.
Where most games give an outlining story that a created character can neatly fit into, Dragon Age takes a much more involved approach. Players will define their experience from the creation process, choosing from three races (Elves, Humans and Dwarves) before selecting their combat class and social status. Depending on the selected social standing players choose, attitudes toward the character may completely shift. BioWare's morality system comes into fully into play and it is through this cause-and-effect gameplay that Dragon Age truly shines. Players may find themselves unwittingly plotting the death of their own brother, ruining their family fortune, or bringing vast amounts of fame to the family name.
Dragon Age also thrusts players into complex social circles, filled with ulterior motives and betrayal, and allows the player to work through it themselves. Many times the repercussions of decisions made, good or bad, will come back to haunt in future quests. This means the player is not only in complete control of their own development, but the development of the entire world including the interpersonal relationships made with party members. Quests can be completed numerous ways, be it by combat or persuasion, and each experience further shapes the world's view of the player's character. Conversing with party members helps develop relationships as well as unravelling a bit of history behind an extremely diverse and well rounded cast. This detailed sense of cause-and-effect, the knowledge that player actions actively affect other characters, causes a legitimate sense of caring and concern. It's this ability to evoke emotion, no matter how small, that makes Dragon Age an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish.
