I haven’t rounded up a set of Dragon Age: Origins reviews for a couple of days, so there are quite a few to report about this evening.
We start things off at Eurogamer, where they’ve given the Warden’s Keep and Stone Prisoner add-ons a 6/10 and 8/10, respectively:
Anyone who’s played Dragon Age for a reasonable length of time will know that companion characters are the most compelling content outside of the game’s main quest line (some might even say including it). Like the others, Shale has reams of well-voiced dialogue in the form of conversations, interjections and banter with the other companions. Being a surprisingly arch and sarcastic golem, Shale’s humorous edge does something to leaven Dragon Age’s stuffy tone.
He also has an approval rating to play around with, a personal quest that dovetails with the larger plot, his own item customisation system with the attendant loot drops added across the game, and a unique set of golem abilities with tremendous utility. His auras can switch him at will, in the midst of battle, from a tank to a melee warrior, a ranged attacker or an immobile buff machine, a sort of living totem. Extremely useful on the field and quite amusing off it, and bringing a lot more content to the game than just his origin adventure, Shale’s a worthy addition.
The second is at Resolution Magazine with a score of 8/10:
More problems grate away, including animation that fails to impress after Mass Effect, and outdoor levels blocked off by invisible walls. But even though it’s easy to pick apart, even though it occasionally struggles to maintain the quality of its stand-out segments, there is no doubt that Dragon Age is a brilliant game. Perhaps, had it been released this time last year, it would have struggled to match Fallout 3’s lonely atmosphere, or Fable 2’s colourful and vibrant world. But in a year of comparatively few large-scale RPGs, it stands many heads and shoulders above its meagre competition, with a backbone of hefty politics and a culture in which you could immerse yourself for an eternity.
The third is at EndSights with a score of 4.5/5:
Everything in Dragon Age: Origins is exactly what you’d want from this type of role-playing game. A heavy and lengthy story provides entertainment on all fronts. All of the characters are great and the voice acting is wonderful. BioWare’s epic RPG is one that should not be missed.
The fourth is at GameArena with a perfect score of 10/10:
Dragon Age: Origins is amazing. Calling it next-gen Neverwinter Nights does it a disservice – it’s more the next-gen Baldur’s Gate (Ed – That clears it up!). BioWare has done an excellent job making such a huge game readily accessible while maintaining the vibrancy and richness of the game world, and the depth and strength of the story.
The fifth is at Ten Ton Hammer with a score of “A”:
BioWare has delivered the goods once again–a top notch role playing game that is both challenging and compelling. No matter what your level of RPG prowess you’ll find the perfect amount of gaming here, whether you prefer a cut to the chase hack and slash or a slow journey from one end of the world to the other; it’s all available. One of the finest examples of the genre to come out in the last ten years, Dragon Age Origins is an instant classic that should be in every gamer’s library.
The sixthis at GameSquad with a perfect score of 10/10:
All in all, Dragon Age: Origins is the fantasy-based RPG fans have been seeking for far too long. As someone who has never been an aficionado of dungeon crawls, it is all the more amazing that I have been thoroughly hooked by the magic found in this game (darn your spellcraft, BioWare!). Sir Galahads the world over have finally found their RPG holy grail, and it is Dragon Age: Origins.
The seventh is at ActionTrip with a score of 9.3/10:
This game is an important contribution to the decaying and nearly forgotten scene of single-player RPGs. The designers may have been playing things a bit safe with this one, relying heavily on familiar gameplay mechanics from earlier titles such as Baldur’s Gate and NWN. And yes, there’s the ever-present issue related to the art direction. Again, the art is a matter of personal preference. Dismissing this game for its art and a few bugs would be rash judgment indeed. There’s so much to enjoy here, we feel all gamers should give it a go.
The eighth is at Electronic Theatre with a score of 88%:
BioWare are well known for developing their own rules in the RPG genre, and Dragon Age: Origins is no different. Mass Effect could be seen as a step into more mainstream territory for the developer, but Dragon Age: Origins is a return to that which brought the team their original success produced for the modern, more competitive market. The consideration of the console market will be appreciated by those using a controller, though those with a keyboard and mouse may suggest inaccurately that the formula has been diluted. Both lengthy and rewarding, Dragon Age: Origins stands a shining example of contemporary efforts in the RPG genre, on any format.
The ninth is at Military with a score of 3.5/4:
With so much to see, Ferelden is one of the most vivid, thoroughly realized worlds ever seen in a video game. And with so much to do, “Dragon Age” delivers more for your money than just about any other game on the market.
The tenth is at Gameolosophy with no score:
Overall, the game is fantastic. Only a few nitpicky things keep this game from being absolutely perfect. Go out and buy this game, now!
The eleventh is at SFX360 with a score of 9.2/10:
In closing, when I stand back and look at Dragon Age: Origins as a whole, I see a work of art put to the screen. An expertly woven tapestry of wonderful story telling, adrenaline driven combat, deep and meaningful interactions with a world that absolutely engulfs and immerses you, and a complex but not overwhelming battle system contrasted to a simple and efficient crafting system that both carry over well in their applications into the main game. Of course there is a loose string here and there, but this quickly overlooked in the face of the core elements of the game. If you have been undecided on this type of game or are unfamiliar with BioWare, Dragon Age would be a great way to put both feet in the water (Just in time for Mass Effect 2 too) and give things a trial run. If however you were not a fan of Mass Effect or Knights of the Old Republic (and assuming you reached this point in the review at all), you are better off passing on this title all together or waiting for a downward shift in the price. Here is to a very positive experience with Dragon Age: Origins and the hope for BioWare to continue to exceed expectations in the future!
And the twelfth is at The Baxter Bulletin with a perfect score of 4/4:
Shortcomings aside, RPG fans in search of a meaty game with plenty of depth and replayability won’t be disappointed with “Dragon Age: Origins,” a masterfully crafted adventure that offers a lot of bang for your buck.
