Is Dragon Age: Origins the Best RPG Ever?

Setting aside everything we’ve enjoyed during thirty years of role-playing game releases, GamerZines has already jumped to the conclusion that Dragon Age: Origins might have replaced Baldur’s Gate II as “the best RPG ever”.

But for now, the title fight is between Baldur’s Gate 2 and Dragon Age: Origins. Baldur’s Gate 2 (not the original, and if you have to ask why, I despair) offered several things: henchmen quests, great party mechanics, enormous gameplay (90 odd hours), great levelling and accessible combat.

Dragon Age: Origins offers all of these, but with today’s standards. Where I feel a little uneasy is in locating something unique, something to hold up and say this is why you should play the game. In truth, while the engine and graphics are all new, and that’s great, Dragon Age: Origins succeeds by excelling in all the areas an RPG needs. It’s fine tuned to oblivion, and I choose my words carefully.

The story is compelling, and lengthy. There’s plenty to do and lots of side quests to distract you. The acting is all good, and not wooden like I’ve seen some criticise. The humour is there, as in BG2 often in the background – hear your henchman shout “Bad dog” to an attacking werewolf, or “Time for Plan B” as they near death, and you can’t help but crack a smile.

Without any comparisons to the Wizardry series, Ultima series, or even Planescape: Torment, I can’t possibly take this guy seriously.