Product Description

Become immersed in a dark and heroic fantasy world realized with BioWare’s trademark depth and expertise, enriched with its own unique lore and brought to life by some of the best artists in the industry. Deep customization gives you control over your character in Dragon Age. Race, appearance, abilities, and equipment all affect how you look. What you do will affect how you are perceived. Your origin defines your place in the world and how others see you. These playable sequences introduce the world and let you decide how your character becomes a hero, setting the tone for the entire story to come. Stand at the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Choose the fates of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence. Control your perspective as you guide a party of four into battle. Issue orders, build your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge. Downloadable content will provide you with exciting new stories and ways to expand your Dragon Age experience beyond the original game. Use the provided toolset to author your own adventures to share with friends.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #567 in Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Model: 16883
• Published on: 2009-11
• Released on: 2009-11-03
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Platform: Xbox 360
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .70" h x 5.40" w x 7.50" l, .33 pounds

Features

• Travel across the vast and varied lands of Ferelden; from the conspiratorial halls of the last great dwarven city, Orzammar, to the untamed snarls of the Korcari Wilds.
• Exclusive Collector's Edition items including: a tin game case, a bonus content CD, a cloth game map, four pieces of in-game content and an unlockable item for 'Mass Effect 2.'
• at the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Decide the fate of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence.
• Dragon Age: Origins features scalable combat options that let you decide the level of control you have over your party. Issue orders, set your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge.
• Your Origin Story will define how you see the world and how it sees you. These playable preludes will introduce you to the world and determine your motivations for becoming a hero, setting the tone for the entire story.

Amazon.com Product Description

From BioWare, the makers of Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Baldur's Gate comes Dragon Age: Origins. An epic tale of violence, lust, and betrayal, Dragon Age: Origins is a single player role-playing game (RPG) set in a fantasy game environment, and featuring three playable character classes, accessible in the form of three races. In addition, the game features extreme character customization, a new game engine, party-based gameplay utilizing non-player characters and a built-in personal history system for each hero character rooted in a variety of possible origin stories. 6 possible hero Origin Stories. View larger. 3 classes and 3 races to play as. View larger. Stunning 3D environments. View larger. Spell combining abilities. View larger. Party-based combat using NPCs. View larger. Story In Dragon Age: Origins the survival of humanity rests in the hands of those chosen by fate. You are a Grey Warden, one of the last of an ancient order of guardians who have defended the lands on the continent of Thedas throughout the centuries. Betrayed by a trusted general in a critical battle, you must hunt down the traitor and bring him to justice. As you fight your way towards the final confrontation with an evil nemesis, you will face monstrous foes and engage in epic quests to unite the disparate peoples of a world at war. A romance with a seductive shapeshifter may hold the key to victory, or she may be a dangerous diversion from the heart of your mission. To be a leader, you must make ruthless decisions and be willing to sacrifice your friends and loved ones for the greater good. Gameplay Dragon Age: Origins is a 3D oriented RPG based in a dark, heroic, fantasy realm where moral choices have a lasting impression on the people you meet, the members of your own party and the world around you. The inclusion of subtitle "Origins" in the game's title refers to the six unique origin stories available to new heroes as a new game begins. Each of these has an impact on the player's motivations and his or her experience, and renders a unique prelude, path, and possible ending(s) to the game. There are many different endings to the game based on the origin story of the character and the choices you make as you play through the game. The game features three character classes--warrior, mage, and rogue--and three races of being--Human, Elf or Dwarf--that can assume these classes. Although most game elements, such as weapons, magic, etc., are available to any character, each class and race has different strengths, abilities and affinities which lend themselves to better utilizing different elements. Dragon Age: Origins is a single player game based on party-based gameplay and combat where the player can join, control and quest with up to three non-player characters (NPCs). Players can also quest alone if they so choose, but with the chance of survival are slim. Convincing NPCs to join you, and treating them well may be necessary depending on the varying sentiments between the player and the NPC, or between the NPC's in the party based on the chosen history written into the origin story accepted at the beginning of the game. This uncertainty allows for a variety of possible dynamics within the party ranging from open hostility, all the way to romance. The game progresses in real-time via a pause-and-play tactical combat system that allows the player to check inventory levels, equip a character, etc. in a slight vacuum. Additional features found in the game include: a combination of a standard loot system and a currency system based on gold silver and copper; advanced character customization functionality; the use of poison, traps and herbalism; dual-wielding skills; and "spell combos," which allow players to chain together different spells to create a unique effects. Key Game Features BioWare’s deepest universe to date with over 80 hours of gameplay and more than double the size and scope of Mass Effect. Travel throughout dozens of environments and fully immerse yourself in a shattered world that is on the brink of utter annihilation. An epic story that is completely shaped and reactive to your play style. Complex moral dilemmas offering no easy choices. Tailor your Dragon Age: Origins experience from the very beginning by choose from six different origin stories. Decide how to handle complex issues like murder, genocide, betrayal, and the possession/sacrificing of children without the security of a good/bad slider to tell you what to do. Full character customization allowing the player to sculpt a hero in your own image or fantasy. Elaborate character creator allows you to create your own hero unique from anyone else. Shape your character’s personality and morality based on the choices you make throughout the game. Engage in bone-crushing, visceral combat engaging in battle against massive and terrifying creatures. Unleash legendary powers and choose from over 100 different magical spells and skills. Experience the adrenaline rush of brutal combat, beheading your foes or casting spells that make enemies explode from within. Bonus Items Included with Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition for Xbox 360: Tin case. Bonus DVD including: A making of documentary Soundtrack Trailers Wallpaper Concept art video Strategy tips Cloth map. 3 pieces of exclusive in-game content: Bergen’s Honor: A massive helmet made out of dragonbone (+2 to armor, +25 physical resistance, +6 to attack). Grimoire of the Frozen Wates: A special book that adds +3 to all attributes when read. Final Reason: A magical staff of immense power (adds to damage, spell power, and fire damage). "The Stone Prisoner" unlockable bonus quest and unlockable character, Shale. Exclusive in-game item for use in the upcoming title Mass Effect 2.

Customer Reviews

Dragon Age: Origins CE - First Imnpressions
I think most gamers are already aware of BioWare's pedigree, and they have stated that Dragon Age is the "spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate." Myself, the only thing I was worried about was EA's heavy hand in BW's back pocket, fortunately, this definitely does NOT seem to be the case.

Dragon Age: Origins is a very well thought out and then realized fantasy world. You start by making a choice... male or female and then - one of five different races (there are actually only three races, but elves and dwarves come in two different varieties each), one of three different classes (warrior, mage, or rogue) that will eventually branch off into one of four different specialties. Each choice has it's "Origins" in the form of a specific story line unique to each race with each class, obviously, taking a different approach to that story. I first played the human noble origin, and am now on the elves, then I'll do the dwarves... I'll take the race that I like playing the best and that will be my main character. (Seeming as there's an achievement for each Origin, it's rewarding to take this approach as well).

The graphics are incredible and the sound is just as incredible, I'm not actually sure that there is a way to play this game and *not* get immersed, no - lost, in it. I also like the controller scheme, it proved to be very intuitive once I spent a few minutes with it. There's only one action button (A) the other three are skill or talent specific with (RT) acting as a shift so you can get 2 sets of three commands (all mapable on the fly). On the other side (LT) pulls up a radial menu that lets you access most of your different commands - similar to how Mass Effect used radial menu's but this one is staked, after you select from the main tree you get a second radial to pick your specific action, and just like ME the radial menu pauses the game. I will do a full review when I get done with my first playthrough.

What I wanted to comment specificaly on was the collector's edition. Is the CE worth the extra money? To me it absolutely was. It's all packaged really nice in a metal case with a map and an extra DVD with a lot of content. On the DVD besides the gratuitous "Making of..." videos, game art, and other comentaries there is also a video strategy guide --by the lead designer at BioWare-- and it's really informative. Besides giving some sage advise on different character builds and play styles he also drops some hints as to where to find some of the most powerful items in the game for each class. My favorite part of the Collector's Edition, however, is the extra in-game content. For opting with the CE you get 3 special items: a book, a staff, and a helmet (all heavily enchanted, of course), and you also get the 'Blood Dragon' armor that will also be useable in Mass Effect 2 (how cool is that?) and it tops off with the 'Stone Prisoner' quest - please note that this quest is available for purchase seperately as DLC on BioWare's server, but it's not cheap. All in all I am very happy with the CE and I would recommend it over the standard version any day.

**edit 11/15/2009**
I have finished every origin plot line and opted for a female human rogue for my first playthrough. I'm maybe 1/3 of the way through it, I don't have a lot of time to play right now and when I do play I'm trying to cover all ground possible before I move on. I don't want to get too specific in case of spoilers, but I will say the only thing that I can find to complain about so far is a slight lack of depth as far as tactics that are offered and too many talents available compared to how many points you get to spend on them. I will say that BioWare has a good amount of possible tactics to apply to whichever character, BUT in order to get enough slots to make it really worthwhile you have to spend your talent points on tactics.

Personally, I am currently of the mind that there are way too many skills and talents and not enough points available to even end up with 1/3 of them by the end of leveling (it appears there is a level 20 cap). Then they make it not just individual talents to focus on, but in trees of four - this makes for some hard decisions when you level. This is a detraction for me because I'll end up micro-analyzing which skill/talent I should get instead of playing the game! Mages have it worst. They have a considerably larger spell tree than the warrior or rogue have for skill trees. Being that this is the only thing I have found thus far to have a serious gripe about I still contend that this is by far one of the better games to come along in a while.

**edit 11.21.09** grammatical correction

Thanks for reading and game on....

Best Western RPG in a Decade
Deluxe edition stuff at the very end.

If you don't want to read my retarded ode to Bioware, please skip ahead to where it says, "Actual Review!".

Ah, Bioware. You're like an old girlfriend. The one who defined love for me (1). Then you hurt me (2). I still loved you, but I didn't understand; why did you have to do that?

You went your way and I went mine. Eventually I learned to forget. I met new people; sometimes I'd fall in love, but it was never quite the same (3).

We'd see each other every couple years, and we'd have a lot of fun for a night or two (4). But other times I thought to myself, "What are you doing with your life? We could be happy together! Why are you doing this? (5). After these ultimately disappointing hookups I'd always dig up our old photos and go through them (6). I'm not ashamed to say I cried a little.

You always told me you were searching for something. Learning who you were, and how to be.

Then, one day in early November, you called me. You said, "I know now; I know who I am. I know where I belong: with you." And then you came back home to me.

Then it all became so clear; you HAD been learning. It was the old you, but a new version! Everything past was prologue to this; the version of you I always knew was there. I just needed to have faith, and you'd see it too, and we could get back what we had, what we'd always known was us.

I love you Bioware. I realize now I've always loved you. Thank you for being in my life.

Answer Key!

1. Baldur's Gate I and II, the infinity engine that led to Icewind Dale, Fallout, and Planescape

2. Neverwinter Nights

3. The Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights 2, FFX, FFXII

4. KOTOR, Mass Effect

5. Jade Empire, Sonic RPG

6. all those replays of BGII

ACTUAL REVIEW!

This is the best cRPG experience I've had in ten years. It becomes very clear within the first few minutes of your Origin story that you're experiencing gaming history. Not the revolutionary, innovative, awesome new mechanic kind of gaming history. This is analogous to a new album from your favorite artist that's been doing experimental side-projects for the last few years, and now comes out with a solid, deep, meaningful effort in a well-established form.

All the old ingredients are here: rich, meaningful character relationships; deep, tactically challenging combat; well written, thought-provoking dialogue trees. In short, everything you knew Bioware was capable of, but hasn't been fully present in any of their games since BGII.

Don't get me wrong; I've liked almost all of their games since then (Jade Empire and the Sonic RPG being the exceptions). It's just that none have fully satisfied me, or they've left me with the nagging feeling that something's just not quite right (re: KOTOR and Mass Effect feel slightly underdone).

This game is an instant classic, from a master of the genre. It's the kind of game that will be added to the roster of eminently replayable games (BGII, Fallout 1+2, Morrowind, Final Fantasy [pick your favorite], etc.). It's as good as or better than all of those.

Now, those of you that have NOT played Baldur's Gate, Fallout, Icewind Dale, NWN2, beware.

As evidenced by the very few negative reviews, the ad campaign for this game is not very representative of the content. This is a true western RPG, especially if you're getting it on the PC. Combat is challenging on every difficulty mode but easy.

IT IS BY NO MEANS a hack-and-slash or action RPG!!!

I still recommend it, but be prepared to open your mind to a new experience.

For those of you trying to decide on which version to get, here are some things:

If you played and loved Baldur's Gate, and got it because you bought into the "spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate" thing, get it for the PC, no question.

On the console, the camera is locked in behind the character in the style of Knights of the Old Republic or Mass Effect. This is fine for those who fell in love with Bioware since their console years began, but not if you want to play it for full tactical enjoyment.

Also, if you have a capable PC, the graphics are far superior to the consoles, which is often the case.

360 vs. PS3?

PS3 looks better, 360 moves smoother. 6 of 1.

Don't hesitate. Buy this game.
Learn it,
Live it,
Love it:

Bioware is Back.

P.S. For those of you getting the Deluxe Edition, the added content is completely worth it. You don't have to feel cheated; they did it right. Worth every last penny.

more in common with Knights of the Old Republic/Mass Effect than Baldur's Gate
in the pantheon of bioware games, i rate this their second worst title, with jade empire being their worst (not remotely a bad game, but artistically and mythologically challenged in my opinion). that said, it still makes it better than 90% of RPGs out there and i'm still addicted.

(for reference, i consider baldur's gate II my favorite of their games, with mass effect and knights of the old republic being my favorite of their console titles)

those expecting the depth of baldur's gate I & II will be sorely disappointed. key differences:
- doesn't use the D&D license, meaning there is a custom rule set that is not transparent. while most won't notice, it makes it hard for hardcore gamers to understand the tradeoffs between different skills, weapons, armor.
- stale story/setting. everything smells of a lords of the ring ripoff story. some minor twists to the very stale triumvirate of dwarves, elves, men + evil races. yawn.
- stale art. everything smells of a lords of the ring ripoff. even the first city you see will echo the sets/designs from the LOTR movies.
- poor skill tree. i have never been so upset at leveling up - i am forced to take ridiculously useless skills in order to get 1 useful skill out of a branch of the tree. i'd say 70-80% of the tree is useless.
- no formations, iffy combat. it is not fun to turn off tactics and micromanage your team because you can't stop them from charging into the fray, or standing idly while you get torn to shreds. you cannot easily set up basic ranks to bottleneck melee fighters in a doorway with mages/archers in back. it tends to be about tanks and area-of-effect spells.

why i prefer mass effect/KOTOR:
- different setting, unique story lines. every story in dragon age has more or less been told.
- unique, coherent art design. dragon age is a mish mash of all the medieval fantasy you've seen. the fade (dreamworld of this game universe) is disappointingly unimaginative.
- romances that make a lick more sense. you can buy the affections of everyone quite easily. some characters show significant contradictions.

great differentiators for dragon age:
- voice acting. bioware is heads and shoulders above everyone else in this arena
- some great characters. although all your party members are prone to verbal diarrhea as usual, there is some of the best interactive banter i've ever seen in an RPG.
- some very very very ambiguous and big decisions. great shades of gray here.

in all, still a very entertaining game. i'm disappointed as i play, yet i'm totally hooked.