by @robocake04

If you enjoy fantasy role playing, enticing cut scenes, slaying dragons, and outright epic games, then Dragon Age: Origins is the game for you. What first attracted me to this game was it’s amazing CG trailers. Dragon Age: Origins from BioWare is probably one of the best RPG’s released in recent memory. It is also easily one of the best games I’ve played this year. Plus, Dragon Age: Origins allows the player to completely customize their avatar, with control over the hair, face, and even the ability to add facial tattoos; this truly allows you to get attached to your character.

Dragon Age: Origins is a very entertaining and addictive game. So addictive that I am currently on my fifth play through of it! There are so many different decisions to make throughout your game play; one time through would still leave much to explore. With no good or evil alignment and just companion approvals and disapprovals, you are free to make whatever choices you want, without having the consequences of ruining your desired alignment. This system is reminiscent of the D&D days of various dynamic alignments, which allows you to do what you would really want to do. After committing a reasonable amount of time, you begin to feel closer to your companions and their feelings, which is what an RPG is all about. But be wary of forming too tight a bond, as certain decisions may cause your fellows to abandon you, or at the very least, destroy your chances at a relationship.

Prima Games offers an official game guide that I would highly recommend buying, whether you are on PC, 360, or PlayStation3. If you are like me and prefer to know all the hidden items, or if you are just stuck on a quest, then this book is a great way to find help. It includes information about your party members, what and where to find each gift for your companions, and information about many quests that are sometimes exceptionally difficult to figure out alone. The game guide has over 300 pages with 100 maps and every side quest detailed. It is one handy book to have while playing.

One of the best things about this game is the fact that its Downloadable Content is both relevant and fun. Certain downloads go as far as adding new companions, locations, and missions! Shale, from the Stone Prisoner download, is one of the greatest companion characters ever introduced in any game, RPG or otherwise. Also, it is nice to get epic armor toting the game’s logo.

What I enjoy most about Dragon Age: Origins is its diversity. The Humans story differs from the Elf story, which differs from the Dwarf story, and to top it off each race allows you to pick one of three classes (with four subclasses each as well; the dwarf only gets two class options, as dwarves cannot be mages) which adds even more branches to the story. Also, citizens of Ferelden will treat the Player Character differently depending on which race they choose. It is very exciting to experience each story in turn.

The primary story of the game is amazing and grand. I’m not sure how else to explain it, other than to say it is epic. Game Informer gave this game a well deserved 9 out of 10. If you have not already purchased this game and given it a whirl (or three) then you are depriving yourself of a delightful and fantastic adventure.