Dragon Age: Origins

It's hard to deny it, but once you really get into the game... you're hooked. Bioware has always been great at making Roleplaying games and this one is no exception.

The first thing that i found to be really awesome were the number of different ways to start off the game (Depending on your race, origin and class). Even though you only get a handful of unique missions before you end up at Ostagar, where the story eventually goes on in the same direction with all classes, every play-through still feels unique with each new character. This is a great concept and I'd like to see more games like this.

I've never been very fond of the battle system in most RPG games, but this game was so good that it didn't bother me.

The graphics are great, the visual and sound effects really add to the epic feeling you get when you see the bigger battles in the game.

The Voice-over work is awesome, but I expected nothing less from Bioware.

I gave this game a 10, just because when i finished it for the first time. I just sat there... and smiled.

This is one of the most in-depth games i have ever played its fun and very emersive.I have spent a total of 109 hours on it i just cant stop playing it!The story is also very good with a massive amount of extra content to find and read each statue each book each sign and quest has another piece of information to add to your codex i have spent at least 10 hours reading things from the codex and other things,the amount of armor and weapons is ridiculous each type of wep and armor has Tiers 1-9 plus the wickedly powerful special versions of the three melee weapon types and 2 ranged types they are usually much different looking compared to the normal weapons unlike for example TES:oblivion specials its also the same with the armor.I have tried all 6 origin stories on this game and have found myself liking all of them equally i enjoy how every character treats you differently depending on your race and origin.The game play is very well done its fun it take time to master and you need to use the pause and play tactic even on the console version even though there is no friendly fire unless you play it on hard or nightmare but its still needed.I finished this game with tears in my eyes and immediately starting a new save i heavily suggest this game to anyone who is looking for a fun,addicting and heart twisting thrill ride this is one of the best games of the year 10/10

I stumbled upon Dragon Age: Origins with no knowledge of it at all. After playing for a few hours I was gripped by the compelling story lines and the VAST amount of depth.

At first I was taken back by the combat system. Combining real-time action with micro-management on the fly is truly brilliant. Once I got into the swing of things, I found myself strategically placing my ranged characters at a distance, while my rogue set traps at a doorway and my warrior lured enemies into an ambush. This game makes you think! Hack'n'slash'n'button bashing just doesn't cut it with Dragon Age. You must plan every single attack carefully, for the greatest effect. I'm over 100 hours in and I've barely even scratched the surface.

With the massively extensive customizability and official downloadable content, this game is going to be hanging around for a long, long time. Game developers owe a lot to the modding community for keeping their games shining, long after they're released. We can be sure set for some great mods and new quests to keep us glued to our screens for many months/years to come.

A must buy for any RPG fan. 10/10

For those looking to truly immerse themselves into an RPG experience this is it. Combined with amazing visuals, unique combat settings and varied character building options. Players face a multitude of decisions that shape the storyline (sometimes more so than others) but at the very least change how your allies interact with you and even how they fight. I can admit that there were times I felt like I had to step away because I faced so much decision, but this is a testament to how emotionally engrossed the game kept me rather than seeming forced or excessive. Dragon Age - Origins is simply everything you want in a Fantasy-based RPG. It's a pleasure to both watch and play on the PS3. Here's my money, BioWare, take of it as you please provided games like this keep coming.

Dragon Age: Origins is an outstanding game on all levels, one of the best in recent years perhaps. If there was one thing that wasn't quite so good, it was that some of the outdoor background art were a little flat-looking. Other than that, the graphics were not bad at all despite the numerous criticism it has gotten on Amazon. The characters look well-modelled at least, the colours are atmospheric and help make the world and adventure believable and the voices do sync well with the lip movements. The music has moments where it is rousing and others where it's eloquent, overall it's well written and synchronises with everything with never a jarring note. The story is rich in detail and characterisation, totally immersive in its blend of fantasy, adventure and action and you are genuinely transported into the world the characters inhabit. The game play is varied and not overly-simplistic or overly-complex(even if at times Alistair was perhaps too easy to kill, but really that's part of the fun). What was also impressive was the balance of game play and story, they added so much to one another and there wasn't a time where there was too much or little of one. The writing and the voice acting stood out the most. The writing is incredibly intelligent and thought-provoking with some well-judged light-hearted humour for contrast, doing wonderfully in giving the characters distinctive personalities and emotional impact. The character interaction is strong and never stiff. And the voice work adds so much to those qualities, everybody is wonderful and nobody bad but in particular Kate Mulgrew is quietly firm and authoritative and Tim Curry has that subtle smarmy malevolence spot-on. All in all, an outstanding game. 10/10 Bethany Cox