Dragon Age: Origins

[Rudi von Starnberg]

John Walker reviews Awakening for Eurogamer

Let's remove any confusion from the start. Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening is not another piece of crappy DLC following the dismal inclusions we've seen since the BioWare RPG's release last November. This expansion is 25 hours of full-scale new content, essentially an entire new game, that picks up the story however you may have left it. It has a new setting, a (mostly) new crew of companions, new abilities, skills, spells and talents, and most importantly, a re-imagined approach that's appropriate to a shorter format while still achieving the necessary sense of scale.

And on.

I think I've been convinced. I'm going back to Ferelden.

[Gambit]

Wait.

So is it out earlier as DLC or on Friday like the retail release?

[Sergeant Squid]

If I like Mass Effect 1 and 2, will I like this? Obviously the setting is totally different, but is the gameplay similar? Good story? Good combat?

[Mallet]

Ooh, Eurogamer makes it sound brilliant!

Squid, It's a totally different beast to Mass Effect, I can't stress that enough. Think more Baldur's Gate and neverwinter nights than Mass Effect. It's still totally amazing though

[Sergeant Squid]

Never played either of those. I essentially want mass effect / kotor in a fantasy setting. Also, why is it an 18???

[The Sarge]

Wait.

So is it out earlier as DLC or on Friday like the retail release?

It will be out on Friday.

It's available to download from the US marketplace, but it's not currently available on the UK marketplace. I haven't checked via the console.

[Mr Ben]

It will be out on Friday.

It's available to download from the US marketplace, but it's not currently available on the UK marketplace. I haven't checked via the console.

I did earlier, and it wasnt there in any shape or form depressingly

I also rang my local Asdas and they said they'll probably have it in on Friday. Oh well, weekend of beating up Darkspawn ahoy anyways

[therealjohnpeat]

If I like Mass Effect 1 and 2, will I like this? Obviously the setting is totally different, but is the gameplay similar? Good story? Good combat?

I asked this question in ATF a while ago and the general consensus was "Not really - it's more D&D and less chatty RPG" - I think more Baldurs Gate and less tactical sci-fi shooter with dialogues??

That said I've not tried it beyond the intro so..

[smoothe]

Never played either of those. I essentially want mass effect / kotor in a fantasy setting. Also, why is it an 18???

It's a bit like Kotor, nothing really like ME. It's more involved than Kotor though, there's more abilities, stats to keep track of, more complex tactically, etc.

[Rudi von Starnberg]

I asked this question in ATF a while ago and the general consensus was "Not really - it's more D&D and less chatty RPG" - I think more Baldurs Gate and less tactical sci-fi shooter with dialogues??

That said I've not tried it beyond the intro so..

It's a very chatty RPG, more so than Mass Effect. But there's not really much in common with Bioware's other series.

[spork]

So the expansion is out on Friday and after being in love with Origins, I'm finding it hard to muster up enthusiasm for Awakening.

Pretty much just because my mage died at the end of the game and I like the idea of carrying over a character rather than having to start a new one.

[JPR]

So the expansion is out on Friday and after being in love with Origins, I'm finding it hard to muster up enthusiasm for Awakening.

Pretty much just because my mage died at the end of the game and I like the idea of carrying over a character rather than having to start a new one.

You can import your character even if they're dead, not sure how it works story wise though.

[sprite]

I was trying to pretend this wasn't coming out as I've got enough on my plate.

Then I read the part about the kitten.

[Beta]

So the expansion is out on Friday and after being in love with Origins, I'm finding it hard to muster up enthusiasm for Awakening.

Pretty much just because my mage died at the end of the game and I like the idea of carrying over a character rather than having to start a new one.

On the opposite end of the scale, I'm quite looking forward to the idea of taking up the role of a battle-hardened Warden commander who's travelled all the way from Orlais. My city elf rogue was always a bit of a reluctant hero, and never much wanted to join the Grey Wardens in the first place. Plus Morrigan's running around with his divinely-infused progeny somewhere, so his priority is travelling after her while Orlesian reinforcements deal with the darkspawn threat just fine without him.

[Rudi von Starnberg]

On the opposite end of the scale, I'm quite looking forward to the idea of taking up the role of a battle-hardened Warden commander who's travelled all the way from Orlais. My city elf rogue was always a bit of a reluctant hero, and never much wanted to join the Grey Wardens in the first place. Plus Morrigan's running around with his divinely-infused prodigy somewhere, so his priority is travelling around looking for her while Orlesian reinforcements will no doubt deal with darkspawn threat just fine without him.

Yeah, I have a character to import but he's off travelling at the end (with Leliana). A new character sounds pretty good to me assuming I can import the end-game stuff AND have a new character.

[Mr Ben]

I was trying to pretend this wasn't coming out as I've got enough on my plate.

Then I read the part about the kitten.

This one?

[Sergeant Squid]

Just got it for £15 at hmv. Figured for that price it has to be worth a punt.

[davejm]

In store?

EDIT:- Nevermind, I assumed you were talking about the expansion.

[Sergeant Squid]

Been playing this tonight. Seems fun, but is very rough around the edges. Considering how much they've tried to involve you in the world, simple things like not being able to run through water higher than your ankles, water not splashing when you run through it, rough ass textures etc really break the immersion factor for me.

Having recently come from Mass Effect - an older game no less - and currently playing through Mass Effect 2, it's hard to believe the same studio made both the ME games and Dragon Age. The main character not speaking is also a bit shit.

That said, the story is compelling, if not clichéd, and the combat takes some getting used to, but feels solid enough. The over the top gore seems a little silly, if I'm honest, with it splattered all over you from head to toe after fighting a single rat.

Anyway, I'm eager to continue with it and see what it brings, but it's certainly no Mass Effect.

[Mallet]

You can switch the gore off.

I personally don't mind a silent character as I simply can't play a male character in Mass effect, even though I would like to, because I don't like Mark meer's voice acting, I'd rather a silent character than that.

What system are you playing it on btw?

[footle]

Bets on Squid still being pre-Lothering?

[El Spatula]

Awakenings preloaded! Go Dual Dagger Rogue Hard Bastard! (In two days )

[Mr Ben]

Goddamnit, I want my expansion!

Americans got it on Tuesday, shitty Friday release day in the UK

[Rudi von Starnberg]

Been playing this tonight. Seems fun, but is very rough around the edges. Considering how much they've tried to involve you in the world, simple things like not being able to run through water higher than your ankles, water not splashing when you run through it, rough ass textures etc really break the immersion factor for me.

Having recently come from Mass Effect - an older game no less - and currently playing through Mass Effect 2, it's hard to believe the same studio made both the ME games and Dragon Age. The main character not speaking is also a bit shit.

That said, the story is compelling, if not clichéd, and the combat takes some getting used to, but feels solid enough. The over the top gore seems a little silly, if I'm honest, with it splattered all over you from head to toe after fighting a single rat.

Anyway, I'm eager to continue with it and see what it brings, but it's certainly no Mass Effect.

This is a definite 'middle of the Korcari Wilds' post.

For my money Dragon Age is a far better game in most ways than ME1, but ME2 beats it.

[choddo]

Fucking hell how can one spider queen be so hard? Took at LEAST 20 attempts including some trying different parties which involved going through 4 areas back to camp each time (gaming can be so much fun) and even then I had to kite the slag out away from her minions 4 times.

Why am I finding this sodding game so difficult? I'm sure I've chosen shite skills.

Anyway - I also think I'm the victim of a bug - having done in said bitch I found a book from Branka which said I had to go to the Deep Trough or something via Caradin's Cross. It doesn't appear on the map when I go to the Western Deep Roads exit from there. Have I broked it?

[Rudi von Starnberg]

No. You should have carried on from where you beat the spider queen and taken the exit nearest there, to the Dead Trenches. You don't go back to Caridin's Cross for this at all.

[choddo]

Oh, Thanks. I couldn't see any new exit.

Why does the chuffing text say "via Caradin's Cross"? Gah.

Oh - before I screw up, do I need Ohgren with me? He's crap but I don't want to miss some important plot element...

[Rudi von Starnberg]

You don't need him with you at this stage, though he'll soon be a required party member (it'll bring up the party member selection screen and you'll need to take him).

You do get extra dialogue by having him along though.

[Sergeant Squid]

Bets on Squid still being pre-Lothering?

Dunno what this means. I've got to some tower in which I have to fight my way to the top to light a beacon to show some guy it's his turn to join the fight. It is quite quite clear he is going to betray us all and the king and mandrake the magician are going to die.

[choddo]

Oh

My

God

So ... having your whole party selected (with = ) in order to make sure they all select the same target means none of them use their skills in a fight then, other than those you manually trigger for the char you had originally selected. No wonder I was finding it hard ffs.

Although having to take on 2 Stone Golems at once is still a bit much as a reward for killing 5 individually.