Launch Primer -- Dragon Age: Origins

15 Comments Posted November 2, 2009 - By Andrew Pfister

Ever find yourself in a situation where all of your friends are talking about the latest and greatest game, and you can't contribute to the conversation because you haven't been paying attention? Solve that problem with our Launch Primers: everything you need to know (except the spoilers) about a game that's about to be released.

Dragon Age: Origins
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
MSRP: $59.99 (Console), $49.99 (PC)
ESRB Rating: Mature

All Dragon Age: Origins Content

Videos | Previews | Screenshot Galleries | News Stories

What kind of game is it?

Dragon Age: Origins is a 3D role-playing game for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Combat is based on animation instead of a number-based ruleset, so it's a little more friendly to people unfamiliar with traditional Western RPG design. You can either hack it out in real time or pause the fight and strategize your next moves.

While Dragon Age doesn't have any multiplayer, you do fight alongside game-controlled allies. You can adjust their fighting strategy and tactics based on pre-set rules, so that they're almost fighting on auto-pilot. But your party members can also leave your party based on a loyalty system, so be sure to treat them right.

Who's the Developer?

BioWare was founded in 1995 by Dr. Ray Muzyka (General Manager, CEO), Dr. Greg Zeschuk (VP, Development Operations of BioWare), and Augustine Yip. (Muzyka and Zeschuk are commonly referred to as "The Doctors.") The primary studio is based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and there are additional studios located in Montreal and Austin, Texas.

Bioware's first game was for the PC and Macintosh, a mech game called Shattered Steel. They made their name with the acclaimed PC role-playing games Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights, then proceeded to win over the console crowd with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic ("KOTOR"), Jade Empire, and Mass Effect. In addition to Dragon Age, BioWare is currently working on Mass Effect 2, and the Austin studio is hard at work on Star Wars: The Old Republic (an MMO follow-up to KOTOR).

They also made an RPG based on Sonic the Hedgehog for the Nintendo DS -- Sonic Chronciles: The Dark Brotherhood. It is still very weird that they did this.

What's the story?

As a member of the "Grey Wardens," it is your duty to fight against your enemy, "The Blight." Ultimate objective: resolve a border dispute over the right to mine natural resources. (Kidding, you're saving the world again!) It is assumed that dragons will also make an appearance.

How many hours of my life must I surrender?

Such numbers are always unscientific estimates, but lead designer Mike Laidlaw promised "an average of 80 hours of gameplay, with much more available to gamers that want to experience everything."

Multiplayer/Online?

Sorry, young adventurer, but this is one challenge that you must face alone. I cannot help you.

What'd we say?

Stay tuned for our review, coming very soon!

See it in action:

Dragon Age: Origins Preview »

Tags: Launch Primer, PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

Comments

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Displaying 1–15 of 15

d3stroyer427

SWEET!!! I'm picking my copy up tonight @ midnight!

Posted: November 2, 2009 9:10 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
Gitty101

I want this game so much...
Stupid European launch date... I'm gonna have to avoid the internets for a while ^^

Posted: November 2, 2009 9:17 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Brian Leahy

Already pre-ordered on Steam. Digital Deluxe!
Too bad it won't unlock at midnight :(

Posted: November 2, 2009 10:06 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
eclipsedjedi Show Hide(1 Reply)

I stopped when you said no multiplayer. I like single player games too, but with this game multiplayer seems like a no brainer.

Posted: November 2, 2009 10:11 AM | Reply | Report

-15 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
solidsnakex37

Dude, the title says Launch Primer, Did you mean Launch Premier or is there something I don't get?

Posted: November 2, 2009 10:34 AM | Reply | Report

-7 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
rochin

Typical Bioware RPGs do not have nor do they need multi-player. If you want multi-player go find a multi-player game. This is not one of them. Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 did not need multiplayer, nor did Icewind dale 1 and 2 or Planescape Tormnet. If this game is like the ones I mentioned, its gold right out of the box. I may be an old school gamer, but in my opinion all games do not need multi-player. A good number of people like single player games. I mostly play L4D as a single player game, do I miss multi-player in it, no.

Posted: November 2, 2009 11:14 AM | Reply | Report

+15 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
DigitalDarwin

I think it's finally time I make the switch to console gaming, my computer won't run anything new anymore, including this game, and I sure as hell can't afford to build a new PC.

Posted: November 2, 2009 11:26 AM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
unbias

Digi right now is one of the best times to build your own PC and it wouldnt cost you much more then a system to run all the games you want. But, hey if you wana move to the consoles more power to you. I like all of them which is why I have all options, but i realize not everyone has that option. That said, I find the PC to be just as good/cheap unless you always want to have the best of the best.

Posted: November 2, 2009 12:20 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
GamerNx

eh, unbias, I would wait, there are hardware things coming out shortly, USB 3, the new pci slots, etc, all coming out within the next year, so might want to hold off on building just yet, unless you plan to build a budget pc for under a grand.

Posted: November 2, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Live2Game_Game2Live

A single player midevil bloody RPG with dragons and demons from ..aaah OK let the slaying begin.

Posted: November 2, 2009 3:20 PM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
VikingrBerserkr

So what the heck is the hold up on the console reviews for this game? would be nice to read before the damn game actually comes out:P

Posted: November 2, 2009 4:59 PM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
pantycricket

They dont review a game before it comes out moron. They want to play the full, finallized game when it comes out. You really cant tell anything from a demo. But the game does look interesting.

Posted: November 2, 2009 5:18 PM | Reply | Report

-2 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
bankai623

jeezz this sounds like an awesome game, but hearing about the combat worries me!!!

Posted: November 2, 2009 7:18 PM | Reply | Report

0 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
virus1985

This game looks amazing.... but i cant get it till Christmas sad face :( (sob)

Posted: November 2, 2009 8:13 PM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
CyberSzabo

Hopefully the preorder items are more useful than Boarderlands..

Posted: November 2, 2009 8:23 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies