Dragon Age: Origins

 PC
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4891 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,221 out of 4891
  2. Mixed: 414 out of 4891
  3. Negative: 256 out of 4891
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  1. RandyP
    Nov 12, 2009
    8
    Negatives: Crashes, really long loading screens, and some very trite, tedious quests. Positive: Gripping gameplay, intriguing history and plot. Neutral: Digital actors are well done. Some of them are so well done but annoying you want to kill them, sacrificing the approval rating of your whole party!
  2. Beef
    Nov 12, 2009
    9
    Exceptional scope, writing and character development make this a must own game for any fan of RPGs. The graphics are at times a little lackluster, the difficulty can spike unpredictably and the core gameplay itself offers little innovation but this is more than offset by the experience as a whole. After 30 hours of playing, I have barely managed to complete 1 third of the game.
  3. TravisRoot
    Nov 13, 2009
    10
    Being one of the most addictive rpg's from story alone created an amazing game, adding on to that with extremely satisfying gameplay i can play this game for hours. Plus the toolset that comes as a free seprate download. this game is a perfect value.
  4. N.Ja
    Nov 15, 2009
    10
    That game was so fun to play. It brings out again the good game I loved to play Baldur's gate but with nice graphics. Nice history and long play time. it's also nice to be able to play again.
  5. KianL
    Nov 10, 2009
    7
    I don't get it, how can you score a game with 9 or even 10 when the AI is so severely broken and the pathfinding laughable. The absolute only reason why nightmare is hard is because of the pathetic AI, ironically enough it's also why it's so damn easy. The graphics are weird and take time to get used to, while animations are above average. They also added "sweet" killing I don't get it, how can you score a game with 9 or even 10 when the AI is so severely broken and the pathfinding laughable. The absolute only reason why nightmare is hard is because of the pathetic AI, ironically enough it's also why it's so damn easy. The graphics are weird and take time to get used to, while animations are above average. They also added "sweet" killing moves, which not only locks your character in that stupid animation but it also slows down the game to a still, and you can't even turn them off. Great animations help with immersion but not if they ruin gameplay. The game tells me that I've played through 51% of the game, but it seems that the calculation is based on the amount of points you have from achievements. It took me 40 hours, did over 75% of sidequests, was invulnerable, killed last-boss solo, with auto-attack(no healing), and this was on normal. (Mages? Slighty overpowered. *rolls eyes*) So all that with the insane lack of useful skills/spells and copypaste of the Lord of The Rings story leaves you with a big pile of poo. Honestly, don't buy into the hype, I didn't, and I enjoyed myself because I expected a mediocre game, and that's what I got.… Expand
  6. PeterM
    Nov 10, 2009
    10
    Best game at the moment!. Im at 36% in the game and the characters and story is so far very thrilling. Combat system and tactical overview nice done and made. Great quest variety. Nice graphics and cut scens. Basiclly very hard to let go when you start playing it as the story drives you forward and you just have to know more about the world and evolve your character.
  7. ChuckG
    Nov 20, 2009
    9
    It has that epic feeling, but the story isnt still as good as BG. The game play and story is far reaching though and by far the best rpg i have played in the past few years. just buy the game and you will be sucked in.
  8. MizunoA
    Nov 22, 2009
    8
    Although this game rests in a somewhat generic fantasy universe, credit to Bioware for fleshing it out, and putting a dark, mature spin on things. In summary, A Song of Ice and Fire meets Lord of the Rings. The combat system is without flaw, and almost every other fight will require a different approach. The realtime / pause mechanism is wonderful and allows the player to orchestrate Although this game rests in a somewhat generic fantasy universe, credit to Bioware for fleshing it out, and putting a dark, mature spin on things. In summary, A Song of Ice and Fire meets Lord of the Rings. The combat system is without flaw, and almost every other fight will require a different approach. The realtime / pause mechanism is wonderful and allows the player to orchestrate difficult boss battles, or glide through low-threat encounters with ease. This game will easily suck you in for a good 40 hours before you start to tire of it; hardcore players will spend upwards of 120+ if they can muster the strength to do every side quest. For most of us, 70-80 hours playtime will see the game through. There is a definite replayability factor with intensely hard difficulty levels, 4 unique sub-classes for the main 3, and a large amount of sidequests to complete. In summary, a polished, accomplished tactical RPG let down somewhat by lack of innovation in story, setting and gameplay mechanics.… Expand
  9. IshT
    Nov 5, 2009
    9
    Great RPG. What RPG's should be like. I played SACRED 2 and KOTOR and MASS EFFECT. But this feels like a RPG/ACTION. But the Graphics. Eh... who cares i sacrifice this for the great story and gameplay. Oh yeah way better than FABLE II. Honestly am I the only one that thinks Fable Sucks? Cuz the controls are way better and the dog interaction is more beliavable than Peter Molyneux dog Great RPG. What RPG's should be like. I played SACRED 2 and KOTOR and MASS EFFECT. But this feels like a RPG/ACTION. But the Graphics. Eh... who cares i sacrifice this for the great story and gameplay. Oh yeah way better than FABLE II. Honestly am I the only one that thinks Fable Sucks? Cuz the controls are way better and the dog interaction is more beliavable than Peter Molyneux dog interaction thing.… Expand
  10. AndrewK
    Nov 6, 2009
    10
    Probably the most fun I have had playing any game in the last few years - the perfect balance of combat, cinema, RPG, and delicious choices. Indeed, looking forward to this for 18 months did not get my hopes up nearly high enough! I look forward to playing through the game more and more with different classes and different styles!
  11. MaartenP
    Nov 6, 2009
    9
    This is not really a review but since a lot of PC-users had problems with redeem-codes and DLC I decided to write this little piece of info. Get the Dragon Age Updater running in the background. Then create a account (pretty straightforward), then redeem your codes. Keep the updater running all the time and start up the game. Everything should download perfectly now and function in-game. This is not really a review but since a lot of PC-users had problems with redeem-codes and DLC I decided to write this little piece of info. Get the Dragon Age Updater running in the background. Then create a account (pretty straightforward), then redeem your codes. Keep the updater running all the time and start up the game. Everything should download perfectly now and function in-game. Have fun with this great game.… Expand
  12. MicheleM.
    Dec 15, 2009
    7
    The storyline is pretty good but after all very predictable. Absolutely nonsense that you need to pay in order to complete an "optional quest". Combat system is not really innovative (like "The Witcher" that has outstanding combat sequencies). Dragon Age just added a meaninglessly quantity of blood to ordinary combat (note: I usually like bloody games!) . Graphics are good, especially in The storyline is pretty good but after all very predictable. Absolutely nonsense that you need to pay in order to complete an "optional quest". Combat system is not really innovative (like "The Witcher" that has outstanding combat sequencies). Dragon Age just added a meaninglessly quantity of blood to ordinary combat (note: I usually like bloody games!) . Graphics are good, especially in cinematics (a little less in gameplay). Summarizing I don't see a real innovation/improvement from NeverWinter Nights serie but I had a quite good time in playing DA (anyway far below expectations).… Expand
  13. GarethS
    Dec 17, 2009
    10
    I was tempted to rate this a 9 simply for the reason that I can't see why it would have been difficult to add some kind of online element. I would have liked to have been able to take my rogue character and beat on some of the warrior fans on the Bioware forum for example. Anyhow, it is what it is and it's still one of the best games I've ever played. It has some minor I was tempted to rate this a 9 simply for the reason that I can't see why it would have been difficult to add some kind of online element. I would have liked to have been able to take my rogue character and beat on some of the warrior fans on the Bioware forum for example. Anyhow, it is what it is and it's still one of the best games I've ever played. It has some minor flaws, most notably the strange difficulty spikes at points that arent really meant to be that difficult and the fact that the final battle with the archdemon is actually easier than some of the other battles leading up to it. Ignore the people giving this game stupidly low scores, it's a well crafted game made by the undisputed masters of the genre. When you are playing through a game you have completed for the third time then you know you have had every penny's worth of what you paid for a game… Expand
  14. kungfucat
    Dec 21, 2009
    9
    Its without a doubt, the best rpg ive played in all my life. Great story, beatifull graphics, its not rpetitive, (wich is awsome for an rpg) and if you liked the lord of the ring or games like that, you will love dragon age origin... There is only 2 little things that i got to say about this game, even on easy, the game can be hard for a beginner in rpg's and if you don't have Its without a doubt, the best rpg ive played in all my life. Great story, beatifull graphics, its not rpetitive, (wich is awsome for an rpg) and if you liked the lord of the ring or games like that, you will love dragon age origin... There is only 2 little things that i got to say about this game, even on easy, the game can be hard for a beginner in rpg's and if you don't have an hig end computer and you put the settings on ultra high, welcome to the lags... Also, if you want a non repetitive rpg game, this one is for you. Ive beated the game and i still surprise by all the occasions that i missed, again, wonderfull story...… Expand
  15. JimmyC
    Dec 27, 2009
    10
    very good RPG, but loading times can be frustrating and menus are a little bit cluttered.
  16. NickW
    Dec 29, 2009
    10
    What a great game! there is like 20 diff stories and everyone is just as exciting! i really enjoy playing this game!
  17. DanB
    Dec 3, 2009
    7
    An absolutely fantastic storyline which wrapped up well at the ending. The origins were all quite good, some better than others. The game really shined at the beginning and the end, but I felt like I was going through a bit of a grind in the middle. The dialogue and plot kept it alive for me I think, because the combat didn't. It's not that I'm a hater of this style of An absolutely fantastic storyline which wrapped up well at the ending. The origins were all quite good, some better than others. The game really shined at the beginning and the end, but I felt like I was going through a bit of a grind in the middle. The dialogue and plot kept it alive for me I think, because the combat didn't. It's not that I'm a hater of this style of combat, but the pausing constantly and telling each member to do this and that (because although the tactics were a good idea and reasonably well done I could never seem to get them to work) got very repetitive after some time of playing. I could probably blame this on the enemies having very little variation. The game was as challenging for me as others have claimed, with two mages in my group I could practically kept my enemies constantly stunned/frozen/paralyzed. With a few particular mage spells, combat becomes almost a joke (dragon fights are fun, though). The graphics were decent, but not memorable. I eventually turned off the music, but I do this in a lot of games such as this after a while. Despite my criticisms, I can't praise the storyline highly enough it's definitely one of the best I can remember. Combine storyline and dialogue of the quality in Dragon Age:Origins with the open world and more exciting combat of Oblivion (a game I played way too much) and you would have a recipe for success, and obsession. However, Dragon Age:Origins has given me one of only a few instances when I can remember actually 'feeling something' at the ending of a game, which is a real credit to the game.… Expand
  18. ElishaH
    Dec 30, 2009
    10
    I got this game for christmas and I think it will keep me occupited for seval christmases to come. Dragon age is a very addictice and interesting game to play and has a lot of replay value. The game is made by bioware, which made mass effect and making mass effect 2 and baldur's gate. If you liked mass effect and baldur's gate the you will for sure like dragon age. There's I got this game for christmas and I think it will keep me occupited for seval christmases to come. Dragon age is a very addictice and interesting game to play and has a lot of replay value. The game is made by bioware, which made mass effect and making mass effect 2 and baldur's gate. If you liked mass effect and baldur's gate the you will for sure like dragon age. There's already downloadale content for it and i am sure there will be a lot more in the future. Also if you are in to rpg's this is one to chack out. The game has little bugs and i havn't spotted one yet in the 10ish hours i've played. The game has 100 hours of gameplay value. Great game.… Expand
  19. LeroyC
    Dec 5, 2009
    10
    This game is HUGE.... for 60 bucks you can't beat a deal like this. It is one of the most emversive game out there right now. Great story, great fun. Go get it now!
  20. AndyG.
    Dec 5, 2009
    9
    Excellent to play for its story, for getting to know the many complex characters and for discovering their part in it - but not for the combat. This is why I played the game on easy. The combat, while easy to control, is bettered in balance and excitement by other games. The loot is fairly mundane. The graphics are standard, if well presented. The character levelling is quite shallow and Excellent to play for its story, for getting to know the many complex characters and for discovering their part in it - but not for the combat. This is why I played the game on easy. The combat, while easy to control, is bettered in balance and excitement by other games. The loot is fairly mundane. The graphics are standard, if well presented. The character levelling is quite shallow and you feel little more powerful at level 4 than you do at level 20, at which point the game ends - but this isn't the point. The expertly narrated storyline, character interaction and atmospheric world more than makes up for its gameplay shortfalls. Dragon Age offers to engross you with atmosphere & story. It is not going to enthrall your open-world desires like TES & FO3, nor is it going to satisfy endless enjoyable loot and experience grinding like a Diablo clone, or quell your lust for Diablo 3. Please don't complain if that's what you were expecting... (glares at numerous negative player reviewers.. one of which recommend Dungeon Seige over this. Ha.)… Expand
  21. TrevorR
    Dec 8, 2009
    10
    Bioware has once again made a fantastic RPG Dragon Age is without a doubt one of the best RPGs i have played the game is very long which is always a plus the story is very deep and intruiging not to mention you can select different backrounds for your character so it gives them all a unique feel. the tactics menu is easy to use and apply once you have full understanding of it the boss Bioware has once again made a fantastic RPG Dragon Age is without a doubt one of the best RPGs i have played the game is very long which is always a plus the story is very deep and intruiging not to mention you can select different backrounds for your character so it gives them all a unique feel. the tactics menu is easy to use and apply once you have full understanding of it the boss fights were also great long challanging and each one posing a different threat and way to fight there is a lot of text and talking so you get to learn and know a lot about your companions and the world of Dragon Age only thing i didn't like was the fact that it already has DLC it should have come with it in my opinion… Expand
  22. Ger
    Dec 8, 2009
    9
    High replay value. Deep well thought story. Intense battles. Excellent soundtrack. Excellent voice acting. Worth buy. In my opinion it is the best RPG in 2009.
  23. DochoK
    Jan 18, 2010
    10
    Incredible game. The story is a little cliche but it is originally presented. The combat tree for each character allows your to build one according to your style of play and still manage to beat the game, unlike some other RPG's where for example using bows is a suicide.The best feature of the game though are the characters - unlike many other Bioware or EA game this time the Incredible game. The story is a little cliche but it is originally presented. The combat tree for each character allows your to build one according to your style of play and still manage to beat the game, unlike some other RPG's where for example using bows is a suicide.The best feature of the game though are the characters - unlike many other Bioware or EA game this time the characters feel alive. You have to listen to them, learn their character to please them. The dialogues between them are hilarious. I advice everyone to found them and read them over internet (as you can't hear them all in one play). At first glance the game is just another Bioware RPG - when you start to play it you will learn that it is not exactly that but something MUCH MORE.… Expand
  24. Isphiris
    Jan 24, 2010
    10
    The best modern RPG I ever played ! Many possibilities, complete story and background, each action count in your quest ... what else? Congratulation to Bioware for this wonderfull game.
  25. EricG
    Nov 11, 2009
    9
    DA:O is another great game created by Bioware. The game is rather difficult in the start but as u get use to the tactics and spells it starts to get easier, but once it gets too easy jack the difficulty up and u get back to the challenges u faced back in the beginning. The graphics may not be too great, but the dialogue, gameplay, and storyline make this game a must get for those who love DA:O is another great game created by Bioware. The game is rather difficult in the start but as u get use to the tactics and spells it starts to get easier, but once it gets too easy jack the difficulty up and u get back to the challenges u faced back in the beginning. The graphics may not be too great, but the dialogue, gameplay, and storyline make this game a must get for those who love to play RPGs.… Expand
  26. TimothyK
    Nov 10, 2009
    10
    This game will suck you in and will not let go. It's the kind of game that gets more and more deeper as you go on. At first you are presented with a rather small collection of things to do. The game looks simple enough. But then you start finding things, talking to your party members, exploring new lands, and discovering rare artifacts. There is so much to do in this game. IT will This game will suck you in and will not let go. It's the kind of game that gets more and more deeper as you go on. At first you are presented with a rather small collection of things to do. The game looks simple enough. But then you start finding things, talking to your party members, exploring new lands, and discovering rare artifacts. There is so much to do in this game. IT will not leave you wanting for more. My biggest gripe is the lack of voiceacting for the main character. This was a welcome feature in Mass Effect that was missing in Dragon Age. I can see why they didn't add it. The rest of the voiceacting is phenomenal. Fantastic game. Must-have. I cannot praise it enough.… Expand
  27. AndrewQ
    Nov 10, 2009
    10
    This game is getting high scores for a reason. It is revolutionary in its class system, and improves upon previous bioware combat systems in its new Eclipse engine. The graphics, although not top notch, are detailed, and subtly add much to the world that is Dragon Age: Origins. While your character is silent, there is a great opportunity to develop your main character, as well as others. This game is getting high scores for a reason. It is revolutionary in its class system, and improves upon previous bioware combat systems in its new Eclipse engine. The graphics, although not top notch, are detailed, and subtly add much to the world that is Dragon Age: Origins. While your character is silent, there is a great opportunity to develop your main character, as well as others. Your choices have many unseen consequences, which is quite possibly my favorite part of the whole game. Sometimes doing what is right, or what you think is right, will make a character you really like (in my case, Allistair) will dislike it. You really have to work to keep all your characters happy, (which is something I have come to believe is actually impossible). This game should come with a huge recommendation for all RPG fans.… Expand
  28. Navarre
    Nov 10, 2009
    10
    Nearly perfect. I am immersed, totally engrossed, and having a lot of fun w/ this game. However, I would prefer a completely open world with no instancing and less pathing restrictions plus the ability to jump, etc. Clicking a location on a map and auto-traveling there takes away from the immersion. I much prefer Oblivion's take minus the insta-horse routes. They also need to add a Nearly perfect. I am immersed, totally engrossed, and having a lot of fun w/ this game. However, I would prefer a completely open world with no instancing and less pathing restrictions plus the ability to jump, etc. Clicking a location on a map and auto-traveling there takes away from the immersion. I much prefer Oblivion's take minus the insta-horse routes. They also need to add a Helmet toggle so you can wear a helmet and not see it on your characters. (cut scenes do this regardless of weather or not your characters are wearing helmets) All in all a mighty fine game... 9.5+ so I gave it a 10.… Expand
  29. AlF
    Nov 11, 2009
    10
    This game certainly has a lot going for it. Between the multiple starting points (Something which I have had a hard time finding in other RPGs), the awesome storyline, and superb work on the gameplay mechanics, I find this game to just be great. However, I will also freely admit that this game does have a few flaws, including some poor, outdated graphics, in particular the first This game certainly has a lot going for it. Between the multiple starting points (Something which I have had a hard time finding in other RPGs), the awesome storyline, and superb work on the gameplay mechanics, I find this game to just be great. However, I will also freely admit that this game does have a few flaws, including some poor, outdated graphics, in particular the first non-background area, and the lack of different types of weapons (I am excluding materials in this case), but then I am just nitpicking. This is a game for all those who miss the good old days of BG and NWN1. If your looking for a good old fashioned turn-based RPG, this is the game for you.… Expand
  30. LueDine
    Nov 12, 2009
    9
    The story is pretty good, the graphics are nice to look at and overall the game is pretty darn entertaining, infact, I'd say it is almost as good as baldurs gate 2 wich clearly is one of the best story RPGs ever. Clearly a 9 altho the DLCs doesnt belong on the PC, and definitly not when released on the same day as the game is released..
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PC Game of 2009
4
#4 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
4
#4 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 67 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 67
  3. Negative: 0 out of 67
  1. Gameplayer Sweden
    100
    If you're into rpgs, or rather if you love roleplaying in general, there's really no need to waste time reading any reviews of this game. The same goes if you regard games like Planescape: Torment, Fallout 2 and the Baldurs Gate-series among the best computer games ever made. Because this game is everything a person like you look for in a game, and so much more. Be aware though, Dragon Age: Origins is not a revolution of the genre, rather it is an evolution, where Bioware has refined everything that made them into a formula as close to perfection as possible. Without a doubt one of the strongest Game of the year-candidates so far this year and a game we will remember with warm feelings many years to come.
    Read full review
  2. PC Gamer
    92
    An outstanding story-driven RPG with fantastic writing, RPG depth and tough tactical combat. It's BioWare's best RPG since Baldur's Gate 2. [Holiday 2009, p.38]
  3. GamingXP
    92
    Dragon Age Origins will keep you in front of your computer for hours! Graphics, sounds and the controls couldn’t be much better!
    Read full review
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