Dragon Age: Origins Review

Dragon Age: Origins, developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, arrived on the PlayStation 3 (PS3) in 2009, delivering a sprawling dark fantasy RPG experience. Heralded as a spiritual successor to classic PC role-playing games, it immersed players in the brutal world of Thedas, where every decision carried weight and consequences. This Dragon Age: Origins PS3 review explores its enduring appeal as a classic RPG.

Gameplay: Deep Choices and Tactical Combat

Dragon Age: Origins excels in its deep RPG mechanics. The journey begins with a unique “origin” story, which significantly impacts your character’s background and initial interactions. Players choose from various races (human, elf, dwarf) and classes (warrior, rogue, mage), each offering distinct playstyles and dialogue options.

Combat is a highlight, featuring a real-time with pause system that allows for precise tactical combat. You control a party of up to four companions, each with their own abilities and personalities. Setting up intricate “tactics” for your AI-controlled party members is crucial for surviving challenging encounters. Every player choice, from major plot decisions to minor dialogue options, can have far-reaching consequences, affecting the narrative, character relationships, and the fate of nations. While the PS3 version’s controls were adapted for a gamepad, the depth of strategy remained intact.

• Impactful origin stories and character creation
• Deep tactical combat with real-time pause
• Memorable and diverse companion characters
• Meaningful player choices with branching consequences
• Extensive skill trees and customization

Story and World: Facing the Blight

The narrative of Dragon Age: Origins is epic in scope. Set in the land of Thedas, the story revolves around the return of the Blight, a catastrophic invasion of monstrous creatures known as Darkspawn. As one of the last surviving Grey Wardens, an ancient order sworn to fight the Blight, you must unite the disparate factions of Thedas to stand against the overwhelming darkness.

The world is rich with lore, political intrigue, and mature themes. The game doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity, forcing players to make difficult decisions that often have no clear “right” answer. The voice acting is superb, bringing the diverse cast of characters to life and enhancing the immersive experience.

Graphics and Sound: A Gritty Fantasy Realm

On the PlayStation 3, Dragon Age: Origins presented a gritty and atmospheric dark fantasy world. While not pushing the graphical limits of the console compared to its PC counterpart, the art style effectively conveyed the grim beauty of Thedas. Character models were detailed, and environments were varied, from lush forests to dark underground caverns.

The soundtrack is a highlight, with a powerful orchestral score that perfectly complements the epic and often melancholic tone of the game. The sound effects are impactful, and the extensive voice acting brings depth to every character.

Legacy: A Modern RPG Masterpiece

Dragon Age: Origins was a critical and commercial success, widely praised for its deep storytelling, meaningful choices, and engaging combat. It revitalized the classic Western RPG formula for a new generation and cemented BioWare‘s reputation as masters of narrative-driven role-playing games. Its influence can be seen in many subsequent titles in the genre.

Is Dragon Age: Origins on PS3 Worth Playing Today?

Absolutely. Dragon Age: Origins on PS3 remains a must-play for fans of dark fantasy RPGs and those who appreciate a game where their choices truly matter. Despite its age, the compelling narrative, deep tactical combat, and memorable companions offer a rich and rewarding experience that holds up remarkably well. It’s a journey into Thedas that every RPG enthusiast should undertake.