Dragon Age

Check out the entire article here. Some excerpts:

"Thus begins Dragon Age, one of the most enormous and astonishing of games," it says. "Were the difficulty levels not so enormously silly, it would require sheer pickiness to find a major fault with this game."

PC Gamer calls Origins' gigantic environment "the most enormously detailed game world I've experienced, its history stretching back thousands of years, its cultures vivid, beautiful and flawed, the battles enormous, the humour superb.

"I've not only been to huge cities, but I've learned their past, their present, and been involved in shaping their future," it says. "This hasn't felt like passing through a series of checkpoints, but having experienced a world.

"Roleplaying games now have a great deal to live up to," it concludes.

PC Gamer (UK Edition) is one of the very few gaming publications that still have some credibility as far as I'm concerned and this definitely sounds great, surprising even. We'll know for sure in a little while.

Your thoughts?

EDIT: BioWare details social network. Check entire article here.

All three versions of Dragon Age: Origins - PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 - will connect to the BioWare Social Network. Individual heroes will be shared with the world on an avatar screen so others can see how you look, what items you have and what attributes you boast. Statistics like "Greatest damage dealt" and "Most powerful foe slain" will also be tracked.

Ideas for the future include detailed story-tracking, showing which of the myriad paths you chose to walk down. Event tracking isn't implemented yet, but will, like an in-game journal, note your quest progress.

PC owners of Dragon Age: Origins will also be able to post screenshots and share them with friends. Otherwise, all three versions will work with the Social Network in an identical way.

This BioWare Social Network, coupled with two years of planned DLC and a detailed Flash spin-off of Dragon Age, show the considerable effort behind the dark fantasy RPG. From BioWare's perspective, it's another incentive for people to buy a legitimate copy rather than pirating it.

"We wanted to make this very clear this is not a DRM solution. The win was taking a playbook from Valve by adding additional value for players," concluded Melo. "Our benefit is more indirect in terms of feeding the community and getting them engaged with Dragon Age as a franchise."

EDIT #2: GameSpot review.

Few games are this ambitious, and even fewer can mold these ambitions into such a complete and entertaining experience. You might spend 50 or more hours on your first play-though, but there are so many paths to follow, so many details to uncover, and so many ways to customize your party that you'll want to play again as soon as you finish the first time. PC owners even get an extra dash of depth via the downloadable toolset, which lets you create new levels, spells, skills, and even cutscenes. But any way you slice it, here's the fantasy RPG you've been waiting for, the one that will keep you up late at night, bleary-eyed, because you have to see what happens next. Like the best fiction, Dragon Age will sweep you up in its world, so much so that when you're done, you'll want to experience it all over again.

Damn you PC gamers! I want that and not the watered down console port. The way the game is described sounds like the perfect RPG experience. Entering a gameworld with a detailed history of its own, that feels as if it has lived, and keeps on living even if you're not playing the game. SteelAttack

Damn you PC gamers! I want that and not the watered down console port. The way the game is described sounds like the perfect RPG experience. Entering a gameworld with a detailed history of its own, that feels as if it has lived, and keeps on living even if you're not playing the game. SteelAttack

Most reviewers seem to give Bioware a pass, looking past crappy gameplay and sloppy game design in Mass Effect and Jade Empire. Sadly, PC Gamer is among them (they gave the laughably bad Jade Empire an 86).

I'm not saying Dragon Age is a bad game (it certainly has the elements it needs to be a great game) but reviewers have demonstrated time and time again an inability to objectively evaluate Bioware games.

Since it has FF12's gambit system, I'm optimistic that Dragon Age is going to be great, so I'm going to try to rent it from my local Blockbuster in the next few months (since Bioware no longer believes in demos).

[QUOTE="SteelAttack"]Damn you PC gamers! I want that and not the watered down console port. The way the game is described sounds like the perfect RPG experience. Entering a gameworld with a detailed history of its own, that feels as if it has lived, and keeps on living even if you're not playing the game. kfjl

Most reviewers seem to give Bioware a pass, looking past crappy gameplay and sloppy game design in Mass Effect and Jade Empire. Sadly, PC Gamer is among them (they gave the laughably bad Jade Empire an 86).

I'm not saying Dragon Age is a bad game (it certainly has the elements it needs to be a great game) but reviewers have demonstrated time and time again an inability to objectively evaluate Bioware games.

Since it has FF12's gambit system, I'm optimistic that Dragon Age is going to be great, so I'm going to try to rent it from my local Blockbuster in the next few months (since Bioware no longer believes in demos).

BioWare details social network. Check entire article here.

All three versions of Dragon Age: Origins - PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 - will connect to the BioWare Social Network. Individual heroes will be shared with the world on an avatar screen so others can see how you look, what items you have and what attributes you boast. Statistics like "Greatest damage dealt" and "Most powerful foe slain" will also be tracked.

Ideas for the future include detailed story-tracking, showing which of the myriad paths you chose to walk down. Event tracking isn't implemented yet, but will, like an in-game journal, note your quest progress.

PC owners of Dragon Age: Origins will also be able to post screenshots and share them with friends. Otherwise, all three versions will work with the Social Network in an identical way.

This BioWare Social Network, coupled with two years of planned DLC and a detailed Flash spin-off of Dragon Age, show the considerable effort behind the dark fantasy RPG. From BioWare's perspective, it's another incentive for people to buy a legitimate copy rather than pirating it.

"We wanted to make this very clear this is not a DRM solution. The win was taking a playbook from Valve by adding additional value for players," concluded Melo. "Our benefit is more indirect in terms of feeding the community and getting them engaged with Dragon Age as a franchise."

Pretty cool stuff.

Sweet. I've always been a huge Bioware fan and find their games to be fantastic experiences and from what I've seen and heard about this game looks to be no different. I've watched the various class trailers on XBLM and the writing and voice-acting sound terrific. I'll definitely be picking this game up. Having something like the Blood Dragon armour carry over from this game to Mass Effect 2 is a very cool plus and the Bioware Social Network aspect sounds pretty cool as well. Less then a week away for this game now, can't wait. :D

[QUOTE="SteelAttack"]Damn you PC gamers! I want that and not the watered down console port. The way the game is described sounds like the perfect RPG experience. Entering a gameworld with a detailed history of its own, that feels as if it has lived, and keeps on living even if you're not playing the game. rragnaar

Why is everyone saying less than a week for this game? I thought it came out on the 17th of November or something? Anyways already got my collecters edition fully paid for and preordered, had to opt for the 360 version as my crappy laptop (craptop!) cant handle newer games. This is one of my most anticipated games for the whole year and I can't wait!GodModeEnabled

Nope, it's coming out Tuesday Nov. 3rd. :)

[QUOTE="GodModeEnabled"]Why is everyone saying less than a week for this game? I thought it came out on the 17th of November or something? Anyways already got my collecters edition fully paid for and preordered, had to opt for the 360 version as my crappy laptop (craptop!) cant handle newer games. This is one of my most anticipated games for the whole year and I can't wait!Archangel3371

Nope, it's coming out Tuesday Nov. 3rd. :)

[QUOTE="Archangel3371"]

[QUOTE="GodModeEnabled"]Why is everyone saying less than a week for this game? I thought it came out on the 17th of November or something? Anyways already got my collecters edition fully paid for and preordered, had to opt for the 360 version as my crappy laptop (craptop!) cant handle newer games. This is one of my most anticipated games for the whole year and I can't wait!GodModeEnabled

Nope, it's coming out Tuesday Nov. 3rd. :)

Oh most definitely. I didn't pre-order mine but I'll be grabbing it on Tuesday nonetheless. There's no way I'm passing up on this game.

GameSpot's review is in.

Few games are this ambitious, and even fewer can mold these ambitions into such a complete and entertaining experience. You might spend 50 or more hours on your first play-though, but there are so many paths to follow, so many details to uncover, and so many ways to customize your party that you'll want to play again as soon as you finish the first time. PC owners even get an extra dash of depth via the downloadable toolset, which lets you create new levels, spells, skills, and even cutscenes. But any way you slice it, here's the fantasy RPG you've been waiting for, the one that will keep you up late at night, bleary-eyed, because you have to see what happens next. Like the best fiction, Dragon Age will sweep you up in its world, so much so that when you're done, you'll want to experience it all over again.

Surprised? I know I am. I honestly didn't expect such gushing praise at all. It would also seem that the extra polish time reflected favourably on the PC version as the console versions (360 in particular) are noticeably marked down due to graphical issues, bugs, glitches, and lack of control/interface options. However, it would seem that BioWare was largely successful in bringing a wholly PC-styIed RPG to consoles - a feat rarely anyone even attempted, nevermind succeeded.

Yeah very good reviews for the game indeed. I can't wait to grab my copy later today.

I wasn't really expecting the console versions to turn out good, so I'd written this off as a game I'd have to wait a while to play. I think I'll pick this up fairly soon. Hopefully the consoles versions get a patch.

I'm getting the collector's edition today for the 360! I'm really looking forward to this game. A lot.

I find it funny that a lot of websites that aren't reviewing the game in the 9's are citing reasons such as the difficulty and the fact that this game reminds them of Baldur's Gate 2 so much. those things seem like blessings to me.smerlus

Amen! I miss difficult games. XD

I wasn't really expecting the console versions to turn out good, so I'd written this off as a game I'd have to wait a while to play. I think I'll pick this up fairly soon. Hopefully the consoles versions get a patch.

rragnaar

I just got Borderlands in the mail, it only took a week to deliver!

Now...I don't even know if I want to open it. I have the urge to go back to the store and exchange it for Dragon Age. Rag, should I keep Borderlands? I was planning on COOPing with you, I dont really know who else has this game so we would have to be best friends for a while to get my moneys worth :P

I just got Borderlands in the mail, it only took a week to deliver!

Now...I don't even know if I want to open it. I have the urge to go back to the store and exchange it for Dragon Age. Rag, should I keep Borderlands? I was planning on COOPing with you, I dont really know who else has this game so we would have to be best friends for a while to get my moneys worth :P

F1Lengend

[QUOTE="F1Lengend"]

I just got Borderlands in the mail, it only took a week to deliver!

Now...I don't even know if I want to open it. I have the urge to go back to the store and exchange it for Dragon Age. Rag, should I keep Borderlands? I was planning on COOPing with you, I dont really know who else has this game so we would have to be best friends for a while to get my moneys worth :P

rragnaar

As a side note, you have to know 'old skool' rpg's, like Dragon Age, are in danger, when Gamespot, in it's 'games you might like' sidebar listed Risen, a hardcore RPG, Mass Effect 2 and Action-RPG probably more action than RPG, Diablo III, a hack'n'slash, Borderlands, a shooter to all intents and purposes and Neverwinter Nights 2, another 'old skool' RPG!

Can you imagine as a 'games you might like' sidebar for a shooter incluing a hardcore RPG and Action-RPG? Can you imagine any other genre where you now get such a wide range of titles listed when you have an RPG review?!

I think it says a lot about the state of old fashioned hardcore RPG's! After all, when I sayb 'RPG' do you think Ultima VII or Jade Empire? Deus Ex or Borderlands? Are they really all RPG's?

My god GS rating system is a mess,9.5, 9.0 and an 8.5. I understand PC to console, but PS3 to 360 is that large a difference, all it says for the differences is that it looks slighty better. Eh whatever just weird to see something like that with such a poor reason to give different scores. So is this one of those games that would scare a console gamer like me or if I have played and enjoyed Bioware games before I should be ok. dvader654

I agree that the ratings are a mess but if it was the other way around you know the 360 only gamers would be up in arms boasting that the 360 is champ once again.

My god GS rating system is a mess,9.5, 9.0 and an 8.5. I understand PC to console, but PS3 to 360 is that large a difference, all it says for the differences is that it looks slighty better. Eh whatever just weird to see something like that with such a poor reason to give different scores. So is this one of those games that would scare a console gamer like me or if I have played and enjoyed Bioware games before I should be ok. dvader654

I got the game this morning, installed it, and didn't move from my chair for about 6 hours. I love this game! :D

Anybody get this game from Canada yet? All the CAD websites say Nov 17 :shock:F1Lengend

Yep. I picked mine up at Walmart a little while age. EB and Future Shop also have it.

Shame Bioware no longer believes in demos but the reviews (especially the video reviews) are persuasive and DA looks like it would appeal to the rpg lovingmicromanager in me (also, ripping off George R.R. Martin's brilliant novels isn't a bad thing).

Unless user impressions indicate horrible flaws the professionals looked past, I'll pick up DA in the next couple months.

Most reviewers seem to give Bioware a pass, looking past crappy gameplay and sloppy game design in Mass Effect and Jade Empire. Sadly, PC Gamer is among them (they gave the laughably bad Jade Empire an 86).

I'm not saying Dragon Age is a bad game (it certainly has the elements it needs to be a great game) but reviewers have demonstrated time and time again an inability to objectively evaluate Bioware games.

Since it has FF12's gambit system, I'm optimistic that Dragon Age is going to be great, so I'm going to try to rent it from my local Blockbuster in the next few months (since Bioware no longer believes in demos).

CarnageHeart

I've seen a ton of trailers and gameplay videos but I'm just not seeing what's so good about this game. Somebody needs to explain to me why it's getting all these great reviews.

[QUOTE="F1Lengend"]Anybody get this game from Canada yet? All the CAD websites say Nov 17 :shock:Archangel3371

Yep. I picked mine up at Walmart a little while age. EB and Future Shop also have it.

Anybody get this game from Canada yet? All the CAD websites say Nov 17 :shock:F1Lengend

[QUOTE="CarnageHeart"]

Most reviewers seem to give Bioware a pass, looking past crappy gameplay and sloppy game design in Mass Effect and Jade Empire. Sadly, PC Gamer is among them (they gave the laughably bad Jade Empire an 86).

I'm not saying Dragon Age is a bad game (it certainly has the elements it needs to be a great game) but reviewers have demonstrated time and time again an inability to objectively evaluate Bioware games.

Since it has FF12's gambit system, I'm optimistic that Dragon Age is going to be great, so I'm going to try to rent it from my local Blockbuster in the next few months (since Bioware no longer believes in demos).

I've seen a ton of trailers and gameplay videos but I'm just not seeing what's so good about this game. Somebody needs to explain to me why it's getting all these great reviews.

Man am I ever enjoying this game. Typical Bioware storytelling brilliance and the voice-acting is very well done. Graphics won't knock your socks off but they get the job done adequately and the framerate has been quite smooth so far. Combat is good and the controls are nicely implemented. Very solid game so far and I'll likely end up putting hundreds of hours into after all is said and done.

i'm on the fence with dragon age as well...i'm still planning on playing demon's souls and fallout 3 goty before this, so do i really need to buy it right now and pay full price for it? i'm not sure about that...the reviews have been great so far though so maybe i can even score this for christmas...