Dragon Age Origins vs The Witcher Enhanced Edition

It seems fair to compare these two RPGs. Both came out this gen, both are set in a dark fantasy world (with medieval style settings), both deal with dark themes, and both have similiar plot elements such as discrimination and burning capital cities. Who its better, the Grey Wardens or the Witchers.

Gameplay

Combat: Both games are entirely different. Dragon Age focuses on party combat and the Witcher focuses on single character combat. But Dragon Age offers a deeper and more tactical experience with its combat system. The Witchers is pretty great though, but sometimes bogs down, especially when combos don't land. Winner - Dragon Age

Role Playing: A plus regarding preference for Dragon Age, a fully customizable PC. Geralt on the other hand, is a set PC, but he is customizable skill wise. The decisions you make in the Witcher plot wise are far more engrossing than Dragon Age, with its consquences having effect on the plot long after the decisions were made. Some decisions have effects long afterwards in DA too, but doesn't have nearly much of an effect as The Witcher's choices. Winner - The Witcher

Story

Plot: This is easy, one game is a cliche storm that screams Lord of the Rings, the other is more original in its execution. Both games deal with dark thematic material, but the Witcher is far more effective at using its themes (its main theme that humans can be the biggest monsters) more. Dragon Age does have its moments though. Winner - The Witcher by far

Characters: Both games have excellent characters. For Dragon Age, its about your party members. Every member of the party is excellent, especially Leliana, who brings the humanity to the game. There is excellent comic relief, especially with Shale. For the Witcher, Geralt is an excellent character (despite the amnesia cliche) who has to try to make sense of everything and find his humanity. Dandelion, Shani, and Triss are also excellent and many quest characters such as Vincent, Carmen, and Alvin are excellent too. The villians are definitely better in the Witcher. Winner - The Witcher close, due to the antagonists.

Presentation

Graphics and Art: Why does a game that came out two years ago look better than a game that came out two months ago? The Witcher has a much better and more inspired art direction and environment than Dragon Age's sterile environment. Winner - The Witcher by a mile

Voice Acting: Due to the localization, even in the Enchanced version, The Witcher's voice acting can be a little akward. Its far from terrible (its good), but Dragon Age's star voice cast blows it away. Winner - easily Dragon Age

Soundtrack: The Witcher has an incredible soundtrack, almost up there with JRPG soundtrack masterpieces. Its music captures the environment well and some pieces are absolutely beautiful. Dragon Age is just "Leliana's Song". Winner - easily The Witcher

Dragon Age is an excellent game, no doubt....but The Witcher is above it in almost every aspect. Not only does The Witcher have one of the best stories in gaming, but it is one of the most important RPGs of the decade. WRPG developers are taking notice, doing away with black and white morality systems and no impact decisions. Due to this game, RPGs will be better next decade due to its influence.....decisions will be much more meaningful and more morally ambigious.

It seems fair to compare these two RPGs. Both came out this gen, both are set in a dark fantasy world (with medieval style settings), both deal with dark themes, and both have similiar plot elements such as discrimination and burning capital cities. Who its better, the Grey Wardens or the Witchers.

Gameplay

Combat: Both games are entirely different. Dragon Age focuses on party combat and the Witcher focuses on single character combat. But Dragon Age offers a deeper and more tactical experience with its combat system. The Witchers is pretty great though, but sometimes bogs down, especially when combos don't land. Winner - Dragon Age

Role Playing: A plus regarding preference for Dragon Age, a fully customizable PC. Geralt on the other hand, is a set PC, but he is customizable skill wise. The decisions you make in the Witcher plot wise are far more engrossing than Dragon Age, with its consquences having effect on the plot long after the decisions were made. Some decisions have effects long afterwards in DA too, but doesn't have nearly much of an effect as The Witcher's choices. Winner - The Witcher

Story

Plot: This is easy, one game is a cliche storm that screams Lord of the Rings, the other is more original in its execution. Both games deal with dark thematic material, but the Witcher is far more effective at using its themes (its main theme that humans can be the biggest monsters) more. Dragon Age does have its moments though. Winner - The Witcher by far

Characters: Both games have excellent characters. For Dragon Age, its about your party members. Every member of the party is excellent, especially Leliana, who brings the humanity to the game. There is excellent comic relief, especially with Shale. For the Witcher, Geralt is an excellent character (despite the amnesia cliche) who has to try to make sense of everything and find his humanity. Dandelion, Shani, and Triss are also excellent and many quest characters such as Vincent, Carmen, and Alvin are excellent too. The villians are definitely better in the Witcher. Winner - The Witcher close, due to the antagonists.

Presentation

Graphics and Art: Why does a game that came out two years ago look better than a game that came out two months ago? The Witcher has a much better and more inspired art direction and environment than Dragon Age's sterile environment. Winner - The Witcher by a mile

Voice Acting: Due to the localization, even in the Enchanced version, The Witcher's voice acting can be a little akward. Its far from terrible (its good), but Dragon Age's star voice cast blows it away. Winner - easily Dragon Age

Soundtrack: The Witcher has an incredible soundtrack, almost up there with JRPG soundtrack masterpieces. Its music captures the environment well and some pieces are absolutely beautiful. Dragon Age is just "Leliana's Song". Winner - easily The Witcher

Dragon Age is an excellent game, no doubt....but The Witcher is above it in almost every aspect. Not only does The Witcher have one of the best stories in gaming, but it is one of the most important RPGs of the decade. WRPG developers are taking notice, doing away with black and white morality systems and no impact decisions. Due to this game, RPGs will be better next decade due to its influential design decisions.....decisions will be much more meaningful and more morally ambigious.

Pretty much agree on all fronts. I have trouble deciding which cast i like more though. AAllxxjjnn

Even though The Witcher was more original, I found it's combat intensely boring. Dragon Age isn't an original plot by any means, but the characters are more enjoyable, the acting is much stronger, the choices are just as difficult,and above all else, the gameplay isn't boring.

Of course neither stacks up to the stuff Black Isle put out but that's another argument entirely.

There really was nothing "dark" to Dragon Age, there was a fine line between good and evil, it had a very tolkien inspired vibe to it, nothing thematic by any means. Not to say it wasn"t executed in a spectacular way, which it was.

The Witcher was just a whole new view of the fantasy setting, with no distinction betweengood and bad it really just paved the way for a whole new experience in terms of an RPG.

Their plot can in no way be compared imo. Both had awell crafted tale, butThe Witcher was just on so many diffirent levels.

With that said, the gameplay, characters, and presentation can be contrasted, and it would be safe to say Dragon Age wins in those departments.

Good points you make though, both are probably among the top 5 of RPG's this gen

I think Dragon age has better gameplay, but the Witcher has a far better story.

Its also the only game this gen to have very meaningfull non-black and white decisions.

That said, it could use a bit of polish, and the fact that its translated, makes certain things hard to understand.

There really was nothing "dark" to Dragon Age, there was a fine line between good and evil, it had a very tolkien inspired vibe to it, nothing thematic by any means. Not to say it wasn"t executed in a spectacular way, which it was.

The Witcher was just a whole new view of the fantasy setting, with no distinction betweengood and bad it really just paved the way for a whole new experience in terms of an RPG.

Their plot can in no way be compared imo. Both had awell crafted tale, butThe Witcher was just on so many diffirent levels.

With that said, the gameplay, characters, and presentation can be contrasted, and it would be safe to say Dragon Age wins in those departments.

Good points you make though, both are probably among the top 5 of RPG's this gen

Dead-Memories

The two best rpgs this gen imo (with Mass Effect and Lost Odyssey just behind)

Hopefully I didn't go wrong with either. I'm loving Dragon Age, and I just bought The Witcher off of Steam. The only problem is, I haven't actually enjoyed an RPG that wasn't made by Bioware. Fallout 3 had its moments, but never close to the sheer bliss I experienced with KoTOR or Mass Effect. As for The Witcher, it was always being compared to Mass Effect in the same year, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Can't go wrong either way, I hope.

Hopefully I didn't go wrong with either. I'm loving Dragon Age, and I just bought The Witcher off of Steam. The only problem is, I haven't actually enjoyed an RPG that wasn't made by Bioware. Fallout 3 had its moments, but never close to the sheer bliss I experienced with KoTOR or Mass Effect. As for The Witcher, it was always being compared to Mass Effect in the same year, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Can't go wrong either way, I hope.

Hopefully I didn't go wrong with either. I'm loving Dragon Age, and I just bought The Witcher off of Steam. The only problem is, I haven't actually enjoyed an RPG that wasn't made by Bioware. Fallout 3 had its moments, but never close to the sheer bliss I experienced with KoTOR or Mass Effect. As for The Witcher, it was always being compared to Mass Effect in the same year, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Can't go wrong either way, I hope.

Sharpie125

you know, before Dragon age, I felt like the Witcher was the only RPG comparable to the classic 90's ones. Its a very good game, and I did like it better than Dragon age just because its story was so good. It does have plenty of issues though. Its production values are low compared to those of Dragon age and a lot of times it shows.

[QUOTE="Sharpie125"]

Hopefully I didn't go wrong with either. I'm loving Dragon Age, and I just bought The Witcher off of Steam. The only problem is, I haven't actually enjoyed an RPG that wasn't made by Bioware. Fallout 3 had its moments, but never close to the sheer bliss I experienced with KoTOR or Mass Effect. As for The Witcher, it was always being compared to Mass Effect in the same year, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Can't go wrong either way, I hope.

you know, before Dragon age, I felt like the Witcher was the only RPG comparable to the classic 90's ones. Its a very good game, and I did like it better than Dragon age just because its story was so good. It does have plenty of issues though. Its production values are low compared to those of Dragon age and a lot of times it shows.

Wait am I in system wars? It feels like I clicked on PC games.

And I think I agree with you TC, I haven't finished either but I'm digging the Witcher more than DAO. Both are great but Bioware is reusing its story formula once again. And I like the Witcher's presentation a lot more. And I also like the combat as well.

I'm not that big of a fan for micromanaging so Witcher appeals to me far more in this regard.

I literally have 20 PC games I haven't finished and who knows what other game I'll buy tomorrow with the deals on steam so far, even though my HDD is filling up and my wallet is emptying out.

[QUOTE="cobrax25"]

[QUOTE="Sharpie125"]

Hopefully I didn't go wrong with either. I'm loving Dragon Age, and I just bought The Witcher off of Steam. The only problem is, I haven't actually enjoyed an RPG that wasn't made by Bioware. Fallout 3 had its moments, but never close to the sheer bliss I experienced with KoTOR or Mass Effect. As for The Witcher, it was always being compared to Mass Effect in the same year, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Can't go wrong either way, I hope.

texasgoldrush

you know, before Dragon age, I felt like the Witcher was the only RPG comparable to the classic 90's ones. Its a very good game, and I did like it better than Dragon age just because its story was so good. It does have plenty of issues though. Its production values are low compared to those of Dragon age and a lot of times it shows.

As far as graphics and audio goes, The Witcher was better by a considerable margin. But as far as production values as a whole, Dragon age was better. Despite the graphics, what bothered me a lot with the Witcher was the fact that the character models and many of the interior enviroments repeated themselves on a regular basis.

[QUOTE="AAllxxjjnn"]Pretty much agree on all fronts. I have trouble deciding which cast i like more though. texasgoldrush

I'm putting off buying it on Steam since the retail comes with a map and some other goodies i think...X360PS3AMD05

I disagree about the combat in Dragon Age being better. The sword play play in The Witcher felt more satisfying. Yeah, their were a few glitchy moments with it, but the brutal combat made up for it IMO.

This thread just reminded me that I have to finish The Witcher.Thunderdrone

The Witcher = Sex Cards.

Instant win right there.

[QUOTE="Thunderdrone"]This thread just reminded me that I have to finish The Witcher.mitu123

How's Dragon Age? Not the biggest fan of Bioware's wrpg formula but i keep hearing good things about it (PC version).Thunderdrone

It's Bioware's most formulaic game yet.

Great production values, fairly standard Lord of the Rings-inspired story and setting (although certainly not as epic or interesting), decent tactical combat and interesting party members - it's a solid RPG that doesn't take any risks.

[QUOTE="Thunderdrone"]How's Dragon Age? Not the biggest fan of Bioware's wrpg formula but i keep hearing good things about it (PC version).Planeforger

It's Bioware's most formulaic game yet.

Great production values, fairly standard Lord of the Rings-inspired story and setting (although certainly not as epic or interesting), decent tactical combat and interesting party members - it's a solid RPG that doesn't take any risks.

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="Thunderdrone"]This thread just reminded me that I have to finish The Witcher.Thunderdrone

edit: also totally sold on The Witcher

This thread reminds me to buy it:P, I got Dragon Age instead, oh well, there's always next time.

mitu123

[QUOTE="Dead-Memories"]

There really was nothing "dark" to Dragon Age, there was a fine line between good and evil, it had a very tolkien inspired vibe to it, nothing thematic by any means. Not to say it wasn"t executed in a spectacular way, which it was.

The Witcher was just a whole new view of the fantasy setting, with no distinction betweengood and bad it really just paved the way for a whole new experience in terms of an RPG.

Their plot can in no way be compared imo. Both had awell crafted tale, butThe Witcher was just on so many diffirent levels.

With that said, the gameplay, characters, and presentation can be contrasted, and it would be safe to say Dragon Age wins in those departments.

Good points you make though, both are probably among the top 5 of RPG's this gen

texasgoldrush

I've played through The Witcher twice now, once at launch and once again with the enhanced edition, having played DA;O once only, I can safely say that personally, DA:O"s all around presentation was far greater, by this I mean the lore, the dialogue, the characters. The Witcher definitely did have certain parts that were nothing short of amazing, AcT 2(really gave you a sense of the realistic politics inthe setting). and act 5 in particular.

The Witcher wins practicially in every other category, the music, the setting, and to some extent the combat. Overall The Witcher is indeed the better game, especially coming form a practically unknown and fresh developer.

Geralt also makesmonotone badass.

Both are awesome,both are unique but i have to go with Witcher being the slightly better game

[QUOTE="texasgoldrush"]

[QUOTE="Dead-Memories"]

There really was nothing "dark" to Dragon Age, there was a fine line between good and evil, it had a very tolkien inspired vibe to it, nothing thematic by any means. Not to say it wasn"t executed in a spectacular way, which it was.

The Witcher was just a whole new view of the fantasy setting, with no distinction betweengood and bad it really just paved the way for a whole new experience in terms of an RPG.

Their plot can in no way be compared imo. Both had awell crafted tale, butThe Witcher was just on so many diffirent levels.

With that said, the gameplay, characters, and presentation can be contrasted, and it would be safe to say Dragon Age wins in those departments.

Good points you make though, both are probably among the top 5 of RPG's this gen

Dead-Memories

I've played through The Witcher twice now, once at launch and once again with the enhanced edition, having played DA;O once only, I can safely say that personally, DA:O"s all around presentation was far greater, by this I mean the lore, the dialogue, the characters. The Witcher definitely did have certain parts that were nothing short of amazing, AcT 2(really gave you a sense of the realistic politics inthe setting). and act 5 in particular.

The Witcher wins practicially in every other category, the music, the setting, and to some extent the combat. Overall The Witcher is indeed the better game, especially coming form a practically unknown and fresh developer.

Geralt also makesmonotone badass.

ive started the witcher but havent played DAO yet...damn i really want to though.

The Witcher was good, but I got alot more out of Dragon Age. I actuallty thought the plot in Dragon Age was MUCH better. The Witcher felt really stale and cliched at points, more so than Dragon Age. The idea of a city being hit by a plauge has been done oh so many times before. Dragon Age also had more intresting characters, a better combat system (The Witcher had a combat system thatrevovled around tapping the mouse button at the correct pace to kill an enemy.),and it was about twice as long.

They're both superb games but if I had to choose I'd say the witcher. Zero5000X

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="Thunderdrone"]This thread just reminded me that I have to finish The Witcher.Thunderdrone

The Witcher more or less copies Biowares forumla except it uses a diffrent combat system, it even uses Biowares engine (NWN)and to me it feels likea Bioware game. Dragon Age is like KotOR, except it's a more traditonal fantasy setting, and there have been alot of tweaks to the system. It's also very long, and occasionally to slow at points, but overall the game is fantastic.

The Witcher was good, but I got alot more out of Dragon Age. I actuallty thought the plot in Dragon Age was MUCH better. The Witcher felt really stale and cliched at points, more so than Dragon Age. The idea of a city being hit by a plauge has been done oh so many times before. Dragon Age also had more intresting characters, a better combat system (The Witcher had a combat system thatrevovled around tapping the mouse button at the correct pace to kill an enemy.),and it was about twice as long.

WasntAvailable

[QUOTE="WasntAvailable"]

The Witcher was good, but I got alot more out of Dragon Age. I actuallty thought the plot in Dragon Age was MUCH better. The Witcher felt really stale and cliched at points, more so than Dragon Age. The idea of a city being hit by a plauge has been done oh so many times before. Dragon Age also had more intresting characters, a better combat system (The Witcher had a combat system thatrevovled around tapping the mouse button at the correct pace to kill an enemy.),and it was about twice as long.

texasgoldrush

The ideas of the humans being the bad guys isn't a particularly new idea either. There is a bit more ambiguity in your descions in The Witcher, but that aspect is allways greatly exagerated. While your consequences in Dragon Age didn't carry quite as far (Though playing as a Dawrf Noble had some intresting twists.), that was just one aspect of the game. Everything else was better in Dragon Age for me. When it comes to cliches though The Witcher and Dragon Age are on the same level as far as I'm concerned. The story ark with the Dwarfs was actually quite intresting, and unlike The Witcher, properly explored a political system (Play the Dwarf Noble origin). The Witcher just scratched the surface with that. Dragon Age also explored the concept of Demons, which while it had beendone before, ithadn't been done in quitethe sameway Dragon Age handled it. The concept of The Fade was hardly what I would call cliched. Dragon Age isn't half as cliched as people pretend it is, and everything aboutThe Witcher is exagerated. As for the plot in The Witcher, to be honest, it nosedived pretty quickly. The voice actors were not convincing (The villians in particular.),the plot twists were largely predictable (Save for mabyeone.)and the presentation of the plot wasn't all that great either. I never felt particularly connected, the game never made me care. I never really cared about the characters like I was probably meant to. Suddenly random characters who had meant nothing tothat point suddenly becomekey aspects of the plot. I don't see why people hold the actual plot in high regard, that was one of the weaker aspects ofThe Witcher.

Thanks texas you sold the witcher for me!chompslikky