I typically don't venture into the pre-order realm (although I have broken that rule of thumb several times in the past couple of months) since you never really know what's up until the reviews start hitting. That said, I have an opportunity to pre-order the game on Impulse for $40. It seems like a pretty sweet deal, but I'm afraid I will get burned. Here's my story.

• Played Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Baldur's Gate 2 and didn't much care for them. Didn't really care for Western RPGs in general.
  
• Later had a brief fling with Western RPGs in the form of Morrowind. Enjoyed it but didn't really get sucked in.
• Loved KOTOR
  
• Had fun with Oblivion for a while. Same kind of thing. It was fun but didn't absorb me.
• Loved everything about Mass Effect. That game is a fucking masterpiece.

Sounds to me like you prefer Western RPGs with a Sci-Fi setting more than those with a high fantasy setting.
 
Personally I'm not seeing the big draw to Dragon Age myself. It looks beautiful visually but otherwise it just doesn't seem all that interesting. Yet again another generic story of evil minion types that awaken nasty eviller masters intent on destroying the world while the player must make umpteen moral choices and decisions as a member of an elite group of warriors destined to preserve peace and justice in the land *cough* Jedi *cough*.
 
I love BioWare but sometimes they just do far too much of the same thing that it has become stale / boring. Much more excited for Mass Effect 2 than I am Dragon Age myself. And this is from someone who loved all there can be about Bladur's Gate 1 + 2, Icewind Dale, Neverwinter Nights + Expansions, KOTOR 1 and so on.

I havent been tracking Dragon Age much but I am definately interested to play it. I wouldn't call it a sure thing (but hat can you really say that about?) but it should be a solid title.

I wouldn't call Dragon Age a sure bet at all, if a game has to promote blood and sex so blatantly it leaves me with a feeling that the game has a chance of sucking, and the marilyn manson trailers...seriuosly xD out of place.

It's hard accurately judge without actually playing it for yourself, but the interface at least looks like it is improved from Neverwinter Nights, Baulders Gate etc. If you are into the way MMOs are played with the quick bar of spells and attacks, then you will like Dragon Age's system. I'm sure they will give you more control over combat than the extremely simplified point and click of an MMO, but again, can't really say much more about it without knowing more details about the game.

If you're a fan of Bioware, I think it's safe to say you'll like Dragon Age.
The marketing for the game has been horrible, but the actual game looks great.

Since Dragon Age is the spiritual successor to Baulder's Gate and you didn't much care for Baulder's Gate I'd suggest holding off. Unless you replay Baulder's Gate and find that you can get into it now.

Great responses, everyone. I really appreciate the insight!

The trailers were getting me very excited for the game, but once I saw a gameplay video I went at least 80% in the opposite direction.  I've decided to just ignore it for a while until we get a lot more information and previews of it.  I definitely can't be convinced to pre-order it anymore.  I can dig everything about the game, but if the gameplay doesn't fly for me, then it's a lost cause.

 'This is the new shit' 
 
@Origina1Penguin:  grats on 1000 posts.

The thing is, Bioware has managed to make me far less excited with every single trailer they have released. Yes, I get that it has some gore and boobs, but when compared to what they have been doing with ME2, it seems rather juvenile and lowest common denominator.
 
 I am still tentatively excited, but it's not going to be a day 1 purchase at all.

I'd love to be able to say Dragon Age is a sure thing, because I truly want the game to be good, but I have serious doubts about the game. In your case, it's probably especially sketchy, since this game has always been touted as the spiritual successor to the Infinity Engine games (Baldur's Gate), though I would say it looks quite a bit different from what little gameplay I've watched. The combat looks like a cross between that and games like KOTOR, though those were really old videos, and I've made it my goal since to avoid seeing the game too much so as to not spoil the experience.
 
$40 is tough to pass up, though. I'm sure the game won't be bad, it just might not be the masterpiece it's trying to be built up to be.
 
The other thing you should consider is what comes in the packaging, and what you'd be missing out on with a digital-only download.
 
Also, thanks for reminding me. I've got to start thinking about pre-ordering, myself.

I'm concerned about Dragon Age as well. I loved KoToR, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect....a lot. I love Bioware. But the Dragon Age setting just doesn't seem as unique to me and isn't really pulling me in. Yet I still want it because it's made by Bioware.
 
I think I'll just wait a bit and get it when the price drops. Too many games coming out soon anyway.

Yeah...a while ago I was thinking an instant buy on PC when this game hit, however since they showed their terrible trailers for it and Ive seen a bit more...I really have no idea.

" I typically don't venture into the pre-order realm (although I have broken that rule of thumb several times in the past couple of months) since you never really know what's up until the reviews start hitting. That said, I have an opportunity to pre-order the game on Impulse for $40. It seems like a pretty sweet deal, but I'm afraid I will get burned. Here's my story.

• Played Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Baldur's Gate 2 and didn't much care for them. Didn't really care for Western RPGs in general.
  
• Later had a brief fling with Western RPGs in the form of Morrowind. Enjoyed it but didn't really get sucked in.
• Loved KOTOR
  
• Had fun with Oblivion for a while. Same kind of thing. It was fun but didn't absorb me.
• Loved everything about Mass Effect. That game is a fucking masterpiece.

 
So, after Mass Effect, I can't help calling myself a fan of BioWare even though I wasn't a fan of their earlier PC stuff. Also, I believe I may have changed as a gamer since then because I now typically enjoy well-crafted Western RPGs. Anyone have any thoughts as to whether this is a solid choice for me? Explain.
 
If you're interested in taking advantage of the deal, the coupon code for Impulse is SURVEY-2009. That will take 20% off your order which may include a preorder of Dragon Age! "

The way I see it is this: 
 
You buy Dragon Age, it turns out to me a massive dark fantasy game with cool characters, good humor, an interesting setting, a hopefully good story, and it's tons of fun. It's also got the best modding tools available (supposedly) and all that good stuff. 
 
Or: 
 
You buy Dragon Age, it turns out to be totally corny, you play it through for the lulz, it's absolutely hilarious, and it's still got some of the best modding tools available (supposedly). 
 
 Win-win to me.

Even if it is said to be a spiritual successor to BG I bet since it's a lot more modern it will incorporate what was good about KotOR, Mass Effect etc.

I haven't hated anything Biowares done yet, so in my books at least it's as safe a bet as you can get.
 
For the record I didn't actually mind the Marilyn Manson, blood and sex trailers.
I know it's turned an awful lot of people off the game but I like Marilyn Manson, I like video game violence and I like some T&A also. Appeals to me on three levels right there.
Of course I was interested in the game before the trailers and it was just a neat looking fantasy rpg, but I don't see whats so wrong about appealing to peoples baser desires, the blood and the sex I mean.
 
Regardless the heavy metal, blood and sex in the trailers is just a marketing thing. An attempt to reel in a bigger audience.
Might work, might not but in the end I don't think the trailers will be indicative of the games overall content and the quality of said content.

That's a really tempting deal, but when you think about it - it's only $10 off the retail price. I'd definitely wait for the reviews - especially since you didn't dig Baldur's Gate too much.  I'd gladly pay 10 more for a game I know I'm going to like and you should have a much better idea after reading reviews. Also - things to keep in mind: This game looks to be a hard one for most PCs to run. I'm assuming you've looked into that, but just in case - check out the system requirements/recommendations. 
This game looks amazing, and I also loved Mass Effect. I really do have high hopes for it, but I'm waiting because I have a feeling it's going to be too much of a "hard-core" fantasy type game for me. We'll see I guess. 

I feel pretty safe in dismissing it as a C level game.

" I haven't hated anything Biowares done yet, so in my books at least it's as safe a bet as you can get.  For the record I didn't actually mind the Marilyn Manson, blood and sex trailers. I know it's turned an awful lot of people off the game but I like Marilyn Manson, I like video game violence and I like some T&A also. Appeals to me on three levels right there. Of course I was interested in the game before the trailers and it was just a neat looking fantasy rpg, but I don't see whats so wrong about appealing to peoples baser desires, the blood and the sex I mean.  Regardless the heavy metal, blood and sex in the trailers is just a marketing thing. An attempt to reel in a bigger audience. Might work, might not but in the end I don't think the trailers will be indicative of the games overall content and the quality of said content. "

I blame EA for the marketing embarrassment.
 
It seemed that before the announcement that EA had bought Bioware, all the news about this game had me excited, but as soon as Bioware was acquired,  all the Trailers were blood and Sex and Manson. Now blood and sex aren't a bad thing, but the focus on them in the trailers is.

I wish they'd do more videos with commentary similar to how many of the first videos were done showing actual gameplay.  I more out of those than the marketing drivel they've been releasing.

Dragon Age is really aiming towards a mature audience who has extensive experience with RPGs. Having said that, it's quite a small number in comparison to everyone else. However, this is Bioware we're talking so if anyone can deliver a high quality RPG it's them. I think the reason why some people aren't so excited about this is because The Witcher already took the adult fantasy theme with noticable amounts of violence and sex recently. So it's not so original anymore.

The only game I have played by Bioware that didn't appeal to me was Jade Empire. . . .AHhh! I know I know don't kill me I am sorry I just couldn't get into it, it felt janky and odd.

I have faith in Bioware... 
 
...but for some reason, I'm still worried about this game.

" @Eisen: 
The Germans had a few tutorials that I particularly enjoyed and featured some of the different things Dragon Age has in it. I definitely recommend checking out these 3 videos that a youtube username Kinthalis has posted, showing the German Tutorial's along with an English Translation.
 
Dragon Age: Tutorial #1 (Origin Stories) English-Sub
 
Dragon Age: Tutorial #2 (Combat and Tactics) English-Sub
 
Dragon Age: Tutorial #3 (The Journal) English-Sub
 
Dragon Age: Tutorial #4 No Sub "

I hear this game is supposed to be a lot better on pc... which sounds really odd to me. Like high in Spec gaming computer? or what???

If the setting is what put you off those games, then you're screwed. Plotwise, I've only played a couple of hours (just got through my origin, in fact), but I'm REEEEAL happy with it so far. The moral choices are WAY more nuanced (I've only really had to make one, but I actually sat and thought for a few minutes), and the battles look incredible. Gameplay's way more KOTOR than Morrowind, which I think isn't a bad thing because it lends itself to having a party more.

Happy Happy gaming to you.

" The only game I have played by Bioware that didn't appeal to me was Jade Empire. . . .AHhh! I know I know don't kill me I am sorry I just couldn't get into it, it felt janky and odd. "

I ended up picking this up and played for five hours while lying around sick yesterday. The exposition in this game is fantastic! I am enthralled.