Guides
Dragon Age: Origins is a PC role-playing game from BioWare, currently planned to be released in early 2009. It is considered to be a spiritual successor to the Baldur's Gate series.
Overview
Dragon Age: Origins is BioWare's next Fantasy RPG. It will feature tactical party-based combat that can be played from either Third Person Over The Shoulder view or from a more traditional Isometric Top-Down View with BioWare's signature "Pause and Play" mechanics. As such, it is commonly referred to by BioWare as the Spiritual Successor to Baldur's Gate. Unlike most other traditional fantasy, Dragon Age: Origins will be a very mature and dark fantasy.
Technical
Built on BioWare's proprietary Eclipse engine, the game will feature a similar "face technology" to the one that was used for the conversation system in Mass Effect. Despite constant denial of a toolset on the BioWare forums by various BioWare employees, BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka has implied that a toolset will be available for Dragon Age: Origins.
Origin Stories
One of the major features of the game is the idea of Origin Stories. Each player will experience his own "Origin Story." That story will be the lens through which the entire game is seen and portrayed. It will determine the way your character sees the world and how the world sees your character. For example, you may begin the game as a Dwarf Noble and be a part of the Royal Family of a Dwarven City, or you could be a Dwarf Commoner living in the streets of the city. These Origin Stories will provide an introduction to the game and also help determine the overall direction of the story throughout the game. Characters you meet during your Origin Story may reappear later on as either friends or enemies. Origin stories will also provide the player with some background information on whatever race they are playing. For example, when first playing as a elf you will quickly learn that elves are considered second class citizens in the world and are horribly mistreared by other races in the world. Executive Dan Tudge explained Bioware's perspective on the purpose of Origin stories: "Really, the origin stories are more about your place and your perspective of how the world works."
Gameplay
Dragon Age: Origins will feature tactical party-based gameplay. The player will also have the ability to Pause the game and issue commands strategically and then watch everything play out.
Camera
The camera moves along what has been described as a J-Axis. Having a "J-Axis" allows is a very customizable and unique system for handling the camera. Depending on how the player zooms the camera, they can either play from Third Person Over The Shoulder view, Top Down Isometric view, or any place in between. The camera will be able to be adjusted on the fly for each situation.
Traditional Isometric Camera Perspective
Combat
The combat will be function like a traditional tactical party-based RPG, such as Baldur's Gate. The player will control a party of four, with each party member having their own skill sets and strengths. Characters can be controlled directly and used together to achieve victory in battles. Using spells and skills together in combos is necessary for success. One example of spells being used in combination is the use of a Grease spell to create a pool of grease which can then be lit on fire by a well placed Fireball spell. Separately, the spells only have very specific uses and are not extremely effective. However, when used together, they can set large areas on fire and do damage to several enemies rather than just one like a Fireball spell would normally. Dragon Age: Origins will also feature boss battles of sorts against much more powerful enemies. In the E3 2008 demonstration, a boss battle was shown against a massive Ogre. The Ogre had a variety of unique abilities like a Boulder Throw and a grab ability that picked up one of the party members and repeatedly punched him until the other party members managed to knock him free from the Ogre's hands. The battle ended with a gruesome execution animation where the last remaining party member knocked the Ogre down and then stabbed him in the head with his sword.
Massive Ogre Throwing A Boulder
Console Versions
The November 2008 Issue of Game Informer confirmed Dragon Age Origins as coming to both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 in "Holiday 2009", over half a year later than the scheduled release of the PC version. The article makes it clear that the console ports will be quite similar to the PC experience, with a different interface and perhaps other usuability tweaks. However, it will not be a spin-off like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, but rather a near-direct port of the PC game. In the same interview, Bioware CEO Ray Muzyka hinted that some of the better user-generated content for Dragon Age: Origins (like mods) could potentially come to the 360 and PS3 and DLC or a disc.
| Game Name | Dragon Age: Origins |
| Platform(s) | |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Developer(s) | |
| Genres |
Add a new genre
|
| Themes |
Add a new theme
|
| Original US Release |
need a fuzzy date? |
| Original US Release |
Q1 2009 know the real date? |
| Aliases | Dragon Age |
Associated News
Dragon Age Developer WalkthroughSee BioWare's Dragon Age: Origins with commentary from the game's producer, Dan Tudge.
Missing something?
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Neverwinter Nights 2
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
The Temple of Elemental Evil: A Classic Greyhawk Adventure
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Baldur's Gate: The Original Saga
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Fallout Radioactive
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Planescape: Torment
You propose to remove this. Changed mind?
You propose to add this. Changed mind?
Missing something?
We don't have any info about Dragon Age: Origins's franchises. Help us fill it in!
We don't have any info about Dragon Age: Origins's franchise games.
Missing a character?
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
-
Hochler
70 points -
MonkMorkins
63 points -
LethalKi11ler
54 points -
Nichtan
45 points -
Jatsu
44 points -
GalvanizedNails
42 points -
Nemesis
36 points -
ArcticWolf
25 points -
breton
18 points -
Lies
11 points
-
Cube
PC Games I need -
Brandy
Gen Con Schedule -
django
The love/hate relationship of PC-gaming... -
TWODOGSz
Some Top 10 Stuff from E3!
-
snow
3 posts -
ryanwho
2 posts -
10MP
1 posts -
Logan_Aybara
1 posts -
eznark
1 posts -
Agentfred
1 posts -
MagusMaleficus
1 posts -
Gunner
1 posts -
dozerking
1 posts -
lebkin
1 posts
