Dragon Age: Origins Forum

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!

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.

@Hamz: Thanks for the feedback. I have to admit fantasy settings are a bit stale to me, but I don't immediately write them off. I too am really hot for Mass Effect 2!

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'll probably play it, although I have to admit the dark fantasy thing isn't really doing it for me, I'll wait for a review.  There had better be a review i'm looking at you giantbomb

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.

@nrain: Their marketing does worry me a bit.

@nrain: The fact this this game promotes its blood and sex so heavily has me worried that I might only be able to play this game through import. Damn OFLC.

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.

@raddevon: 
 
Off of what you say, I'd definitely say wait for reviews as well and even give it a rent after it comes out.
 
I don't know why I can't get into the "space opera" scene, though I did enjoy KOTOR (though not KOTOR 2). For me, ME was very flat in the things I was looking for in it. The shooter-aspect was done very well, the powers felt right and the battles were controlled and a nice ease if simplistic. But the characters fell very flat for me. I could pick out characteristic and backstories off of simple look. Nothing surprised me in the game and that was somewhat disappointing. And they had poor game-play in there with the Mako. I really felt like should have been cut or not been done half-assed. Along with all the side-quest rooms being utterly the same design most the times. Side-questing was more of annoyance then a nice side-trip. But a lot of people on GB really are big fans of ME and look with lack-luster on DAO.

Again, if your gut feeling says to be wary... be wary. Hopefully DAO will be as utterly character-driven (as opposed to plot-driven) awesome, with strategic isometric gameplay that I've been craving and it's an amazing piece of game. I have pre-ordered but I would not recommend it for everyone because opinions vary. If you're still very interested, I'd suggest going to the book-store and picking up or perusing the first 30 pages of Dragon Age Origins: The Stolen Throne. If you like the writing of David Gaider (the lead of writer of the Game) - expect a good story in DAO.
 
 Good luck with DAO or ME2 in the future (or both).

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.

@TheMustacheHero:  Damn, I didn't even notice until I checked my Inbox for this.  Good stuff.

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.