Thoughts on Dragon Age: Origins -- Spaghetti Mage

 

So there I was…fightin darkspawn on my way to the archdemon.  I called in my troops from Redcliffe, and within minutes, 50 men dead.

I started playing Dragon Age: Origins soon after beating Dragon Age: Inquisition.  I’d seen a few videos talking about how great Dragon Age: Origins was, and how the series went down hill after that.  I disagree with this viewpoint.  Dragon Age: Inquisition was an awesome game in its own right.  And I think this love for Dragon Age: Origins is very nostalgic in nature.  Of course, I’m playing the series in backwards order, close to a decade after the original game was released. 

Nevertheless, I enjoyed Dragon Age: Origins, despite clunky gameplay.  The first thing I noticed is how magical the world of Dragon Age: Origins is.  The feel and atmosphere is much closer to a Lord of the Rings-esque game.  I didn’t get that feeling in Dragon Age: Inquisition.  In fact, much of the storyline in DA: I was much more political in nature, with factions like the Red Templars, and the Orlais court. 

I chose to play as a female Dalish Elf. The magic spells in the game are plentiful, and there are specializations for each class that are interesting.  However, I didn't learn to give gifts till later in the game, and failed to develop any romantic options for my character.

The decision-making process is more critical in DA: O as well.  After the plot is set in motion with Loghain abandoning the initial battle and blaming the Grey Wardens, it becomes clear you must begin building an army by solving each area’s problems, stopping the demon child in Redcliffe, solving the werewolf problem for the Dalish elves, saving the mages circle from demons, and conquering the Deep Roads for the dwarves.  There was a clear path towards a goal, and more and more people joined my party.  And then everything went haywire at the Landsmeet.   

 

 Before I knew it, Loghain, my mortal enemy, had become a grey warden and joined the party, Alistair was leaving, and Anora was calling for Alistair’s head.  Anora herself had turned into an angry war general, having her own Braveheart moment.  Loghain had lost in battle to my champion (I picked Morgana to fight him), and later would have a midnight tryst with the very person that beat him battle to birth a child.  I certainly didn’t see all that coming.

While Dragon Age: Origins wasn’t one of the best games I’ve ever played, if you’re arriving at the Dragon Age party late as I have, it is a must play.  It is a magical journey where the lore of Dragon Age is born.