Dragon Age: Origins

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 723 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 562 out of 723
  2. Mixed: 81 out of 723
  3. Negative: 80 out of 723
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  1. WillieK
    Nov 9, 2009
    7
    It's such a shame that the PS3 port of this game is so technically flawed. The tearing and unacceptably inconsistent frame rates on the PS3 are such a surprise given the average look of the game, and several audio issues plague what is fundamentally a great RPG when taking the story, gameplay mechanics, and characters into consideration. Thankfully those are what most RPG fans are It's such a shame that the PS3 port of this game is so technically flawed. The tearing and unacceptably inconsistent frame rates on the PS3 are such a surprise given the average look of the game, and several audio issues plague what is fundamentally a great RPG when taking the story, gameplay mechanics, and characters into consideration. Thankfully those are what most RPG fans are focused on, so all the technical issues can almost be overlooked... almost. Bottom line is after playing a game like Demon's Souls, or Uncharted 2 (such is the way of first party titles) getting this disappointment of port of an otherwise solid RPG makes me wish Bioware/EA would have held off the PS3 for the extra time it was originally dated for if it would have meant a more polished product for PS3 owners. If you have an Xbox360 or adequate gaming PC I'd say pick up that version and pass over this craptastic port for the PS3, because the game is enjoyable at it's core; it's just the nasty exterior finish that makes me totally regret making this a 0-day purchase. Here's hoping that future patches can address some of these issues and deliver on my now dashed expectations.… Expand
  2. Mummu
    Jan 17, 2011
    7
    With more work in technology and graphics details it could be one of the best rpg games of last years. Anyway, DAO turn out a excellent game with a lot of hours of gameplay and a great history.
  3. ElectricPhase
    Mar 17, 2011
    6
    Really, really needs a patch. PS3 version has multiple problems, including one well documented game breaking bug. Bioware appears to have abandoned development in favor of the execrable Dragon Age 2. A successful patch would earn this game an '8', but that's probably a pipe dream at this juncture.
  4. 35310c0
    Sep 6, 2011
    5
    I was very excited to play this game but now... now I'm very disappointed... Graphics and sound are ok. Gameplay is boring because is slooooooow. No challenge here. Battles may be confusing and tedious sometimes. I guess I liked customization. However, story was not interesting. Dialogs and voices are monotonous. Sex scenes are lame.
  5. PCgamerJ
    Jan 16, 2010
    6
    A very, very heavily hyped game that does what it does solidly and with polish, but shows precious little inspiration. Voice acting is generally of excellent quality. However, dialogue is often painfully bad, with character stories dipping into territory more suited to soap opera than a heroic epic. The plot and game world are a cliched and bland Lord of the Rings pastiche; the A very, very heavily hyped game that does what it does solidly and with polish, but shows precious little inspiration. Voice acting is generally of excellent quality. However, dialogue is often painfully bad, with character stories dipping into territory more suited to soap opera than a heroic epic. The plot and game world are a cliched and bland Lord of the Rings pastiche; the game's locations and enemies are very generic and insipidly designed; the game engine renders the main characters nicely but natural landscapes are unacceptably crude for a supposed AAA title in 2009/10. The 'Mature' rating is maturity as understood by an adolescent, consisting of gory violence (complete with a ludicrous blood-spattering of characters), some suggestive dialogue, and some embarrasingly staged 'sex' scenes with partial nudity (yes, they keep their underwear on). NPCs stand around in the same place whatever you do. There is no day/night cycle, though it may occasionally rain. Indeed, the passage of time is completely imperceptible: the 'Blight' (the monster invasion) only spreads across the game map as you 'tick the boxes' that progress the plot, meaning there is no dramatic tension in your actions. For example: at one point you are told you may travel to another location to gain help for a possessed boy but it will cost you precious time. However, this is not true - you can wander the map as much as you like with no adverse consequences: you will not fail the quest if you go visiting sundry other locations, and the invasion will spread no further than if you made any other choice available. If you have never played an RPG before this may be a delight for you. Otherwise, it's nothing special.… Expand
  6. jamesh
    Nov 10, 2009
    6
    Overall a disappointing experience. After falling in love with Mass Effect I thought this game would be of the same quality, but its not. At first I thought it was because I got it for the Ps3, but it sounds like the 360 has just as many problems. The graphics are terrible. Framerate issues are constant, as well as popping and rendering. I just don't have the patience for games that Overall a disappointing experience. After falling in love with Mass Effect I thought this game would be of the same quality, but its not. At first I thought it was because I got it for the Ps3, but it sounds like the 360 has just as many problems. The graphics are terrible. Framerate issues are constant, as well as popping and rendering. I just don't have the patience for games that are sub-par quality. And I wish more critics would take bugs and glitches more seriously, because I am tired of spending my money on games that run and look like crap.… Expand
  7. GW
    Nov 16, 2009
    7
    Overall, to me the game play is not good, but then again I am not into RPG games unless they have a ton of action in them. To me I give it a 6.5 as my game suffered from lags and constant interruptions in audio. Might take it back as it doesn't want to play correctly for some reason on the PS3.
  8. JaredK
    Dec 6, 2009
    6
    I've played pretty much every bioware game in existance, and I've got to say that dragon age comes up short in comparison to every game they've made, save for the original neverwinter nights campaign. The companions are interesting, but the story is bland, and both the combat system and character progession are broken (making the game a chore to play until you're high I've played pretty much every bioware game in existance, and I've got to say that dragon age comes up short in comparison to every game they've made, save for the original neverwinter nights campaign. The companions are interesting, but the story is bland, and both the combat system and character progession are broken (making the game a chore to play until you're high level and uber powerful).… Expand
  9. MatthewE
    Dec 7, 2009
    5
    Not sure why everyone loves this game. I love RPG's this style, but this is shoddy workmanship! Bad framerate, crappy character models, and some of the worst graphics for a big-budget game. The dialogue is a joke, and the writing is pretty hackneyed. I love this game formula and that is the only reason it even gets a 5. If I didn't love this type of RPG it would have gotten a 3! Not sure why everyone loves this game. I love RPG's this style, but this is shoddy workmanship! Bad framerate, crappy character models, and some of the worst graphics for a big-budget game. The dialogue is a joke, and the writing is pretty hackneyed. I love this game formula and that is the only reason it even gets a 5. If I didn't love this type of RPG it would have gotten a 3! Get w/ the program Bioware!… Expand
  10. BrettS
    Nov 11, 2009
    5
    Great cut scenes and dialog, graphics and game play are dated. Played only 6 hours and am now bored.
  11. DaveM
    Nov 24, 2009
    7
    I find the pausing to micromanage the battles a little disconcerting. I would be much happier if I could replay the battles, pause free.
  12. BillF
    Nov 28, 2009
    7
    When you beat this game, you will feel like you only played half a game. This, combined with the various at-launch bugs and porting issues, makes the Dragon Age release very much like the Jade Empire release that went down in history as Bioware's worst user experience ever. The plot was also largely recycled from Jade Empire, with a healthy dose of plagiarism of George R. R. Martin When you beat this game, you will feel like you only played half a game. This, combined with the various at-launch bugs and porting issues, makes the Dragon Age release very much like the Jade Empire release that went down in history as Bioware's worst user experience ever. The plot was also largely recycled from Jade Empire, with a healthy dose of plagiarism of George R. R. Martin thrown in. Comparing this game to Mass Effect is an insult to Mass Effect. The fact that this game was launched with two simultaneous, different versions of the game, one of which included some DLC, no on-shelf version of which included all the DLC available at launch, inevitably gives one reason to articulate the word "ripoff merch game". About 75% of the game is pointless scavenger hunts. The last fight takes a card from older Final Fantasy games -- the Ridiculously Unfair & Aggravating Boss Fight card, specifically. When you finally do slay the proverbial dragon, the sensation is something along the lines of voiding your bowels after 36 hours of constipation. All this being said, the game is fun while it lasts, and quite addictive. Summary: I enjoyed the game but it's no more than a 7/10, and I don't plan to play it again.… Expand
  13. chrisv.
    Nov 16, 2009
    5
    An amusing rpg that would have been more impressive sans the cutscenes, awkward romance, adolescent humor and pseudo intellectual attempts at moral complexity. More ultraviolent soft-core soap opera than dark fantasy, with alot of minor bugs and flawed combat, but it should serve as a great time waster for many.
  14. MIsfitSoda
    Dec 26, 2009
    5
    M-E-H. Got 20 hours in hoping the game would get better. Forced myself to keep playing. Just boring. Just, who cares about any of this.
  15. 6xdandangp
    Dec 29, 2012
    5
    Decent story, gameplay, and characters. Some major problems on consoles include many glitches, extremely weak graphics, and a slow battle system. Would receive a much higher score if it weren't for technical issues.
  16. bobbsyw
    Jan 22, 2011
    6
    Solid enough RPG with some interesting features - like the way that you can define your character and his/her relationship with the other party members - that ultimately doesn't offer anything that hasn't been done better elsewhere. Minor glitches, such as the frequently fluctuating frame rate during battles, can be overlooked, but it's the (relatively) small playing area and linear plotSolid enough RPG with some interesting features - like the way that you can define your character and his/her relationship with the other party members - that ultimately doesn't offer anything that hasn't been done better elsewhere. Minor glitches, such as the frequently fluctuating frame rate during battles, can be overlooked, but it's the (relatively) small playing area and linear plot that disappointed me the most. I loved the comedy, soap-opera style script though.… Expand
  17. nohobobo
    Oct 11, 2011
    5
    It felt like I was spending the whole time waiting for the painfully boring dialogue to finally end and get into combat. Unfortunately when I did finally get to start fighting, I found the combat boring and repetitive. I don't think it's really a problem with the game, since based on the reviews there are plenty of people who are into this kind of thing. Maybe my attention span is just tooIt felt like I was spending the whole time waiting for the painfully boring dialogue to finally end and get into combat. Unfortunately when I did finally get to start fighting, I found the combat boring and repetitive. I don't think it's really a problem with the game, since based on the reviews there are plenty of people who are into this kind of thing. Maybe my attention span is just too short for this type of thing!… Expand
  18. SpeakingWaters
    Jul 15, 2013
    6
    Put shortly, I'm completely torn. Playing this butt ugly game was a loathsome chore and that aspect deserves a one out of ten. While the characters and the story are so interesting and close to my heart that I was and still am completely addicted. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. Some one needs to convert this crap game into a book pronto.
    I just wish the Dragon Age series    Put shortly, I'm completely torn. Playing this butt ugly game was a loathsome chore and that aspect deserves a one out of ten. While the characters and the story are so interesting and close to my heart that I was and still am completely addicted. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. Some one needs to convert this crap game into a book pronto.
    I just wish the Dragon Age series didn't suck so terribly, because i truly love the world it takes place in.

    God help me when Dragon Age 3 comes out.    … Expand
  19. TylerH.
    Nov 5, 2009
    7
    Game suffers from many issues, not limited to but including ps2 style graphics engine and almost no surround or stereo sound. Obviously a port from the 360, an overall disappointing outing from Bioware, I expected more from them after playing Mass Effect for PC, obviously should have gotten this for that and not ps3. Some backgrounds are clipping into each other and appear 2D, while other Game suffers from many issues, not limited to but including ps2 style graphics engine and almost no surround or stereo sound. Obviously a port from the 360, an overall disappointing outing from Bioware, I expected more from them after playing Mass Effect for PC, obviously should have gotten this for that and not ps3. Some backgrounds are clipping into each other and appear 2D, while other sections of the game look like cardboard. If you get past all the games faults, this has proven so far to be an enjoyable game. Renting first would be wise. It seems companies are getting better and better at making great previews, while the game suffers or lacks major quality. Still a good game, have not beaten it obviously as it just came out, and worth while to play... just be cautioned that it has many errors and flaws and may make you cringe graphically... go with the PC version if your able, Im sure you'll be happier with the choice.… Expand
  20. Jackenbu
    Nov 16, 2017
    6
    Fun and potentially deep, but combat is actiony and empty. Some elements are very well done, some are disappointing and frustrating. For a game designed to be played multiple times, the game feels like a chore the second time through. Story is interesting but takes itself too seriously. Serious issues are handled very poorly (Romances are a joke). The first play through has enjoyableFun and potentially deep, but combat is actiony and empty. Some elements are very well done, some are disappointing and frustrating. For a game designed to be played multiple times, the game feels like a chore the second time through. Story is interesting but takes itself too seriously. Serious issues are handled very poorly (Romances are a joke). The first play through has enjoyable moments but questing is dull. The game plot is sort of open but it is really a series of set pieces you can experience in any order. Character companions are interesting at times, distinct, and make for an interesting experience, but dialogue is so absurd and forced that it too becomes stale. Some unavoidable plot sequences are LONG and DULL.… Expand
  21. Alvokun
    Mar 24, 2017
    6
    I do not really know why, but I did not enjoy this game at all. In fact, I left it unfinished in the very final battle.

    I feel there are much better RPG games than this slow-pace superficial bore. It does have some good qualities (that is why I give it a 6), but overall it is just exasperating and uninteresting. It is highly unlikely that I play another Dragon Age game in a foreseeable future.

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best PS3 Game of 2009
10
#10 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009
3
#3 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. IGN AU
    84
    It's a delight to give into a fantasy setting with such a dense back story, even if the gameplay still rarely breaks away from conventions established a decade ago.
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  2. GameSpot
    90
    Incredible storytelling, great characters, and exciting battles are just a few of the things that make this fantasy role-playing game so extraordinary.
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  3. Giant Bomb
    100
    This is definitely not the game for those frightened of the idea of micromanaging a game to the point where a large portion of it will be spent in a pause screen. However, as the sort of guy that has lovingly played an Infinity Engine game at least once every year for the past decade, I can think of no higher praise for this throwback than to say that Dragon Age: Origins leaves me feeling fairly confident I won't need to dig out the classics for this ritual next year.
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