Game Preview = Dragon Age: Origins

Bioware is one of the biggest names in role playing games, and have now introduced there next big original game, Dragon Age: Origins.
Dragon Age will be a mature rated fantasy role playing game. If you have ever played the other Bioware title: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR), you will be right at home. The speech system is very similar to KOTOR’s choice system. The major difference to this is that every line you choose has true ramifications to the overall story. If you are mean to a partner, he or she might decide that you are not worthy to have them on your team, and leave the team forever. Be careful though, if you are to evil to them they might just turn around and try to kill you.
At the close door beta they showed some of the game play from the PC version. I am happy to say that the control style is very reminiscent of KOTOR. The only difference I could tell (and I cannot truly confirm or deny this since the demo’s play screen was turned off after the fight began), is that when you use your abilities it will have a recharge system reminiscent of Mass Effect (that is how it work for the XBOX 360 version that they had as a playable demo in their booth.) If you do not know, the abilities’ icon that you use will shadow over after use, and slowly build back up after use.
The demo that they had for us to try was on the XBOX 360, and was the first time that they were showing it being run on that system. It was fairly different then the PC version. This is mainly caused by the control system. The system is not like that of KOTOR, but more suited to the XBOX 360 controllers. The main control difference you will notice is that it is all about the hot keys. Your Y, X, and B buttons will be for your most used abilities, and one of your shoulder buttons will allow for a full view of your available abilities. From what can be seen the battle system is the real time/ time based action style that KOTOR was. The great new addition is that you will now have the choice to bring up to four characters onto your team, and you will be able to switch control of them at will.
Dragon Age: Origins is one of those games that you don’t hear much about, but when you see it your jaw will hit the floor. I am anticipating this game’s release, and hope to keep you informed on any progress of the game.

George Scherer