I haven't the slightest idea why BioWare is making Dragon Age: Origins. They aren't the biggest company out there, and with resources divided between their first MMORPG, The Old Republic, and a sequel to Mass Effect 2, I can't figure out why they would be doing anything else. After playing it I saw why.

Dragon Age: Origins is a callback to everything that made BioWare the company they are today. It looks similar to their Neverwinter Nights title, save for the strict D&D rules being removed in favor of their own system. It allows for complete flexibility in terms of camera and controls, and letting players freeze the game and change characters on the fly. In that, it feels very much like a PC game. The menus look complex and I wouldn't be shocked to find out that there was crafting, or something along those lines. I suppose I could have asked, with the game's producer standing next to me and narrating, but I was caught in the battle.

I wandered through the halls killing enemies. I'm not sure what the plot is going to be, the developer mentioned a princess and the world ending, but I was playing for thrills at the NYCC. Combat should be familiar to gamers who have played any of their past titles. As I fought, the producer explained the party mechanics, mentioning that if they don't like you, they might leave your party. I nodded and continued killing enemies. When I play the full game I'll worry about them, but then I was slaughtering.

It was then that I was suddenly reminded of pen and paper RPGs, namely my experiences with Dungeons & Dragons. I stood in the doorway, as the mage, staring at a room, game paused, and assessed my options. There were four enemies and two of my allies standing around, mid battle, blood being splattered across the walls. I could heal, use a targeting attack, or nuke the room, throwing a fireball into its center and bake all six of them. It's a choice that isn't easy to make, and exemplifies the strategy involved in Dragon Age: Origins. 

As I walked past my friends' charred bodies they slowly stumbled up, wounded, and regained some health. Allies can recover from being "killed," but arise with complications. One was bleeding, another coughing blood, and both of their stats were lowered. I'm sure they were pissed, mumbling mutinous, resentful words, but I didn't care. When I play for real I will worry about their feelings. I'll take care of them, cater to their needs, attempt to avoid them with my flames. Not at the NYCC, though, I was caught in the combat.

I suppose what I'm trying to say, in a round-about way, is that the game is good. Very good. The combat is enthralling, which is something that can't be said about most BioWare games. They usually have fantastic plots, great gameplay mechanics, and wonderful graphics, but combat isn't always the strong point. However, this doesn't appear to be the case with Dragon Age: Origins, and if the rest of the game is half as fun as shooting fire at enemies then there will be no excuse not to pick this up later when it hits for PCs and concoles in 2009.

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