The game has a great control scheme to say the least, though it can be a bit finicky at times. While movement is smooth and combat is fluid, targeting can sometimes be a bit of a hassle. The game seems to think that when I'm looking straight at a giant rat or bandit, that I actually want to target one of my party members positioned beside me. It's a nuisance really, but I got used to it after a short time and simply brushed the problem aside. Dialogue could be a bit more interesting at times, but for the most part conversations between characters are captivating and deep. It threw me off a bit that the main character never says anything, but this is understandable when you look at how many dialogue options would need to be recorded for this. All in all, the controls for the game are great, and the gameplay will keep you going for hours, as it is addictive, easy, and most of all fun.

Graphically, the game excels in some aspects and fails in others. Sometimes I will be walking around a map and the textures look lovely—everything has detail etched into it and there is life in the scenery. Then other times, I will be walking through a castle or initiate a dialogue sequence and the textures on clothing and walls look like blurred, enlarged images—pixilated and jagged with no real life to them at all. Hopefully this issue will be fixed in an upcoming patch, but it really threw me off at times when I saw how horrible things looked when the textures didn't load properly. Another gripe I had with the graphics were the shadows—this isn't something the average gamer would probably notice, but the shadows were hard and fine. It seemed as if they were merely reflections on marble, colored black, even when my characters were standing on grass. It was slightly off-putting, but like I said, most people won't notice this so I'm brushing the matter aside. One thing I did love about the game, however, was the gore. After the first battle sequence fighting a dozen or so Giant Rats, my characters had blood splatters all over their face and body. I don't know whether this is a calculated thing or just aesthetic, but it's very nicely done.

Musically, Dragon Age: Origins impresses. The tracks for the game are lovely, and succeed in setting the mood for every occasion. Even during certain dialogue segments, the score changes to make you feel what the character is trying to say. For example, during a conversation with one of the main characters, the score subtly changed to a sad yet exciting song after talking about his past and culture, and I really started to pay attention to what he was saying. It affected me more because of the mood set by the background music, and I liked it a lot. Sadly, the same can't be said about the sound effects in the game—a lot of the time they seem very metallic or muted. Walking on different terrain doesn't change the sound of the characters' footsteps, and every weapon sounds the same as the next. As a result, a lot of the effects get repetitive, but this doesn't hinder enjoyment of the game.

Dragon Age: Origins is a great piece of work—one that will take over 50 hours to complete, while keeping you entertained the whole way through. The story is rich and dynamic, the graphics are lovely for the most part, the controls are great, and the music is fitting. I recommend this game to anyone who has the time to play and enjoy it—you won't be disappointed.

8.5 Graphics The graphics were great for the most part. The blood spatters and lighting effects were amazing, but the textures sometimes came off as a little too pixilated and rough. Here's hoping that the issue gets fixed in an upcoming patch. 7.5 Sound While the music for the game was lovely and intriguing, the sound effects were slightly under par. The music will make you emotional when you're meant to be, but the sound of walking on grass when your walking on wood will definitely not. 9.0 Gameplay Combat, movement, dialogue, customization. This game has it all, and all of it is lovely. Targeting is a little odd at times, but it doesn't really hinder the way the game plays out. You'll be entertained for hours, probably 50 or more. 9.0 Replay Value The story of Dragon Age is rich and dynamic. Your choices make all the difference in the game, making it impossible to re-live the same experience twice. In addition, the character background choice changes how the whole game plays out, making the game pl 8.5 Overall BioWare has done it again with Dragon Age: Origins. The game will keep you entertained and enthralled while the story plays out. The minor things won't really get to the general public, and the experience is great. A definite buy for anyone who can put th