Dragon Age: Origins is the first in a new franchise from role-playing powerhouse BioWare, and while its swords ‘n' sorcery setting may, at first glance, appear to be the result of an especially fruitful attempt at robbing J.R.R. Tolkien's grave, don't let that fool you.

Well-written characters and story line; challenging but not frustrating tactical battles; hours of content

A huge graphical leap backward from Mass Effect; unabashedly tailored toward experienced RPG players

I feel like I need to start the review with an apology, and not just an apology but one that goes two ways. Both EA and the Fragland regulars should be on the receiving end because I'm late with summing up my thoughts on this game. The reason for my tardiness is twofold.

I need to start this review by saying that I haven't finished Dragon Age: Origins. The game is just too big, and after almost a month of playing I still haven't even cracked the game.

What, no hobbits? Bioware are one of my favourite development teams of recent years. From the original Baldurs Gate, through the fantastic Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and up to last years Mass Effect, all of their games have been a huge success in my eyes.

Graphics and sound are of a very high quality; Easily 40+ hours of engaging gameplay; not including replays; A deep and intriguing storyline; Western RPG gaming at its best

Some slight lip sync issues; Follows the standard Bioware format; more linear than it pretends to be

Occasionally, I'll sit back for a moment, wondering why I even play games in the first place. Sometimes I just burn through them in a few hours for the sake of collecting achievement points. Other times I'll become bored fairly early on and they just become currency for my next trade-in.

An amazing RPG that sets some new heights with very little to criticise. An great story coupled with fantastic characters and lots of replay value make Dragon Age: Origins easily the best RPG of the last few years.

Great storyline; great combat and party system influenced from Mass Effect and Baldur's Gate; stunning narrative elements and conversation trees

Sporadically terrible graphics; party management in combat can be confusing

Once every few hundred years, the Darkspawn Blight comes to the fair lands of Ferelden. Agents of darkness, bringers of evil, these unholy creatures cut great swathes of pain across the earth.

As gamers, we are always looking for the best possible deal when it comes to how we spend our hard earned cash. We deserve a product that is not only enjoyable but worth every penny we pay for it.

BioWare delivers yet again. Evil beings have an excuse, they only know the darkness, but […]

+ Deep combat; + Outstanding story; + Huge scope

Environments are meh; Uneven difficulty; Not enough potions

The above is just a taste of what Dragon Age: Origins offers. There is also a crafting system, interacting magic, and an elegant user interface that makes the game an ease to play.

Rich, deep setting; chess-like tactical combat; brings role playing back to the RPG

No multiplayer; player's character lacks a voice of his own; very challenging gameplay