Bioware is on Fire – Dragon Age: Origins
PC, Xbox 360 | Gavin M. | November 3, 2009 at 12:38 am
Bioware is a model of consistency. Their titles, and the third party titles released using Bioware technology, are normally of such high quality that the company has rightfully garnered an excellent reputation for products that live up to their hype and surpass the expectations of critics. The level of consumer trust is such that it is now assumed that any purchase of a Bioware game will not be a waste of money. The level of commitment to quality originates from key personnel, such as Dr. Muzyka and Dr. Zeschuk, who innovate and deliver on promises. I rarely actively seek out titles from a specific developer and in fact, I tend to come across Bioware’s games usually by chance. Having never been disappointed with their work, and maintaining the belief that their attention to quality will surely continue with Dragon Age: Origins, I will outline some great Bioware games that I have enjoyed since the developer’s inception.
Oddly, my first Bioware experience was with Knights of the Old Republic (Metacritic score of 94%). Despite the level of acclaim that it had achieved, I only purchased a copy of the game near the tail end of its shelf life. While playing it on the original XBOX, I was very impressed by the amount of detail to the Star Wars universe and shocking storyline. This was one of the first games that fully engrossed me in its world and imparted the feeling of being able to influence more than just the body count. Being able to determine whether you were a good or bad character on the fly was a relatively new concept, while somewhat crude, and helped to move the story forward the way you saw fit. Even thought the combat system was not in real-time, this was not a detriment to the experience and in many ways improved the aesthetic feel. Even today, the game maintains a large following which eagerly looks forward to a sequel.
Eventually I came across another Bioware product – Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (Metacritic score of 95%). In many circles this is considered the epitome of the RPG genre. I was actually overwhelmed with the amount of options and things to do, but was able to manage my way through it even as a newcomer to the genre. Without a doubt, this was one of my richest experiences in gaming. While the bird’s eye perspective could be off-putting to some players who crave graphics, it was helpful strategically and eventually the art would grow on you. The story is deep and engaging while the interactions with other characters will have the player making morally grey decisions that will keep them second-guessing themselves. There is so much to do that the player could get lost, but for some players that is just part of the fun.
Then came along the real-time combat RPG, Jade Empire (Metacritic score of 89%). Yet again, the game continued with the high quality and attention to detail inherent in a Bioware game, did well with critics, and was a fun experience overall. The attractive visuals and serviceable RPG elements combined with real-time combat made it an accessible title for many audiences but lacked the depth desired by some. The game introduced a new universe based on ancient China with characters that were at times hilarious and others that made you want to skip the dialogue and destroy them. Eventually your mission to free the empire sways away from the typical and enters the spirit realm where mythical elephants and tigers with fighting styles of their own must be defeated. With the way philosophy was intelligently weaved into the story making you question which side you were on, it was a pity when the game finally ended as it felt too soon. Luckily, there are rumors of a sequel.
Mass Effect, the popular space opera, was my most recent Bioware experience (Metacritic score of 91%). Straying away from the turn-based combat of Knights of the Old Republic and the real-time hand-to-hand combat of Jade Empire, Mass Effect was Bioware’s shooter-RPG. As a basic shooter with RPG elements, the title mixed stunning visuals and thousands of lines of dialogue resulting in an unforgettable film-like experience which was bolstered with downloadable content and an upcoming sequel. The intricate storyline keeps you constantly engaged in Shepherd’s efforts, needing to know what happens next, with a dialogue system that yields some fantastic moral shaking moments at the push of a button. The journey of a soldier who is enlisted to save the universe from evil, sometimes at all costs, is one that harkens back to Star Wars and is one that people seem to jump at.
I have omitted two notable exceptions from Bioware’s arsenal: the original Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights (both scoring 91% on Metacritic). The reason I have done is simply because I have not had the opportunity to fully experience them but it is important to note that they were also well received. From my perspective, it seems like nearly every Bioware game reeks of quality and tries to push its genre forward. As a result, the company has grown at an overwhelming pace and both Muzyka and Zeschuk have been named in Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 list. It appears that their decision to change occupations has paid off. Their most recent title, Dragon Age: Origins, is surely to be as good or better than most of their past products and some onlookers anticipate that DA:O could be the essential RPG of this console generation. The game has an ambitious and dark storyline spanning roughly 80 hours and incorporates a deep RPG system. If history is an indicator, it is a safe bet that this title will sell well and some predict even challenging for game of the year awards. We would be lucky if more developers put the kind of effort into their work as Bioware does.
What are some of your favorite Bioware titles? Is Dragon Age: Origins going to experience the same success as the previous Bioware games? Please let us know by commenting below. No registration required to comment.
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Aw yeah, Kotor, that was such an awesome game… Still haven’t played Mass Effect but I’m gonna get around it. And something about Jade Empire’s aesthetic didn’t appeal to me. You don’t hear about that game anymore…
This article is a little strange though. It feels like straight-up solicitation for Bioware. If you were trying to give us a feeling for their games and what to expect with Origins… well, you didn’t *really* provide any negatives about the games, so you’ve given us an inaccurate portrayal. A thorough comparison of Bioware’s games and how their strengths and weaknesses have evolved over time would be really cool, but that’s definitely not what this is. I think more thought should have been put into the concept behind this article.
@ Guest
Lol, what weaknesses, Bioware is leet and has no weaknesses.
@ Guest,
Weaknesses are mentioned:
- Jade Empire’s shortness,
- Mass Effect’s light RPG elements and shooter mechanics,
- the art style and perspective of BG:SOA were not appealing to some people,
- KOTOR’s good & evil system was a little weak.
Gavin,
I don’t see any criticism given for Mass Effect and you don’t explain what made Kotor’s good and evil system crude. You mention that it’s “on-the-go” but I don’t see how it’s more so than Fable’s, or even why that makes it crude.
You did mention fair weaknesses for the other two.
You’re definitely right about Bioware’s track record – lots of great games comin’ outta there and it’s completely valid to predict Origins being a great game. But, I don’t think your discussion of the older games really enlightens us. I know plenty of people were disappointed by Jade Empire and Mass Effect, but you seem to believe this didn’t happen. It seems to me that instead of educating us, what you’ve done is increased the hype – unduly.
@ Gavin,
No worries bud you’re fine, article is great, but I’m a huge fanboy of Bioware and even the shortness of their games does not degrade the quality of their titles. Last time I checked a short story is not a weakness.
It is a weakness when you pay $60 dollars for it.
Bioware builds games of such epic proportions that I am frequently overwhelmed with the amount of things I can do and I often get lost, not that its always a bad thing
Excellent article…this brings me back! It makes me want to play the old games like Baldur’s Gate again…sigh. Those were the days! “Go for the eyes, Boo, go for the eyes!”
@ “@Admir J”
By that logic, since most games cost $60, developers should artificially lengthen the stories to mirror the price, not what would actually work for the story?
That doesn’t sound right…
just bought dragon age:origins yesterday. only had about 2 maybe 3 hrs of playtime and it is AMAZING! love the game so far. the combat is REALLY REALLY fun rpg-style.
sorry my comment doesnt really give any insight but the game is fun and well worth $60. (49.99 @ walmart i got the PC version too btw)
Proud owner of Baulder’s Gate2,Kotor 1&2, jade empire, and now Dragon Age.
also i am sure the game is pretty long but the cheesy part of the game is the “Origins” part.
AKA basically the same storyline to be played through with 6 different character ‘origins’ with slight differences to give the game more ‘bulk’
@ Dylan,
Exactly. The guy commenting to me is only taking into count the story, the gameplay and others is what he is missing, those make up for the $60 price.
I stopped reading at, “This was one of the first games that fully engrossed me in its world…”. If the author has such limited experience with games, why should anyone care what they have to say? I know I didn’t.
I had to forcibly take a break from Origins so that I didn’t starve myself. The game is amazing.
Bioware are masters of their craft. It simply amazes how much content they can put in their games and still crank them out at breakneck pace (compared to other developers).
Bioware does rock… their games rock but its funny you mention quality because Mass Effect is pretty glitchy… probably the most of any game I’ve played. I did love it though… luckily the glitches didn’t take away from me playing it 4 times and getting all achievements for it and DLC.
I’m noticing some glitches in Origins too, in one conversation my character disappeared, and in another his arms locked strait forward so he looked like a zombie after brains. And that’s only after a couple hours of play!
At least its not as bad as Mass Effect, which crashed CONSTANTLY.
But I think it says something for the game, if I could get through Mass Effect doing all the side quests and touring every planet with it crashing every hour, something must have kept me going. That something is the story, Bioware creates such great characters, worlds, and stories that I would trudge through a river of shit just to see what happens next.
Doesnt hurt that I like the gameplay in Origins better than mass effect either, classic pause-and-plan is awesome.
@Admir J
Neverwinter nights 1 and 2 were giant abortions. They redeemed themselves slowly with Kotor and Jade empire, and finally with Mass effect. But even then they are at the edge of good, since NWN was such a steaming pile of crap.
some of these comments just go to show you that it is impossible to please some people. Bioware could have put a 100 dollar bill and a discount card to a strip club and people would still complain because they didn’t get a free lap dance.
@ CaptainAhab,
I’m just talking from what I’ve seen on the consoles.
Jade Empire! Think it has the best dialogue and quite a lot of humour. Dragon age is fun, but for me nowhere close to the fun I had with Jade Empire, the only real flaw was the darn long loading screens…
I loved Kotr and Mass Effect, I spent countless hours on those two games. I thought Jade empire was ok, but I never really got into it.
Also Gavin, just a heads up the screen shot you have up for Kotr is actualy from Kotr II which was made by Obsidian.
Definitely. Bioware is one of the most amazing developers of our time. My first experience dated back to Baldur’s Gate I, and gosh, it was unforgettable. Mass effect is hands down one of the most amazing space action RPG ever created, and i loved every single part of it – storyline – graphics – voice – interaction. Not many game developers managed to achieve such immersive-ness in their games.
Bless bioware, and we hope you keep coming up with such quality games and set a high gaming standard!
“Even today, the game maintains a large following which eagerly looks forward to a sequel.”
It’s called KOTOR 2 out.. ages ago.
The best release ever was Baldur’s Gate 2, couple with the expansion it was ludicrously epic. The best part was how awesomely powerful you got (as a lvl 24ish sorceror). The “Stop time” was a personal favourite of mine. I’ll never forget when that monk betrays your too. Amazing story. Sheer awesomeness.
I’m on… i dunno, hour 40+ maybe of dragon age. Currently, umm… interacting with Blanka the paragon.
I couldnt’ put Mass Effect down either, that had a great, rich story that I just had to see the conclusion of.
@Sam
I assume either that he doesn’t count KOTOR 2 as a true sequel, since Bioware didn’t make it, or he means that everyone is still awaiting a sequel to KOTOR 2. Sorry for the confusion.
What about Icewind Dale? Another great Bioware (Black Isle) game set in the Baldur’s Gate engine!
All of the environments and maps in Baldur’s Gate are hand drawn and beautiful. You have to be joking to say they aren’t amazing.
This game has got me hooked in a serious way. The only way out is through…
http://www.mepreport.com/2009/11/procrastination-or-death-by-dragon-age/
Yeah sorry man, mass effect was ok but it cant hold a candle to HalfLife.
The expansions added way more playability in most cases. Not just new player models or a couple maps
Not until they break free from Activision.
Not until they break free from Activision.
Not until they break free from Activision.
Yeah sorry man, mass effect was ok but it cant hold a candle to HalfLife.
I played this game on Xbox 360. It is AMAZING!
Codec. . Umm Super Mario is better than GoW.
Summary of article Bioware games rock socks. Dragon age will probaby do the same. P. S Ive played it and it does.
Baldurs Gate Butt kicking for goodness!
I played this game on Xbox 360. It is AMAZING!
Baldurs Gate Butt kicking for goodness!