If you are a fan of Bioware’s PC role playing game Baldur’s Gate, this one will be right up your alley. You can choose from one of five unique origins story and begin an epic journey that will take you across the land of Ferelden. You’ll meet memorable characters and partake in battle with dangerous foes and explote exotic places.

The game has a deep combat system that can be played either in turn-based fashion or in real time. You can also take up to three other party members into combat and use skills or spells to gain an edge in battle.

Dragon Age places players in the hot seat as decisions players make will inevitably affect direction. So if you’re looking for an epic role-playing game to sink your teeth into Dragon Age: Origins is the one to look out for.

This game is available in PC, Xbox360 and also Playstation 3.

Product Features

• Scalable combat options that let you decide the level of control you have over your party, including NPCs. Issue orders, set your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge.
• 6 possible playable preludes known as ‘Origin Stories’ which along with your play, define how your hero character will see the world, how it sees you and sets the tone for the entire story.
• Travel across the vast and varied lands of Ferelden; from the conspiratorial halls of the last great dwarven city, Orzammar, to the untamed snarls of the Korcari Wilds.
• Dragon Age: Origins will give you deep character customization options including: class, race, appearance, abilities, and equipment.
• At the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Decide the fate of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence.

What’s good:

Bioware RPG’s always have great stories with deep background and entertaining character interactions. This one does not disappoint. New for this game are multiple character opening stories– hence the “origins” in the title. Depending on your class and race, you experience an extended opening that really sets the stage for your character and gives you something to think about. The opening for the mage included two quests to play through and a several difficult decisions to make before it merged with the main story line.

Voice acting is excellent, graphics are good and 1080p (though nothing like Metal Gear Solid or GTA4). Combat is fast, furious, and just a little out of control– and exciting.

What’s bad:

I had hoped to see the next generation of RPG, but the game’s architecture feels like reused modules from other Bioware games. Character gen is from Mass Effect, 3rd person view and movement from KOTOR, inventory mechanics and interface much like Baldur’s Gate. It’s all competently designed, but feels a little worn. But maybe Bioware is suffering from Pixar Syndrome – if it doesn’t outdo itself with each new release it seems plain.

My only real complaint is that character attributes and abilities are not sufficiently explained. The small paper manual says things are explained in detail in the in-game help but that is not the case.

Lastly:

Be aware that this game isn’t suitable for kids. It’s a mature game with some disturbing subject matter– that’s why Bioware calls it a “dark fantasy.” Kudos to Bioware for aiming for a serious game, but know what you’re buying before putting it on the holiday gift list for your little ones. (Wait until after they’re in bed and have an epic time playing it yourself!)

For years and years, gamers have played many different Batman video games and have only been let down time after time. Now, Batman: Arkham Asylum IS that Batman game that you have always wanted to play. It satisfies every part of you Batman desires and really gives you the feeling that you ARE Batman.

From the strength and power to the gadgets to the stealth and surprise you can bring toward your enemy, it is quite a marvel that a game developer finally got it right.

The Joker has taken total control over Arkham island and Batman needs to hunt him down to stop him, but not without going through many of Batman’s familiar villians in the process.

Batman’s gadgets come in handy often, most of the time you will be using his ‘detective mode’ which is built into the cowl and gives you the ability to see important items in the room and clues to lead you in the right direction.

There will be some moments where you find yourself just playing with all of Batman’ gadgets for 10-15 minutes because there are so many of them to play with. (It feeds your inner dork so it’s okay!)

Gameplay mechanics are solid and I have yet to find a defect in them or any glitches. Fighting is very enjoyable, because you can be surrounded by 6-10 enemies and everytime an enemy is about to attack you hit the counter-attack button and continue to fight off all of them at once. Very fun.

The graphics are amazing and highly detailed like you would expect from a PS3.

Voice-over work is superb and Mark Hamill, as The Joker, really steals the show. If they gave out Oscars for Best Video Game Voice-Over Performance then Hamill would easily win it for this game!

All in all, Batman games have been so poor for so long, it is exciting to see a Batman game done right and this is worthy of a $60 purchase.

Go and get it and play it with the lights off in the dark with the sound blasting.

Key Features

• Utilize the unique FreeFlow combat system to chain together unlimited combos seamlessly and battle with huge groups of The Joker’s henchmen in brutal melee brawls.
• Investigate as Batman, the world’s greatest detective, by solving intricate puzzles with the help of cutting edge forensic tools including x-ray scanning, fingerprint scans, ‘Amido Black’ spray and a pheromone tracker.
• Face off against Gotham’s greatest villains including The Joker, Harley Quinn, Victor Zsasz and Killer Croc.
• Become the Invisible Predator with Batman’s fear takedowns and unique vantage point system to move without being seen and hunt enemies.
• Choose multiple takedown methods, including swooping from the sky and smashing through walls, and use the predator camera get a closer look at the action.
• Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island, presented for the first time ever in its gritty and realistic entirety.
• Experience what it’s like to be Batman using batarangs, explosive gel aerosol, the Batclaw, sonar resonator and the line launcher.
• Unlock more secrets by completing hidden challenges in the world and develop and customize equipment by earning experience points.
• Enjoy complete superhero freedom in the environment with the use of Batman’s grapple to get to any place you can see, jump from any height and glide in any direction.
• PlayStation 3 exclusive Joker Challenge Map DLC.

This game also available in Xbox360 and PC. Let’s enjoy the trailer, you will feel the vicious Joker.