Gather your party and venture forth?
posted by Taladryel (NEW YORK, NY) Nov 21, 2009
Member since Feb 2009
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The title of this review - a phrase encountered quite frequently in the game - is a throwback to Baldur's Gate, another Bioware RPG franchise. In a way, Origins is not unlike the old Baldur's Gate that looks more like Mass Effect (and plays more like yet another throwback, Knights of the Old Republic - but without the lightsabers).
For the uninitiated, Origins is basically a more-evolved RPG - you design your character, pick his or her background, and set off on an adventure to, ultimately, save the world by virtue of hacking or blasting some arch-bad guy thing to death. Character customization comes from a combination of stats, classes, skills (like poison-making), and "talents" (actual abilities to use in combat, like fireball or shield bash). There are also sub-classes (like Templar or Spirit Healer) that can be unlocked giving access to additional talents.
Combat is very KOTOR-ish. It's real time, with your character doing basic attacks and whatever talents (shield smash) you trigger. Meanwhile, your party members each do their own thing (you do get the ability to set detailed combat behaviors though). However, you can also pause at any time to issue specific commands, and switch party members at will. Fairly easy to pick up, but the fights themselves can be challenging at times.
Bioware's strength has always been open-ended stories set in detailed worlds. Origins is no different. You have a broad set of goals, but how you achieve them is your business. Be good, be evil, be in-between, have (or don't have) romantic relationships, pick up (or ignore) dozens of side quests - it's all up to you.
On the whole, Origins is "next-gen KOTOR" or "Mass Effect without guns and with more depth". A few things could have been done a bit better, but on the whole, the Bioware formula is very well executed. One side note, however - the game does include liberal graphic bloodletting and suggestive themes (e.g. a functioning brothel). Little Timmy's parents beware.
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