Dragon Age: Origins Review

Authors note: This may be my last post for awhile, as I'd like to refocus my efforts in finding a better job.

It finally happened. I have dreamed for this day for so long, and it finally happened. I played a game that did justice to the classic PC RPG of my youth, and that game is Dragon Age Origins. There are plenty of numerical scores out there, and more insightful reviews than perhaps I could write myself. Suffice it to say, this game is an instant classic. This is one of those rare games, that make all the hassles we put up with as PC gamers, entirely worth it. This is the game that reaffirms my passion for this hobby. It's that good, and if you're even a light RPG fan, you need to at least try this game.

The graphics and special effects, especially given the game's relatively low system requirements, are breathtaking. The details that went into the visuals are simply amazing, and really adds to the immersion. The animation is among, if not the best, I've ever seen in a game. If you study the characters closely, everything about the way they move, and their facial expressions, is so lifelike, its almost like watching a live action movie.

The cinematic cutscenes are simply stunning to watch. The siege of the Darkspawn against the Ostagar fortress is like something out of one of the Lord of the Rings films. I'm pretty jaded, and most games don't really affect me emotionally. But watching the defenders fight against an unending horde of monsters, against all odds, was riveting! The dark, grim fantasy world that makes up the game's setting is depicted perfectly. The world really lives and breathes around you, with very convincing environments and cultures.

Fighting the undead army at Redcliffe. It's like Left 4 Dead - Medieval Style

The gameplay is amazing, truly capturing the nuances and depth that you'd expect from a pen & paper RPG. To be honest, it isn't quite as deep as what you might find in Baldur's Gate 2. It's been streamlined and modernized for the tastes (and intellectual capacity) of the average gamer. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Character development and strategic options are as robust and far reaching as you can find in an RPG on the market today. But you don't have to take a college level course in RPG mechanics to know what to do. However, a little trial and error may be necessary to find the best personal play style for you.

Don't go into the light!

The story is as ambitious and epic as the game itself. The characters are all very unique and developed. You'll learn more about them as you progress through the story, and maybe even get romantically involved with some of them. I'm still trying to get a handle on the fully realized plot that propels you through the epic adventure. But the gist of it is this: An event known as the blight as occurred in the world of Ferelden. A God has gone crazy and unleashed a horde of bloodthirsty monsters known as the Darkspawn. The world's best chance against them are the Grey Wardens, elite warriors from all races and fields of expertise, banded together to resist the horde.

Unfortunately, the Darkspawn aren't the only problem. It's an unstable world, with political factions and various peoples vying for power. It will be up to you and your group to unite Ferelden and race a mighty army to fight back the blight.

I can't say enough good things about this game. If you really want to appreciate it, you have to play it yourself. Merely describing it doesn't do this game justice. It would be no exaggeration to say it is a masterpiece. I'm probably biased, as I absolutely love these kind of games, and there are far too few of them. If anyone has wanted a new Baldur's Gate, or a better version of the more recent Neverwinter Nights series, this is it. But be warned, this game can be hard, even on normal version. This is not your average clickfest. You will be tested, you will be pushed to your limits, and the AI will punish your stupidity. This is a thinking gamer's RPG. Fast reflexes, are secondary to tactical thinking and you'll need to do a lot of it. If you're not careful this game will kick your ass, but it's so damn good you'll come back for more. I know I have!

The Nintendo DSi LL

Now Big Macs aren't the only thing you can super size.

Is it me, or are companies running out of ideas? When a company like Sony or Nintendo keep recycling their products, I get worried. Either they're short of creativity, or short on money. Now, I heard that this particular model is being aimed at the elderly. But how large a percentage of the DS using population do they represent? If this is the reason they're making this version of the DSi, I guess that's cool. But it still seems a little fishy.

If it were me, why stop at making a bigger screen that would be easy on the older eyes? I would take it even farther. You'd have to, to prove that it isn't just another money grab. So here's how I'd expand on the older person's DSi.

1. Add a pill storage. Make a small tray that can be inserted into the DS that will store the user's medications for safe keeping. Have an alert system that will temporarily pause the game to notify the user of when it's time to take their meds.

2. Include a countdown timer to the user's retirement, so that they know how much longer until they can quit their job and spend their pensions on more Nintendo products.

3. Include a sound amplifier for the hard of hearing.

4. Have a map that lists nearby hospitals and pharmacies in case of medical emergencies.

Bonus Stage #2: Things I Hate About the Internet

The bonus stage in Mortal Kombat, in which you competed with an opponent to see how many planks of wood you could break. This proved that the tournament competitors could serve a productive purpose - when they're not extracting various body parts with their bare hands for fun.

There are so many things to love about the net. But this post isn't going to be about that. It's finally time to get some things off my chest. These are the things about the internet that have continually pissed me off, and so now I feel like I have to vent about it. And you're fortunate it enough to get to read about it.

Please type the letters and numbers above to verify your account.

This is total and utter BS, and I'm freakin' sick of it. When you enter your name and password to log into a website, but you have to enter in distorted letters and/or numbers to verify. What a complete waste of my time. I'll hit the reload button several times before something comes up that's halfway legible. The letters, numbers, words or phrases are so bent out of shape, twisted, or unfocused as to make it almost impossible to get on the first try.

I understand this is to keep out bots, hackers and the like, but do I have to be bothered with this? I say come up with a better way or make the verification images clearer. I'm sick of unintentional mini-games like this.

"I understand you only want to check what the weather is going to be for this week, but we just need you to complete a five minute registration process."

I'm sick and damn tired of needing to register an account with every other website I come across to get some simple information, or even make a forum post. If I'm going to manage my finances online, require an account, if I'm going to buy something with my credit card, require an account. Fine, those are understandable. But sometimes I think it goes too far. I think some webmasters like to do this because it's a power trip. To have that information, to give or take away someone's access at a whim, or to just to prove to themselves they know how to do it. Give me a break. Am I so interesting that everyone wants to know who I am? What am I missing about myself that is so compelling?

My virus scanner found 1,356 problems! We'll fix them for you - for a price.

I hate the many applications available out there that claim they'll do something for free. We'll fix your computer's registry for free! We'll boost your PC's ram for free! We'll find viruses and malware for free! Or they'll invite you to download their application without any mention as to whether or not it will cost anything at all. Maybe its naive on my part, but a company should up front and honest about their software.

You download something, all the while thinking its freeware. When you finally take the time and trouble to get it running, you see a register button, or a subscription offer, or some such nonsense. Playing with a person's emotions, making them think you're gonna solve their computer problems, and not doing it until the user forks over 39.99, is just low. GTFO.

Dishonorable Mentions

1. Pop-ups

2. Spam

3. Spam in a foreign language

4. Commercials. I hate commercials. If I had my way I would ban all commercials, everywhere, period. Except maybe print advertisements. I understand that companies have to advertise, but when it gets to the point that it invades every facet of a person's life, enough is enough. If you're product is truly good, or necessary, you don't need to advertise, people will know about and buy it. If someone wants a service or product, they'll do the work to find it. If I'm wrong, I don't want to be right.

Games for Halloween

http://www.videogamecritic.net/halloween.htm

Here's a rundown of various horror themed games to have a look at, while I figure out how to save my PC.

Technology Sucks

Been having a lot of PC problems lately. It's been a real downer, especially after the hopes I had for the games coming out and Windows 7. Life as usual. Will try to review some games that actually work.

Left 4 Dead 2 Demo Available on Steam

Check out Steam for the playable demo of Left 4 Dead 2. The posts may be kind of short until November, when I'll hopefully have more to write about.

I decided to forgive Valve for their minor transgression. Releasing a sequel too early, without supporting the original game as promised was not good. But what Infinity Ward did with Modern Warfare 2 is far, far worse.

Dingoo Review

I've been pretty busy lately, setting my PC up with Windows 7 for example. And obsessing over the Dingoo A320! There's something thrilling about seeing your favorite games from the past on a mobile device. I had so many roms put onto this thing it was insane. If you're going to get snowed in this winter, or if you're going to get dropped on a desert island, get this thing.

I wish I could write a fully detailed review, but I doubt its necessary. There has been enough coverage and enough critiques of the product to pretty much cover it. But I can still give my initial impressions and recount my personal experience with it.

First, I want to go over the price. At a mere $100, you get more out of the box than you would have to buy the N:DS or PSP. This goes to show you how powerful and awesome the independent electronics companies can be. You get earbuds, a TV-out cable, a USB cable, a wall charger, and the unit itself. For the features, open source capabilities and convenience of the Dingoo, the price is so right. Get a mini-SD card to expand its 4 gigabyte memory capacity and you've got everything you need.



Above is a youtube clip of the Dingoo working on a TV set. This was by far the best feature for me. It's not perfect (maybe it was the TV I was running it on), but the fact that the option is there to run it on a big screen is awesome.

Loading roms onto the Dingoo is remarkably easy. All you have to do is connect it to your PC via the USB cable and drag and drop the desired rom files into their respective emulation folders. The sound quality is pretty decent, both from the small bottom speakers and through headphones. The screen is noticeably smaller than those of the PSP and the DS, but still not too bad. However, if you're playing a game with particular small text, you may want to hook it up to a TV monitor.

In addition to being an awesome portable gaming device, the Dingoo can also play video, music, display text, has a microphone, and can act as an image viewer, oh yeah, and as if that wasn't enough, its a radio too. If you're looking for a cheap, all-in-one device, its hard not to recommend the Dingoo. Its a perfect multimedia device for someone on a budget. Its light, compact, yet sturdy. The product is currently available on thinkgeek.com