Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening

I've recently finished the expansion pack to the game which I think has got to be the game that I've played for the longest time ever. So you know, I really love me some Dragon Age. Awakening picks up right after the events of Origins, but takes place on different part of Ferelden. So, you'll be exploring a completely new map.

You can import your character from the first game or create a new warden which immediately starts at level 18. Interestingly, should you start a new character, you will be a Warden from the neighbouring country of Orlais and the locals will be a little skeptical towards you, whereas your imported character will be lauded as the Hero of Ferelden.

There be DRAGONS in this game!

Among the new additions in the expansion are an expanded set of talents for each class, a higher tier of equipments (now goes up to level 9), rune crafting, armour enchantment, and you will now have the option to re-spec your character at any time. You'll also spend the time in Amaranthine with an all new cast of companions, and 1 old one. From a gameplay perspective, the additions are standard expansion stuff. It makes the best of what already works and give a little more.

Over the last 100 hours or so, I've come to really love the gameplay, but the reason why I really love the game itself was my emotional attachment to the characters and the immersive world of Ferelden. This is where Awakening falls flat. Your new companions aren't as well defined as your old ones and nowhere near as interesting. You can't even initiate a conversation with them when the game doesn't want you to.

The story also lacks the somewhat epic feel that the original had. The choices you'll be making in Awakening feel weak compared to those in Origins. It's also a disappointment that they tie the story so little with your previous quest and worse still, the game retcons some crucial choices you made in Origins. For a game which emphasizes story as its own gameplay, its almost unforgivable.

And talking Darkspawns!

Most disappointing though is that all the new add-ons are only available in the Awakening game, which is actually a completely separate game (when you choose new game you'll have the options of Origins or Awakening). So you won't have those new skill sets if you were to start a new game of Origins. It's a real bummer since at most, Awakenings is only 20% the length of Origins. Also, it costs a good RM140, a mere RM20 cheaper than the much longer Origins.

Awakening did gave me a good time playing, but it's does little to add to the experience of Origins, which I still think is a better game. Unless you're really dying for new contents for Dragon Age, you can sit this one out till it's cheaper, or maybe just wait for a full-fledged sequel completely.