Well, I just got the ultimate edition of Dragon Age: Origins as a gift. Just about to install this and give it a whirl. I hope I have fun. Any advice for a first timer like me? I already know not to expect another Mass Effect.

Bump. So I'm almost finished with this game (one main quest left) I avoided a lot of sidequests after going through a few at the beginning and thought they were boring. But I did the orphanage s.q in alienage I enjoyed it. What are some good s.q to do? I only have the core game.

Well i finally finished this game. Took me a little over 40 hours. That last boss was such a pita. Took me about 15 times before i finally beat him. Enjoyed the music and voice acting. Graphics were okay. The story just didn't grab me until the end and felt like another run of the mill rpgs that brings nothing new to the table. Although i did think the Fade was pretty cool. I don't think i'll be buying the second unless they improve on the combat system to a more action rpg feel.

I sort of felt the same way, but I really like what I am seeing out of Dragon Age 2...if there EVER was a demo that would help this game, this would be it...especially if they did improve combat as much as they said they did.

Finally getting around to playing this. I pre-ordered it and have had it since release day. Yes, my backlog is 18 months long.

It took a while to get into, with the inventory management being especially daunting and off-putting because of all the choices, tiers, and stats involved. I get quickly frustrated with games where I spend more time on trying to figure out what to equip, what to save, and what to sell than on anything else. I also made the mistake of choosing a Mage character for my first playthrough, and I'm sure that the combat system is easier to learn using a Warrior. Now I'm hooked and enjoying it a lot, but I have to say I greatly prefer Mass Effect in both story and gameplay.

I have all the DLC (plus Awakenings) too, bought during XBL sales. I played the ones that are accessible through the main game questline already.

Well at least you won't get to the end and be like "Well, fuck, now I have to wait a year before playing the story out more" Nope, you just go to the store and buy part 2. Or, 7 by the time you finish that.

Well, good news: you don't have to worry about that in the sequel. Pretty much every weapon or piece or armor you get in Dragon Age II is worthless unless it's a unique item.

Eh, I learned a really good lesson from this game: wait for the Ultimate Edition that's eventually cheaper and includes all the DLC. I probably won't be in any rush to play part II anyway, based on most of the reactions I've heard.

I can relate to that -- I felt the same way about the dumbed-down inventory system (and level progression/skill assignments) in Mass Effect. I greatly preferred the first game in those areas. Still, there's an overwhelming variety of "stuff" to deal with in Dragon Age Origins for us in-game hoarders who feel the need to collect and compare every available item.

I wasn't a big fan of the dumbed-down inventory system in ME 2, but really appreciated it in DA2. I hoarded so much shit that I never used in Origins, mostly crafting materials, that I would spend half my time playing in the inventory screen.

Big bump, sorry. The Origins Ultimate edition is on clearance at Target but all wording is in French. Anyone know how this will play? I'm hoping you still can select English?

It's not like there is much dialogue in this game, I wouldn't worry about it.

The only thing I didn't like about the Mass Effect inventory was how cluttered it was. That's the only thing the sequel improved. Sadly, the sequels were more shooters and less RPG.

I'd love for a remake of all three games with the graphics/audio of the sequels but the level of customization of the first game.

Is the box art in French? I find it very odd Target would be selling a different version. I also picked up a clearance version at Target about a year ago for $6, but mine looked like this

Yup, that's the exact one except all the text on back is in French. I went ahead and bought it, if it doesn't work I'll return it.

Ha ha?

Perhaps you accidentally moved to Canada. I once bought a DVD that had a lot of French on the back because it was intended for Canada.