Words cannot describe how much I love this game, so allow me to describe it in words. Crafted by the same studio that has made some of my favorite RPGs of all time, Dragon Age answers the question of whether or not Bioware can create a compelling medieval fantasy RPG that isn't D&D based. The answer is a resounding yes. While containing many of the trappings of past RPGs like Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate, Dragon Age works its own magic by offering three classes that can be customized by an almost infinite amount, six different origin stories for the player character, and doing away with the traditional good/evil morality mechanic in favor of one based on individual party approval or disapproval of your actions.

Each character in your party is believable and compelling, likeable for different reasons, and some can be romanced or change their outlook depending on how the story progresses. Every major questline can have different outcomes depending on player choices and it's this feeling of agency in the world that keeps the replay value in this game. Dragon Age has often been called a dark RPG and rightly so, as the story is much less straight forward than a typical RPG. Often you will find yourself having to deal with choices where there is no clear cut "good" or "evil" outcome which is part of why player choice feels so meaningful.

And on top of all that, the game is a lot of fun. I remember the first time playing this game and saying "this is the game that Neverwinter Nights 2 should have been!" It still holds up, probably even more so against its sequel which in some ways is unfortunate. If you love western RPGs and loved the past work of Bioware, you will love this game. I give it two severed darkspawn thumbs way up!