The landsmeet is one of those gaming moments where everything comes together in a game that is unmatched in pretty much any other game. I like the landsmeet more than the actual ending of the game. A true masterclass of player driven storytelling with a combination of calculated and unforeseen actions and consequences. I've yet to see any game other than disco Elysium match this level of roleplay focused storytelling.
In today's day, in age, when we are getting remasters of games, not even 5 years old, I pray someone who has the balls takes it upon themselves to remaster this game. God, just a little touch-up on graphics and stability is honestly enough. If you go any further, it is just icing on the cake.
It’s been a long time since I played Origins (for the billionth time) this was a really lovely reminder of all of its many strengths. Great work as usual!!
Funny enough, the playthrough I did this I was playing a female mage, although their relationship ended because I refused Morrigan's ritual, and Alistair took the killing blow against the Archdemon to sacrifice himself and save me (even though I told him and Riordan I was willing to do it myself)
This game does A LOT right, but more than anything else for me it’s the characters. I have never had a best bro vibe as hard as Alistair, or had a love interest leave me as smitten as Morrigan. I’ve been chasing the high of this party in every RPG I’ve played in the 12+ years since I stumbled across this gem in the bargain bin while waiting on ME3 to drop. Best $19 I ever spent
For me I was best bros with Alistair and Zevran… Leliana though… Yeah I have a type 🤷♂️ Sue me. I got the game on release day, it was the premise that sold me on it. Just a hunch that the game would be great.
Love the Wheel Of Time quote fitting perfectly with the ending of the video! This game always draws reminders of that series from the Quenari culture feeling alien like the Aiel, the Tranquil reminding me of the Gentled, Mage Town making me think of the White Tower, and of course the Blight. It is something i feel isnt talk about and goes unnoticed.
Btw, I replayed dao just recently and when coming to the village for the Urn of Sacred Ashes, Sten haven’t tried to duel my Warden. Of course, he confronted me, but with high approval and some, I believe so, logical choices in dialogue, it didn’t come to him trying to take the lead. Instead he said something along the lines: “You know, I deeply respect you and it’s not your goal I’m against, but your way of achieving it.” Exactly how the author of the video portrayed Sten’s motivations. Good job! 👍 Love this character so much too. Especially after replaying the game, cause the first time I was a kid which couldn’t fully understand his point of view, that resulted in a huge amounts of disapproval and save scamming back then 😅
I haven't yet finished the video, but hearing how you discuss Sten feels so strange and amazing. I first played Dragon Age Origins at six years old, and it is my favorite game of all time because of all of these things, something I've desperately looked for in others. Yet, it also led to some more... interesting decisions in-game... As a six-year-old, my understanding was rather subpar, and naturally, it still is. However, because my dad has always hated Sten and said that he always killed him or left him in the cage, I did, too. Never did I look deeper into his character. Six playthroughs later, I still haven't, but I will go back now, just to give Sten a fair chance. Maybe even get my dad to replay and try to understand him a little better too. This is a great reminder for me to make my own judgments and not blindly follow what I'm told. (I really just did whatever my dad did back then, even named the mabari the same thing he did... Deadmeat... y e p ) (Will be changing the name to something less mean.)
So refreshing listening to you gush over Sten so much. Most videos just worship Alistair and Morrigan to the point where it's just boring hearing the same things over and over now. I also didn't know many of the things you brought up cause I wasn't really a fan of Sten's design at the time so I just didn't bring him around with me lol
I think DAO manages to capture a lot of classic themes at once and not stretching it too long. Every place you go to is representative of classic fantasy culture. The stoic dwarfs demand they can handle themselves, the noble, wild elves distrust you until you prove yourself an ally, the mages unleashed problems almost rivaling your actual main threat. And all culminating in the unification of the nation to battle an uncompromisingly evil force to save the world.
Even after playing this game two times you made me learn more about it. I never knew, how deep of a connection I hold to this masterpiece. Shame to EA for ruining everything and shame to people from current Bioware for tryjng to touch this franchise without proper care.
On my og playthrough i didnt harden Alistair and got him to marry the other woman, but i spared Logain, it hurt to see him hate me tbh. But in my mind, Logain is too valuable an asset to kill. And ngl, i didnt regret what i did, it felt like the right choice to me tbh.
I last replayed the whole Dragon Age series back in the early days of quarantine when we all found ourselves with a lot of time on our hands, and I was also pleasantly surprised how well Origins (and Awakening which I hadn't played before) held up. On the subject of Sten, I really do wish they'd had the time or had chosen to give him horns like the Qunari we see in 2 and beyond, as was supposedly originally the case. Sten is a good character, but ends up being a bad introduction to the Qunari as a faction, since they're already kind of confusing since there are both Qunari the race, and the religion. Given how interesting they are in the lore, and future games, I wish they hadn't introduced them with a character who could be mistaken as just a human warrior from a specific tribe, it feels like Origins' biggest fumble to me. I'll be curious what you think of Dragon Age 2 if you do make a video about it, speaking as one of the three remaining defenders of it who survived the great purge. I hope Bioware gets their act together for 4, but I guess we'll see soon enough.
I totally get what you mean with that! It seems like the developers have the lore or concept written out pretty vague and each new game is an opportunity to better articulate the current vision. The Qunari are a great example of that (In fact I actually like their design in two the best, they look really distinct than big humans with horns or big humans). As for Dragon Age 2 I would love to cover it, and as a taste of what is to come, you can add a 4th to your ranks lol.
In 2 the quanari had physical changes based on class and rank was so good like the mage you escort was so different from unlike other characters/races minor changes-
When I first played DA:Origins as a teen I loathed Loghain MacTir, even when I discovered the spoiler about his motivations, but now as an adult who has thought about the concept of salvation I wondered how everything changes if Duncan conscripts Loghain at any point before Ostagar. I find it somewhat unfortunate you didn't mention the secretest character: Murder Knife. Playing Renegade in Mass Effect certainly had amazing moments but there isn't quite anything like playing the male City Elf and waking up a guard sleeping at his post just to slit his throat: "Huh?" "I just wanted you awake for this" *slit* "Cousin... that was _harsh_ even for us". And in any playthrough there is walking up to the merchant price-gouging people fleeing the Darkspawn through Lothering (which I always pronounced as loath-er-ing): "You ought to charge lower prices" "It's my stuff to sell so what if I sell high to these people? I could not sell anything at all!" "That's a good idea" *stab with murder knife* "He-hey! Free stuff for everyone!". Has there been anything quite like the dialogue-option kills in Dragon Age:Origins since then?
DA:O is one of the most foundational pieces of media for me, I think. I grew up playing it in middleschool, and it was there for me in some really rough moments of my life. I remember the Chantry, and the Mages Tower so clearly... The fade is just. UGH. Moments that will always stay with me... 1. "Have you ever... licked a lamppost in winter...?" I was watching my mom play the game and she had apparently made it her mission to have her warden romance every single party member at one point. I don't know how she did it. 2. Making buddies with the demons in the fade in the mage's opening story. Oh! I was so excited to kill Jowen when I saw him next that BASTARD. And I was also a lil sad I didn't get to talk more to my lil demon buddy in the later fade segment... 3. the broodmother in the deep roads.... awful. AWFUL. I couldn't get myself to play the game more after the first time I came across it at like 9, and then didn't have the chuztpah until I was in highschool 4. Very very dutifully making sure my dog found the perfect place to piss on every map 5. the sword mage mini quest that gets you the spirit from the jar as a mage... I played as an elf mage so it. gh. such a good moment.
This is such an awesome comment! Ah man that Broodmother is horrifying, and the Fade is the part of the game I dread quite a bit, Also your mom playing the game is supper dope! I also had no idea about that moment with the spirit in the jar, might have to try that out when I do a mage playthrough. Thanks for sharing this!
I tried to pay attention the the "diary" in the deep roads because I thought "man this is quite an interesting mystery clue, wonder where it gonna lead me?". By the time I realized the end point and put everything together..... That whole sequences really hurled my stomach, awful is indeed one way to put it
Why did this game earn a place in my view as one of the best of its console generation? The writing of its characters, the confirmation of the dark fantasy setting, your choices making some difference, the charm of some of the side characters… I could go on Its just a damned shame they fucked things up with the next two (three soon) entries.
How is this game so amazing? So incredible! It's a pity they ruined the franchise w the sequels... but, OMG Origins is so great, it will always stand above most RPGs.
Watching this and having hope that dai and datvg woukd save the series is making me sad Datvg disposed of choices The one thing thaf made the series different. Now its just some other action rpg
I get what you mean, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the game and figuring out how I feel about it, but the choices thing is a bummer. In some cases, like if you're in one corner of the world I get why you wouldn't meet King/Queen of Ferelden or something but if it's choices relating to character that are known to shows up (I.E Morrigan child stuff) Thats a shame. There was mention they wanted the choices you do get to really matter so I'm curious how they tackle it, only time will tell I suppose.
the way the Qun sees gender is so fascinating to me.. Sten doesn't sky why a woman is a warrior because he thinks "females" cand be warriors. He asks this because females who become warriors are considered males and present as such. Your gender is tied to your roll and completely divorced from your biological sex. The Qun in general is one of my favorite things about this franchise. A completely totalitarian force that is tackled with nuance rather than blind hatred. They're like Authoritarian communists in a way. They live and die by the Qun, but they will never have to worry for their basic needs. Much different from the mercantilism of fereldan and the feudalism of Orlais
I know alot of people ragged on Inquisition but I honestly came to have a special place in my heart for it, the combat was fun and Solas along with other characters were cery intriguing and quite well written. Definitely come to empathize with Solas once you get past his judgemental exterior.
It was terrible backwards game with hard mechanics with too much focus on white men, thanks the Dalish gods that new gendermancers of Bioware destroyed that clunky combat and things like actions, consequences and players choices through game
Morrigan was my first digital romance as a teen. You cant imagine how helpless i felt for years after loosing my witch waifu no matter what I did at the end of Origins. I spent years looking at every random dog or birds in Awakening dlc hoping for any hints or information about her and my demon baby. 🥲
My comfort game. Have to play it every few years.
I really love how a third of this video is a deep appreciation of Sten. Real fan stuff.
My first game was Dragon Age Origins and I will always love this game.
The landsmeet is one of those gaming moments where everything comes together in a game that is unmatched in pretty much any other game. I like the landsmeet more than the actual ending of the game. A true masterclass of player driven storytelling with a combination of calculated and unforeseen actions and consequences. I've yet to see any game other than disco Elysium match this level of roleplay focused storytelling.
Nothing better than listening to someone who adores something talk about it. Great video
In today's day, in age, when we are getting remasters of games, not even 5 years old, I pray someone who has the balls takes it upon themselves to remaster this game. God, just a little touch-up on graphics and stability is honestly enough. If you go any further, it is just icing on the cake.
It’s been a long time since I played Origins (for the billionth time) this was a really lovely reminder of all of its many strengths. Great work as usual!!
I am honored by such a nice comment, glad you enjoyed it!
27:12 - If Alistair is hardened, he'll take you as a mistress. ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)
Funny enough, the playthrough I did this I was playing a female mage, although their relationship ended because I refused Morrigan's ritual, and Alistair took the killing blow against the Archdemon to sacrifice himself and save me (even though I told him and Riordan I was willing to do it myself)
I miss dragon age origin so much
This game does A LOT right, but more than anything else for me it’s the characters. I have never had a best bro vibe as hard as Alistair, or had a love interest leave me as smitten as Morrigan. I’ve been chasing the high of this party in every RPG I’ve played in the 12+ years since I stumbled across this gem in the bargain bin while waiting on ME3 to drop. Best $19 I ever spent
Good on ya, that's a great deal!
Me too ☺️ only reversed
For me I was best bros with Alistair and Zevran… Leliana though… Yeah I have a type 🤷♂️ Sue me. I got the game on release day, it was the premise that sold me on it. Just a hunch that the game would be great.
Love the Wheel Of Time quote fitting perfectly with the ending of the video!
This game always draws reminders of that series from the Quenari culture feeling alien like the Aiel, the Tranquil reminding me of the Gentled, Mage Town making me think of the White Tower, and of course the Blight.
It is something i feel isnt talk about and goes unnoticed.
You made a lot of connections that I didn't originally consider but makes so much sense, nicely done and thanks for sharing!
110% incredably immersive, hard descisions, deep, meaningful, rewarding, best RPG ever!!!
Better than waching Game of Thrones -high praise
Btw, I replayed dao just recently and when coming to the village for the Urn of Sacred Ashes, Sten haven’t tried to duel my Warden. Of course, he confronted me, but with high approval and some, I believe so, logical choices in dialogue, it didn’t come to him trying to take the lead. Instead he said something along the lines: “You know, I deeply respect you and it’s not your goal I’m against, but your way of achieving it.” Exactly how the author of the video portrayed Sten’s motivations. Good job! 👍 Love this character so much too. Especially after replaying the game, cause the first time I was a kid which couldn’t fully understand his point of view, that resulted in a huge amounts of disapproval and save scamming back then 😅
The world building, lore, grim darkness, character design, voice cast, everything
Outright amazing! Thanks for sharing your love for this wonderful game.
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!
I haven't yet finished the video, but hearing how you discuss Sten feels so strange and amazing. I first played Dragon Age Origins at six years old, and it is my favorite game of all time because of all of these things, something I've desperately looked for in others.
Yet, it also led to some more... interesting decisions in-game...
As a six-year-old, my understanding was rather subpar, and naturally, it still is. However, because my dad has always hated Sten and said that he always killed him or left him in the cage, I did, too. Never did I look deeper into his character. Six playthroughs later, I still haven't, but I will go back now, just to give Sten a fair chance. Maybe even get my dad to replay and try to understand him a little better too.
This is a great reminder for me to make my own judgments and not blindly follow what I'm told.
(I really just did whatever my dad did back then, even named the mabari the same thing he did... Deadmeat... y e p )
(Will be changing the name to something less mean.)
So refreshing listening to you gush over Sten so much. Most videos just worship Alistair and Morrigan to the point where it's just boring hearing the same things over and over now.
I also didn't know many of the things you brought up cause I wasn't really a fan of Sten's design at the time so I just didn't bring him around with me lol
Shale is my all time favorite video game character. I adore her. 😊
She is such a delight. Those pigeons are everywhere.
I think DAO manages to capture a lot of classic themes at once and not stretching it too long. Every place you go to is representative of classic fantasy culture. The stoic dwarfs demand they can handle themselves, the noble, wild elves distrust you until you prove yourself an ally, the mages unleashed problems almost rivaling your actual main threat. And all culminating in the unification of the nation to battle an uncompromisingly evil force to save the world.
Baldur's Gate 2, mate. If you neglect Viconnia for too long she elopes with one of your party members. Just one example, there is much more.
Thats actually kind of awesome, I haven't finished Bg2 yet but that is so cool!
Even after playing this game two times you made me learn more about it. I never knew, how deep of a connection I hold to this masterpiece. Shame to EA for ruining everything and shame to people from current Bioware for tryjng to touch this franchise without proper care.
On my og playthrough i didnt harden Alistair and got him to marry the other woman, but i spared Logain, it hurt to see him hate me tbh. But in my mind, Logain is too valuable an asset to kill. And ngl, i didnt regret what i did, it felt like the right choice to me tbh.
Thats really cool! It's awesome to hear other player choices and why they made them, I can get the logic in that. Thanks for sharing!
Half of this video is about Sten 😂... Not that I'm complaining.
I last replayed the whole Dragon Age series back in the early days of quarantine when we all found ourselves with a lot of time on our hands, and I was also pleasantly surprised how well Origins (and Awakening which I hadn't played before) held up.
On the subject of Sten, I really do wish they'd had the time or had chosen to give him horns like the Qunari we see in 2 and beyond, as was supposedly originally the case. Sten is a good character, but ends up being a bad introduction to the Qunari as a faction, since they're already kind of confusing since there are both Qunari the race, and the religion. Given how interesting they are in the lore, and future games, I wish they hadn't introduced them with a character who could be mistaken as just a human warrior from a specific tribe, it feels like Origins' biggest fumble to me.
I'll be curious what you think of Dragon Age 2 if you do make a video about it, speaking as one of the three remaining defenders of it who survived the great purge.
I hope Bioware gets their act together for 4, but I guess we'll see soon enough.
I totally get what you mean with that! It seems like the developers have the lore or concept written out pretty vague and each new game is an opportunity to better articulate the current vision. The Qunari are a great example of that (In fact I actually like their design in two the best, they look really distinct than big humans with horns or big humans).
As for Dragon Age 2 I would love to cover it, and as a taste of what is to come, you can add a 4th to your ranks lol.
I certainly didnt like the horns in DA2
In 2 the quanari had physical changes based on class and rank was so good like the mage you escort was so different from unlike other characters/races minor changes-
When I first played DA:Origins as a teen I loathed Loghain MacTir, even when I discovered the spoiler about his motivations, but now as an adult who has thought about the concept of salvation I wondered how everything changes if Duncan conscripts Loghain at any point before Ostagar.
I find it somewhat unfortunate you didn't mention the secretest character: Murder Knife. Playing Renegade in Mass Effect certainly had amazing moments but there isn't quite anything like playing the male City Elf and waking up a guard sleeping at his post just to slit his throat: "Huh?" "I just wanted you awake for this" *slit* "Cousin... that was _harsh_ even for us". And in any playthrough there is walking up to the merchant price-gouging people fleeing the Darkspawn through Lothering (which I always pronounced as loath-er-ing): "You ought to charge lower prices" "It's my stuff to sell so what if I sell high to these people? I could not sell anything at all!" "That's a good idea" *stab with murder knife* "He-hey! Free stuff for everyone!". Has there been anything quite like the dialogue-option kills in Dragon Age:Origins since then?
I never considered that style of play but gotta say the concept does sound interesting, thanks for sharing it!
DA:O is one of the most foundational pieces of media for me, I think. I grew up playing it in middleschool, and it was there for me in some really rough moments of my life. I remember the Chantry, and the Mages Tower so clearly... The fade is just. UGH.
Moments that will always stay with me...
1. "Have you ever... licked a lamppost in winter...?" I was watching my mom play the game and she had apparently made it her mission to have her warden romance every single party member at one point. I don't know how she did it.
2. Making buddies with the demons in the fade in the mage's opening story. Oh! I was so excited to kill Jowen when I saw him next that BASTARD. And I was also a lil sad I didn't get to talk more to my lil demon buddy in the later fade segment...
3. the broodmother in the deep roads.... awful. AWFUL. I couldn't get myself to play the game more after the first time I came across it at like 9, and then didn't have the chuztpah until I was in highschool
4. Very very dutifully making sure my dog found the perfect place to piss on every map
5. the sword mage mini quest that gets you the spirit from the jar as a mage... I played as an elf mage so it. gh. such a good moment.
This is such an awesome comment! Ah man that Broodmother is horrifying, and the Fade is the part of the game I dread quite a bit, Also your mom playing the game is supper dope! I also had no idea about that moment with the spirit in the jar, might have to try that out when I do a mage playthrough. Thanks for sharing this!
I tried to pay attention the the "diary" in the deep roads because I thought "man this is quite an interesting mystery clue, wonder where it gonna lead me?". By the time I realized the end point and put everything together..... That whole sequences really hurled my stomach, awful is indeed one way to put it
Why did this game earn a place in my view as one of the best of its console generation? The writing of its characters, the confirmation of the dark fantasy setting, your choices making some difference, the charm of some of the side characters… I could go on Its just a damned shame they fucked things up with the next two (three soon) entries.
Great video. Congratz, you just made me hate the new dragon age even more.
yeah my favorite game when i was a kid. I cry when king Cailan dead haha. I did hate tower of Magi when going to the fade. Kinda time consuming.
How is this game so amazing? So incredible! It's a pity they ruined the franchise w the sequels... but, OMG Origins is so great, it will always stand above most RPGs.
None of the sequels ‘ruined’ Origins.
its the ultimate RPG, wish my D&D was this awesome
Will you make one for the other 2? Just curious
I'm in the process of making one for 2! Not sure how long it will take but will post on my community tab with updates.
Watching this and having hope that dai and datvg woukd save the series is making me sad
Datvg disposed of choices
The one thing thaf made the series different. Now its just some other action rpg
I get what you mean, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the game and figuring out how I feel about it, but the choices thing is a bummer.
In some cases, like if you're in one corner of the world I get why you wouldn't meet King/Queen of Ferelden or something but if it's choices relating to character that are known to shows up (I.E Morrigan child stuff) Thats a shame.
There was mention they wanted the choices you do get to really matter so I'm curious how they tackle it, only time will tell I suppose.
:")
Would say sex beings use as a plot point is all that unique .
Sten
the way the Qun sees gender is so fascinating to me..
Sten doesn't sky why a woman is a warrior because he thinks "females" cand be warriors. He asks this because females who become warriors are considered males and present as such. Your gender is tied to your roll and completely divorced from your biological sex.
The Qun in general is one of my favorite things about this franchise. A completely totalitarian force that is tackled with nuance rather than blind hatred. They're like Authoritarian communists in a way. They live and die by the Qun, but they will never have to worry for their basic needs. Much different from the mercantilism of fereldan and the feudalism of Orlais
That is a really interesting observation, thanks for sharing it!
Am i the only asshole who didn't like the game for his gameplay and appreciated instead da2 and inquisition?
Nah that's awesome! Granted I'm just some guy who makes UA-cam videos, but I think it's cool you know what you like!
Ah thks dude ahaha
I know alot of people ragged on Inquisition but I honestly came to have a special place in my heart for it, the combat was fun and Solas along with other characters were cery intriguing and quite well written. Definitely come to empathize with Solas once you get past his judgemental exterior.
as a D&D TTRPG fan I loved the tactical combat - pausability - radial menu - spell choices
Sorry..... too many ads...... videos is unwatchable.
Your loss, get add-blocker add-on for your browser -no ads when i watched it
It was terrible backwards game with hard mechanics with too much focus on white men, thanks the Dalish gods that new gendermancers of Bioware destroyed that clunky combat and things like actions, consequences and players choices through game
Just joking, ale Loghain best character in the entire series
Loghain is an interesting character! His party banter with the Dog is humanizing and pretty sad,
🤬🤔🤐🤪
How far we have fallen
Veilguard gonna out sale all of them
🤣
You should do stand-up with jokes like that.
Morrigan was my first digital romance as a teen. You cant imagine how helpless i felt for years after loosing my witch waifu no matter what I did at the end of Origins. I spent years looking at every random dog or birds in Awakening dlc hoping for any hints or information about her and my demon baby. 🥲
Same. You never forget your first.
Did you not play Witch Hunt?
@Dragonage2ftw before the release of Witch Hunt dlc. Even after I played it, I remember not feeling fully satisfied.