Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: BioWare
Genre: RPG
Release date: Available now

It’s been a little while since we defeated the Archdemon (the corrupted old god in the shape of a giant high dragon), about six months to a year by my watch, but the Darkspawn did not disband and retreat to the Deep Roads. They’re organizing and ransacking the north country, and rumors abound of some that speak. As not only Ferelden’s Queen, but also its Grey Warden commander, I find myself on the road to Vigil’s Keep to rebuild the Wardens and scoop up those pesky post-blight stragglers. Of course, the new recruits and I are attacked along the way, so the ritual dismemberments resume in Dragon Age: Origins—Awakening.

While rebuilding the order and the keep, defending the world against Darkspawn and making nice with the nobles, I got to know some cool new people. The King does make an appearance (yes, your story does fit in seamlessly from where you left off in Origins), but he’s far too busy defending the capital to provide much support, so you’re on your own. First up was Mihari, a recruit from Alistair’s knights, who lends a strong sword arm to the cause. Next was Anders, the seven-time escaped apostate whose sense of humor and deadly spells nicely complement Mihari. Nathanial Howe (of all people) was my next recruit, and though our relationship requires some mending (people tend to hold a grudge against a woman who kills their fathers and takes their lands), he’s a gifted rogue, so we’re doing our best to work together without slitting each others’ throats. Sigrun from the Legion of the Dead (an order dedicated to eradicating darkspawn) is my last recruit thus far (I’ve stumbled upon Velanna, but she’s still trying to kill me), and while Sigrun is knowledgeable about the Darkspawn infestation underground and good with traps, she doesn’t have the skills to be much good as a thief, so upon my return from the Deep Roads, I relegated her to the Keep. Don’t get too attached to your new friends, however, until after you retake the Keep. All of the new recruits (and Oghren, your faithful dwarven drinking buddy from the good old days) must undergo The Joining to become full-fledged Grey Wardens, and we all know what can happen then.

Character leveling in Awakening is frequent at the outset, and there’s a plethora of new specializations and abilities from which to choose. For those who might not have played in a while, interface hints are readily available as you retake Vigil’s Keep from the invaders. I had been concerned that I’d lose my DLC gear, as I’d been reading rabid rumors to that effect, but this was not the case, and while not equipped on import, Duncan’s sword was safely tucked away in my inventory when the fighting started. Everything I’d gifted to or equipped on my former companions was gone, however, so think about exactly what you want to take with you before you import. If you choose to begin Awakening with a new character, you start at Level 18 rather than all the way back at Level 1. One very nice addition is the ability to add runes to armor, but you’ll soon find no need for even the best arms and armor that you acquired in Origins. There’s also another keepsake chest in the Keep’s throne room for the items you just can’t bring yourself to sell. I don’t know for sure how long it takes to finish Awakening, except to say that the game is worth the $40 price tag. I’m already 20 hours in, and while the quests are less involved, there are lots of them to keep you busy and most likely coming back. When it comes to skills and spells there are many new ones, my personal favorite being Peon’s Plight, which gives warriors the ability to single out an enemy and, depending upon its hit points, either kill it or do hundreds of points of damage with a single sword swipe. Speaking of Origins and its unfair slant toward mages, I’d always resented the fact that the spell-slingers could just slug down a lyrium potion when drained of mana, while I had to wait for my stamina to recharge before reusing my special abilities. BioWare has rectified this for Awakening, and now I need simply chug a stamina potion and zap the bad guys again. Take that, Anders! There’s also an interesting (though perhaps not all that useful) new control upgrade: you can hit both bumpers at once and assume control of your entire party, instead of cycling through each character.

While Awakening basically handles the same as Origins and uses the same graphics engine, BioWare has given it a fresh coat of paint. Some maps are recycled (chantries, taverns), but most of them are less boxy, more varied and much more interesting. Where before there seemed to be a lot of straight lines and angular chambers, there are now twists, turns, ramps and much more natural-seeming landscapes. Visuals and sounds have certainly been emphasized. I hate Darkspawn, that’s no secret, but there was one scene in which a giant golem snapped one in half like a twig; I physically cringed at both the sight and sound of it.

There’s a lot to like about Awakening, but in several areas it falls short, and even feels rushed in spots. Dialogue isn’t bad, but given the precedent already set, it doesn’t live up to that of the main event. There are numerous quests, but many are of the “fetch” variety and are not all that compelling. The quests certainly keep you busy, but they lack the depth and difficulty of those found in Origins. The grand quests and moral decisions are still there, but many of the smaller objectives feel like they were added as filler and do little to further the plot.

Dragon Age: Origins—Awakening is an expansion. A huge expansion, but still an expansion. And as such, it far exceeds all the benchmarks set by expansions to other titles. Priced at 60 percent the cost of a normal game, it’s still a bargain and offers many hours of thrills and adventure. You’ll get attached to your companions (though not physically) just like you did in Origins, you’ll find yourself occasionally spluttering at the NPC conversations around you, you’ll get caught up in the story as it unfolds, and you’ll keep coming back for more with multiple characters to see how the different subplots affect the outcome. Say good-bye to your friends and family, and you might want to see how many sick days you have left. It’s time once again to show the Darkspawn your heart, and then show them theirs!

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