The Dragon Age Origins: Awakening expansion can add about 10-15 hours of gameplay or possibly more if youre a thorough gamer who must explore every inch of the game. It roughly took me 17 hours to complete. There is a decent enough variation in both environments and enemies local to each area to prevent the feeling of tedious repetition from settling in. However, as Warden Commander your will be entrusted with recruiting new Wardens to face the onslaught of Darkspawn. Rest assured that although you may miss your old companions, Bioware has done a fantastic job of developing new character which you cant help but grow to love. Throughout the game you will find Gifts which you can give to each of your companions. By gifting your companions you will then be able to converse with them and, if you play your cards right, gain approval and learn more about each of the characters. Companions will also continue to spark random conversations with each other, like in Origins, which are always worth stopping to listen to. It should be noted that there are no romance opportunities in Awakening Any fan of Dragon Age: Origins will appreciate this expansion pack as it remains true to the original game while offering additional features, storyline, characters, customisation and environments to keep the gamer from feeling like they are simply re-playing Origins.

The Awakening expansion pack for Dragon Age: Origins takes place six months after the defeat of the Archdemon in the original game. If your character survived the events of this battle then you will be able to import them into the expansion. If they did not then you will be able to create a new Grey Warden, hailing from Orlais, and play the game with a few slight changes. The Warden will arrive at Vigil’s Keep in Amaranthine to discover that the threat of the Darkspawn is far from over and you will encounter even more insidious villains. The game can add 10-15 hours of gameplay or possibly more if you’re a thorough gamer who must explore every inch of the game. It roughly took me 17 hours to complete. It also adds five story-based achievements with two being decision based- meaning two playthroughs are needed for full completion. Additionally, the level cap is increased to 35 and you will also be given the opportunity to re-allocate skills points thus moulding your character into a different type of hero. There are seven areas in total for exploration in Awakening from the glum wetlands of Blackmarsh to the bustling Amaranthine City. There is a decent enough variation in both environments and enemies local to each area to prevent the feeling of tedious repetition from settling in. Your companions from Origins will not join you in this adventure (with the exception of one!) although you may spot a few familiar faces along your way, depending on the decisions you made in Origins. However, as Warden Commander your will be entrusted with recruiting new Wardens to face the onslaught of Darkspawn. These include the Apostate Anders, the elven Pariah Velanna, the spirit of Justice as well as others who may or may not survive the Joining (the process by which one becomes a Grey Warden). Rest assured that although you may miss your old companions, Bioware has done a fantastic job of developing new character which you can’t help but grow to love. There is, however, less dialogue between the Warden and his/her companions. The option to jump into conversation with any companion at any point has been removed, if you attempt to talk to a character when they have nothing to say they will simply speak one line relating to current happenings or the environment. Throughout the game you will find “Gifts” which you can give to each of your companions. By gifting your companions you will then be able to converse with them and, if you play your cards right, gain approval and learn more about each other characters. Companions will also continue to spark random conversations with each other, like in Origins, which are always worth stopping to listen to. It should be noted that there are no romance opportunities in Awakening While Awakening is basically the same as Origins in terms of gameplay there have been some slight changes which make the gaming experience much more enjoyable. For every class (Warrior, Rogue, Mage) two new specialisations have been added in order to further customise your character. There are; Guardian and Spirit Warrior (Warrior), Legionnaire Scout and Shadow (Rogue) and Battle Mage and Keeper (Mage). The Spirit Warrior was a particularly welcome addition for myself as it allows a warrior to learn mage abilities, much like the mage could learn warrior abilities in Origins (Arcane Warrior). In addition to this, three new skills have been added. Runecrafting allows the player to create their own runes to attach to weapons and armour, Vitality increases the player’s health and Clarity increases the player’s mana/stamina. Any fan of Dragon Age: Origins will appreciate this expansion pack as it remains true to the original game while offering additional features, storyline, characters, customisation and environments to keep the gamer from feeling like they are simply re-playing Origins.

The Awakening expansion pack for Dragon Age: Origins takes place six months after the defeat of the Archdemon in the original game. If your character survived the events of this battle then you will be able to import them into the expansion. If they did not then you will be able to create a new Grey Warden, hailing from Orlais, and play the game with a few slight changes. The Warden will arrive at Vigil’s Keep in Amaranthine to discover that the threat of the Darkspawn is far from over and you will encounter even more insidious villains. The game can add 10-15 hours of gameplay or possibly more if you’re a thorough gamer who must explore every inch of the game. It roughly took me 17 hours to complete. It also adds five story-based achievements with two being decision based- meaning two playthroughs are needed for full completion. Additionally, the level cap is increased to 35 and you will also be given the opportunity to re-allocate skills points thus moulding your character into a different type of hero. There are seven areas in total for exploration in Awakening from the glum wetlands of Blackmarsh to the bustling Amaranthine City. There is a decent enough variation in both environments and enemies local to each area to prevent the feeling of tedious repetition from settling in. Your companions from Origins will not join you in this adventure (with the exception of one!) although you may spot a few familiar faces along your way, depending on the decisions you made in Origins. However, as Warden Commander your will be entrusted with recruiting new Wardens to face the onslaught of Darkspawn. These include the Apostate Anders, the elven Pariah Velanna, the spirit of Justice as well as others who may or may not survive the Joining (the process by which one becomes a Grey Warden). Rest assured that although you may miss your old companions, Bioware has done a fantastic job of developing new character which you can’t help but grow to love. There is, however, less dialogue between the Warden and his/her companions. The option to jump into conversation with any companion at any point has been removed, if you attempt to talk to a character when they have nothing to say they will simply speak one line relating to current happenings or the environment. Throughout the game you will find “Gifts” which you can give to each of your companions. By gifting your companions you will then be able to converse with them and, if you play your cards right, gain approval and learn more about each other characters. Companions will also continue to spark random conversations with each other, like in Origins, which are always worth stopping to listen to. It should be noted that there are no romance opportunities in Awakening While Awakening is basically the same as Origins in terms of gameplay there have been some slight changes which make the gaming experience much more enjoyable. For every class (Warrior, Rogue, Mage) two new specialisations have been added in order to further customise your character. There are; Guardian and Spirit Warrior (Warrior), Legionnaire Scout and Shadow (Rogue) and Battle Mage and Keeper (Mage). The Spirit Warrior was a particularly welcome addition for myself as it allows a warrior to learn mage abilities, much like the mage could learn warrior abilities in Origins (Arcane Warrior). In addition to this, three new skills have been added. Runecrafting allows the player to create their own runes to attach to weapons and armour, Vitality increases the player’s health and Clarity increases the player’s mana/stamina. Any fan of Dragon Age: Origins will appreciate this expansion pack as it remains true to the original game while offering additional features, storyline, characters, customisation and environments to keep the gamer from feeling like they are simply re-playing Origins.

a good add-on considering that you need 15-20 hours to end it. However not that much places variety. some battles are quite epic and there are many characters to play with.