Dragon Age: Origins didn't just become one of my favourite games.
It changed my life.
I first played it shortly after it released on Xbox, and it was my very first RPG. Before Origins, I had never experienced a game that gave me so much freedom to shape my character, make meaningful choices, and become invested in a world and its people.
That game sparked a love for RPGs that has stayed with me ever since.
Over the years I've played countless RPGs. Bigger ones. Newer ones. Better-looking ones. Games with larger budgets, modern graphics, and more advanced systems. Yet somehow, Dragon Age: Origins still stands near the very top of the list.
The story is one I'll never forget. The companions felt less like party members and more like friends. I still remember the conversations, the difficult decisions, the victories, and the losses. And I especially remember the feeling when the credits rolled for the first time.
That strange emptiness.
The feeling of saying goodbye to a world you weren't quite ready to leave.
I've replayed Origins many times over the years. Yes, it's dated. The graphics show their age. Some of the mechanics feel like relics from another era. But none of that has diminished what makes it special.
Some games are great while you're playing them.
Dragon Age: Origins became part of who I am as a gamer.
For introducing me to an entire genre, for giving me characters I'll remember forever, and for setting a standard that few games have managed to reach since, Dragon Age: Origins will always be one of my all-time favourites.
