Dragon Age is BioWare’s successor to Baldur’s Gate and combines the best of the company’s past games. With games such as Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the highly acclaimed Baldur’s Gate series to its credit, BioWare is easily one of the most if not the most experienced RPG developers in the world. The company recently announced that it is working on a high-fantasy role playing game titled Dragon Age. The game will feature a unique setting rather than being based on Dungeon’s and Dragon’s or any other existing property. Dragon Age is built on a new 3D engine, which renders it Knights of the Old Republic feel. BioWare has been tight lipped about the specifics and environments, but it is expected to sport the looks that are reminiscent of a higher level of fantasy setting. The initial impressions doesn’t reflect any jarring twists though interpretation of conventional creatures such as trolls and ogres do look a bit distinctive in this game.
The first gameplay sequence featured a massive Lord of the Rings type battle sequence with a surly barbarian wielding dual swords and a female magic user, as they are making their way through the castle parapet as a battle raged below. This provided some stunning visual of another interior environment, a ruined temple illuminated by lights seeping through the cracks in the walls. Fortunately, the environments are not expected to be as flat as in previous BioWare releases. There are some real nice graphical touches in the game, for instance the objects in the foreground automatically becomes transparent if they obstruct the view of the characters. With this game, BioWare is seeking to blend the dramatic fully 3D look of Knights of the Old Republic with the more sophisticated, party based combat of Baldur’s Gate. This means that the game will be third-person perspective when you roam around, but switches to a tactical view similar to Baldur’s gate when you engage in combat. Players have a free range of motion with and can manage the combat to their liking.
You can also optionally allow the artificially intelligent party members to hold their own adventure. BioWare has supposedly spent quite a lot of time fleshing out the gameworld, which has a history that dates back to 5,000 years and has layers of political, feuding factions. The game’s story is set in a serious tone and will involve loads of conspiracy and political intrigue. Like in other BioWare games, this one will also allow you to choose-your-own adventure and choose your own course of the game. BioWare is currently looking for a publisher for the game, so the release date for Dragon Age is yet to be determined. Anyway they won’t have much of a problem finding one, since its touted to be “the next fantasy RPG revolution” which is a pretty bold claim from BioWare. Let’s just hope it’s a valid one
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