Dragon Age: Origins
If you pre-ordered you'd get some really cool swag. Though it was kinda like a box of chocolates.
Anyways, for myself I played through the game a little ways and then re-started because I screwed something up. The graphics are pretty damn nice in the game, though the textures leave something to be desired. The game play is as easy as you want it, or as complex as you want it to be. I like to keep it simple though.
I also went through the Human Noble side, and the more I'm playing it the more and more it's looking like it was meant to be the Rogue character route. I say this simply because there's so many things to pick and so many people you end up needing persuade. Its not bad, but at the same time it drives you madly insane if you do what I did and decide to go the Warrior Dual Sword, because you don't get many intimidate options.
I also like the fact that I can choose not just how I want to be, but how my other party members are. Its nice being able to do that. I usually run a party of Aedan (default Human Noble Male first name), Alistair, Morrigan, and Liliana. Alistair I use as the tank, I run myself as a dps (yes, I do realize two handed would probably be better suited, I like fighting with two weapons), Liliana for her archer (though fuck is it expensive to upkeep, worth it though), and Morrigan I use as my main caster with a few healing and buffs on the side.
Though really, really, really, really don't purchase the Prima guide. Its good to know how stuff works, but they missed out on a lot of things. Like in Redcliff there is an option to save everyone when you get the options of needing to kill someone to save someone else, but if you play around a bit, you can get an option that would allow you to save everyone. Though its an absolute BITCH to get through to do that. Though if you do the Magi starting grounds, you'll automatically do what needs to be done... I think.
Even though I'm so far along in my game, I'm already thinking about what I want to do differently on my next run, which probably is the Magi route but as an Elf and a combat type simply so I can watch everyone who thinks Magi aren't that good, the cultural disdain for my people (believe me folks, the game does not shy from this), and then on top of that I might make a female just to up it because so many males think that females should cook for them and that's it.
Its a refreshing take. As an aside, Blood Mages, except for Jowan, should all die. My God I've never held more contempt for a group of people than them. Seriously, if it wasn't for the fact that I didn't know how awful Blood Mages can be, I'd probably would've offed Jowan without a second thought. That's how bad they are shown to be.
Back to the previous topic, I'll also hit on Alistair next game just because a) he hates Magi, b) it will be fun to watch him get over it, and c) should make for some amusing times later on in the game (plot spoiler, and I ain't spoiling).
The DLCs are a blast. The Blood Armor is probably the easiest armor to get (its in your Camp, at about 2-3g and you already start off with the chest piece), and will be a big help later on (requires 38 STR, which is possible if you put all your points into it by level 8-9). If Alistair isn't your cup of tea, you can use the Shale download to get the mighty golem. He's an absolute blast to listen to. The Warden Keep is a fun little side story, though do be warned that neither side is really good. You can get a full set of Warden Armor which will hold you off until you can get the Blood Dragon Armor.
Also by downloading the Warden Keep, you also are able to get a thing for the Star Metal (big meteorite that falls) and you can get the Starfang. Again, this blade has the same requirement as the Blood Dragon Armor; though the moment you obtain it, your main tank or dps will be an unstoppable machine.
The only thing I'm upset about is that I gave a certain character a thing, went to their character quest, challenged what I thought would be a simple battle, but the boss is an f'n beast (no, literially) that kills me in no time flat. That's how harsh it is sometimes, and that's even with you having some of the best equipment available at the time.
Oh, the only downside to the Warden Keep, is that it makes pretty much all other towns pointless. The armory and weaponry are just clearly better than anything you find in any store elsewhere. Though considering you aquire an unlimited (there is a limit, though I haven't found it yet) chest that allows you to put stuff away without worrying about selling it, I think that offsets the problem.
