By Justin Hoeger
McClatchy Newspapers
“Dragon Age Origins: Awakening” continues the tale begun in the original game, picking up after the defeat of the Archdemon and the Darkspawn horde that threatened the land of Ferelden.
The PC version of “Awakening” requires an installation of the base game to play; the console versions stand alone. It’s not quite as massive as the original, but a lengthy quest alongside a cornucopia of new skills, spells, items and characters make it almost as good as a full sequel.
Players can import a main character from “Dragon Age: Origins,” carrying over their skills, abilities, equipment and the consequences of relevant plot events, or create a new character who starts out at Level 18.
Either way, the player’s character is the new commander of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden, given lordship over the arling of Amaranthine after its victory over the Darkspawn.
But though the Blight that nearly overwhelmed Ferelden has been broken, not all the Darkspawn have retreated to their underground lairs. Some, in fact, attack the Grey Wardens’ new stronghold, Vigil’s Keep, as the game begins — an attack the commander will be caught up in quickly.
Common Darkspawn are bad enough, but this band is led by a powerful specimen that can speak human language, something the orclike creatures can’t normally do.
Once the attack is dealt with, the focus shifts to establishing the commander in Amaranthine, building relations with the local lords, seeing to the land’s defense and many other tasks. And there will eventually be the matter of that talking Darkspawn, and its origin, to attend to.
Several notable fighters will join the commander. Aside from an imported main character, the only familiar face to join the party this time around is the Dwarf warrior Oghren. A few of the other characters may show up for cameos if they’re alive, but the rest of the playable cast is all new.
The new cast is an interesting bunch. There’s Nathaniel Howe, the embittered son of Vigil Keep’s former lord; Anders, a smart-mouthed apostate mage; and Velanna, a human-hating elf, among others.
Also interesting is the array of new skills, talents and specializations in “Awakening.” Each of the three primary character classes — Warrior, Mage and Rogue has been bolstered with new spells or abilities, many of them for characters of Level 20 and above.
DRAGON AGE ORIGINS: AWAKENING
PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts
SYSTEM: PC, also for Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3
PRICE: $39.99
AGE RATING: Mature