This Game has A very deep story line and does focus on moral choices. I think that children 15 and up who are mature should consider playing this game, however I dont rcommend it for kids 14 and under becaus they will not understand the storyline and emphasis on moral choices. Overall this game is a wonderful game for older more mature children.
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Dragon Age: Origins
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Deep but very violent fantasy role-playing game.
In this game kids can: battle others, become a hero, create an avatar, kill humans (with blood), kill non-humans (with blood)
Why We Rated This 
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What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Dragon Age: Origins was written by Marc Saltzman
Parents need to know Dragon Age: Origins is rated "Mature" and designed for players 17 years of age or older, primarily for its combat-heavy play, which includes plenty of blood spilled by both humans and creatures. The player will also be exposed to some sexual imagery, including bare demon breasts, as well as some coy discussions about sex which involve characters talking about going to their tents for intimate interludes. Note, too, that players are allowed to make decisions that will result in the life or death of many important characters, some of whom might be viewed as innocent. Consequences for evil actions are not always evident. There is also a small amount profanity, though nothing gratuitous.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about whether or not parents should be more forgiving about the mature content in Dragon Age: Origins because it's a fantasy game and not based on contemporary characters or familiar locations. Does it matter that it doesn't have a modern city, dialogue, and characters, or is violence always inappropriate for certain ages regardless of a game's time and place?
More on Dragon Age: Origins
What’s the Story?
Have any plans for the next, say, four months? It could take you that long to tackle DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS, a new fantasy role-playing game (RPG) with roughly 100 hours of gameplay -- not to mention optional downloadable quests that expand the world even further. BioWare's dark, single-player epic features plenty of combat, deep storytelling and adventurous exploration. Considered the spiritual successor to BioWare's own Baldur's Gate, the groundbreaking Dungeons & Dragons-inspired computer game from 1998, Dragon Age: Origins resurrects classic RPG conventions, beginning with the ability to select your protagonist's gender, race (human, elf or dwarf), class (warrior, mage or rogue) and appearance. Depending on your choices, the beginning of the game will play out differently as you watch the story unfold with a cinematic sequence. Other decisions you make throughout the game will also have an effect on the story.
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Is It Any Good?
Yes! But this third-person epic isn't flawless. Five years in the making, this RPG shows its age. Compared to many other video games today, the characters, animation and special effects look dated -- but at least it doesn't detract much from the gameplay. Another issue is that you rarely hear your own character speak, as you do in other BioWare games, such as 2007's Mass Effect. This takes some getting used to as your peers talk around you but your character remains silent as you read and select from the dialogue options available. However, this combat-heavy game -- complete with power-ups, huge maps and a great story -- delivers the goods. RPG fans in search of a meaty game with plenty of depth and replayability won't be disappointed with this masterfully crafted adventure that offers a lot of bang for your buck.
Note: The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions of the game are the same.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 11/3/2009, price $59.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content)
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content)
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
It was a great RPG compared to most out there now. The price is to high. It will be fine for older teens.
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
Not worth price tag, get it for free !
A good RPG game in medievalish times. Any true RPG fan can give it a go but I dont think its worth the price tag. Instead I was able to get one for free at www.swagbucks.com/refer/iSkariz Got it for free and was able to enjoy myself with this good game
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
Great game but truly made for adults.
Great game but this is as adult oriented as games get. Violent beheading, sexual content, and scary situations unfold over the course of the game. It is a very good game with a great story and deep, deep game-play but definitely for adult minds.
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
Know your kid before lettign them play. No age limit just a maturity limit!
Gaming is getting to a point where the number of choices may soon be as numerous as those in life. Among the choices in this game are things that we would like to hope our children would turn down in real life or at very least while they remain children and teens. The game may show that these choices do not have dire consequences. For a child who has trouble separating reality from their virtual world this may be a problem. Additionally, certain aspects of the game are unavoidable such as the gratuitous killing and the nudity and provocative dress of the other characters. This can lead unprepared children to form incorrect assumptions. Even the most mature kid should be guided through their first time playing such a game. I recommend a parent child activity of going through this game. Try to get involved and show that the game is just a pastime and has no bearing on real life. Talk about things they seem confused about. No need to make it awkward; just engage in light conversation. "So why did you choose that way of talking to that person? Maybe this would have made them like you more." Stay alert for signs of being affected by the game such as mimicry of some of the more provocative parts. all that said I think no age can be put on when this game begins to be appropriate. A birthday doesn't make someone more mature it doesnt even make them a year older. Once someone has their birthday they are just a day older. Someone who is "A year younger" may infact be only 1 day behind. 1 day does not make a difference on whether anyone is ready for something. As will be my position for all of the posts on this website my answer will always be: it depends. As a parent one must make decisions on what is ok for their child. But I do not believe that that decision should be impacted by age. Perhaps as a success story of a very liberal outlook on exposure of children I may be biased. At a certain point my parents felt (after many conversations where I handled myself like an adult while discussing 'adult' topics) that I was capable of handling anything they were. I watched some violence with my dad and didn't become an axe murderer. I saw nudity and didn't become a sexual deviant. Parenting is about knowing your kid and what they are ready for irrespective of their age or what their peers are doing. I have one child who I do not feel comfortable letting play certain games and another two years younger who I do. This game can be played by a 2 year old if they are 'ready' and I would do my best to take it away from a 20 year old who it would harm. Know your kids limits. Test things slowly and see how they react.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 60% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 40% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 40% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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