Let’s Break It Down
Debuting eight years apart, Dragon Age: Origins and Baldur’s Gate 2 have quite a few things in common. Both are set in high fantasy worlds, complete with elves, dwarves, and magic. And both were created by Bioware, who wrote each with fantastic stories, characters, and interactions.
But which was better? And which is more likely to withstand the test of time?
Baldur’s Gate does have age on Dragon Age: Origins. But does older really mean better?
Dungeons, Dragons and Children of Gods
So what sets Baldur’s gate apart from Dragon Age? Beyond simply being the mold on which Dragon Age was created from, Baldur’s Gate does have a few other advantages as well.
Baldur's Gate 2, where Dungeons and Dragons come to life.
Baldur’s Gate 2 is simply a more massive game. At the time Baldur’s Gate 2 premiered, it was standard practice for games to release expansions to build upon their base game. Though simply adding in an expansion was standard, Bioware went above and beyond on Throne of Bhaal adding in a solid thirty more hours of game time to an already long game.
Another place Baldur’s Gate excelled? Characters. Though Origins did have fantastic companions, since the game was fully voiced, there was simply not enough resources to put as much into companions as there was in Baldur’s Gate 2. The companions were deeper, better written, and most of all there was Minsc and Boo.
Baldur's Gate 2 Enhanced Edition Gameplay Trailer
And what of the challenger? What does Dragon Age: Origins bring to the table?
The Roar of the Dragon
After Bioware choose to create its own fantasy IP, they moved on from the Baldur’s Gate series, and thus Dragon Age was born. Since debut in 2009, the Dragon Age series has been wildly successful with the third installation of Inquisition giving Bioware it’s largest launch in history. But are the numbers of today are not enough to simply state that Origins was a better game than Baldur’s Gate 2?
Beyond numbers, Origins does have a more realistic world. Even though they are both steeped in fantasy, Origins pulled from both Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire. Creating a much darker world within Thedas than the Forgotten Realms can be. Thedas is harsh, it’s unforgiving and that alone makes it easier to connect with.
But where else does Origins inch out over Baldur’s Gate? Graphics. Though Origins is nowhere near the graphically stunning games of today, the game is at least in 3D, and it has aged well. Unlike Baldur’s Gate 2, which is isometric, Origins can be easier to get into for new players simply because it is a three-dimensional game.
Dragon Age Origins Gameplay
Dragon Age Origins Official Video Playlist
Verdict?
Playtime and Writing, or Darker Fantasy and Graphics? It’s a hard choice, but in the end, it’s about what you like to play. For some, Baldur’s Gate 2 will always be an RPG that stands the test of time. For others, Dragon Age: Origins was a vast improvement upon the game it was molded from.
So what’s your opinion? Which did you rather? Tell us your thoughts!
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