Dragon age origins is an amazing game. The story in dragon age is gripping with multiple choices and outcomes throughout. Length is 40-100+ hours depending on how much you do (not including the expansion which comes with this edition). The combat is live action with a pause system to queue up abilities if you choose to ( if you play on a higher difficulty you will be pausing a lot). Leveling up will feel familiar to anyone who's played an rpg before its fairly standard, pick stats to raise and then pick talents at each level. Overall the game play is challenging but very easy to get into especially for an rpg. Graphics and sound both hold up great. There's no need to mod the game it's great as is, however there are graphic and some small gameplay mods if you're interested. This isn't one of those old games that you boot up and instantly notice how dated it looks, dragon age visually and mechanically holds up. If you haven't played this game you are missing out big time, its easy to get into with no overwhelming mechanics and one of the best stories in a game in my opinion. Bang for your buck is incredible, dragon age will keep you entertained for quite awhile. Dwarf noble / Human noble are good starts.
