Dragon Age: Origins Preview
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When swords are drawn, those familiar with BioWare's past catalogue will note the similarities to both Knights of the Old Republic and Baldur's Gate. Dragon Age uses turn-based combat and live pause, allowing you to issue orders to party members before unpausing to execute. The game also features robust character scripts that let you determine how your party will respond to particular events (right down to defining at what health percentage, for example, the party's healer will cast a particular spell). And if that sounds too nuanced for your tastes, there are also script archetypes that strip out micromanagement.
The party combat system and combat roles greatly enhance the tactical nature of fights - line of sight can be used to great advantage, for example: funnel disparate ranged mobs together into a rogue's trap and rain down area effect spells - as does the capacity to experiment with spells and talents to create devastating and unlikely combinations.
The alignment systems of previous BioWare titles have been removed and replaced with an approval system, allowing you to better manage your party's relationships personally. The more your allies approve, the better they play. Ferelden's dungeons and markets are full of trinkets which can be gifted to disapproving allies to win back their affection.
