Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening Reviews
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The Gamers' Temple gives it an 80%:
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening is an expansion that will please those who enjoyed the original game, although many would probably have preferred a tighter integration into the original's story particularly in the area of the decisions made by the player in the first game. If you haven't played Dragon Age: Origins, then you can use Awakening as "Dragon Age Lite" to see if you enjoy it enough to warrant the time and financial commitment it will take to take on the original. And lastly, if Dragon Age: Origins wasn't your cup of tea, Awakening will do nothing to change your mind. That should just about cover everyone - as for me, I enjoyed Awakening, but for me Dragon Age overall doesn't match BioWare's other RPG offerings and is not at quite the same level as the Mass Effect games.
But Red Mage Gaming and all others below don't do the scoring thing:
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening is exactly what a proper expansion pack should be. With 15 hours of story, new spells and talents, and new areas to explore you're getting a great deal for $40. Awakening will set the standards for future additional content, especially in BioWare RPGs. While Return to Ostagar was hit-or-miss, any Dragon Age fan shouldn't miss out on this very solid expansion.
Pads & Panels:
All in all, Awakening is a fun title for those who've endured the original, but those new to the series will probably take a pass. Despite some bugs, stale companions and rehashed enemies, Awakening offers new armor, weapons and skills, as well as an interesting and well-paced story that's long enough to justify the price tag.
GreyWardens.com:
Although the narrative leaps may initially hamper immersion to an extent, the voiceover work is still absolutely superb and the world itself stunning. After a bit of playtime, you'll find yourself living the life of the Warden Commander/Arl and loving every minute of it.
Games Reviews:
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening doesn't reach the high standards set by its illustrious precursor, but it's still a great game on its own terms. The combat and questing are as fun as they ever were and will keep you involved up until the very end, in spite of the uneven quality of the story and the characters that fill it. Oghren once said, (Misery, vomit, and malt liquor. Ah, reminds me of home.) You know you've missed such delights too, and now's the time to head back.
And RandomNPC:
Those who liked Origins and were chomping at the bit for a second playthrough before the credits finished rolling probably have this already. Those turned off by the samey sidequests and endless dungeons may find Awakening more forgiving, if only because the expansion keeps a closer eye on the clock. However, anybody curious about out how their decisions in Origins changed things may be somewhat let down until a proper sequel. Still, Awakening is a respectable follow-up to Origins and manages to capture a lot of what made it special in the first place. It's not as polished as one might hope, but on the whole it hits the right notes: a compelling plot, meaningful choices, and enjoyable characters.
Consider this an appetizer for the next full Dragon Age. Dust off your Warden, gather your party, and venture forth.
