Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide

This guidebook is so needed

This guide was wonderful. It was easy to read. Beautifully crafted, like an ancient tome. With all the origin stories, this book helps you decide which origin you would like to be. I think Prima does an excellent job.

This guide has great information that helps you find your way around the game. I really like the gifts guide that allows you to know which gifts each companion most wants. The maps are a big help and so are the quest guides.

I was really disapointed when I started the game as it did not make good sense and after 4 hours of play ordered the guide rather than quit playing the game. Having played RPG's for over 25 years this is the first time I felt a guide was really needed. When used the game changes and one gets fully involved in all the different aspects of this extremely deep RPG.With the guide the games goes from a chore to one of the best I have ever played

This is the most complete guide you will find. It skips around on sidequests, but is excellent for those times you might get stuck in the game. As well as info you could have used when you bought the game but they didn't see fit to include.

Yes I've read the other reviews. I almost didn't buy this because of them. But in the end I figured "something is better than nothing". I'm glad I did! What's useful to me? How about: a) A discussion of all the races and classes. Statistics, theories, backstories, descriptions and discussion of different ability choices and so for. b) Information about setting up a party. A list and discussion of all the NPC's that you can recruit. What's good about them, what's bad, how to influence each one. Information about stuff like possible romances and how that effects the game, and how to pull it off. Suggested settings for the tactical window. Suggested builds (tank, ranged dps, etc) both at a class level and at a party level. c) Lists of spells and equipment, along with relevent statistics about each one. Others said this is not useful, I disagree. Just having this to read "offline" lets you strategise about how you want to try to equip your characters, and gives you an idea what to buy from merchants and what to "hold out for". d) The walkthroughs. Ok, so the walkthroughs are high level. I kinda like that. Not useful? Pfft, hardly. For example, I was just in this fight that I had no idea how to win. I walk into a courtyard and seemed to be immediately set upon by an insurmountable force. I had pretty much given up. But the book gives you just enough that now I'm ready to give it another try, with much more of an idea of how I can win it. e) information about all the quests. One thing that I frequently wonder while playing a game like this was "what did I miss?" when I leave a region. Now I can know that! In short, I find this guide to be just what I need, and definitely enhances my enjoyment of playing DAO. After reading it myself I really can't fathom why others dislike this book so strongly.