Released at a time when PC RPGs were at their peak, Dragon Age Origins arrived with a bundle of dated mechanics as compared to other games that launched in 2009. Its lack of a jump button, open exploration, and additional customization showed its age as a product of 2007. Borderlands, Demon's Souls, and even Final Fantasy 13 (all released in the same year) included these features and more.
That said, the series has still garnered a massive cult following, finding its place among the most popular RPGs in gaming history. Origins may be heavily flawed, but it is fun regardless. These flaws, however, could be smoothed over by implementing and altering a few key things.
7 Equal Love
Minimal romance options for queer players has always been an issue with BioWare games, though no more so than with the original Dragon Age. Many players have stated their want to romance Morrigan as a female Grey Warden or Alistair as a male. There's also the dating restriction dependent on the race you chose for your warden. For example, if you select an Elven build and romance Alistair, you won't get a happy ending with him if he becomes king, as the option is only available if you select a human noble.
However, there are PC mods that work around this and allow you to romance characters no matter your gender. But even those don't remove the race or class restrictions.
6 Modified Ending
It all comes to a head during the Battle of Denerim, where your Grey Warden and every alliance made throughout the game fight their way to the Archdemon. The story beats leading up to this moment do a fantastic job rounding up all your choices. These outcomes often differ depending on which of two groups you side with.
The problem with this final mission lies with one of your members (or your Grey Warden, if they're male), having to sleep with Morrigan to protect the Grey Wardens from dying. This ritual will ensure Morrigan's pregnancy and that the essence of the slain Archdemon will be placed into this child, rather than the Grey Warden who kills it. A nice sentiment, albeit strangely executed and outdated. If you turn down Morrigan's offer, she'll also leave you before the oncoming final battle. Lovely.
5 A Jump Button
Ever wanted to jump somewhere rather than walk the long way around? So have most other players. The game's lack of a jump button, especially when others of its kind included it, is increasingly difficult to ignore. It feels even worse when you leave the game for a couple of weeks and return only to realise again that it doesn't let you jump.
In fact, much of the game can't be explored, and you'll have to walk a specific path to get to where you want. The map is also very restrictive in a few areas, especially Redcliffe and Lothering. A few quick changes could fix this with alterations to jumping, exploration, and fewer restrictions to where you can go on the map.
4 Varied Customization
Origins is one of the most lore-rich RPGs you can think of. Unfortunately, this doesn't extend to its character creator, which lacks much in the way of making your character unique. For example, NPCs have the same hairstyles, without much variation, and aspects like facial features are very restrictive with how much you can change.
The visuals, even though dated, suit the overall feel; the only significant problem is that not much is done with the potential of this style. A few additional options for hair, lips, noses, tattoos, and body sizes would improve the customization, allowing it to reach its true potential.
3 Different Lock Picking Mechanic
Sometimes all you want to do is break open a chest and take a gander through all the shiny goodies inside. Most of the time, you can't do this without asking your party members to help, only for them to say they can't do it, even though you've upgraded their lock-picking skills fifty times over. Leveling deft hands to the highest tier will fix this but just think about all the enticing chests you walked past by that point.
Again, there are mods that allow you to break open chests instead. But this feels like something that should have been included in the game at launch.
2 Keeping Fade Transformation Powers
During the visit to The Circle of Magi, you're transported to the Fade by a Sloth Demon. The community has something of a love-hate relationship with this section as, while it introduces new components to the fold and allows you to learn more about the mages, it's also a real slog to get through. And one that's easy to lose your way around.
It's in this part of the story where you learn new transformation powers. Within the Fade, you can shape-shift into a mouse, golem, spirit, or a burning man, all of which you need to use to make it out. Unfortunately, after completing this quest, you no longer have access to the abilities, which is a shame because the shape-shifting aspect would've added a new element to the game.
1 More Depth In Combat
The crux of any great RPG lies in two places its story and its combat. While a game can succeed with one of these lacking, it's much better when both succeed. The combat of Dragon Age Origins isn't bad, but it could do with some tweaking to add more depth. A lot of the time, it feels like you're wildly swinging your sword at the enemy or just button-mashing.
For example, as a mage, combat feels at its best when using your class-specific abilities. The other classes, on the other hand, would've benefited from better abilities of the same standard as those of the mage.