Despite being over a decade old now, few RPGs have been able to draw players into their stories quite like Bioware's Dragon Age: Origins. Part of that has to do with the game's different lifepaths, called origins, that set the player on one of six introductory routes to the world of Thedas based on their race and class.

The origin chosen will affect how the world interacts with the main character and even the dialogue options at some points. This makes each playthrough unique and encourages multiple runs. Each origin has a unique prologue that shows how the player ends up joining the Grey Wardens. While each origin is good, some are inevitably stronger than others.

The Dwarf Noble Origin

A dwarf noble female wins the provings in the dwarf noble prologue in Dragon Age Origins

This one, unfortunately, moves the slowest out of all the origins, which hinders its value a bit. This origin does provide players with a look at the game's main bad guys, the Darkspawn. Dwarven politics are on full display as a dwarf noble is the son/daughter of the dwarven king.

The seeds for the Bhelen versus Harrowmont are planted as there is already a conflict between the two over who will succeed the king. Plus Bhelen shows his true colors behind his progressive policies as he frames you for the death of your other brother. This should make the tough decision of choosing the next dwarven king a little bit easier.

The Mage Origin

Official DAO artwork of a female warden mage

The mage origin may not be as exciting or as action-packed as some of the others, but it does lay the groundwork for the mage versus templar conflict that is a major storyline in all the Dragon Age games so far. The struggles of both sides are explored briefly to get the player really thinking about things. Plus it also features a look into the mysterious realm known as the Fade, another major part of the Dragon Age Universe.

What helps this origin is the fact that a human mage has the last name of Amell. As it turns out, this character is actually cousins with Dragon Age 2's protagonist, Hawke, since the latter's mother has the maiden name of Amell.

The Dwarf Commoner Origin

A male dwarf commoner (middle) refuses to be intimidated by a dwarf noble

While the dwarf noble origin shows off the luxurious side of dwarven life in Orzammar, the commoner alternative shows it at its worst. Dwarven society in Dragon Age is based on a caste system. The dwarf commoner is casteless and lives in poverty, being forced to serve as a mercenary.

Thankfully, the game lets you stick it to the rich by participating in the Provings, which serve as Orzammar's gladiator arena and grandest spectacle. Of course, you get discovered and then have to fight your way out with a buddy to escape. Harrowmont tries to basically stop you at every turn, making Bhelen seem like the better choice for king later in the game.

The Dalish Elf Origin

A male Dalish elf warden stands casually with his sword and shield behind him

The Dalish elves are nomadic wanderers that wonder about Thedas' wildernesses as they try to keep what little of their culture they have left among them. The Dalish elf has been among family their whole life, the bonds of which are explored throughout this prologue. However, an encounter with an artifact known as an Eluvian gives the player a disease and seemingly kills a close friend. This forces the former to leave the only life they ever knew for the Grey Wardens who possess the only ways of curing the disease.

What's cool about this origin is that your clan is the same as the one encountered in Dragon Age 2. Characters such as Keeper Marethari and even future companion Merrill also make appearances.

The City Elf Origin

A female city elf warden awaits to be inducted into the grey wardens

These elves have adapted to human society but are treated as second-class citizens at best. They live isolated from humans in impoverished ghettos called alienages. The city elf in this origin comes from the Denerim alienage. The struggles of the elves and the racism faced by them are put front and center. Your character is terrorized by a noble's son who is so confident he'll get away with it that he interrupts the player's wedding and kidnaps elven women with his own company of guards.

What separates this origin from others is that it actually changes based on the player's gender. Male city elves will have to fight their way into Denerim's palace to free the captured women; conversely, a female city elf will have to fight their way out of the palace in order to free their city.

The Human Noble Origin

A male human noble warden sits at a table for some peace and quiet

This one has the best combination of world-building, character development, and action out of all the origins, making this the best of the bunch. The human noble is the child of Teryn Bryce Cousland and has lived a comfortable life of luxury. From the get-go, it is apparent that Bryce desperately cares about you and is not the snobbish and selfish kind of noble. The same can be said of the other Couslands. Interacting with them is brief but it is just enough to get you to care about them.

But they are taken from you all too soon as a close family friend, Arl Rendon Howe, betrays the family and tries to kill them while the bulk of the Cousland's forces are dealing with the Darkspawn. The betrayal hurts as you try desperately to save as many people as you can.

In the end, you find your wounded father as the Grey Warden Duncan comes by to offer his aid. Unfortunately, your father urges you to leave him behind and so does your mother, Eleanor. You have to leave them behind as joining the Grey Wardens is your only hope to live and fight another day. But do not worry, you will get your chance at revenge against Howe later in the game and it is perhaps one of the most satisfying deaths in all of gaming.

Next: Dragon Age: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Dragons