Mass Effect has a single protagonist, set in a science fiction world, and has more shooter-like qualities. It also has a morality meter, in the form of Paragon/Renegade. Dragon Age has the Warden, and Hawke, two barely connected protagonists. It's also a more RPG like game, set in a LOTR fantasy setting, with such Swords and Sorcery gameplay. Each companion has their own morality meter, which shows how much they like or detest you, contrary to ME's barometer which shows a more 'objective' measurement. So, they're similar, but different, and which is 'better' isn't objectively said, since their objective quality is so close, that subjective preference becomes the determining factor.