How the Dragon Age Franchise Has Evolved Over the Last Fifteen Years

The Dragon Age series has always been a significant part of my gaming life—a saga that has captivated me with its rich lore, complex characters, and expansive world-building. From the moment I first stepped into Ferelden in Dragon Age: Origins, I knew I was embarking on an adventure that would leave an indelible mark on my gaming journey. Now, years later, I find myself reflecting on the series, particularly the third installment, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and how it shaped my perception of BioWare’s legendary franchise. This Dragon Age retrospective will explore each major game and their impact on both the RPG genre and my personal gaming experience.

Dragon Age: Origins – A Monumental Beginning

Dragon Age: Origins was a game that revolutionized my understanding of role-playing games. Released in 2009, it combined traditional RPG elements with a dark, mature narrative that delved into themes of power, betrayal, and sacrifice. The protagonist, known as the Grey Warden, is tasked with uniting the kingdom of Ferelden against an impending Blight led by the Archdemon. The game’s narrative depth, coupled with its intricate character development and moral dilemmas, made it a standout title.

The Origins of Origins

When Dragon Age: Origins was released in November 2009, it promised to be a spiritual successor to the beloved Baldur’s Gate series. BioWare, renowned for its narrative-driven games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect, set out to create a high-fantasy RPG that would captivate both veterans and newcomers alike. Origins delivered on this promise, immersing players in the war-torn land of Thedas, where darkspawn threatened to engulf the world in chaos.

The development of Origins was anything but smooth. It began as a project codenamed “Chronicle,” with a vision that fluctuated over several years. The game’s identity meandered until director Dan Tudge steered the team toward a modern take on Baldur’s Gate.

The design team, led by writers like David Gaider, crafted a dark and realistic world inspired by the works of George R.R. Martin and J.R.R. Tolkien. This grounded approach to high-fantasy, where racism, classism, and other societal issues were deeply woven into the fabric of Thedas, was a refreshing departure from more whimsical fantasy settings.

First Impressions and Character Creation

My journey began with the character creation screen, where I chose to play as a female Dalish elf mage. The origin story system, which provided unique prologues for different races and classes, immediately drew me into the world. My character’s background as an outcast mage provided a personal stake in the game’s larger narrative, making every decision feel weighty and impactful.

The Grey Warden’s Journey

In Dragon Age: Origins, players assume the role of a Grey Warden, a member of an ancient order dedicated to combating the darkspawn and preventing the catastrophic Blights they bring. The game’s story is set in Ferelden, a land plagued by political turmoil and the impending threat of the fifth Blight. As a new recruit, your journey begins with a personalized origin story, which sets the stage for your character’s motivations and background. The tragic events that unfolded in my character’s life provided a strong emotional anchor, driving my desire to fight against the darkspawn and seek justice for my family.

World-Building and Lore

One of the most remarkable aspects of Dragon Age: Origins is its world-building. Ferelden is a land teeming with history, culture, and political intrigue. As a Grey Warden, you are thrust into the midst of a power struggle between various factions, each with its own agenda. The political strife adds layers of complexity to the main quest, making every decision and alliance feel significant.

The lore of Dragon Age is richly woven into the fabric of the game. The ancient history of the Old Gods, the rise of the darkspawn, and the role of the Grey Wardens are all meticulously detailed. Through dialogues, codex entries, and environmental storytelling, the game immerses you in its world. I found myself constantly intrigued by the lore, eager to uncover more about the mysterious Archdemons and the origins of the Blight.

Combat and Tactical Gameplay

The combat system in Origins also stood out for its blend of tactical depth and accessibility. Players could switch between a third-person, over-the-shoulder view and a more traditional top-down, isometric perspective. This flexibility allowed for both immersive exploration and strategic planning in battles. The game’s party-based mechanics, where I could control multiple characters, added another layer of complexity, as each party member had unique abilities and personalities.

While the combat system is engaging, it does have its flaws. The AI can be unpredictable at times, leading to frustrating moments where party members fail to execute commands properly.

Additionally, the game’s age shows in its clunky interface and occasional bugs. However, these issues are minor in the grand scheme of things and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.

Storytelling and Character Development

The narrative of Dragon Age: Origins is its strongest suit. BioWare has crafted a story that is both epic in scope and deeply personal.

The main quest revolves around assembling an army to combat the Blight, but it is the personal stories of the characters that truly shine. Each companion you recruit has a rich backstory and unique motivations, making them feel like real, fleshed-out individuals.

Companions play a crucial role in the game, both in combat and in the story. Characters like Alistair, Morrigan, and Leliana bring their own perspectives and conflicts, adding depth to the narrative. Your choices and actions influence the relationships you build with these companions, leading to a sense of agency and impact. The romance options further enhance the emotional engagement, allowing for meaningful connections with your companions.

Choices and Consequences

One of the defining features of Dragon Age: Origins is its emphasis on player choice. Every decision, from dialogue options to major plot points, has consequences that ripple throughout the game. This level of agency made me feel truly invested in the story and characters.

One of the most memorable choices I faced was whether to support or oppose various factions within the game. The political intrigue within the dwarven city of Orzammar, for example, forced me to navigate complex alliances and rivalries. These choices had far-reaching implications, shaping the world and the story in meaningful ways.

Reflecting on Dragon Age: Origins

Looking back, it’s clear that Dragon Age: Origins was a revolutionary step for BioWare and the RPG genre. Despite its dated graphics and occasional stiffness in character animations, the game’s design and storytelling have stood the test of time.

The release of Baldur’s Gate 3, with its focus on deep role-playing and narrative choice, is a testament to the enduring appeal of the mechanics and philosophies that Origins championed.

While modern RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 push the boundaries of what’s possible in the genre, Origins remains a touchstone for what makes a great RPG. It’s a game that managed to balance deep, tactical gameplay with a richly woven narrative, creating an experience that was both challenging and emotionally resonant.

Dragon Age II – A Bold Experiment

In 2011, BioWare released Dragon Age II, a game that took significant risks in both narrative structure and gameplay design. Unlike its predecessor, which spanned multiple regions of Thedas, Dragon Age II focused on a single city, Kirkwall, and followed the story of one protagonist, Hawke, over a decade. This shift in scope and scale was divisive among fans, but it also allowed for a more intimate, character-driven narrative.

Character-Driven Storytelling

As someone who appreciates deep character development, I found much to love in Dragon Age II’s approach. The game’s episodic structure, which divided the story into three acts, allowed me to see the long-term consequences of my decisions and the evolving relationships between characters.

Playing as a mage Hawke, I experienced firsthand the tension between mages and templars, a central theme of the game. The narrative’s focus on this conflict, along with Hawke’s personal journey, made for a compelling and emotionally resonant experience.

Memorable Characters and Companions

One of the game’s strengths was its cast of characters. Each companion had their own distinct personality, backstory, and motivations. My interactions with them were shaped by the choices I made, and their loyalty or rivalry with Hawke added layers of complexity to the story. Varric, the witty dwarf storyteller, and Anders, the conflicted mage, were particularly memorable companions who left a lasting impact on me.

Flaws and Shortcomings

That being said, Dragon Age II did have its flaws. The game’s repetitive environments and limited exploration options were a stark contrast to the sprawling world of Origins.

The reuse of dungeon layouts and the confined setting of Kirkwall could sometimes make the game feel monotonous. Additionally, the streamlined combat system, while more action-oriented, lacked the tactical depth of its predecessor. These changes, intended to appeal to a broader audience, sometimes felt like a step back from the complexity that made Origins so engaging.

Despite these shortcomings, Dragon Age II succeeded in creating a powerful narrative that explored themes of power, freedom, and the consequences of choices. The game’s climax, which saw Kirkwall erupt into chaos due to the escalating mage-templar conflict, was a poignant reminder of how individual actions can shape the course of history. It set the stage for the next installment in the series, leaving me eager to see how BioWare would continue the story.

Dragon Age: Inquisition – A Grand Return

Dragon Age: Inquisition, released in 2014, was BioWare’s ambitious attempt to blend the best elements of its predecessors while expanding the scope of the series. The game returned to the open-world format, offering vast landscapes to explore, a diverse cast of characters, and a narrative that aimed to tie together the threads from both Origins and Dragon Age II.

An Expansive World

From the moment I stepped into Thedas as the Inquisitor, I was struck by the sheer scale of the game. The lush environments, ranging from the icy peaks of Emprise du Lion to the arid deserts of the Western Approach, were breathtakingly detailed and filled with hidden secrets.

The open-world design encouraged exploration, rewarding players with lore, side quests, and stunning vistas.

Central Plot and Personal Stories

The central plot of Inquisition revolved around the Inquisitor’s mission to close a massive rift in the sky and stop the demonic invasion threatening Thedas. This epic quest provided a strong narrative drive, but it was the personal stories and character interactions that truly shone.

The game’s companions, such as the stoic Iron Bull, the enigmatic Solas, and the charming Sera, were some of the best-written characters in the series. Their loyalty missions and personal arcs added depth to the overarching story, making me feel genuinely invested in their fates.

Tactical Depth in Combat

Inquisition also brought back the tactical depth that some fans felt was missing in Dragon Age II. The combat system allowed for both real-time action and tactical planning, with players able to pause the game and issue commands to their party members. This flexibility, combined with the wide variety of abilities and specializations, made combat both strategic and satisfying.

The War Table and Strategic Decision-Making

One of the game’s standout features was the War Table, which allowed players to send agents on various missions to gather resources, gain allies, and influence the political landscape of Thedas.

This added a layer of strategic decision-making that complemented the main quest, making me feel like a true leader shaping the fate of a nation.

The Hinterlands and Side Quests

One of the most polarizing aspects of Inquisition was the Hinterlands, the game’s first major open-world area. The sheer size and scope of the Hinterlands were both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it showcased the game’s impressive world-building and provided numerous activities to engage in. On the other hand, the overwhelming number of side quests and collect-a-thons could easily lead to burnout.

The Hinterlands became a microcosm of Inquisition’s design philosophy: offering players a vast amount of content but not always ensuring that content was meaningful or engaging. Fetch quests and repetitive tasks often overshadowed the more interesting story-driven missions. This issue was compounded by the game’s pacing, which sometimes struggled to balance exploration with narrative progression.

Technical Challenges and Innovations

Inquisition encountered its fair share of technical challenges. The Frostbite engine—while capable of delivering stunning visuals—posed significant hurdles during development. Early builds of the game were plagued with instability and compatibility issues, particularly when trying to implement RPG-specific features like save files and dialogue systems.

Despite these obstacles, BioWare’s perseverance paid off. The game’s final version was relatively stable, though not without its bugs and performance hiccups. The engine’s capabilities shone through in the environmental design, with lush forests, towering mountains, and detailed cities that brought Thedas to life in ways previously unimaginable.

Endgame and Legacy

As I progressed through Inquisition, the game continued to build momentum. The main story quests were engaging, with choices that felt impactful and meaningful. The decision to align with either the mages or the Templars, for example, had significant ramifications for the story and the Inquisition’s alliances.

The climax of the game, culminating in the final battle against Corypheus, was suitably epic. The stakes were high, and the sense of accomplishment upon defeating him was palpable. However, it was the aftermath and the game’s epilogue that truly left a lasting impression. The Inquisition’s impact on Thedas and the fate of its characters felt like a culmination of my choices and efforts throughout the game.

Reflecting on the Series

Looking back on the Dragon Age series, I am struck by the evolution of BioWare’s approach to storytelling and game design. Dragon Age: Origins set a high bar with its narrative depth and character development. Dragon Age II, despite its flaws, attempted to tell a more personal, focused story. Dragon Age: Inquisition aimed to blend these strengths, offering a grand, open-world adventure with a strong narrative core.

Each game in the series has its unique strengths and weaknesses. Origins will always hold a special place in my heart for its groundbreaking impact and unforgettable characters. Dragon Age II, while often criticized, deserves recognition for its bold narrative choices and character-driven focus. BioWare’s ability to adapt and overcome technical challenges is showcased in Inquisition, resulting in a captivating RPG experience.

Personal Reflections and Hopes for the Future

As a fan, I am grateful for the journey that Dragon Age has taken me on. From the humble beginnings of a Dalish elf mage to the grand adventures of the Inquisitor, the series has provided countless hours of entertainment, emotional highs and lows, and thought-provoking choices. I eagerly await the next chapter in the Dragon Age saga, hoping that BioWare will continue to deliver the same level of depth and immersion that has made the series a beloved staple of the RPG genre.

Dragon Age: Origins remains a high point in my gaming journey. Its deep lore, compelling characters, and intricate choices set a standard that few games have matched. The sequels, while not without their flaws, each brought something unique to the table and expanded the world of Thedas in meaningful ways.

As we look to the future of the Dragon Age series with the upcoming release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, there’s a mix of excitement and apprehension. BioWare has faced significant challenges in recent years, and the pressure is on to deliver a game that honors the legacy of Origins while pushing the series forward. If they can recapture the magic that made Origins special, there’s hope that the series can once again shine brightly in the RPG landscape.