So..Dragon Age 3 was announced about a month ago. Dragon Age: Origins remains as one of the most engaging RPG experiences this generation. So imagine the hurt I (and thousands of other loyal fans) experienced when Dragon Age 2 turned out to be something completely different to the game I first fell in love with.
To be fair, there were parts of Dragon Age 2’s story that became deeply compelling after investing some time into the characters. Many of the themes and subject matter described in the first game were carried over, however they neglected to give us the characters we really cared for. Not to mention the combat and customization was heavily dumbed down to the point it was hardly recognizable as a follow up to Dragon Age. The first game featured some of the most tactical combat I’ve seen in a fantasy RPG in recent years, and then Dragon Age 2 came out like an entry into the Dynasty Warriors series.
With all these upsets it’s hard to look forward to Dragon Age III: Inquisition. So before you agree or disagree (ripping me to shreds most likely) let me further articulate why I have no hope for this game.
Story direction
Bioware’s writers which includes the awesome David Gaider gave us a truly epic tale with an unlimited amount of depth when they created Dragon Age: Origins. The main plot saw us take part on an epic journey to vanquish the Darkspawn and slay the Archdemon – the build up to the end was so engrossing that it became immediately obvious that this would be a hard game to top.
Dragon Age 2 proved us all correct, with the story instead focusing on some of the additional themes that the first game presented instead of being a full blown follow up. The way Dragon Age: Origins ended left us with so many questions that we all felt the urge to troll Bioware on their community forum after finding out the sequel would answer none of them.
From what we know so far about Dragon Age III: Inquisition there seems to be a number of ways that Bioware can spin the story back in the direction we desire. But will they? The fact that they swayed the story in the second game leads me to believe they’ll have to account for those events specifically in the next game, more-so than the first game. I highly doubt whether Bioware will neglect to fall back on the events of Kirkwall, seeing as DA2 likely sold more than Origins did. Also, judging by how Mass Effect 3 turned out we can’t be too optimistic.
A segment describing the story in Dragon Age III
“A portal between the worlds unleashes hordes of demons in the land, civil wars rip apart nations and the corruption is limitless. Someone is behind the shadows, drawing the threads which destroy the world. Time has come for the Inquisition.”
“Take the Inquisitor’s cloak and lead the only force able of bringing light into the darkness. Choose the direct method and gather your armies, send spies into the shadows or engage in a political war, make friends and use your connections indirectly: it is up to you how you lead the inquisition.”
“But you’ll have to take lead of it from the beginning. Make your player a rogue, warrior or mage and set up your crew from up to ten complex companions to lead them against those who attack you by systematically spying on, revealing and destroying them.”
EA’s influence over Bioware properties
Speaking of Mass Effect, Dragon Age seems to be suffering a similar fate as our favourite space based RPG. Remember how the first Mass Effect was a groundbreaking IP developed by Bioware, published by Microsoft? Remember how Bioware got bought by EA? Remember how Mass Effect 2 became a more dumbed down version of the first game, appealing to Gears of War shotgun berserkers? Remember how Mass Effect 3 turned out?
Yeah let’s just say that so far the Dragon Age series has been walking in Mass Effect’s footsteps courtesy of EA’s influence. Sure I’m aware that Origins game was published by EA, but it seems like they were leaving Bioware to their own devices on that game. But as soon as the game grew a fanbase, EA started seeing dollar signs and decided to intervene. And now I’m hearing Dragon Age 3 is likely to use elements of the frostbite engine. Great! Because collapsing buildings is exactly what we need to make Dragon Age 3 live up to Origins.
Multiplayer?
There’s yet to be an unveiling of the Mutiplayer, but it’s been heavily rumored since last year. At this point I would like to talk directly to all developers/publishers by saying – Some games just don’t need multiplayer, so please stop throwing it into games that don’t need it just to provide the notion that you’re offering us more value. When actually it’s just a tactic to make more money out of your game.
Dragon Age: Origins is in my top 5 games of this generation, and guess what? It has no multiplayer.
The Founders of Bioware are gone
Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk left Bioware (and the entire gaming industry) in a shocking announcement last month. The reasoning behind their decision to leave was very vague, but Muzyka did mention something about no longer having the same passion for creation.
Either way, without the two leading forces that pushed the Bioware team to produce some of the most epic RPG games ever known, how can we have any hope for Dragon Age 3?
These are just my own thoughts and opinions, but let us all know how you feel by commenting below.
